1st race of the season was a short course around the race marks with a start and finish out of the channel. The wind never really got up above a F2, so the 6 lap triangle/sausage course was shortened by a sausage. F Williams/T Cochrane in a club SL16 just beat the Nacra Infusion of R Golden/C Howting to 1st place on corrected time.
Race started at 12:34.
Seven boats turned out for a pursuit race on this fine warm, sunny, and at times breezy summers day. The staggered start began with a south to north transit of the club start line, followed by marks at NW Sinah (most southerly green channel marker in Langstone Harbour), Roway Wreck, and Fairway, making for a very elongated triangle course with 1 upwind and 2 downwind legs. The F3-4 was patchy and quite light in the channel where the turning high tide was a significant factor.
As promised, here are a few more details about the camping week coming up. As usual it will be very relaxed and informal with the only scheduled activities taking place on Sunday 8th August when we have the team relay race in the afternoon followed by a BBQ. Come for the whole week, a couple of nights, or just a day!
Team Relay Race, Sunday 8th 2pm
So quite a memorable Island Cup!
As the day approached the forecast gradually deteriorated from a perfect F3-4 WSW to a challenging F1-2 NNE. Not that that deterred anyone and it was impressive to see 11 boats lined up for the beach start which was necessitated by not having enough wind to keep up-tide (south) of the usual club start line.
Warm and sunny, a Force 3 southerly breeze, and clear blue seas... what a fine day for a sail! 6 boats out (no surprises in the line-up) and a second attempt at the pursuit race format to put into practice lessons learnt last time out. This time we put the 3 yellow racing marks out to form a classic triangular course off the Eastney shore with the start line between the outfall post and the safety boat to allow for starts to be relatively unhindered by wind-over-tide in the channel (at least that was the plan). 6 boats entered, but only 5 boats sailed the course...
More than 20 members turned up on Sunday 16th May for the excellent Dart 18 and sail training day given by David Lloyd. Despite the breeze and occasional showers, David was able to take us through how to rig a Dart for best performance covering many aspects including mast rake, batten tension, and a top tip on how to measure the sail camber to set the downhaul just right.
The planned afternoon sail saw just 3 Dart 18s venture out in the F5-F6 breeze but which was curtailed due to equipment failure and incorrect boat orientation...
Registration is now open for the 2021 Solent Forts Race, taking place at Hayling Ferry Sailing Club over the weekend of the 19th and 20th June. The weekend will follow a similar format to previous years but with a few changes on shore to make the event as safe as possible. Havant Borough Council have approved the Saturday evening social event which will take place in the boat park and will see a return of the legendary Trevor John Band.
It's happening... Band on the Beach is back for 2021!!! Risk assessments have been completed, approval from Havant Borough Council has been given, and most importantly the Trevor John Band is booked.
After a successful virtual RYA dinghy show, the publicity sub-committee continues it's good work, producing stickers, flyers and new club signage to help publicise the club and attract new members.
Stickers have already been distributed to club members, while the recently finished flyers will be available from the club house or by request from Jennie. Please help yourself and display wherever you think will catch the eye of prospective members!
Suggestions are:
HAYLING FERRY SAILING CLUB
Hayling Island, UK
Contact enquiries@hfsc.org.uk
Closest postcode for sat nav is PO11 0DG.
