A lovely warm evening but no wind, We almost made it to the top mark before the time limit, Race abandoned, a good effort though, last out the harbour, 2nd behind Wild Thing when abandoned,
Next Wednesday, breeze up hopefully?
Clear Vision is a "Young 11" keelboat owned by Kevin Skelton and is based in Nelson, New Zealand.
Build year: 1986; LOA 11.02m; Beam 3.78m; Draft 2.13m, Weight 4.0T; Mast 13.5m; IRC(2010) 1.060
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
NELSON REGATTA 2015
Day 1Sunday 18th Jan
Category 3 gear all off, C V dried out and tidy ready for 3 round the cans races starting 11;30 am
Crew :- Kev, Patrick, Knoxy, Jenna, Alix, Matt, Charlie. Steve had rung in sick,
Race 1 - 8 - 10 knot Northerly
We started at the pin end, but arrived a little early having to slow up then head to wind to miss the pin end mark meant we were slow off the start and a lot of work to do. No Nedax Racing this years so no agro at the pin end. Tony's favourite spot! 2nd around the top mark in a bunch of hot Ross 930's, Future Feedback the other Young 11in front, we moved away from the 930's on the run and gained a little on Future Feedback.
We held 2nd for the rest of the race gaining a little to Future Feedback, but as we were scratch boat on a .846 handicap only a 9th on handicap.
Race 2 - 10 - 12 knot northerly.
We were sure the breeze would kick in to a 15-16 knot sea breeze so changed to No 2 headsail, Future Feedback stayed on a No 1, this would be interesting?
A better start this time, a lot of traffic on the 1st beat but made it to the top in 1st place, just, a lot of boats including Future Feedback on our tail, we were opening out on the kite runs which was nice.
Our 1st gun of the regatta and a 3rd on handicap, much better.
Race 3 - 12-13 it still hadn't build but we stared with our No2
A good start this time and lead all the way opening up a big lead, a race were everything went right, but another 3rd on handicap, turned out Marcus (Lidgaurd 35) and Non Stop (Young 9.9) hand enjoyed the conditions and both on low handicaps.
A good day, 2 Guns and a 2nd
Back at prize giving and another night of parting we were pretty happy with our result, well worth the shitty Cook Strait crossing to get back to this.
Day 2 - Race 4 - Nelson - Torrent Bay.
A couple of crew changes the long races up the park, Patrick & Alix back to work, Steve still sick, I managed to talk Holly McKee and friend Nichole into joining us.
Both Divisions (36 boats) on a mass start line for this one, the pin end was the end again but with a lot of boats heading down there I decided to go Committee boat end, we were well to weather, should get the breeze first and we would all need height to clear the Aqua farms once the sea breeze kicked in.
IT DIDN'T, We started in 10-12 which dyed away to nothing, then a bit of everything, we had kites, jib tops inner staysail?
We wriggled along best we could surrounded by 30 footers sporting see through Code 0's, even Non Stop had a 0 that sheeted back to the quarter, Wild Thing, Airship and ourselves had a slight gap back to Non Stop Future Feedback, Oldsmobile etc.
The R O shortened course, finishing us off Fisherman Island fearing the Anchorage party would be late starting. Good call Jim
Wild Thing took the gun, Airship the highly modified 930 sporting a new wardrobe and the sailmaker, just pipped us in 2nd, Non Stop 4th, Future Feedback 5th. 7th on handicap for us was't bad considering the drifting conditions.
We all motored to Anchorage (Torrent Bay) for another big night, Wild Thing and Oldsmobile rafted up each side of C V which ended on the Shot Hook making an appearance yet again, the Wild Thing crew doing a great job filling in for Nedax Racing in their absence,
Day 3 - Race 5 - Torrent Bay - Tonga Island
This one is a short head clearer in light fluky air. no exception this year, Non Stop had a good run close inshore in the light NE, we went up the middle but seamed to suffer more that those outside us, Future Feedback had us until close to the finish where we were able to sail under them and pip them on the line.
Non Stop, Testarossa (Ross 930), Wild Thing, C V, Future Feedback, 10th on handicap.
Day 3 - Race 6 Tonga Island - Tarakohe
Still very light for this one, the sea breeze must come as it was already bloody hot, Local knowledge again I went out, Wild Thing and Testarossa stayed inshore, and sailed away from the fleet, Testarrossa with a big lead at Separation Point.
We finally started to get some sea breeze as we turned into Golden Bay, but for us the damage was done, too many miles traveled and code 0's loving it.
Finishing order - Testarossa, Non Stop, Ballistic (Ross 930), Future Feedback, Wild Thing, C V.
