OZ F16 Nats Easter

Hi all,

just a post to remind you what Paynesville looks like, hope to see you here for the F16 Nats at Easter. Photo is of me on Tim's boat which he is lending me for the Nats.

Tim who, and is it a mozzie?

Yes its a mosquito, and i believe hes referring to Tim Shepperd (Tim_Mozzie). I would come my self, and bring my mosquito+kite, but its a long drive to vic from qld.

i am confused??? why are you sailing the karma? what happened to the all-conquering blade?

Hi Brian,

the Blade has been sold, to be raced by it's new owner at the Nats. Leaving me with out enough time to buy another boat. Tim has been kind enough to offer me his boat as he has other commitments.

Hi all,

latest news, AHPC is intending to attend with 2 Vipers, Greg one up and Brett two up.

Hi all,

something to look forward to for those that attend. A new member that has a Winery is supplying Bottles of wine to give away at the Nats.

You can find more info on the Winery at www.chirpingbird.com.au

Hi all,

just thought I would tell you about another beautiful day sailing on the Lakes.

Seabreeze was only about 10 knots, but with temps in the high 20's and not a cloud in the sky, who cares. Raced Tim's Mossie with Spin and flew around the course to beat Neil sailing without spinnaker by 4 minutes plus. Winning on Yardstick by 2 minutes. Just another perfect day on the lakes . Can't wait till Easter and the F16 Nats.

Gary, the teenagers that are coming with me for the trip, want to know is there any surf near by? Should they bring their boards, or should they just bring a kayak and some fishing gear ?

Tony

Tony,

unless you have a boat it is a fair way from Paynesville to the coast. Closest would be Lakes Entrance. Otherwise they could always bribe the rescue boat drivers to run them over to Ocean Grove and 90 mile beach. Gary might correct me but I believe 90 miles has a lot of big fish with teeth.

Kayak and fishing gear might be easier.

Thanks,

One bite of these teenagers and the big bad fish will spit them straight out.

But point taken.

Kayaks and fishing it is.

Tony

Tony,
Do you really think the big bad fish would get the fist bite in?

Regards,
Phill

Hi Tony,

there is no quick access to surf unless you are bringing a powerboat as well. But tell them the surf on the 90 mile beach is generaly crap anyway, 90 miles of beach break, dumping on the sand.

On the brighter side, if they still want to go, I am sure that the surf fisherman would be happy to have somebody to swim out their baits for them, some launch Tinnies of the beach for this purpose which is very dangerous for them. I am sure they would feel much safer with kids swimming the baits out. Probably better chance of catching BIGGER FISHIES also.

Tony,

When I was a kid we spent holidays on the ninety mile beach and recall local farmers surf fishing at night for big Bronze Whaler sharks to supplement their income. They were usually successful.

Swimming and fishing the lakes sounds better. Paddle boards or sea kayaks on the lakes would also keep the kids busy.

Regards,

Peter

Redneck Newcastle beach fishing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LebBRGS8hLY

Hi all,

for those coming early I thought the first of the 7 day forecasts would be of interest. At least it looks like it will be warm.

Forecast for Thursday

Mostly sunny. Winds northeast to southeasterly averaging 10 to 20 km/h becoming up to 20 km/h during the evening.
Precis:
Sunny.
Min
7
Max
22
Forecast for Friday

Morning cloud. Morning fog patches. Light winds.
Precis:
Early fog.
Min
8
Max
24

Hi all,

latest update, from the B.O.M. site. Looks like a pleasant weekend.
Seabreeze site currently predicting around 10 kts. Friday and 15-17 kts Saturday. Sounds perfect.

But it is early yet. Blowing 30 kts here at the moment.

Had another great sail on Tim's Mossie today. Sailed on Lake Wellington about 45 min. drive from where we normaly sail. Racing against Neil on his Mossie with Spinnaker, plus one cat rigged Mossie, 4 x Paper Tigers, 3 x Arrows and 1 Nacra 14sq. In very gusty conditions to 25kts. plus.

Neil and I had a great battle, Neil was half way along the reach as I rounded the first mark after, starting late (didn't realize it was our division start). Club we where at used Navy Numeral Flags rather than the Numeral Pennants I was used to. Then hit the first mark, took 2 laps to catch Neil trapezing on reach when he sat on side and flying spinnaker, when he left his in chute . Passed him on the next beat, then he got back past near the top mark. Then I drew along side again on reach, to gybe just ahead and pop the spin and take off.

Until bigger gusts hit and massive cartwheel , got mud on the top of the spinnaker , it's a very shallow lake, not like where we sail normaly. Anyway got it up and took off after him again, catching up again, finishing 1 minute behind. Still got second on Yardstick only 4 cats finished, I think Neil was the only one not to capsize.

