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07/03/2010 RYA Portsmouth Yardstick Changes
In one of the biggest upheavels for many years, the RYA's Technical Committee has made major changes to the Portsmouth Yardstick Handicaps of many boats. A summary of the changes for commonly sailed boats at Attenborough are given below.
COMET 1177 +4
LASER 1080 +2
LASER RADIAL 1104 +3
MIRACLE 1185 +7
PHANTOM 1035 -8
RS VISION 1083 +3
SUPERNOVA 1063 +1
TOPPER 1295 +5
WANDERER 1139 +7
The biggest changes are for the Phantom, Miracle and Wanderer. The Phantom is now seen to be faster that it was whilst most of our other boats, including
Lasers, are seen as slower. In reality even the large changes are less than 1% of a boat's handicap so don't make that much difference. At Attenborough,
previously in a 60 minute race a Phantom had to be 120 seconds ahead of a Laser. The changes mean that a Phantom will now have to sail 36 seconds faster in an
hour to still beat a Laser.
For full list click here
Mike Pritchard
07/03/2010 The Fatboy Laser North Sea Challenge
One of our members Duncan Adams is about to embark on a great adventure for a good cause.
Duncan and his challenge partner, Ian Patience, were encouraged after a few healthy pints of beer, to come up
with a challenge which would not only test their skill level to the maximum but also push them physically and mentally to our limit.
Their challenge will be to sail two Lasers across the North Sea from the East Coast of England to Belgium, non-stop covering nearly 100 miles
as the crow flies, which will take over 20 hours.
Please find sometime to read about his challenge of sailing a Laser across the North Sea raising money for MIND and the Ellen McArthur Trust and if you feel able to then contribute to two good causes. For details on the challenge and how to support Duncan click here.
Perhaps this will be the last time they sail Lasers as I always assumed Phantoms were for Fatboys.Mike Pritchard
31/01/2010
Working Parties 2010
Working parties have continued to be well attended on both Saturday and Sunday morning between 9:30 and 13:30 (or even later if you wish).
A lot is going on and a number of projects are now taking shape:
Pontoon deployment
Decked walkway
Gents changing room roof
Start box floor
Barge emergency exit stanchions
Sail and club boat foils storage
Blue Dory hull repair
Extension to powerboat slipway
Vegetation clear up
Clubhouse path slabbing
Barge hull inspection
Outside lights
If you’ve not been down yet, there is still time to get involved and help out where you can.
Just turn up and we'll find something for you to do or speak to one of the chief "gang masters":
Paul Warren, Steve Boon, Steve Coupe, Nick Turnbull-Ross, Roger Day
09/01/2010
Working Parties 2010
Despite the snowy weather a good start has been made to the 2010 working parties with 8 gallant members braving the weather. Saturday was very pleasant with bright skies and little wind. Sunday proved to be a little colder with a brisk breeze reducing the temperature to minus 10 (according to our weather station anyway). The ice on the water was particularly thick and we were able to venture 8 metres out onto the ice to mark out potential pontoon positions. Lots of activity and coffee kept the cold at bay.
Job's done so far:
Removed the large Yamaha outboard from the blue dory, removed the floor of the dory and turned the hull over ready for repairs. Took delivery of the annual waste skip, cut up two redundant glass fibre hulls and loaded them into the skip, measured out and planned the new decked walkway, and planned how we are going anchor the new pontoons to the shore.
Still lots to do:
Construct the new decked walkway (where the tyres are now), launch the new pontoons, put a new roof on the gents changing room, repair the floor to the start box hut, improve the path down to the clubhouse, concrete the top half of the power boat slipway (so you don't slip on the mud/grass as you pull the boats out of the water, clearing the vegetation (brambles etc), further inspect the hull of the barge, construct a boat rack for the Toppers and Bugs, repair the handrail opposite the barge exit doors, along with lot's of other smaller jobs too numerous to mention here! So, lot's to do.
If you can spare some time, please come and lend a hand (it's actually very rewarding and great fun). We have extended the working parties to include both Saturday and Sunday mornings (and longer if you wish). There is normally someone there by 9:30. All are welcome from "Bramble Basher to Tea Masher!"
Just turn up and we'll find something for you to do or speak to one of the chief "gang masters":
Paul Warren, Steve Boon, Steve Coupe, Nick Turnbull-Ross, Roger Day
20/12/2009
Working Parties
Just thought I would remind you that the first work party will be at the beginning of January. Work parties have traditionally been held on Saturdays but as we sail all year on a Sunday I wondered if some people would like to attend on a Sunday , so please could you let me know if you would prefer to attend Either Saturday or Sunday. Depending on the response, the work parties will be either Saturday morning Sunday morning or both.