12th on handicap
Alan Kilgour the port manager was doing a great job fitting 36 boats into Tarakohe Harbour, but I was happy to anchor off the Yacht club and have another raft up, silly me.
Then another huge night a Pohara Boat Club, the locals but on another great meal and night again this year.
Day 4 - Race 7 Tarakohe - Nelson.
Some sore heads out there on this start, including me,
We started in a nice 11-12 knot Easterly, but once around Separation Point and into Tasman Bay it got lighter and lighter, hotter and hotter, not god for hangovers.
Wild Thing again worked the coastline, I again went out to meet the breeze, eventually it came around 1pm but the race was shortened and finished half way home at Pitt head as by now there was a big split in the field with some boats at risk of running out of time.
Wild Thing took another Gun C V 2nd, Non Stop 3rd, Testarossa, Oldsmobile.
8th on handicap.
Another Regatta over, a lot of sunburnt and hungover bodies back in Nelson that night.
Overall we faired pretty well considering the light airs.
5th overall behind 2015 winner, Non Stop (Waikawa/TBCC, 2nd Airship (RPNYC), Wild Thing (TBCC), Testarrossa (RPNYC), Clear Vision (TBCC)
Jim Young designs 1, 3, 5. Ross 930's 2nd, 4th.
See you all next year, Next Regatta Feb 6th Trailer Yachts at Lake Brunner regatta West Coast.
Category 3 gear all off, C V dried out and tidy ready for 3 round the cans races starting 11;30 am
Crew :- Kev, Patrick, Knoxy, Jenna, Alix, Matt, Charlie. Steve had rung in sick,
Race 1 - 8 - 10 knot Northerly
We started at the pin end, but arrived a little early having to slow up then head to wind to miss the pin end mark meant we were slow off the start and a lot of work to do. No Nedax Racing this years so no agro at the pin end. Tony's favourite spot! 2nd around the top mark in a bunch of hot Ross 930's, Future Feedback the other Young 11in front, we moved away from the 930's on the run and gained a little on Future Feedback.
We held 2nd for the rest of the race gaining a little to Future Feedback, but as we were scratch boat on a .846 handicap only a 9th on handicap.
Race 2 - 10 - 12 knot northerly.
We were sure the breeze would kick in to a 15-16 knot sea breeze so changed to No 2 headsail, Future Feedback stayed on a No 1, this would be interesting?
A better start this time, a lot of traffic on the 1st beat but made it to the top in 1st place, just, a lot of boats including Future Feedback on our tail, we were opening out on the kite runs which was nice.
Our 1st gun of the regatta and a 3rd on handicap, much better.
Race 3 - 12-13 it still hadn't build but we stared with our No2
A good start this time and lead all the way opening up a big lead, a race were everything went right, but another 3rd on handicap, turned out Marcus (Lidgaurd 35) and Non Stop (Young 9.9) hand enjoyed the conditions and both on low handicaps.
A good day, 2 Guns and a 2nd
Back at prize giving and another night of parting we were pretty happy with our result, well worth the shitty Cook Strait crossing to get back to this.
Day 2 - Race 4 - Nelson - Torrent Bay.
A couple of crew changes the long races up the park, Patrick & Alix back to work, Steve still sick, I managed to talk Holly McKee and friend Nichole into joining us.
Both Divisions (36 boats) on a mass start line for this one, the pin end was the end again but with a lot of boats heading down there I decided to go Committee boat end, we were well to weather, should get the breeze first and we would all need height to clear the Aqua farms once the sea breeze kicked in.
IT DIDN'T, We started in 10-12 which dyed away to nothing, then a bit of everything, we had kites, jib tops inner staysail?
We wriggled along best we could surrounded by 30 footers sporting see through Code 0's, even Non Stop had a 0 that sheeted back to the quarter, Wild Thing, Airship and ourselves had a slight gap back to Non Stop Future Feedback, Oldsmobile etc.
The R O shortened course, finishing us off Fisherman Island fearing the Anchorage party would be late starting. Good call Jim
Wild Thing took the gun, Airship the highly modified 930 sporting a new wardrobe and the sailmaker, just pipped us in 2nd, Non Stop 4th, Future Feedback 5th. 7th on handicap for us was't bad considering the drifting conditions.
We all motored to Anchorage (Torrent Bay) for another big night, Wild Thing and Oldsmobile rafted up each side of C V which ended on the Shot Hook making an appearance yet again, the Wild Thing crew doing a great job filling in for Nedax Racing in their absence,
Anchorage Raft up and party under way
Day 3 - Race 5 - Torrent Bay - Tonga Island
This one is a short head clearer in light fluky air. no exception this year, Non Stop had a good run close inshore in the light NE, we went up the middle but seamed to suffer more that those outside us, Future Feedback had us until close to the finish where we were able to sail under them and pip them on the line.