Can't wait till Easter Nats.

Hi all,

latest news.

2 Vipers attending will both race sloop.

I will be racing Blade one up, Marcus will race 2 up. My youngest brother and occasional crew Neil will race Mossie with Spin thanks to Tim.

Weather looks fantastic , this is copied from the B.O.M. site.

Forecast for Friday

Winds: North to northwesterly 5 to 10 knots tending west to northwesterly around dawn then tending south to southwesterly 10 to 15 knots around midday then tending northeast to southeasterly up to 10 knots by early evening.
Forecast for Saturday

Winds: Northeast to northwesterly 5 to 10 knots tending easterly 10 to 15 knots during the afternoon then tending east to northeasterly up to 10 knots during the evening.
Forecast for Sunday

Winds: Light winds tending northeast to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots during the afternoon then tending east to southeasterly during the evening. The chance of thunderstorms from the morning.

Simon is racing a blade 1-up to isn't he!?

Hi Mitch,

it wasn't meant to be a entry list, just a couple of unusual ones. There are 3 other one up Blades, plus at least 2 Mossies and some Taipans coming.

So is all the redundant Cat club coming?

Iam leaving at 12pm tonight, should be there between 10 and 12 am Thursday morning.

See you there.

Tony

Hi Tony,

I won't be finshed work till the late afternoon, but will see you on friday if not before

Sure is Gary!

For the first time in (insert large number here) years there will be TWO x QB3 Catamarans in the same race!

The Hobie 20 is also confirmed!

The Stingray will be on the water barring a disaster with a new main sail being delivered to the GLYC that will hopefully fit! Oh, and it shouldn't be leaking this year!

All hopefully arriving lunchtime tomorrow! Can't wait!

Mitch

QB2 ok.
QB3 ?????
What is the specs?

Hi Phill,

pushing my memory here, but I think it is bigger rig, small square top on main.

Great to here T.R.C.C. are coming, Simon is looking forward to seeing his old Stingray. Gee sailing is becoming a small community. Sell a boat from S.A. to Vic. go to Titles in Vic and your old boat turns up .

Hope to see a new record for around the island this year, QB2's use to be the boat to beat when I was a kid on my Arafura Cadet. Will be hard to beat the 54 minutes set by Neil on the Mozzie last year, it was very windy.

Hi all,

Simon P was out practicing this arvo, looked good. Perfect conditions, flat water and about 12kts. Simon said he couldn't believe how steady the breeze was. How easy the sailing is here. Forecast is more of the same all weekend. Keep your fingers crossed.

Gary is pretty much spot on!

Taller Rig, Wing Mast, Square Tipped main!
Same mods as when Stingrays went "Mk2" I believe!

There isn't much volume in the QB hulls though... I have no idea how they go in a bit of chop!


Thought I should mention that I cannot wait to get out there! I have spend all afternoon affecting the repairs I have been putting off since January!

1100km in 14 hrs was hard work.....
First days racing today.
Gary was first on the Blade with Vipers 2nd & 3rd.
Racing was close but some confusion over marks mixed the results up.
See what happens tomorrow
Marcus

Race 2 was abandoned.....threatening thunderstorm scared most away.

2 short races tomorrow & long distance race in the afternoon.

Marcus

Marcus,

Great to have some news of the event!
If you have some pictures and a report, let me know, I'll put it on the site then.

Gill

Gill,

Limited internet access, but will try with some pics.

Close battle at the front of the field here.

After 5 races
Viper Sloop 1st
Blade Cat rigged 2nd
Viper Sloop 3rd
Blade cat rigged. 4th

Tony Barrett - Cat Rigged Blade had an elastic shock chord hit him in the eye & had to be flown to Melbourne hospital for surgical examination - he is obviosly out for the series.

More news later today.

marcus

Ouch! Hope Tony comes out alright!

Hi all,

had plans to post each night, but had too much going on. Racing went late, dinner at the club each night, organization etc. Tell you what it is easier to be involved at a event at someone elses club than your own .

Anyway, Tony Barret is doing OK at last report. Can see the top line of an eye chart, but will be a slow recovery. Beware when removing shock cord on hull supports .

11 boats entered, 4 x 1 up Tony J, Tony B, Simon, Gary, 1 x 2 up, Marcus/Nathan, FCA Blades. 3 x 1 up, Niel M, Peter, Matt, Mosquito's. 2 x 2 up, Brett Goodall/Kingsley normaly skippers Taipan Sloop, James, normaly skippers Taipan Sloop/Leigh, normaly crews Capricorn F18 Vipers. 1 x 1 up, Taipan.

Tony was sadly missed, the only race he competed in on Saturday, he should have finished 3rd. Just ahead of me, and was challenging the 2 up Vipers. I thought he would have had the potential to win the regatta as things turned out, certainly would have made it a lot harder for me to win races anyway.