A list of jobs we would like to complete this winter will be posted shortly. We will be looking for volunteers for each task listed, the amount of work we can achieve will be directionally proportional to the number of people who volunteer so the more the merrier.
Stephen Coupe, Bosun ASC
19/07/2009
Fun at the Fun Races
An early downpour at 13:30hrs delayed the start of the Fun Races but once the rain had stopped the 15 mile an hour wind
made for some very enjoyable sailing. A number of members of mixed sailing abilities took part in the event and the club
Toppers and RS Visions along with Fireball, Laser, Laser Radial, Enterprise were on the water. As well as the novelty activities
(catching Wally the Whale and Soggy Balling each other) a number of quick start 1 lap races took place. Boat's
and crews swapped regularly during the day. Some were thrilled (and spilled) by the Fireball whilst others learnt what a handful an Enterprise
can be if not sailed flat on a blustery day. The Julie and Julie team found themselves mysteriously
paired as helm and crew in the RS Vision but were deservedly pleased with their performance and even overhauled the Fireball once they flew their
kite.
The duty crew (Mark Bell and Kevin Last) did a sterling job of pulling the unfortunate capsizers out of the mud whilst Nick Turnbull-Ross and Akiko Duffew supped tea and coffee and managed the races from the luxury of the committee boat.
The day was rounded off by barbequed sausages in buns - a very pleasant day indeed. We are all looking forward to Saturday 29/08/09 and the Fun Day / 12 hour / camp over day.
28/06/2009
Attenborough Sailing Club 50th Anniversary Party
The club members are used to seeing poles,
canvas and bits of rope under tension at the club, but on 27th June 2009 they were there for the purposes of constructing the 50th Anniversary Party
Marquee rather than the usual sailing boats.
The committee had laboured long and hard over the options: a black tie affair with sit down meal and expensive drinks in a local hotel; or a budget affair with BBQ in the clubhouse. In the end a happy medium was struck which suited the club well: a large marquee, spit hog roast, 13 piece swing band with our own bar on the shore of our own water. All we needed was the right weather. Fortunately somebody was in the know because we were blessed with perfect weather.
Over 100 members, their friends and relatives and a number of ex-members were able to attend and all enjoyed themselves. The band struck up at about
7:45pm with "In The Mood" and indeed set the mood for the rest of the evening evening. They played their two sets in white tuxedoes and were grateful
for the interlude where they took refreshment with other party goers on the picnic benches outside the marquee. The hog had been roasting since 11:30am
that morning and all were impressed with the tender and succulent meat that it provided.
The Commodore thanked the guests for attending and
introduced those distinguished ex-members who had contributed greatly to the club in their time. Some had travelled from afar to join in the celebrations:
Alan Frisby, Bob Burton, Alec Richardson and Ted Booth; old friends enjoying the brief reunion. It was great to see 5 commodores spanning over 30 years of the club's history.
By 11:00pm the beer was starting to run out (never underestimate the Attenborough Sailors) and the older members of the Stapleford Big Band (now in their 80's) were ready to finish for the evening. Entertainment then switched to our very own musicians and Olivia and Julie Rust accompanied by Nick Turnbull-Ross continued the musical theme to the delight of those remaining.
For the younger members, the night was still young. The karaoke
machine was put to good use and the sounds of ABBA could be heard by the Canadian Geese, Fishermen and night watchmen in the vicinity until the early
hours (4:00am I'm led to believe).
There were those with sore heads the following day as well as those ready to represent the club and win the Tripartite event at Swarkstone Sailing Club the next day - an achievement indeed.
So all in all, a great night was had and there have even been suggestions that a similar summer event should be held every year. Thanks to everyone that put so much effort into the organising, running and clearing away of the event. Here's to the next 50 years.
28/06/2009
New Tables and Benches
Working with a local college the club has now taken delivery of several tables and benches to enhance the seating area on the grass area behind the club house.
24/06/2009
Open Day
Saturday 6th June was our 2009 Open Day. I've been involved with many of our Open Days and on every occasion we have always a had "Sunny Days". It was most disappointing therefore to see the foreboding weather forecasts the days before and wake up to heavy rain.
I arrived at the club at 9:45 to find grass had been cut, posters and signs were in place, the powerboat was ready for launch, Visions were being rigged, the loaned Cornish Cobble was being prepared, eager Nottingham Model Boat Club members had already arrived and the club was alive with activity undaunted by the pouring rain. The Ice cream man rang up to cancel!
An estimate of how many burgers that would be required was made based primarily on the number of our own club members and Model boaters that would need feeding, the chances of members of the public wanting burgers would be low - "40 burgers and a packet of 20 sausages should suffice". The gazebo to protect Bar-B-Que and chef was unpacked from storage and found to have been both home and sustenance for a family of mice! A replacement "pop up" version was quickly purchased.