Non Stop, Testarossa (Ross 930), Wild Thing, C V, Future Feedback, 10th on handicap.
Day 3 - Race 6 Tonga Island - Tarakohe
Still very light for this one, the sea breeze must come as it was already bloody hot, Local knowledge again I went out, Wild Thing and Testarossa stayed inshore, and sailed away from the fleet, Testarrossa with a big lead at Separation Point.
We finally started to get some sea breeze as we turned into Golden Bay, but for us the damage was done, too many miles traveled and code 0's loving it.
Finishing order - Testarossa, Non Stop, Ballistic (Ross 930), Future Feedback, Wild Thing, C V.
12th on handicap
Alan Kilgour the port manager was doing a great job fitting 36 boats into Tarakohe Harbour, but I was happy to anchor off the Yacht club and have another raft up, silly me.
Tarakohe raft up off Pohara boat club
Their off
Whoops
Just finish my beer until the rescue boat turns up
A big hit again this year was the Opti racing, each boat must enter a crew member, we 6 Opti's 6 heats then into the final.
Our own Holly McKee taking out the final for team C V, Jamie didn't enter this year, but with a little more breeze this year there was more than one capsize. (The sea breeze came along after the race finished)
Clive adjusting water ballast
Then another huge night a Pohara Boat Club, the locals but on another great meal and night again this year.
Day 4 - Race 7 Tarakohe - Nelson.
Some sore heads out there on this start, including me,
We started in a nice 11-12 knot Easterly, but once around Separation Point and into Tasman Bay it got lighter and lighter, hotter and hotter, not god for hangovers.
Wild Thing again worked the coastline, I again went out to meet the breeze, eventually it came around 1pm but the race was shortened and finished half way home at Pitt head as by now there was a big split in the field with some boats at risk of running out of time.
Wild Thing took another Gun C V 2nd, Non Stop 3rd, Testarossa, Oldsmobile.
8th on handicap.
Another Regatta over, a lot of sunburnt and hungover bodies back in Nelson that night.
Overall we faired pretty well considering the light airs.
5th overall behind 2015 winner, Non Stop (Waikawa/TBCC, 2nd Airship (RPNYC), Wild Thing (TBCC), Testarrossa (RPNYC), Clear Vision (TBCC)
Jim Young designs 1, 3, 5. Ross 930's 2nd, 4th.
See you all next year, Next Regatta Feb 6th Trailer Yachts at Lake Brunner regatta West Coast.
BACK HOME, MONDAY PREPARE C V FOR WELLINGTON
Knoxy & I departed Nelson 0800 Tuesday 13th for Wellington - Nelson race due to start 1130 Friday morning.
Not much wind all the way and a little sailed out from the Noelex at Waikawa we were happy to motor all the way, besides I had installed a new fridge over Xmas and needed to test it.
A calm crossing through the straits arriving off the south coast amongst what seemed like all the Cook Strait ferries plying the straits, turned on the Nav lights and flat battery? No way we had been motoring for13 hours?
Switch over to the start battery, turn off fridge, auto pilot, stereo, instruments
We tied up at midnight, C V back in her old berth at Chaffers Mariner (Thanks Tony & Vesna) .
Next morning, check why we had lost battery power, again Knoxy sorted our problem, on removing the alternator for testing he found a broken wire. repaired, alternator replaced and we were charging.
The next couple of days we spent catching up with friends,
Not much wind all the way and a little sailed out from the Noelex at Waikawa we were happy to motor all the way, besides I had installed a new fridge over Xmas and needed to test it.
A calm crossing through the straits arriving off the south coast amongst what seemed like all the Cook Strait ferries plying the straits, turned on the Nav lights and flat battery? No way we had been motoring for13 hours?
Switch over to the start battery, turn off fridge, auto pilot, stereo, instruments
We tied up at midnight, C V back in her old berth at Chaffers Mariner (Thanks Tony & Vesna) .
Next morning, check why we had lost battery power, again Knoxy sorted our problem, on removing the alternator for testing he found a broken wire. repaired, alternator replaced and we were charging.
The next couple of days we spent catching up with friends,
C V back in Wellington for 2015 Wellington - Nelson race
Friday 16th Jan 8am, Steve, Jenna, Alix, Griz Taylor (owner Young 8.4 Wild Thing) arrive on morning flight from Nelson, Matt had arrived Thursday night by ferry.
