These are the voyages...

Ok this has nothing to do with sailing but it's just such a beautiful photo. It's of the Cassiopeia A supernova as photographed by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. The tiny blue dot in the middle is said to be the first ever recording of an infant neutron star.

CCC

Chas attended the CCC AGM the other night. Unfortunately it clashed with the FYC AGM so somone needs to do a bit of coordination there to avoid a repetition of that. They won't of course since these dates are always fixed on the Monday after the first new moon while Jupiter is in Aquarius or whatever. In itself it is a surrogate of what's wrong with Clyde sailing. Anyway it was all totally routine with the main focus looking ahead to the Centenary celebrations and cruise. Possibly the most memorable thing for me was a copiously vomiting guide dog. However, more seriously, I didn't know that CCC Race Sec Morag Machin has been unwell in her first year in office and is currently receiving chemotherapy. We sincerely wish her a full and lasting recovery and trust she'll be back on the case next season. Oh and HRH the Princess Royal is to become an Hon Life Member. Wonder if she'll come and crew at BDSS again....

Serpent Frostbite Race - on Halloween

Saturday was a fine sailing day for the Serpent YC round Cumbrae 'frostbite' race. Hardly frostbite conditions. Don't know who won. It wasn't us as we went round the wrong green can at the top of Cumbrae only realising when we were nearly back at Largs that others were going to the other one. So we went back and ended up last. But sailing in a bit of sunshine with a nice breeze was all we asked for. Below is Moody 31 ' Emma Louise' sporting some crisp Saturn sails and chasing Out Of the Blue.

Predator

As photographed at Silver's by Alan Macleod.

Martin Goodlad writes with the definitive skinny. (No doubt everyone will want to chip in opinions on the best mods)

Thought I'd drop you a note to break the suspense on what Predator is? Murray 41, basically the same hull form as a BH41 but slightly modified. She was originally called Arbitrator and won the Commodores cup in 1996, the sistership to Terra Firma that won the Sydney Hobart also in 1996. Rates higher than a BH41, but that was with fractional rig, runners checkstays etc. Still haven't finalised what modifications etc will be done to her so don't have a clue what the new rating will be! Cheers Martin

Rules Rules Rules Race Race Race

The RYA is going to run seminars at Largs (Inverclyde Centre) over the week-end of 28th/29th November to train people for RYA Judging and RYA Regional Race Officer qualifications. Further details from the RYA website

http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/racing/raceofficials/Pages/seminars-conferences.aspx

Our Regional Rules Adviser, Terence Brownrigg, is responsible for recruiting for the Judge Seminar and our Regional Race Management Coordinator David Kent is responsible for recruiting for the Race Management Seminar. At their request, we are circulating all Scottish Yacht Clubs to see if you have any members who would be interested in attending either the Judges' or Race Officers Seminars. The price for each of the two day Seminars is £50 and, for those of you who would like accommodation at the Centre, this is £28 a night for B & B. If there is sufficient demand, there will be a dinner at the Centre on the Saturday evening for approx £10. If you wish accommodation at sportscotland National Centre Inverclyde you should get in touch direct at http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/Inverclyde/TopicNavigation/Booking+information/ or telephone 01475 674666 and mention that you are attending the RYA courses. Numbers are limited and will be accepted on a 'first come; first served' basis.

Anyone interested in the Judges Seminar should return the appropriate form to Terence either by email - terencebrownrigg AT btopenworld.com - or snail mail - subject to postal strikes - to him at Ardentigh, Glenoran Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, G84 8JU.

Anyone interested in the Race Management Seminar should return the appropriate form (attached?? ) to David Kent at davidssi AT btconnect.com or by post to RRMC, Scottish Sailing Institute, Largs Yacht Haven, Irvine Road, Largs KA30 8EZ.
If you would like to know more please contact Terence or David on the above e-mail addresses who will be happy to provide more information. (David didn't send me any forms but I'm sure if you email him he'll send one on.)

Animal Hyde

Kevin Aitken, he of v. nice Elan 380 Animal announces that he is now the local agent for Hyde Sails. One of the largest manufacturers, class winning sails, racing , cruising , dinghy, blah etc. Kev will visit, discuss, measure and have sail sent to you direct from Hyde. All the usual stuff and he is offering discounts at present of at least 20%. Personally I can never forgive Hyde for those hideous bright orange sails I hope they have stopped building but hey what would I know. His contact details are on the banner. And while this is here as a kind-of-a-news item, if other local sail purveyors think this is favouritism then send in your guff and I'll post that too. Probably.

