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This weekend... the old girl is still going strong

Copy of a reply from Andy Mck in the main discussion board
John Sears first had her on the river in Nottingham both at NSC and Trent Valley. He sailed her there with his then wife sarah for quite a few years. They were the boat to beet in a breeze, having many very close battles with Tony Edwards sailing Gillespie which we used to watch with fascination as kids. I had the chance to crew for John a few times during this time. the boat was sold to another member who never had the same success when John bought Simply Red. It then disappeared for a while, to reappear with Steve Norbury a bit later. Steve was just about the quickest boat at the Llandudno Nats, which is where the iconic picture of bicycle clips was taken. He had similar issues about keeping her upright at that time. He then had her faired an repainted to take a mould off her, from which the Ridge baggys were built. He then went onto win the nats in one of these. I bought clips off him when at uni and sailed her for a couple of years until the money ran out, making a huge jump in performance, but never quite being consistent enough due to lack of time and too many pies. I sold her in about '94 to Chris Barnes, who is the brother of "basher" barnes of L5000, and now B14 fame. I lost track of her after that and have only just come back to 12's myself. Glad to see her going so well still. She is still my fave 12. 
I think there have been a few mods over the years, the centreboard case was always a bit weak to bashes with feet etc, have did have the floor sheathed. I think the part rear tank went at some point.

Andy

Hi
Clicked on the link a week ago about getting a T shirt and havent heard anything in return
Is there some one I can contact?
Cheers
Ian
3162

Hi Andy
Thanks for your reply.
In that 'Its a small world' way, Simply Red was possibly the first twelve I sailed. I taught myself to sail at Chipstead in 2002-3 single handed in an old Firefly and Laurie Norman, the then owner, would let me borrow it on occasions.
In terms of its strength I'm just amazed at how much punishment  a 30 year old wooden boat (that still has lead in it was built so light!) can take. We have been out in some pretty extreme weather since owninig her and she just keeps on going with little more than the occasional creak to trouble us.
A real testament to the builder, and all those who have looked after her so well since.
Ian

Hi All
Just posted a thread on the boat data base about our boat
http://www.national12.org/boats/index.php?action=view&value=3162
Bassicaly we are loving our sailing in Clips and as every one we meet seems to know the boat we wondered if some of you could fill in some of her history for us.
Cheers
Ian and Hannah
3162
Bicycle clips

We are thoroughly enjoying our time sailing Clips... and everyone we meet tells us how good a boat she has always been so i wondered if some of you that know the boat can fill in some of her history for us.
Regards
Ian and Hannah

Four of the top six in the Points Cup this year were also in the top six last year. They say in Formula l racing that it is 80% the car, 20% the driver. I think it is the exactly the reverse in sailing. There are some outstanding skippers in our class and I reckon they would be close enough, if not in front, in any good boat.

I tend to agree but good sailors also know a good boat when they see one... you cant separate the two that easily

Ian 
3162

Yes congratulations form us as well.
I do have a question though... if the winged rudder failed in race one does that mean the DCB is even quicker with out the wings.... or was there some hasty repair work done?
Cheers
Ian

Right we have packed the boat up and hope to bring it over on Saturday so that we can get it rigged and ready to sail ready for our late arrival on Sunday.
Regards
Ian and Hannah
3162 Bicycle clips

Thanks for that John
Good to know that we are on the right lines
It does make it very hard to find that sweet spot but then i guess thats all part of the fun.
Ian

Simple question that i probably already know the answer to however i'll ask.
We started off sailing BiCycle clips with the jib eased just a tag and the main set accordingly.
We now seem to sheet the jib and main much harder. Everything still feels ok, we point really high compared to the mixed handicap fleet that we sail against but we cant help wonderiung if this is the wrong thing to do.
How hard to other people sheet in, how do i know whats right.
Now I know your all gonna say get along to a few opens and see what the others do but until we get that chance to do that what do people think?
Cheers
Ian 
3162

Hi Richard
As our most local 12 club we would love to come along however Hannah has arranged to do a charity fun run on that day. What time do the races start in the afternoon... perhaps we could get along once she has done her bit!
Cheers
Ian and Hannah
3162 Bicycle Clips

I thought I would rekindle this thread with another question.
Since the original posting we have bought Bicycle clips, a baggy trousers, and are loving her.
As part of the deal I was given a second old rudder blade and stock... and as we are never going to use it I thought i might have a go at building a T foil rudder for her. More for the experience than any great expectations of improving her performance but it raises a couple of questions.
What kind of wing profile/dimensions is being used on the current designs (no point in trying to re-invent the wheel if some one can point me in the right direction)
And what sort of wing position/angle should I be aiming at?
Cheers
Ian
3162 Bicycle clips

Bicycle clips came with a rope clew strap that has a load of small balls on it, which although the boom is a little lower than idea, works brilliantly. I think the balls are just the plastic balls that you buy to stick on the end of a control line but i may be wrong.
You may just be able to see them on teh pictures in the data base.
Regards
Ian
3162

I believe the traditional approach of the solo sailors is to stick a pair of shinpads down the back (Shouldn't contravene 49.1 as i read it). Or full length hikers rather than 3/4 length.

I've got an old pair of Gill knee pads that I thought I would try but I wasnt holding out much hope. Have you any idea what the solo sailors use?
Cheers
Ian