Stores and gear stowed ready for the 11:30am start,but after perfect conditions all week Wellington had decided today was going to be a blow hard day? in-fact the forecast was for gale force northerlies through until Thursday.
Pedro our race officer called a postponement which throughout the day went 11:30, postponed, try for 3:30pm, postponed, try for 5:30, postponed, try for 11:30 pm, at 9:30pm Race cancelled.
So here we are stuck in Wellington, No race 35-40 knots in the straits, but the forecast was for a drop to 25-30 overnight, increasing again in the morning, THE NELSON REGATTA on Sunday?
I decided to go anyway at 11:30pm but first needed some expert local knowledge, Brent Drewhurst Gucci, a local with miles under his keel and knows the straits like the back of his hand.
I phoned Brent to ask his advice, Gucci and crew were leaving at midnight was his reply, good enough for me.
I then phoned Missy the Nelson Regatta organiser to send out text to other boats in the race and entered in the regatta, we were going, maybe others would come along.
Richard on the other Nelson boat, Jet was keen, so the 3 boats headed out into the darkness of a very windy Cook Strait.
Storm jib and both reefs in the main, we cleared Moaning Milly at 1am, not a bad sail across Island Bay in flatfish water, but as we progressed on we had a couple of 37 and a 40 plus knotters,
Brent had the timing perfect as we had very little rip at Tarawhiti and once in the Straits proper settled into a bumpy but bearable crossing, and tide pushing us across, we were pleased we were not having to slog our way up to The Brothers, Tory Channel was slightly cracked sheets which made life easier.
As we neared Tory the breeze eased back to 27-33 and the sea flatter in the lee of Cape Koamaru.
We entered the shelter of the sounds at 5am, a 4 hour crossing, all 3 boats close together all the way.
drop the sails and motor through the sounds, some sleep for some of us and out North entrance, around Cape Jackson and home, we even had a wee shower of rain to wash the salt of us through the sounds.
There can't have been much wind through Jackson as I didn't wake until at Titi Island, off Pelorus Sound.
Nice and sunny now with a 12 knot northerly, we pushed on under motor as we were going to be late for French Pass, all on deck and lunch over, heading up Admiralty Bay we decided to see how the Freezer in new fridge was working, Ice creams all round.
14 hours after leaving Wellington, Ice creams, lunch desert
We arrived at French Pass 2 1/2 hours after the SW turn and shot through at a great rate C V twisting and shuddering as we hit the odd whirl pool, we were now on the last lap home.
We picked up a sniff of sea breeze south of Durville Island so hoisted the kite, we handed the helm over to Grizz for some practice as Wild Thing would be sporting Oldsmobile's old "Big Red" in the regatta.
The breeze dropped away again after a while so we dropped sails and motored home, arriving Nelson 8pm. A long day, but we were home and would be fronting up tomorrow for Day 1 Nelson Regatta.
BUSY 2015 SO FAR
After working through Xmas - New Year I was ready to go sailing.
First up the Waikawa Regatta.
This year we took trailer yachts, I helmed Knoxy's Noelex 22 Christabel, with Knoxy & Alix, Matt, & the 2 Holly's in their Noelex 22, Hairy Navel, and of course Howdie in his Elliott 5.9 Eagle crewed by Steve & Sam.
An impressive 51 entries in total this year, in 5 Divisions.
Our Division the smallest, 3 Canterbury boats, an Elliott 780, and 2 Noelex 22's including Outlaw 3rd at 2014 Nationals.
Race 1 on Saturday the Elliott's took off ahead while we 1st time racers tangled with Tux the other Canterbury 22 off the line, Tux won that battle, Outlaw well ahead, Matt the Holly's bringing up the rear, still coming to grips with their new sails and hangovers.
Race 2 the breeze now up around 13 - 16 we were again in 4th when Outlaw pulled out?
Turns out the 2 old fellas, (even older than me) don't like too much breeze, so a 4th on line.
Matt and the Holly's had missed this one as the were swimming off their hangovers when the gun went.
Race 3 the breeze now up to around 18 but the steadiest I have ever seen in the sounds, Outlaw still out, but Hairy Navel had started, Tux beat us to the top mark but didn't fly a kite, we were back with them at the bottom mark but again they pulled out, but less this time, however we had a wee kite issue on the hoist and by the time we were sorted we were rounding the bottom mark side by side.
We split tacks,meeting again at the top right on their stern but this time they were hoisting a kite, we were side by side, both having to gybe for the finish, ours went well, theirs not so well, they broached, rounded up then sat for ages head to wind?
