Crunch, what crunch?

I was just passing through Kip when this thing was being unloaded. It's full circle and back to Moodys for Kip although these are being built in Germany now as part of the Hanse empire. Fortunately Kip have ordered the upgrade from the laminated wooden keel and a conventional keel plus twin rudders were also on the truck. I think the hooded cabin top gives it a rather menacing look but it should be a pretty comfy ride for whoever buys it.

Sailing in Paradise

One time Troika crew Cherry McIvor is now in New Zealand and sent some pics from last weekend's sailing. She says:

'There was a party ashore, with braais and a band, and lots of happy people that evening! The next day we watched the start of the Classic yachts, who raced back to Auckland, in the morning, then we went over to Kawau Island. It is just like paradise out there! lovely little islands, white beaches, warm torquiose sea. Plenty of yachts moored in all the little bays, and we stopped in the middle of the large bay, drifted and jumped into the sea to cool off! The water is so clear, you can see forever!'

Tarbert- the new pontoons

photo: Perkin Warbeck

Warbeck says the pontoons light up like an aircraft runway at night. Hopefully no aircraft will try to land there.

Alan 'Fotoboat' Henderson advises that a photo of World Classic FF Champ MAF Smith will feature on the cover of the Feb edition of Dinghy Sailing Magazine. Everyone who lives anywhere near the Holy Loch is expected to buy a copy, cut out the picture and stick it on the back of their cludgie door.

FF World Championships - We congratulate Holy Loch FF owner

After GTI Polaris Regatta back in September 2008 Flying Fifteen owner Maf Smith casually commented that he would not be doing the forthcoming Holy Loch frostbite series. When asked why not he remarked that he would be towing his Classic FF 'Feel Flows' down to Kendal where he would whip the keel off and stuff it all into a container bound for Australia. Read on here how they won the Classic Fleet. In the pic Maf is on the left.

New - (again) - the Clydesailing Crewfinder.

Stimulated by some comments on the forum I had another look around cyberspace and have found a simple guestbook thing which we can use as a no-frills crew finder. This time round it seems to work! The add-a-message form is very simple - your name is a compulsory entry and you have to state whether you are crew wanted or crew offered. The email box is optional and to avoid spam you may be better to put in disguised contact details in the main text area. The first wanted ad is up already so go to it and lets see what happens. Please don't abuse it with nonsense. This is a genuine attempt to address a recognised need in Clyde racing.

Go to the crewfinder

Happy New Year

Belated Happy New Year to all Clyde sailors. Let hope for some good sailing weather this season. Why not make it your resolution to help make this site more interesting by emailing in stuff, even if its just a link to something you think others would like to see. Nearly everyone has a digital camera now and it's simple to email a photo or 2.

FYC New Year Race

The FYC New Year Race at Kip went ahead as usual on 2nd Jan. About 10-12 boats in a pleasant 12kts easterly. Don't know if those FYC wusses at Largs went out. Thanks to Alan Henderson of Fotoboat for the pic.

Budgie Joins The Dragons

In the next leg of the Volvo Ocean Race. Well known Gourock sailing star Ian Budgen has been invited by his friend Ian Walker to join the Green Dragon team, standing in for Damian Foxall for the Singapore In Port race on Sat 10/1 and then Leg 4, the gruelling and extremely cold upwind race to Qingdao. Go the Dragons. Follow the race on the web. I believe there is also a Clydesailing group on the Virtual VOR in which you can compete from the comfort of your computer seat.

Sydney Hobart

Jus Do It, Ian Darby's First 47.7 with the trademark red spars finished 50th overall and 16th in Class 3 under IRC with an elapsed time of 3:16:38.04. The crew included some from Tanit and Grand Cru and I am still hoping to have some account from the horse's mouth as it were to post up here. From the official website:

"Jus’Do It 3 comes to Australia with an excellent racing record and an exceptionally experienced crew. The boat was first in fleet (Rolex Trophy) and first in class in the Antigua Race Week 2006 and first in fleet, first in class and best Beneteau in the World ARC 2005. Owner/skipper Ian Darby has had 55 years of sailing experience, starting with being a schoolboy dinghy champion to skippering his own yachts at Barbados, Antigua and Key West Race Weeks and the ARC races in 2001 and 2005. His crew includes experience in races such as the Fastnet, TransAtlantic, Auckland to Noumea and Darwin to Ambon. "

2009 Race Calendar

You can find the whole works on the CYCA site as a .pdf which you can readily download.

Key early season Clyde dates are :

CCC Bute Regatta 25/6 April
Savills Kip Regatta 9/10 May
Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series 22-25 May
Old Pulteney Mudhook IRCs 6/7 June

I am hoping that my new Elan 37 (which btw is to be called Troikka - keeping the kka of Quokka) will be at most of these. Crewing offers are still welcome.

Cardwell Bay Sailing Club

Sid Barnett writes to inform us that Cardwell Bay Sailing Club now have their own website. Simple and functional. We'll be happy to post any news of interest or racing pics that they might choose to send on.

Race Training Weekend

I am hoping that this is going to be a reality and if it does happen it is likely to be run at Ardrossan and driven by the Marina and Sunbird Beneteau yacht sales. Possibly in conjunction with an IRC weighing session. We look forward to hearing more about it - soon hopefully.