Messages

Is it Michael Barrimore?

superb event last year and we loved it. Commitments stand in the way this time around. Have fun, y'all.

FUN is what it is all about and after one year of ownership and membership the experience has surpassed my expectations.
Irrespective of being at the extreme of the ideal weight for the class competion is still fun because the class truly embraces inclusivity for abilities, age and vintage of design. Personal performance and and results are not the be-all-and end-all; at least that is my rational while I struggle to perfrom
I joined the class weighing in at 111kg thus really limiting my selection of crew. It would normally be my 13yo son. The twelve has proven a significant additional incentive to address my weight issues. In the very least I'm incentivised to lose weight at no lesser rate than the rate at which my boy gains it !
At 104kg the incentive has delivered results. I have records from when I used to run in my 20s and weighed less than 80kg. There is scope for improvement.
Back in May, Thorpe Bay was my first ever experience of a Nationals and it was a blast. FuzzyDuck was performing well enough.
Our 24 year old Crusader has proven a very cost effective and competitive (within our humble level) entry to the class. Some old stalwarts insist even older boats can out perform modern ones on restricted waters and having been behind their transoms I'm hardly qualified to dispute their claims, am I, Howard?:-/
Back in May and on the final day at TBYC, I made a point of getting up close and personal with the Burton Cup. For 1985 is an entry bearing our sailnumber, boat name and the name of Ian Pinnel. It moved me then and it moves me now, for heritage counts for a lot in the class and it gets in the blood. Soon after in the prize-giving Fuzz and three of his clubmates went forward to receive a trophy given in recognition of the most improvement between race 1 and race 7. It was chance that three club-mates were tied on points. Race 6 and 7 were back to back and it blew. My boy Ben, took a knock on the knee in race 6 and elected not to start race 7. Quite a few elected not to start race 7. I could do the math after. Our result in race 1 had been a disaster but we improved during the event. Had we simply started and completed race 7...:B
hOOper, you are quite sane, join the rest of us nots residing on the end of 'Twelve' tillers and soon. There's no need to invest heavily in your first choice. Once you have a craft you can get around the scene and add to your impressions. There is always something being traded so there is ample opportunity to trade for something different later.

Powerful rigs and short waterlines make for interesting and entertaining sailing when it blows. If crew is significantly heavier than helm it can add to the entertainment.

"Why can't you..?" was deposited in the garage after TBYC and still contains some of our camping gear!   .. Sad, or what!?   
That we are missing the sailing and the social is a factor of work and personal interests.
It is handy that the boat is drying out  but we also confess to feeling guilty over not supporting events.
No straight answer as yet but this is a team in talks over wetting bottoms for our home open.

Hi Andy, last August I did exactly what you are doing and returned to sailing after 20yrs. I used to sail grads, ents, lasers etc. When I planned the return 12s were not on my list. I ended upon with a 12 though and have grinned from ear to ear ever since. My boy was 11yo and we took to the crusader really well. I carry a bit more ballast than I ought but I've shed 1.5st since. Small foresail on a 12 can be helpful to junior crew, and we can trim out fairly well in most conditions. One observation, though, we sometimes find the dead run to be a bit wobbly and I don't think our difference in weight helps. We're closing the disparity from both ways.
The Crusader is an excellent teacher and ours has reminded us to pay more attention while in school on a few occassions. We took note and I've sharpened rusty skills faster than I might have in an Ent. Lotsafun.

Folks seem to be clear in their own minds what are the factors that can influence their own ability/desire to attend the nationals. I am no different in this. I do sympathise with students and I do agree that encouraging youth is one dynamic that is important in securing a healthy and competeive standard within the class.
We are all, different, and we all have opinions on this. It might serve a principle of democracy if the membership is polled on this, and that said, out of that may come a clear indication of what may be popular with the membership and what may confer high attendance at an event. But that in itself may not be wholly democratic. The National 12 class is distinguished by the extent of it's inclusivity, largely driven by the policy of offering incentive to maintain and sail older boats, and that it turn appears to be inclusive in a demographic kind of way ( a polite way of saying inclusive to folks of increasing age!). Conversley, the association have the option to discuss if certain policies, though generally good, may be disadvatageous to some, so maybe its' appropriate to alternate formats occasionally?