In October 2009 The University of Strathclyde Sailing Club will be representing Scotland at the Student Yachting World Cup, in Marseille, France. We'll try to keep you posted but meantime visit their own site by clicking the logo.

CCC Closing Muster and Tarbert Race

I know you've been fed up with that rotten pic of a Loch Long but I've been installing a new PC which is nearly as easy as relocating a graveyard. However most of the junk is moved over and the ftp settings restored in time for the winter hibernation. Anyway Troikka was out on the CCC closing muster/race thing to Tarbert last weekend. It was a well attended and enjoyable do with Argie Bargie easily running away with Class1 which had around 10 entrants. We thought we were were doing reasonably well albeit in semi-cruising mode with only 5 on board and seemed to be picking our way up the East Kyle until somehow the rest of the class sailed through us.

Not to worry, there was plenty to drink in Tarbert. The Animals were promoting the Lager Yacht Club with pies on the pontoon while Ian MacDonald was doling out drinks and marshmalllows at the traditional Toilet Party. The mass meal at the Anchor was sold out but I think those who were able to forgo the opportunity to shake their sporrans and went to the Vic had the better deal. Morag Machin has kindly supplied a few pics. Results on www.clyde.org

The figure at the sharp end of French Connection (wing keel Starlight 35) is none other than our Esteemed Commodore. Suggestions are welcome as to what he was doing there.

Serpent YC Autumn muster

The weekend before we went out on the Serpent YC autumn muster as committee boat and also the only starter in Class 1. It was a race from Kip to Rhu via Toward and started off in around 20kts wind. Well 'started' is putting it generously. It could be said that the Serpents who are not really a race honed bunch (Tanit being an honourable exception) are more than a little line shy. Dugald and Val Glen in their Maxi 1100 with some of the great and good of Dundee University sailing team on board hit the line on time with nobody else anywhere nearby. I think the last of Class 3 crossed about 10 minutes late.

photo Alan Macleod

Poor old Kelpie D came a cropper in short order despite having 2 reefs in. This is not meant to happen to Westerlys and we're told the standing rigging had been replaced in the last few years. No boat or person damage thankfully and Out Of The Blue stood by (after their appalling start they had nothing to lose anyway) until a workboat came along and helped them retrieve the rig and they returned safely to Kip.

Alan Macleod

Novemeber Lady is perhaps the best set up and sailed up Moody 31 on the Clyde and off their 18min CYCA always does extremely well. So why they are on the wrong side of the pin is a bit of mystery.

Alan Macleod

Nostalgia #1 - Off topic but I was raking through some ancient slides and found this sad scrapyard scene. We miss those triple screw old ladies.

RNCYC Calendar

Neill Ross writes:

“September was a highly successful month for RNCYC members in international competition. Firstly, Allan Manuel steered Murdoch McKillop’s Lafayette to victory in the 8m World Championships at Hyeres. This was promptly followed by a very encouraging 7th place for Charlotte Dobson in the Laser Radial class at Sail for Gold at Weymouth. At the same regatta, Luke Patience finished a very creditable 2nd in the 470 class, coming hotly on the heels of a similar result at the 470 Worlds in Denmark. It is no coincidence that these two highly successful young members feature on the new club calendar for 2010. Proceeds from the calendar will be channelled into helping the next generation of rising stars. RNCYC currently has a significant number of juniors and youths climbing the ranks in their respective classes, and the Club is committed to supporting them in their endeavours. The calendar features members and member’s yachts in racing action this year and is a high quality production with a daily planner and notes section every month. Although the photos are of RNCYC members only, the calendar will have wider appeal to the yachting community. It is a folded A4 format so is easily posted – an ideal wee Christmas pressie.

So if you think you can stand looking at some RNCYC transoms for a whole month you can get one from the RNCYC office for £9.99 - O1436 820322 / info@rncyc.com

Nostalgia #2

John Highcock was raking through some old slides and found this colourful scene. Round Cumbraes? Malcolm Sails - remember them?

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