Cherbourg weekend - what you missed...

Only 2 boats from Castle Cove made it across to Cherbourg for last weekend's celebrations - making a total of two from all the clubs in Weymouth. Meanwhile Newbury Sailing Club (yes that Newbury, the one on the canal in Berkshire) managed 5 boats!  So here's what you missed...

• The new facilities are fabulous

• The free berthing was very welcome

• The free smoked mackerel and gallons of free wine for lunch was lovely

• The free music and various mini festivals including french baking demonstrations (with free croissants and pastries) was super

• The free guided tour of the Cherbourg was a real eye opener - there's so much more to see and do than you would ever believe (even on a Sunday)

• The free 4 course evening meal at L'Armoire à Délices (next to the marina office) was utterly superb. 

• If we'd had to pay for everything it still would have been fabulous

Cherbourg reminder...

Don't forget this weekend is Cherbourg's celebration weekend with free berthing and all sorts of festivities.

Looking at the forecast it looks like the perfect weekend, plenty of sunshine and the wind will be behind you there and back! If you get there late use the visitors berths on 'K' or 'N' pontoons.

Phone me, ping me a text, or fill out the form on the earlier post if you need shower codes or any other info.

Gary 
07595 368422

Corrected results online...

After a few teething problems the official results for the 1st Monday and 1st Wednesday series are now online. The results are calculated using the NHC system, and this, along with optional IRC class, is the RYA’s current recommendation for club racing.  The club voted for this for the 2014 season.

If you didn’t come along to the meeting to cast your vote, or you’ve lived in a cave for the past few years, you might be a little confused by NHC. On the other hand you may have read and listened to everything you can about it - in which case you might be even more confused. So here it is in a nutshell...

The base numbers are not subjective, they are published by the RYA and arrived at mathematically based on certain dimensions from each boat. They are not massively accurate but are claimed to be largely irrelevant anyway as the system automatically adjusts each boat’s handicap individually after each race based on actual crew performance.  

After a while these corrected handicaps will look a little strange, but remember they are calculated on the basis of the crew not the boat. They are intended to create a situation whereby all boats are equal and any boat in the race can win - in theory at least it doesn’t have to be the best sailed boat, just the one that is sailed best relative to the crew’s ability. Ironically that’s often the same thing so in the end it might actually work out ok in a conventional sense too. Only time will tell...

As previously mentioned we also voted to incorporate an IRC class so if you have a current IRC and would like to compete under that too let us know.

Whatever your views on NHC don’t let it spoil your sailing - just get out there and have some fun!

RNSA/RDYC Friday evening race series...

RNSA/RDYC are running a combined Friday evening race series. It's a pleasant way to spend a nice evening - if you fancy joining in Sailing Instructions and other information is included below.

• Eligibility: Races will be open to any yacht from Yacht Clubs of Weymouth and any visiting yachts wishing to take part

• Race Officer (RO) of the day: The volunteer RO will be aboard one of the participating boats and their appointment will be arranged by radio and agreement prior to the start (typically around 1820).

• Radio Channel: All communication will be on VHF Channel M1.

• Classes and Handicaps: NHC (PYS) handicaps will apply. NHC is the National Handicap for Cruisers run by the RYA, which is replacing PYS, and details can be found at www.rya.org.uk/racing/pages/nhc.aspx together with a download for all boats listed. The RO can assist those members requiring handicaps for their boats after the race.  Any dissent must be preceded by the down-payment of a pint for the RO!  There will be only one class displaying flag pennant 1.

• Start & Time: The starting line will be in the vicinity of the CCSC committee boat in the NE part of Portland Harbour (see chart), to be announced along with the course by the RO.  The RO will give a 15 minute initial warning with details of the course at approximately 18:30, followed by 10 minute and 5 minute warning countdowns with a final countdown to the start.

• Aggressive starting tactics against the RO boat is discouraged as this can upset the countdown!

• Participants should leave radios on throughout the race in order to be made aware of any changes to the course.

• Courses: The course length should be designed such that fastest boat sails for about an hour and the slowest about 1 hour 30 minutes.  A shortened course can be announced by the RO by radio during the race using any mark of the course, but one that is well in advance of the lead boat reaching that mark.

• The first race on 30 May will be set, weather permitting, such that the finish is near Weymouth Harbour entrance to allow competitors to catch the 2000 bridge that evening.

• Finishing Line: The finishing line will be the starting line, unless the RO specifies the final mark of the course which, together with a specified bearing, will form the finishing line.

• Time Limit: The time limit for Friday series races is 1 hour 30 minutes, or 30 minutes after the first boat of that class finishes, whichever is later.

• Time Reporting: Each competitor is required to take their own finish time and confirm this to the RO by VHF as soon as possible after finishing. 

• The RO should then email (preferred) or text this information, together with confirmation of the start time, to Ian Bowker at ian@bowkerlodge.co.uk or 07749 804291 respectively. All times should be taken by reference to a SatNav driven clock, not a standalone timepiece. Results will be published on the RNSA website at http://www.rnsa.net/sections/notices.aspx?SectionID=49 

• This page can also be accessed by using the menus on www.rnsa.net – the “Branches” tab at the top followed by the “Portland” tab on the left and “Notices” within the drop down box.

• Scoring & Trophies: Scoring for each Friday series of five races will be based on a low points system with two discards.

• Trophies will be presented for the first overall in class, in each series. Additional trophies may be presented dependent on the number of Qualifying Yachts, at the RDYC's discretion.

• Trophies & Prize Giving: Trophies will be presented at the discretion of the Committee.  The prize giving will be held at the annual RDYC Prize Giving Dinner.