Talking later they admitted being forced into a kite on the last run, the round up had put so much force on the rudder that it snapped the blade.
Howdie and the other Elliott had taken off, in the fresh conditions especially on the down hills.
Prize giving later, another fun evening with friends, we had managed 2 2nds and a 1st on handicap.
Day 2 Sunday
A little hung over as we waited for breeze, in came a light NW not as steady as Saturday's northerly, more the typical Sounds breeze we know. varying from 8-14 knots and 20 degree shifts.
Race 4. 2nd Noelex 22 most of the way around the track until the Hairy Navel but in a last lap challenge which turned into a close boat on boat kite reach to the finish, we just managed to hold them off.
Race 5. Very shifty again but this time all 4 Noelex's were closely bunched. Outlaw wasn't clearing out anymore but still leading, Tux, Hairy Navel and ourselves mixing it up all race,
The Navel getting us this time, Outlaw, Hairy Navel, Christabel, Tux,
Race 6. A rerun of previous race pretty much, good close racing.
Overall results
National Trailer yacht handicapping
1st - Overspray - Elliott 780, 2nd - Eagle - Elliott 5.9 (Howdie) 3rd Outlaw - Noelex 22, 4th Christabel (Knoxy, Alix, Kev), 5th Hairy Navel (Matt, Holly McKee, Holly Fry. 6th Tux.
Club handicap, 1st Christabel, 2nd Hairy Navel, 2rd, Outlaw
Great grassroots racing. Thanks Knotty
First up the Waikawa Regatta.
This year we took trailer yachts, I helmed Knoxy's Noelex 22 Christabel, with Knoxy & Alix, Matt, & the 2 Holly's in their Noelex 22, Hairy Navel, and of course Howdie in his Elliott 5.9 Eagle crewed by Steve & Sam.
An impressive 51 entries in total this year, in 5 Divisions.
Our Division the smallest, 3 Canterbury boats, an Elliott 780, and 2 Noelex 22's including Outlaw 3rd at 2014 Nationals.
Race 1 on Saturday the Elliott's took off ahead while we 1st time racers tangled with Tux the other Canterbury 22 off the line, Tux won that battle, Outlaw well ahead, Matt the Holly's bringing up the rear, still coming to grips with their new sails and hangovers.
Race 2 the breeze now up around 13 - 16 we were again in 4th when Outlaw pulled out?
Turns out the 2 old fellas, (even older than me) don't like too much breeze, so a 4th on line.
Matt and the Holly's had missed this one as the were swimming off their hangovers when the gun went.
Race 3 the breeze now up to around 18 but the steadiest I have ever seen in the sounds, Outlaw still out, but Hairy Navel had started, Tux beat us to the top mark but didn't fly a kite, we were back with them at the bottom mark but again they pulled out, but less this time, however we had a wee kite issue on the hoist and by the time we were sorted we were rounding the bottom mark side by side.
We split tacks,meeting again at the top right on their stern but this time they were hoisting a kite, we were side by side, both having to gybe for the finish, ours went well, theirs not so well, they broached, rounded up then sat for ages head to wind?
Talking later they admitted being forced into a kite on the last run, the round up had put so much force on the rudder that it snapped the blade.
Howdie and the other Elliott had taken off, in the fresh conditions especially on the down hills.
Prize giving later, another fun evening with friends, we had managed 2 2nds and a 1st on handicap.
Day 2 Sunday
A little hung over as we waited for breeze, in came a light NW not as steady as Saturday's northerly, more the typical Sounds breeze we know. varying from 8-14 knots and 20 degree shifts.
Race 4. 2nd Noelex 22 most of the way around the track until the Hairy Navel but in a last lap challenge which turned into a close boat on boat kite reach to the finish, we just managed to hold them off.
Race 5. Very shifty again but this time all 4 Noelex's were closely bunched. Outlaw wasn't clearing out anymore but still leading, Tux, Hairy Navel and ourselves mixing it up all race,
The Navel getting us this time, Outlaw, Hairy Navel, Christabel, Tux,
Race 6. A rerun of previous race pretty much, good close racing.
Overall results
National Trailer yacht handicapping
1st - Overspray - Elliott 780, 2nd - Eagle - Elliott 5.9 (Howdie) 3rd Outlaw - Noelex 22, 4th Christabel (Knoxy, Alix, Kev), 5th Hairy Navel (Matt, Holly McKee, Holly Fry. 6th Tux.
Club handicap, 1st Christabel, 2nd Hairy Navel, 2rd, Outlaw
Great grassroots racing. Thanks Knotty
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)