So first race, Friday. 10-12 knots I think. Vipers pulled away through out, with Tony B, Simon and I battling, my trapezing down wind was quickly picked up by Tony B after I passed him and Simon. I won by default, the lead Viper(James,Leigh)lead to the finish, but went looking for a buoy in the wrong place and was followed by Brett/Kingsley and Tony B. The small buoy had been in place since before the start and I had noted it's location before starting, also having written the sailing instructions, I knew what to look for, it was the same type as the offset buoy, which we passed 3 times during the race. Oh well has to be some advantages to being local and organizing the event . Then a thunder storm came in and all racing was cancelled for the rest of the day.

Saturday, we waited for wind and had half a AGM, until the OD called us out. Did 3 races before lunch break, flat water 8-12 knots. James/Leigh, Brett/Kingsley and I all won a race. After lunch was the around Raymond Island race 10-12 knots. James/Leigh lead all the way to finish in 54min 24 seconds, 24 seconds outside the record set in winds to 30 knots last year by a Mossie. Brett/Kingsley and I followed.

Sunday we headed out in light but sailable conditions, but consistent shifts delayed the start for some time. Eventualy the wind settled and got up to 12 knots, but quickly started to die off again, finishing in 8kts I battled with, Simon, Brett/Kingsley, Marcus/Nathan, James/Leigh, managed to get to the last windward mark first only to lose 3 places by the time we headed down the last run, but I managed to get past again to win. Second race was lightest of the series 8to 6 knots. I won the start and lead all the way to the finish, despite spinnaker sheet coming undone. Brett/Kingsley did very well to finish not far behind 2 up.

After lunch, breeze was up to stongest gusting 15 knots maybe more on the first lap. James Leigh lead the way with Brett/ Kingsley and I in pursuit. First run the 2 Vipers missed the lay line for the leeward mark and I had a wild ride, to be just behind them. James/Leigh went on to win both races with Brett/Kingsley 2nd me third in the first and Simon 3rd in the second.

James/Leigh won the regatta with Brett/Kingsley second and me one point behind in third. Peter won the Mossies. Full results and more to come.

Hi all,

some photo's.
First one is me, second is Brett Goodall and Kingsley Pursch.

Thats not a Mossie Gary.......

Was hopping to come up for a day to check out the racing, but my Jeep broke down (Nothing cheap about a Jeep). Bloody engine immobiliser has given up and car stuck at work.

Do you have a full listing of results?

Thanks for the report Gary!
Looking forward to see some more pictures and the results!

Gill

Hi Stephen,

very observant of you.

Ended up getting my brother to sail Tim's Mossie and I sailed the Blade as Marcus brought one over. He has now taken AUS 400 back to Adelaide, so I am officialy boat less.

Trying to get results, will have more pictures soon.

Hi all,

Wins where divided between, James Macdonald/Leigh Thorne, Viper x 4. Brett Goodall/Kingsley Pursch, Viper x 1. Gary Maskiell, Blade x 4. 9 races allowed 2 drops so results where close. You will just have to wait for full details.

Hope these pictures will keep you going. First is Marcus and Nathan Towell chasing Tony Jenkins.

Second is James Macdonald/Leigh Thorne.

Last is a hotstart, note the start flag is not down yet (blue and gold triangle). It was called a individual recall, with me well over on the Blade. Simon P had come up under me as I ran down the line and forced me over, he was completly in the right. So I was madly looking for a hole to dip back in. Found one headed off on port while the rest of the fleet was on starboard and got to the top mark around third place, a good recovery, I thought.

I certainly enjoyed watching the Raymond Island race.

Hi Peter,

don't recall giving my permission for you to take photo's. Paparazzi are everywhere. I do try to keep a low profile

Amazing number of boats and people around over the weekend wasn't it! Did you get out on Lemon Peel? Glorious sailing weather, you should have come around and said hello.

Hi all,

hope the full results are here.

