Spinnaker Coaching - 25th April

[Ian Stables]

We are holding the first of our training days at Spinnaker on Saturday 25th April.

We will have expert coaches on hand to help refine your skills ahead of Burton week and anticipate a combination of classroom discussion and on the water coaching.  We will tailor the coaching to suit everyone so whether you are a 12 novice or championship winner there should be something for everyone.

All are welcome and we hope to see a few new faces (and boats!).  Follow the link for directions [www.spinnakerclub.co.uk], if you have any questions you can post here or email N12s@spinnakerclub.co.uk

[thedodger]

We've got the first colour on Jammy Dodger, should be ready for the 25th!

[Ian Stables]

We are aiming to be on the water by 10:00,  so Simon that means your last coat of paint needs to be on by 08:30 to give it time to dry before launching!

See you all there.

[Phil Brown]

Burton Week's not too far away now so an opportunity this Saturday to get those early season boat handling issues sorted with the aid of video etc

10:00 am rigged and ready as usual. It's Saturday early in the season so it's unlikely there will be catering so please bring your own butties. Tea and coffee will be available and there's a rumour that we'll be going to the pub afterwards


Can you let me know if you're coming so we don't get caught out with numbers etc

Look forward to seeing you

Cheers

[thedodger]

It appears, like the lost tribes of the Amazon, Spinnaker is too difficult for other 12 owners to find ~ well that's your loss I guess. Phil Brown ran an interesting and informative training day, thank you Phil, where we also discussed the new rules and generally got ourselves up to speed. Very windy and some spectacular planing and early swims for all of us!
Two new 12's due very soon at the club, both being bought by younger members caught up in the momentum. Like the lost tribes we will disappear, but it is possible for the more adventurous among you to come and join in our growing success. If you are sailing locally on your own, come join Spinnaker and you'll find a variety of boats and owners willing to welcome you to the fold.
Simon
3454

[Phil Brown]

Well, the forecast may have put a few people off, the early season (what? â€" it’s past Easter!!) may have kept some away but the hardy crews who did make the effort had a truly exciting day on (and in) the water.

It’s early season so the emphasis is very much on boat handling and with gusts to 25 knots, the conditions certainly stretched even the experts. The “starburst” effect as boats scatter across the water is always an impressive feature of windy days and N12s just seem to reach the far corners of the water that much quicker.

Tacking and gybing are always “must get sorted” priorities at this time of year and Ian and Gina, Steve and Jack made the most of the opportunity. Simon and Rosie arrived in fine style towing a newly sprayed boat behind a nearly matching (but borrowed) Land Rover. We know that LRs can tow up to 3.5 tonnes but I didn’t think a coat or two of paint would put that much weight on a boat, anyway, boat rigging was their morning activity.

Lunch break and discussions of mark rounding followed and, after weighing up the conditions, the brave ventured forth again. Ian had changed crews so they were busy getting sorted whilst Steve and Jack demonstrated the old adage that to finish first, first you’ve got to finish by exploding their kicking strap, twice. (Note to all Spinnaker sailors and to anyone given to sailing in predominantly light(ish) conditions, would your boat and all the fittings and strings be up to a blast in strong winds?) Meanwhile Simon proceeded to demonstrate what a brilliant paint job he had (had) done on the hull by displaying the whole of its bottom whilst upside down.

Notwithstanding the less than ideal weather, we dealt with some of the fundamental aspects of sailing and trust we at least got to thinking about our sailing, even those who decided discretion is the better part of valour and given the conditions, stayed ashore.

Many thanks to all who attended