Spring Update

C V and crew have only done 4 of the 8 races so far,

Race  3 - See previous report

Race 4 in 14 knots of westerly 1st out the entrance but decided it too tight to carry a kite, Future Feedback managed a shy kite to beat us to the 1st mark (Boulder 1), then a 2.5 mile beat out to the Fairway beacon. ahead of Squealer, the new boat on the scene, Elliott 10.5, Wild Thing, Ballistic.
We carried on out on port after rounding the mark chasing F/F, we were pointing higher and slowly pulling them in.
The 3 behind had tacked away on starboard, half way out we decided the boats out left were looking good so left F/F to cover the others, now in the middle of the track and fell into a hole.
Bugger! Future Feedback had gone to the starboard lay line, the others on port lay line, C V stuck in the middle.
All 3 Divisions arrived at the Cardinal mark at the same time so a lot of traffic, Ballistic around 1st in our division, Future Feedback 2nd, Wild Thing, Squealer and C V 5th
A kite run to the finish, we managed to sail inside Wild Thing and Squealer gybing onto port in the entrance managing 3rd on line, 5th on handicap

Race 7 -
8 to 12 knots of NNW
We managed 3rd out the entrance behind Squealer and Wild Thing and stayed in 3rd position until the finish. Another 5th on handicap
Race 8
There had been a nice 18 knot northerly in the bay all afternoon, but come 5:30pm it had turned easterly 20-25,
We managed 1st out the entrance, staying ahead of the pack around the 6.9 mile triangle course, finishing ahead of Wild Thing in 2nd, Squealer in 3rd. NICE.

Great to see Mrs Jones now renamed "Same Cafe" back out racing, new owners taking a while to get to grips with her at this stage.

One of my crew and I have bought a new toy out of Aussie, She is a Thompson 650 Sport boat.
Should be fun. Due here the end of the month

The Alien

FINALY C V COMES OUT, To race that is

After 2 weeks of watching the Burnsco Twilight racing on Wednesday's It was time to start our season
It has warmed up so the old boy could manage the conditions, a nice northerly 13-15 in the afternoon but down to 11-12 knots by 6pm start
Two 1st trippers tonight, Charlotte here in Nelson for summer, all the way from Canada, and Emma Patrick, Emma sailed on Coco last year. both joining the old firm of Kev, Steve, Patrick, Jenna, Knoxy.
In our absence Wild Thing had been the boat to beat  with their new square top mainsail,
I know they were keen to see us out to get a measure of how they were going, they felt C V was a good bench mark because of our consistency. awh thanks guys.

We didn't quite start where we wanted too but at least to weather of the others, only 7 of us in Div 1 with Blackout away north doing the Coastal Classic, Mrs Jones has a new owner and should be out next week, along with Squealer, (Elliott 10.5.) Stu Morgan's new purchase
Wild Thing again got the best start down the Club end leading at the pile line, we slotted into 2nd with Future Feedback & Ballistic on our stern.
Once outside we managed to climb higher than Wild Thing and about the same speed, the outgoing tide  had left some slop so a little tricky sailing through it, Wild Thing was in the groove now, we weren't making any gains on them at all.
Wild Thing tacked over onto port crossing our bow by 50 metres ahead, we were going to go with them for another arm wrestle but we were on a nice lift, and decided to stay until knocked which meant a lot of separation between us.
We got our knock and tacked onto port, Wild Thing & Future Feedback, in near the Bolder Bank, Wild Thing headed out on starboard to us, this was going to be close but we looked a little ahead but they tacked to leeward.
Not a lot in it at all, Wild Thing and the team have got some pace now.
We made some small gains in the next couple of boards until we overlaid the top mark, giving half it away again?
Around the top mark only 100 metres ahead of Wild Thing, Future Feedback another 100 behind in 3rd, up goes the light kite and 2 holes ripped in it on the hoist, seems it caught on a life line pin, the trick now was not to pressure it up too much and hope it stays together for the run home.
It did and despite the 2 venting holes we but some more time on the other two.
A nice tidy drop in the entrance and into the harbour, crossing the line 1 1/2 minutes ahead of Wild Thing, Future Feedback 3 minutes back
Good to be back on the water, and nice to have a win on line, we were 3rd on handicap, Wild Thing with the handicap win AGAIN.