www.sailglyc.com/r2008/f162008/series.htm

and Final results here, bit hard to read but possible.
1 AUS108 Viper J McDonald 10.00 1.00 1.00 [5.00] [4.00] 1.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 2.00
2 AUS123 AHPC Viper B Goodall 13.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 [3.00] [3.00]
3 400 Formula Cats Aust G Maskiell 14.00 4.00 3.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 [4.00] [4.00] 1.00 1.00
4 AUS405 Zen S Porteous 25.00 3.00 [5.00] 4.00 [5.00] 4.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 4.00
5 1790 Bee Alert P Nikitin 43.00 6.00 6.00 7.00 7.00 6.00 5.00 [7.00] [7.00] 6.00
6 AUS403 Vertigo M Towell 44.00 12.00S 4.00 3.00 3.00 12.00S [12.00S] 5.00 5.00 [12.00F]
7 1775 Karma Cat N Maskiell 48.00 [12.00S] 9.00 6.00 6.00 5.00 8.00 6.00 8.00 [9.00]
8 1705 The Tiger M Stone 50.00 5.00 8.00 [9.00] 8.00 [9.00] 7.00 8.00 6.00 8.00
9 AUS404 FCA T Jenkins 61.00 12.00F 7.00 12.00S 10.00 7.00 6.00 [12.00S] [13.00F] 7.00
10 AUS029 Lil Bro S Kershaw 67.00 12.00S 12.00F 8.00 9.00 8.00 [12.00S] 9.00 9.00 [12.00F]
11 AUS406 Lone Wolf 2 T Barrett 77.00 12.00S 12.00S 12.00C 12.00C 12.00S 12.00S [12.00S] [13.00F] 5.00

Yes I spent the odd morning and afternoon talking to Matt Stone and the other mossie guys in the rigging area before and after the races.
I had been planning to bring Lemon Peel for the regatta but work got busy and I needed some family time.
These photos were taken from a 16ft fibreglass half cabin powerboat which at times was travelling at 18knots and not keeping up with the F16's.
Send me a PM with an email address if you would like full size copies of these photos (about 1MB each).

Hi Peter,

great shot of Simon. If you have a few photo's, any chance of a CD.Otherwise my email is gjmaskiell@gmail.com

Can someone place this picture on the wikipedia page for the F16 class ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_16_(sailing)

Make s for better promo

And send me some to create an album on the F16 website.

A small report to put on the site would be great as well!

Great event guys!

Gilp

My report stands as !

Company vehicle, which broken down two hours from regatta, is still broken down in Victoria.
Borrowed boat is still in Victoria.
All cloths, sailing gear, tools ect, still in Victoria.
Minutes to AGM, still in Victoria.

No indication from small town mechanic, when vehicle will be ready to be picked up.
More planes, trains and bus's to come. Then another twelve hour drive home.

On a philosophical note. Twelve people didn't make it home from driving on Australian roads over Easter.
I guess I didn't too bad after all.

Sailing report and minutes to come.

Regards

Done

Big thanks to Peter.

F16 article on wikipedia

I have uploaded the rest of the photos peter sent me to picassa.
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cloandsimon/F16NationalsCourtesyOfPeterLyons#

Peter has just sent me some really nice mossie and viper pics to upload to the album. enjoy

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/cloandsimon/F16NationalsCourtesyOfPeterLyons?feat=directlink

Some pretty nice shots there!!!

Simon your the F16 Pin-Up boy aren't you?!? I can't go to a catamaran website without seeing you and Zen all over the place!

My trip to the Australian F16 Nationals championships at Paynesville Victoria, started as planned. I had been driving for 9 hours, with a couple of stops for fuel and breakfast. I was only three hours from my destination when I had gear box problems. In short, I had 4th gear and I could nurse 2nd gear if I had to. I managed to drive to the nearest town about 1 hour away and leave the Ute there with the local mechanic.

An elderly couple overheard my plight while I was on the phone trying to arrange a hire car. They offered to take my self, the two boys and the boat to Paynesville, which happened to be their home town. They had no room for any of our gear.

First stop was the hire car company. I then followed them to the yacht club, where they were locals. We met Gary, Simon, Neil and Marcus in various stages of rigging up.

We told them our story, said our goodbyes and then drove two hours back to get the rest of our gear. Another two hour trip back to Paynesville, just so we could catch the last ferry to Raymond Island at 12pm.

We finally got into bed at 12.30 am Friday morning, 25 hours after we had left our home. I didn’t sleep very well.

Friday Morning.

I got up at 6am, had my breakfast, made my lunch, checked on the boys, who were having no trouble sleeping, and left for the regatta.

I arrived to see 9 boats being rigged.
My boat, which is really Phill's boat on loan, sitting there.
And Brett Goodall was on his way.

We had 11 boats in total. Just 1 short of what our expatiation's were.

1 x Taipan cat rigged

3 x Mosquitoes cat rigged

1 x Blade sloop rigged

4 x Blades cat rigged

2 x Vipers Sloop rigged

It was the 1^st time I had seen a AHPC, Viper in the flesh. And I must say they are a tidy unit. A good looking well thought out boat. With obvious Taipan pedigree and Capricorn influences. There were some individual touches, like tramp main sheeting on one of them.

Having said that, the FCA Blades were of the highest standards as well.
The finishes were professional looking, with most of them being customized to suit their owners.

It’s a credit to both Greg at AHPC and Marcus at FCA, that they see a big enough future in F16 to put their money into producing top quality race boats like that.