I'm new, but I gather the commitee made a deliberate choice to depart from the norm and, judged upon certain criteria, that appears to have been worth the effort. Next years event is already booked?? So the event will be in August?? (The question marks are there in case I am mistaken on this.)
We have a dedicated committee. I feel certain they will account for our views. They are volunteers, and I am grateful they have the time to give to the class.
We were there at Thorpe Bay for no more reason than to make up the numbers and have a good time. We did both and the family loved it. Thanks.

Ahh Sam, that's a great plug and brought a smile to my face. I am truly sold upon Redesmere as a potential venue and Rudyard too, Redesmere is officially 'The Best Sailing Club in theWorld', at least on facebook, and it is home to the reigning fancy dress champions, but I feel the water may not come up to everyones' expectations. If your daggerboard bottomed at Thorpe Bay, then you could expect the same on our pond. Our members our well experienced with 'mast in mud', so the thames estury was home-from-home. :-/
Christian is fleet captain, I'm sure he would discuss it with the club committee if the class desired.

Carsington is in a beautiful part of the world and with state of the art facilities. There is a choice of camping nearby.
I agree Bass is a great setting, too.
Those of you who know the Birkett event will know Ullswater. I can't comment on the ability to camp in club grounds but there is ample lakeside camping adjacent to the SC. As a family we chanced upon the Birkett event 3/4 yrs back, which is what rekindled my desire to return to the sport.
The Laser 2000 cruising and social group had arranged to camp at the lakeside site and the weekend clashed with the Birkett - there was great atmosphere and room for all. It had great appeal and one of the 2000 party gave me the big sell. I was nearly seduced into desiring one. ('Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned .. ) I have paid my penitence with the 12, mostly the punishment has been frequent baptism in the water. I guess we're learning faster and having more fun along the way. .. (But we didn't swim at TBYC ! - we must be improving.. or not trying hard enough:-/)    
End of confession.

Hi Foxi, Kev et al,
On balance, after all the mileage travelling back from 'Sar-fend', and due to alternate opinions within our camp, Ben and I look unlikely to attend.
Sad, because the humbling experience of TBYC is that we may benefit from some coaching !
Weather looks promising with sun and fluffy breezes - have fun !  

Great write up! Ah, TVSC is a fantastic club and I enjoyed my visit last year. Apologies for non-attendance to this event when I could have swelled your numbers to twenty.
We had agreat time at Annandale too, but think there might have been something in the water, cos we brought back wretched colds which linger still.

..wonder whether to pack shorts or sou'wester? Hmm, this being England.
I see they remain consistent up to yet; generally unsettled, but possibly above average temps in the southeast. Breezes look likely
Did you get to practice,  Simon?

Thanks Kev,

I've just been researching local retail facilities for own own essential suppllies ..

.. and can share them with you, just click the link and it will open in a new window ready for printing with opening hours, addresses, phone nos, and even post
codes for those with sat-navs.
At
about a mile and a half ASDA looks most convenient, just turn left out
of TBYC, keep to main road and head up to A13 and it comes up on the
right.

Tesco Express is about a mile north and west and close by golf course
Waitrose
is just a bit to the north of S-on-S and on the A1159. I'm not at all
partisan, but I highly recommend Waitrose; any ££ you spend their will
contribute to my sponsors (wifes') bonus and therefore helps my
campaign effort. This ancient suit of sails is all I have ! !

Note, I have only confirmed BH hours for ASDA.

sorry, ken and paul
i can't shake off this blinking cold and so not up to strengh; i'll have to miss this one.  Next time i sail it will be BW. (Duty next week)
Have fun y'all!

Chadders u r right about Brian. I 'm not sure which he regrds as his 'home' club.