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Topics - Jerry G

#1
Neil Kennedy's article in the Newsletter is very interesting and summarises the general decline in dinghy racing very well.  I think the trend has been downwards in most clubs and classes since about 1980.  However, some clubs seem to buck this trend: Brightlingsea Sailing Club (host of the 2016 Burton), for instance, still seems very active.  How do they do it?
Graham Ireland (RHYC) made an interesting comment a few years ago.  He pointed out that the clubs that had a good progression of junior members moving on to sail the "grown-up" boats had two-handed dinghies as their junior class (Brightlingsea had Mirrors, Waldringfield had Cadets) while the clubs that had Oppie, Topper etc struggled to retain their juniors when they grew out of the starter class.  We regularly sailed our Twelve at Brightlingsea's Pyefleet Week and noticed how the little ones started out crewing for more experienced kids then a year or two later they would be helming with a new child as crew while the original helm was crew or helm in one of the grown-up classes.  With single-hander starter classes most kids were not big enough to move on to Laser or Phantom etc and were not interested in crewing for an adult having always helmed.
I think its a great idea to boost the interest in the older Twelves, they are very good value for money (and if you need new sails get them second hand from the Burton winners!).  In 1979 I bought a Proctor IX to introduce my 7 year old son to crewing (I now crew for him on his 25ft cruiser/racer!).  Later my wife and I had a lot of fun racing a Design 8 specially when the Gill series started and had an "Admirals Cup" division - so we weren't going to open meetings just to make up the numbers but had some real competition.
We only gave up Twelve sailing due to age and me needing a new hip.  Our 30ft catamaran is more suited to our loss of agility!
#2
To RHYC members and all who sail in the Orwell, Stour, Walton area.  Be aware that there is a proposal to install 5 large areas of commercial mussel beds in the Stour estuary between Shotley and Stutton Ness.  Full details at http://www.qualitysolicitors.com/parkinsonwright/sectors/environmental-and-planning-law/fishery-order-application-the-river-stour-mussel-fishery-order-2015 .  As usual the proposed order was apparently announced by a small ad in the East Anglian Daily Times about a month ago so local clubs and their members have only just become aware of it.  Any comments or objections have to be sent both to Defra and the solicitors by 6 April (full details in the above link) so if you have any views on this act now.
This will mostly affect the many yachts that use the Stour but the large number of marker buoys and crab pots (used to catch predator crabs) will be a big obstruction to dinghy sailors as well.
Sorry to use the N12 website for such a general item but I feel it important to spread the word.

JerryG ex-3500 3365 2997 2782
#3
The P&B weekly e-mail said Tom Stewart would be at Shotley SC last weekend "National Twelve".  Shotley is not a well known N12 venue but driving back from Shotley Marina Sunday afternoon (I had been crewing on a lead carrier) I spotted Jonno in the Shotley SC dinghy park.  Secret Ibbotson/Stewart tuning session?;D;D
#4
General National 12 chat / RHYC
01 Feb 2010, 08:14
Anybody know details for the Eastern Area dinner this year? 
#5
Any more information about the dinner at RHYC?  I understand it is on 14 Feb which is early enough that my valentine will not be acting as midwife to sheep this time.  How much and who do we book with?
#6
N3365 for sale.  Will be on the for sale list when I am allowed to access it! My address and phone number are in the year book.
Jerry Garner
#7
Who is going?  This event needs some N12 support or it will disappear.
#8
For future consideration and to get away from the western fringes of the UK, has the committee considered Brightlingsea?  This year they hosted both the Fireball and Mirror Nationals.  From the reports on the Y&Y website both events seem to have been well run and enjoyable.  For the families, although Brightlingsea does not have much of a beach it does have a prom and paddling pool.  It is quite close to Clacton and there is even a naturist beach at St Osyth for those so inclined.  Our annual "holiday" is racing at Brightlingsea SCs "Pyefleet Week" and we can confirm they are a very friendly club with just about everything run by enthusiastic volunteers rather than professional staff ie good food and drink at reasonable prices.
#9
General National 12 chat / Cartoon
27 Aug 2006, 08:45
I note the Waldringfield SC (River Deben) Cartoon Trophy is on 9-10 September.  Now that Thorpe Bay is off, are any Twelves intending to go?  I understand 1st start is 1200 on the Saturday.
#10
General National 12 chat / outhaul
08 Mar 2006, 09:48
I am intending to replace the ageing outhaul within the boom.  Proctor alloy boom as supplied with P&B Design 8.  Peering down the boom it looks horribly complicated.  Any tips on how to set about it?  Is it necessary to remove one or both of the boom end fittings?
#11
General National 12 chat / Endeavour
11 Oct 2005, 05:18
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