Race 4 (Final) Bolder Back series

Arriving home Saturday lunch time from Samoa to the lowest fall of snow this winter wasn't funny.
My original plan to race the last race seemed a little silly to me trying to keep warm inside was hard enough but sitting outside on a boat in this weather was stupid.
A text out to check crew weren't too keen? as they replied I was pleased to see not available, GOOD.
Except one, Steve, he pointed out we were leading the series and only needed an average result to pick up the trophy, but only 2 of us, then Mitch agreed to sail so that was it, off with the singlet shorts and jangles, on went the thermals, 2 of everything in fact.

At briefing we were informed the Glen mark was still missing so we would do a Wednesday night course which meant more spinnaker hoists / drops. Great 3 handed?

A good start kite up and clear air in 6-8 knots of southerly, Blackout had started much further down the line, came up, and started pushing us out to sea, Geralda also got tangled up between as as we caught up.
The rest of the fleet were running flat and or gybed working up the middle of the course.
We couldn't get away we couldn't get across their bow, not enough room to swing inside their stern?

Eventually they gybed, we followed suit in one of the best gybes we have ever done, the kite remained full all the way through.
The breeze had dyed a little which to our delight we were spot on the lay line to the next mark, we  were tucked in nicely inside Blackout for buoy room at the mark until we got a little extra puff of wind which they took off on, C V a little sluggish in execrating trailed Blackout around the 1st mark, Wild Thing, Geralda,  Ballistic a wee way back battling for 3rd.
That was pretty well it for the rest of the course, Blackout opened up to win by a big margin, another big gap back to 3rd.

Handicap = Blackout took out 1st we managed 2nd and the overall series win
Thanks Steve & Mitch for talking me into it, It was a good day, and night catching up with everyone at the club, I was only away 2 weeks but it seemed longer, Still missing Samoa though

WINTER BOULDER BANK Race 3

Crew :- Kev, Steve, Jenna, Howdie, Patrick and his daughter Sophie,
Fine with light breezes forecast for the 11am start.
We started in a light 4-5 knot southerly, with kites, and managed to sneak out in front of the 11 boat fleet, Blackout and Zenith worked away close in to the bank Ballistic headed out to sea, while Wild Thing and ourselves worked down the middle, all 3 options looked good at times with the breeze dying to a drifter, which meant a lot of work keeping the kite full.
We had extended out to around a mile lead over Wild Thing in 2nd, at the Cable Bay Marine reserve mark, but no sign of it? I then remembered seeing it being towed in the harbour by the pilot boat about a month ago, not been relayed yet?
As on water R O I made the call for all boats to round the inner reserve mark, we had lost a little time here with an extra gybe looking for the old mark but rounded well ahead of Wild Thing, Blackout 3rd, Ballistic 4th.
The breeze still light and fluky with more holes than before it was obvious we wouldn't make it back to the finish or the shorten course options of finishing half way back at Boulder north, another on water RO call to finish off the radio ariel north of Snapper Point.
This turned out a good call as the breeze was dying right away now, we had anchored C V off the radio mast as the finish line spending the next 40 minutes finishing the fleet with a few drinks and hot savouries. Wild Thing finishing 2nd, Blackout 3rd, Ballistic 4th, and turned out a 1st on handicap.

We have had good speed in the light breezes over the winter, 4 guns from 5 races, Blackout taking the other in the 1st harbour race .
Well done team

I will miss the next race in a fortnight, off to Samoa for a wee break and looking up my family, My Great grandfather although born at sea grew up in Samoa before going to sea aged 12.
His father a sea captain was based in Apia, later owning a store there. Im looking foreword to meeting family there.

Winter Harbour Cans Race 2

Down on crew again but Aaron & Juliet made the trip over from Waikawa to help out, along with Bruce Lines who usually sails on Bootlegger.
Patrick invited his friend Tony and their 2 - 9 year olds Haden & Mathew, plus Howdie and myself.

A 15 boat fleet enjoyed the12 - 14 knot SW and  up wind start off Nelson Yacht Club. with a short beat to the top mark set near Haulashore Is and the entrance,

Not a great start as we had pre race problems with jib sheets, sorted we made the line (just) but at the leeward end, our tack back on port saw us cross ahead of all but Blackout.
Blackout rounded about 5 boat lengths ahead of us, they had opted for a fractional gennaka, we gybe set our masthead kite, running them down half way up the harbour to the bottom mark.
We slapped a loose cover from here on in beating back down the harbour, out the entrance for a 2 sail reach out around the Approach beacon, another kite ride up the boulder bank to Boulder middle, back to the harbour for another lap and finish.