Doors opened at 11:00am and the rain began to ease. Very soon the trickle of visitors increased to a steady flow and all 4 Visions and the Cornish Cobble along with their respective helms were in constant use. The Model boats took to the water and all were very impressed with the number and precision of the models that the club had bought along to exhibit and sail. It is clear that the model boaters are as an enthusiastic a club as we are and equally friendly and sociable - I am sure we will see them again and forge a lasting relationship with them.
The rain eased off and winds picked up during the course of the day, reefs were put into the sails, gazebos had to be taken down and the model boats had to come off the water. Our visitors were thrilled at the excitement of a fast sailing in "tippy" conditions whilst our sailors did a valiant job at remaining upright. The committee boat took the young and old out for photo opportunities. Meanwhile ashore extra supplies of beef burgers where sought and our bar persons continued to supply hot tea and coffee (along with the occasional beer) to the damp but excited sailors fresh off the water. The Sea Cadets cake stall provided still further treats.
We finally packed everything away at about 5:00pm having signed in 24 parties and 53 people most of whom had gone out on the water. I have to conclude that despite the weather we still had a great day and although figures were down on previous years, the number of club members who came to help and the gratitude and enjoyment that visitors expressed mean that this was an equally successful Open Day as previous years.
Far from an "Open Day Cobble". The event was very well organised and the weather did little to dampen enthusiasm. Thanks are due to the many club members who helped both on the day and prior for their help and assistance for indeed making it such a "Sunny Day".
Thanks one and all who helped (to numerous to mention - you know who you are).
23/05/2009
Away Weekend at Rutland
Rutland Weekends camps have been marred by poor weather in recent years. 2009 however made up for it. Seven members camped overnight (Steve Coupe, Jeremy Straw, Mark and Kevin Last, Nick Turnbull-Ross, Rob and Felix Underwood) with four members (Julie and Olivia Rust and Keith Brereton and Carol Gimson)and one welcome ex-member (Tim Stephenson) coming along for the day.
The weather was warm on the Saturday with plenty of wind providing some exciting sailing in the boats that had been brought along: Fireball, Laser, Wanderer, Solo and RS Vareo. Crews, helms and boats were swapped around and the day-trippers made it out on the water as well.
Saturday night saw the traditional Bar-B-Que and Mark Last celebrating his 18th birthday (his dad had promised him this sailing holiday). Suitable firewood was scavenged (including what resembled in size and shape a pterodactyl leg) and a campfire kept burning whilst Felix serenaded the campsite accompanied by Nick on the guitar.
Sunday was a glorious day with hot sun but alas less wind than we had been spoilt with the day before. The Vareo and the Wanderer were launched and made best use of the light airs and thermals that existed. Meanwhile the rest of the group fired up the bar-b-que and pooled burgers, salad and bread buns for lunch on the shore of the lake.
A lazy "chill out" end to a very enjoyable week end - now looking forward to the similar Fun Day and 12 hour race at the club on August bank holiday.
25/04/2009
Race Training
A racing for Beginners informal training day was held on Saturday 25th of April. Organised by Roger Day and Mike Pritchard, 15 people attended spending over five hours listening to presentations and practising on the water. This was the first event of its type the club has run for some time and seemed to be successful with notable improvements in the sailing ability of all those involved as the day progressed. Special mention should be given to Andrea Murphy, Kevin Milton, Paul Warren and Nick Turnbull-Ross who spent much of the day sailing in boats or demonstrating techniques and it was rather noticeable that the delegating skills of Roger and Mike ensured they stayed dry in the power boats.
The day demonstrated that for those members who have completed the RYA Level 1 and 2 sailing course there are major benefits in having further ongoing training to help build confidence. Ultimately the club can only do so much with limited resources but for those who want to improve I believe they should consider attending a course such as Improving Techniques at a sea based training centre as this will enable you to try a variety of boats in most probably stronger winds thus building confidence.
04/04/2009
Fitting Out Supper
Social secretary Julie Rust organised an excellent fitting out supper to help members ease back into the new sailing season. Over pizza and a few drinks, we caught up on what we'd all been up to and raised funds with a quiz and a raffle. Thank you to everyone who helped. Our next big social is our 50th birthday do in the summer. Look out for more details.
01/04/2009
Max Goes Greek
ASC Dinghy Instructor, Max celebrated his 18th birthday with confirmation of a summer job instructing on the Greek island of Kos with sailing holiday company, Mark Warner.
Max started sailing at the club at the age of 6 and qualified as an instructor in 2007. Max would like to thank all club members who have supported his sailing, in particular, Senior Instructors Brian Dennis and his Dad - Keith.
Max leaves for Kos at the beginning of May. We wish him all the best and look forward to hearing all about it when he gets back (we're not jealous at all!)