The mosquitoes didn’t look out of place amongst the optimized boats, but there is no denying that a more modern rig sitting on them would go a long way.

The only Taipan there was still using the old version main.

The 1st race was Friday after noon held in approximately 10 knots of breeze, not much swell but lots of waves and chop from a million pleasure craft getting their annual Easter fix.

With 1 minute to go I was sitting about 20 meters down and back from the start boat, only one boat above me and Gary just below me. Having not been in a start line for nearly four years, and Gary forcing me up and one of the Vipers moving in above me, I dropped the sheet, tucked in behind Gary and hit the line running. My heart was pumping, but I got away cleanly and in a reasonable position.

It didn’t take long to realize that I wasn’t the quickest boat out there.

One of the Mosquitoes tacked straight away, most sailed on for a while.
I was heartened by the fact that some boats had to take my stern when they decided to tack.

Simon, my self and one other stayed on starboard for a long time, sailing up close to Raymond Island.

By the time I got to the top mark, only the three Mosquitoes and the Taipan were behind me. I reached to the separation mark, pulled up the spinnaker and prayed. I had only completed one successful gybe in nearly four years.

I didn’t trapeze. I got to the bottom mark, in 1 piece and unscathed. I dropped the spinnaker early and sailed dead down wind for what seemed like an eternity. At least this gave me plenty of time to set things up for the next work.

A quick glance over my shoulder showed four boats right behind me.

I rounded the mark and found my self pulling away from the four boats behind me upwind, but loosing ground going down.

This pattern repeated it’s self for the three laps.

Heading to the last downwind mark, I thought the permanent buoy in the bay was where I had to go. I saw the lead bunch go there; But I didn’t notice Gary had sailed to another mark altogether.

I had a small laugh, when I saw Peter on his Mosquito, “Bee Alert” head to the same mark that Gary had sailed to. I quickly stopped laughing when I saw the rest of the fleet behind me heading there as well.

I managed to finish seventh, I was reasonably happy with that fact.

I had survived without capsizing. And knowing there was plenty of improvement to come.

I was on high after the race and was eagerly awaiting the next race, when an electrical storm rolled in and racing was called off for the day.

My observations of the race were:

That the cat rigged boats were mixing with the sloop rigged boats. There didn’t appear to be a huge difference in the type of optimized boat either.

All the lead boats trapped down wind.

The mosquitoes were noticeable slower up wind, and they didn’t trapeze down wind.

The cat rigged boats appeared to sail lower down wind. The sloop rigged boats could power up more and drive harder.

Boat handling and technique appeared to be the difference.

The evening was a pizza night at the club house, the AGM was supposed to be held. But I need to get the bed; I passed on the pizza, caught the ferry and hit the sack. The AGM was rescheduled.

When I find photos, I will attach.

That completes my report of Day 1.

Tony

Was that a Taipan 4.9? We have two in our club, in F16 trim, and they are competitive with the newer boats. That is with new Goodall sails.

Tony, thanks for the great reporting. Sorry to hear about the car troubles though, that sucks.

But, as far as the race leaders trapping downwind thing, who were these guys and do any of them frequent this board, that might be able to tell us Yanks how it's done, correctly? Thanks.

I remember seeing most of the 1-up guys trapping at some point!

Trapping all the time would be Gary, and yes he is a regular poster. SimonP also likes to trap downwind (except when he is feeling 'tired' and doesn't realise people are watching) and he posts fairly regularly!

A few photos

A few more

Wow 'The Shadow' is a nice looking boat!

Please note that is my boat and it is NOT an F16...

No it but it wishes it was

Nice throphy guys !

And what is that greyish boat in the background ?

An F16 ? and is it really grey or is that just the lighting ?

Wouter

Trophy is thanks to Marcus, he certainly did a great job.

The grey boat is Tony Barretts FCA Blade.

actually i would prefer if we didn't use that photo of Simon with the red kite.....that spin was on loan & the owner did not know.

Excellent shot otherwise

Day 2, Saturday the 10th of April

I got up at 6am, feeling much rested. I had breakfast, made my lunch and headed to the regatta.
I was early, and was greeted by no wind at all.
Gradually every one arrived, the pro advised up that he was postponing racing for a while. We took the opportunity to start our AGM.
The formalities had been done, and the election of office bearers has held. We were just about to start general business when we were advised we had half an hour to get to the start.

We walked out side and were greeted by an 8 to 10 knot breeze. It was a mad scramble to get to the start.

Race 2

The start was unremarkable, every one got off ok. Some tacked straight away most kept on going for a while.
I decided to go up the middle. It was noticeable that starboard tack was quicker. I couldn’t work it out, but then I realised that it was the direction of the waves that slowed the port tack down.

