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Naaaaa thats Switzerland isn't it.

i DON'T WANT TO SOUND STEWPID who put the cap lock on but if we start putting bigger rig and asymetrics on are we not just reinventing the cherub, and the more we tamper with the rules the more out classed the older boats are going to get.
Slightly different subject our yoof wants an rs 200 do you think if I stuck a cherub rig on our china doll it would shut him up.

Do it late autumn or early spring and you won't need a fridge. but watch out for the ice bergs.  

Lash 2 boats together and stick the car on top that'l save on ferry costs.

Beats me by a mile or two. Could we a range an open meeting up there?

As i am about to be made redundant (aaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhh) I have just spent most of the morning working my way through  this thread (hope my boss han't taken a sudden interest in national 12s or there goes my refference). Any way to the point. I sail at loch tummel which did have a strong 12 fleet once upon a time, before I was a member. Last year none this year me.
Where have they all gone? Well generally I think they have all grown old and gone into keel boats or retired. Yoemen and 15 sailers keep comming up to me a saying I used to have one of these (Its a china doll by the way so more state of the ark than art).
The problem is that the younger gereration have been suduced by spinnakers trapezes and plastic, Thinking this equates to fun rather just concentrating on sailing well and fast.
People also now expect to have every thing done for them, the idea of fitting aboat out to suit themselves seems to be a concept that is beyond most people these days. Much easier to get an RS off the shelf and bend to fit.
On the subject of crews, when i first started sailing there were much fewer single handed boats about pre lasers and toppers and people gained experience by crewing. now everybody expects to jump straight in the blunt end, part of the effect of this is people don't know how to set up boats so need somthing like and rs where they are all the same.
On the subject of travelling, I went to my first 12 one this spring, I was a little bit worried how my old boat would be recieved and also although I started sailing a very long time ago I have had some very long gaps so I am not very good, but i needn't of worried, everybody was very helpful and friendly and although we did come last we where by no means out classed (Its an important job propping up the rest of the fleet) and we learnt a lot.
I have just realised how long I have been rambling on and no answers just a few of the problems.
And Peter get out there and go to a few opem meetings I am sure you will get a great reception and have a great time.
to the rest of you sorry for ranting on for so long I obviously have nothing better to do. :X

Na sorry I am only allowed 1 week sailing and that has to be tummel week, and I may not be very good at this sailing lark (ok I know its really a 12) but i'm even worse at the watching.
How's about you venturing up to NorthBerwick with your navy (thats navy not navie).
I must admit I do fancy a trip to Baveria or where ever it is but I reckon my best chance of getting out there is if her on dry land wins the lottery and pays me to emigrate.

I get enough of that when I havn't slid my board as far as I think on my ToY

oooher I hadn't thought about that my self getting on a bit inyears may be a big issue isn't the holy grail. Them orange things at the back do make a nice pillow in light winds. And ye maybe I should try painting the dangley pole white. The loon up front is getting better at pointing me in the right direction but recentactivities included a neat bit of cover tacking on a laser when I was trying to keep clear. shouting starboard on aboat still about 50 yards away and passing a mark on the wrong side, well it makes a change from hitting it.

I am very sorry to hear that but I can vouch for the fact that china dolls are great fun, but despite that in the interest of your knees I would be prepared to swop my china doll for your Issue.

Hi I have a china doll with a needle spar. I still have the original sails which have not been used that much, but sheeting in hard the end of the boom comes within about 6 9" of transom.
With a well used Mylar sail the boom is considerably higher.
Don't know if this helps any.

Back from tummel more or less in one piece, Midges and europes worst ever, midges I could just about survive but europes no chance. Does any body know a good repellent for them. Mark (Simpson) seemed to have the answer and would have given them a resounding thrashing except cancellation of last race (dispite my best efforts) ment he had to count a 10th pushing him back into 2nd place. There were about 8 europes in the first 10 places. ,
I won't say where I came they made me sail off the proper handicap this year.

I've just realized its the europes inlands or somthing this weekend I'm away up to get in some target practice. Like Fish in a barrel

I hope your going to get at the blunt end of a 12 now.

Yep that sounds about right, I usually lead the europes round and then they beat me on handicap, Thats why I got stern chasers fitted. Thats unless your sailing a 12 and I probably won't see you for dust (well spray).
I'm going early to practise my 360s last year I did more 360s in one week than I'd done in my life before, only about 10 of them was due to europes. Aleast it wasn't as bad as wat a couple of did two an enterprise, they ganged up on it and holed her!!!