From where I was, it looked congested at the front. Simon was putting in a great performance, pushing Gary and the Vipers all the way to the top mark. They all went too left of the course.
I was going ok, not that far back from the 1st four, Mat on his mosquito (The Tiger) went up the middle with me and was 50 meters or so back. The other mosquitoes and Shane on the Taipan were coming in from the right, another hundred or so meters back.
I sat in on the reach, getting everything ready for the hoist. Mat, trapped and was right on my tail, I got the spinnaker up 1st and headed down low, as soon as he popped his I gybed.
I tried to sail low, by sitting in and pushing my feet up against the leeward foot straps and sailing on one hull. It was fun and a good feeling; I defiantly need to practice though.
I gybed 2 or 3 times and still got the angle wrong for the lowering the spinnaker, and sailed in on a square run. As it turned out, it wasn’t that bad a leg. I didn’t appear to loose any ground to the lead boats, and I still had my lead over the guys behind me.

The 2nd leg was up the middle again, repeated by the same downwind tactic. I still lowered the spinnaker early, but came in much hotter this time.

The 3rd leg was good. The wind was picking up and I was trapping hard. Up the middle again and I had Marcus not that far in front. Simon had slipped back a bit and Gary was leading. There was nothing between the Vipers.
I came up to the top mark on port, tacked on the lay line, jumped out on the trapeze, when I heard something break. I didn’t know what it was, but I was capsizing with the mark just in front of me. I was falling off the boat, I held onto the main sheet and pulled all I could, but it just helped it go over. It took me a fair while to right the boat.
As I drifted down wind every one had passed me, and by the time I got around the top mark everyone had finished.
I soon realised that the rope attached to the dog bone had snapped.
I didn’t finish the race, I didn’t want everyone hanging around for me to finish, so I let the rescue boat know I was going in.

It was when I got to shore that I noticed Tony Barretts boat sitting all unrigged. It was then I was told about the elastic shock cord that flicked him in the eye and he was flown to a Melbourne hospital.

It made my inconveniences seem rather insignificant.

I didn’t make it for race 3.

Some repairs and I was out there for race 4.

The start sequence had started, and the rescue boat gave me 3 fingers. I decided to start at the pin end. I half the line to my self and I was still over, and to make matters worse, I tangled the buoy. I felt silly, but relieved when I heard the general recall.
To be quite truthful I don’t remember much about this race. I know I was racing the mosquitoes and I decided to trap down wind. I was enjoying it, but the wind had died a bit and I seemed to be pointing too high. I decided I needed the practice and I kept at it for the three legs. I also remember that the spinnaker seemed different in this race, it looked different at the end of the pole, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
I finished 6th behind Peter on his Mosquito and more mozzies behind me. Shane, Marcus and Tony did not start.
The honours were shared between Gary cat rigged on his Blade, James and Leigh on their Viper and Brett and Kingsley on their Viper. A fair result for their effort.
We went in signed off, had lunch and got ready for the, Around Raymond Island Race.

Race 5

Started with the breeze freshening. We had some other boats on the start line with us. A stingray, Hobie 20, QB3 and I can’t remember what else.

I got a terrible start. I was just gobbled up by every one. I got to the 1st mark equal dead last. I had no idea where I was going, but I had plenty of boats to follow. I know the AHPC boats laminated a map of the island and course. It was a long up wind leg to the 2nd mark. Gary was very low and footing off, the Vipers were hard on the breeze and making good time. Simon was doing well and was pointing high. Neil on his borrowed Mosquito was low and following Gary, and he had it flying.
I managed to break free of last group and set my sights on Neil and Simon. Even though Gary and Neil are locals, I decided to stay high along with most of the fleet. I finally managed to reel Neil in and get within 100 meters of Simon before we followed the coast line onto a reach.
It was a blast, a flying reach that went on for ever. I made even more ground on Simon and had left the rest of the group a fair way behind.
I noticed that the 3 lead boats were under spinnaker. I was confident that I could carry it if I trapped.
To my shock as I hoisted the spinnaker I watched the starboard trap wire go up. I pulled the spinnaker back in and tried again. The same thing, the trap wire stretched on it’s elastic half way up the side stay.
I dropped the spinnaker again, threw the sheets and tried to work it out. I undone what I could and tried to re run things but to no avail. By now every one had passed me and I was dead last all by my self, this time.

I sailed on until I turned around the permanent mark and decided to pull the spinnaker up again. Up went the spinnaker and the trap wire, but it didn’t matter; I only needed the port trap wire now. I had just found out why the spinnaker looked funny in the race before. I just wished I had noticed the trap wire back then.

Any way I got out, put my back foot in the foot strap and hung on. I needed to point high, but there were a lot of gust, and I kept on having to bear away, quite literally my heart has racing. I made up boat after boat; I was heading lower but moving very fast.
It got to a time when I had to drop it, and I just reached in to the next permanent mark. This time we were heading up the channel between the mainland and the island. I guess it would be between 100 and 50 meters wide, with an Easter crowd all out on their boats and ferry running between them.

By the time we rounded the mark into the channel you could throw blanket over us. It was very close, but there was very little wind being in the lee of the island.
Small gusts would blow through, and some one would get it and make a move. Some one would either catch up or some one would pull away. I don’t know how the Hobie 20 did it, but they came up from behind and just kept sailing away form all us us.
I was falling back and was getting frustrated again. I knew not every one in the race, was in the F16 race, but we were still racing.
I realised that I was sheeting on too tight; I eased up and started to catch up again. Shane on the Taipan had a great race, Neil pulled away, and Peter just stayed in front.
I didn’t realise Matt had troubles and capsized and was well behind.

Apparently James and Leigh did the 2nd fastest time ever around the island.

Back to the shore, sign off, unrig, shower and hit the club house for a few drinks and Chinese.

The boys and I had our fill, said our good byes and ferried back to our beds. I couldn’t remember being so tired. (Except for the night before) I defiantly slept well.

Regards Tony

Sunday morning I got up, and met the crew at the club house. The usual was going on, repairs, coffee, talking ect.
As we were discussing finishing our AGM from the day before, the pro advised us, there was sufficient breeze to get some early races in. So we canned the meeting and headed out. Only to be greeted by a postponement flag. The wind shifted left, shifted left again, and then left again and then left some more. Eventually settling near enough to 180 deg from the where the original course was set.
So while we waited for the course to be set, some of the boats were out practicing, others just sat and waited. I took the time to have a few runs up and down. I had a test run against Brett and Kingsley for a while. They were noticeably faster, but they couldn’t get over the top of me. They ducked underneath me; we exchanged pleasantries and headed in different directions. I thought that was good enough, so I turned around headed back to start boat and waited with everyone else.
I guess it was more than an hour before we got the go ahead.
Race 6
Wind up around 12 to 15 knots.
I don’t remember the start at all. But what I do remember is pulling on my down haul and nothing happening. It was stuck fast and I couldn’t budge it. I thought tacking would free up whatever was jammed. This made no difference at all, so I was resigned to sail the complete race with a full baggy, wrinkly sail. When I got to the top mark I wasn’t last, but I’m not sure where I was.
I sailed down, got near the bottom mark, dropped the spinnaker and decided to lean over the front beam and see what was wrong.
The down haul on this boat runs under the front beam. I could see two of the blocks that cross each other were getting intimate, but there was nothing nothing I could do could budge them. Once again I had no choice but to sail without a down haul. I sailed the race in dead last position, it was painfully slow. I remember getting to the top mark and getting a hurry up from the rescue boat.
I finished 10th out of 10 and headed straight to shore to fix the problem.
Unfortunately race 7 was the last race for the morning and I didn’t get out there.
Race 8
The wind was building again to 15 knot gusts.
Everyone started except Tony who was still in hospital. The news filtering back was that he had blurry vision and he could read the top line on an eye chart. We were heartened by this and we all wished his wife well.
Marcus had gone out cat rigged. I guess there was a little controversy over changing his sailing configuration, but promised not to get too involved with the boats vying for the championship. No one really had any problems with it. It might of been the national titles, but it was held and being raced in good spirit.
The Vipers lead the way with Marcus right there on their tails. I could only imagine what he would of been like if he decided to get involved. Gary wasn’t letting anyone get away but the breeze was getting out of his preferred range. Simon was a little further back, then myself and the the three mosquitoes’ of Peter, Matt and Neil.
Matt had to do some running repairs on his broken spinnaker pole earlier on. Matt is one of the most eager sailors I have ever met. I’m not sure what happened to Shane on the Taipan, I know he was having rudder troubles early on.
It was an enjoyable race for me; I enjoyed the extra pressure, weighing in at 81kgs. I still sailed downwind with precautions, trapping out sometime and sitting in on other legs. My gybes weren’t that scary any more, although they were a long way from being efficient enough to make ground on the more practised sailors.
The mosquito guys are proof that quicker boats are not quicker if sailed poorly. Even though I was on an optimised F16 and I had my eyes on the slower optimised boats, the reality was I was racing the Mosquitoes. It only takes one slip up and those guys are all over you.
(note to myself) “practice more” “maintain boat”
I ended up coming 7th, 2.37 behind Simon and 27 seconds behind Peter on his Mozzy.
The last race. Race 9
Started in approximately 15 knots.
Only 7 boats on the start line.
From memory, there were only a couple of points separating James & Leigh , Brett and Kingsley and Gary. They all needed to beat each other to win the regatta.
From the start the Vipers looked like they had the jump on Gary. Gary didn’t like the wind in that range and had everything maxed out and still was over powered.
I was having my usual race with the Mosquitoes of Matt and Peter. I could beat them upwind, but downwind they sat inside and went low and fast. I was trapping downwind and heating it up as fast as I could. I wasn’t scared anymore; I was looking for every puff I could find. I just wanted to give it my all just once.
Heading down wind for the last time, I beat Matt around the top mark and Peter was a fair way back. I gybed straight away and Matt kept on going. I found gybing while trying to do it flat out was a bit of a problem. If I couldn’t get my foot in the strap, I would slide forward and my front foot would stop on the centre board. Valuable time was lost trying to get the foot in the strap.
We crossed once, I was in front, we crossed again and I had to take his stern. That was a bit scary, because I was riding a gust and heading up wasn’t an option, so I had to throw the sheet. It seemed like we were in a gybing dual, we crossed once more and again I was behind but by a little more. I decided to sail onto the lay line. Without much thought I jumped in, threw the tiller, hooked up and jumped out and proceed to pull the boat over on top of myself at 100 mph. Still scratching my head how I did that.
I didn’t finish that race either, but I wasn’t fazed, I went out going as hard as I could.
Later that night after a few drinks, Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club put on another great meal. The presentation was had, and a good time was had by all.
In the excitement of getting through as many races as we could, we never got around to finishing the AGM.

1 AUS108 Viper J McDonald 10.00 1.00 1.00 [5.00] [4.00] 1.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 2.00
2 AUS123 AHPC Viper B Goodall 13.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 [3.00] [3.00]
3 400 Formula Cats Aust G Maskiell 14.00 4.00 3.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 [4.00] [4.00] 1.00 1.00
4 AUS405 Zen S Porteous 25.00 3.00 [5.00] 4.00 [5.00] 4.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 4.00
5 1790 Bee Alert P Nikitin 43.00 6.00 6.00 7.00 7.00 6.00 5.00 [7.00] [7.00] 6.00
6 AUS403 Vertigo M Towell 44.00 12.00S 4.00 3.00 3.00 12.00S [12.00S] 5.00 5.00 [12.00F]
7 1775 Karma Cat N Maskiell 48.00 [12.00S] 9.00 6.00 6.00 5.00 8.00 6.00 8.00 [9.00]
8 1705 The Tiger M Stone 50.00 5.00 8.00 [9.00] 8.00 [9.00] 7.00 8.00 6.00 8.00
9 AUS404 FCA T Jenkins 61.00 12.00F 7.00 12.00S 10.00 7.00 6.00 [12.00S] [13.00F] 7.00
10 AUS029 Lil Bro S Kershaw 67.00 12.00S 12.00F 8.00 9.00 8.00 [12.00S] 9.00 9.00 [12.00F]
11 AUS406 Lone Wolf 2 T Barrett 77.00 12.00S 12.00S 12.00C 12.00C 12.00S 12.00S [12.00S] [13.00F] 5.00

Congratulations to everyone involved. As I write this my car, boat and gear has only been back since 19/5/09. And despite my results, I still had a great time. I got to meet the people I have spoken to over the years and a few others.
I’m convinced formula racing is a winner, in particular F16 which has a great future ahead of it.
I look forward to next year.
Regards Tony Jenkins.

"I’m convinced formula racing is a winner, " Our Spring regatta is mostly A class and spin boats. We give the A's their own start and run all the spin boats together. A few people absolutely refuse to participate, but most of us have a great time. There just isn't enough difference between F18 and F16 to warrant separate starts.

If people complain, Give them a reason to come and bring their mates!!!

We offer seperate prizes at our open (160-180 boats) for ANY fleet with 6+ boats. They may start within a "fleet start" but we give them prizes.

We set 2 totally different courses at each end of the lake. On the fast course (SCHRS 1.13 and below) we offer the following

1, Single handers (so this is The F16's, A's Shadows and the like - usually about 25-30 boats)
2, F18's (usually about 20)
3, Spitfires (usually about 12)
4, Fast handicap which inclues Hurricane 5.9, FX1 (2 up), Tornado and N20.

We also make it clear that the 2nd and 3rd starts are not set in stone - when we get more F16's than Spitfires(and the F16's want to sail as a fleet vs all Single handed in start 1), they might get relagated to the Fast handicap. If another class puts a big effort in over a couple of years, they might well get a start and some others starts get put together. THere is competition for starts, but WHATEVER happens, >6 boats get a couple of prizes.

It's worked for the last 20 odd years!!!!!!!

Most boats we had was 202 and we ran out of beach!!!!