Blackout and Zenith fought all the way for 2nd place, Zenith winning out with superior up wind speed.
4th place was also a fight between Wild Thing and Galralda the Giant Slayer, Wild Thing winning it in the end.
3 guns in 4 races so far, not bad. 5th on handicap in this one.

WINTER SERIES

JUNE 14th Race 2, Marine & General Boulder Bank Sprint
15 kont SW as we motored out to the start, but a little up and down as we started, 18 boats out again, a great site, kites up to the Glen mark at the end of the boulder bank 8 miles.
We had our nose in front,  just, a bit surprised we were footing it with the gennaka's especially now the breeze had headed us and now down to 6 - 8 knots, Wild Thing (Young 8.4) Blackout (Ross 9.14) Ballistic (Ross 930) all close, we didn't quite lay the Mark as we had been headed, Wild Thing again rounded 1st, C V 2nd, Ballistic, Blackout, Zenith.
Hard on the wind heading home but laying the boulder bank marks which we use as gates for theses races.
We regained the lead from Wild Thing which we held to the finish.
Ballistic took 2nd from Wild Thing, Blackout 4th, Zenith 5th.
!st equal on handicap with Zenith.

MAY 31st. Race 2 Westpac Harbour Cans Series
We were unable to make this one but as luck would have it the race was cancelled as the breeze fail to show, Lucky us as this race will be rerun at a later date

MAY 17th Race 1 Marine & General Boulder Bank Sprint Series
1100 outside start for the 16 mile Glen return started in a light northerly which dyed out to 0 before coming away building to 8 knots for the kite run to the shortened course finish at Boulder North Mark.
We managed to keep up front of the 18 boat fleet rounding 2nd at the Glen mark 200 metres behind the Young 8.4 Wild Thing.
On the kite run to the finish we found a little more breeze outside, managing to sail around Wild Thing to take the gun, Wild Thing 2nd, Ballistic 3rd, Blackout 4th.
4th on Handicap

MAY 3rd - Race 1 Westpac Harbour Cans Series
A very light northerly and an outgoing tide made this one hard work, 17 boats entered, Blackout took out line, C V only managed a 7th on line after getting caught out on the wrong side of the harbour in less tide but less breeze.

Long overdue update.

We competed in the last race of the summer series but didn't need too as we had wrapped up the series the week before.
Not a great result but made up the numbers with a 7th (last) on handicap.

Jenna took the helm for the closing day (ladies) race with started in a light northerly which dropped outside the entrance which left us rolling in a nasty swell, then in came a 25 knot westerly.
Jenna took line honours but we were 5th on handicap so no name on cup.

No silverware for the mantelpiece at end of season prize giving but some creditable plaques for the bulkhead.

TBCC TROPHY WINNERS 2014 – 2015 SEASON

Burnsco Marine Winter (Cans) series  = BALLISTIC - C Begg

Marine & General Winter (Coastal) Series  = BALLISTIC - C Begg

KZ 7 Trophy (Winter series Overall) = BALLISTIC - C Begg 

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TBCC Trophy (1^st Nelson boat-Wellington – Nelson Race) = ABANDONED 

The Auld Mug (Harbour Champs) = Racing NOT RUN

 Clive Lewis Design TBCC Trophy (Bluff to Bluff) = XENA - L Hay

Survitec  Group Shorthanded Series = PLAYDOH - J Rowe

John Cotton Memorial / Marine Centre Cup (3 Island Series)    =  REDLINE - S Morgan 

Vining Cup (Survitec Group Offshore series) = BLACKOUT - N Eichbaum 

Nelrig Cup (City Legal Mapua Series) = BLACKOUT - N Eichbaum

TBCC Cup (Mike Rose Builder Ladies Race) =  IRISH MISS - Sharon Corbett

Participation Cup = BLACKOUT - N Eichbaum

CHARLIE GALLAGHER MEMORIAL TROPHY =  Division 1 - Blackout- N Eichbaum.  & Division 2 - Jet - R Borrell

TBCC ( Ex H28 trophy) = Most Improved Boat & Crew - TE TUI - N & P Smith

Coras Metals / City legal Big Boat race = ZENITH - R Greenwood 

NZ Boat Sales – Most Meritorious Cruise = Lloyd Valentine - IDUNO

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PLAQUES

Burnsco Marine - Spring Series                                                                                                                           

(Division 1)                                                                                                                                                                           

1st = REDLINE - S Morgan                              

2nd = CLEAR VISION - K Skelton             

3rd = BLACKOUT - N Eichbaum

(Division 2)                                                                                                                                                                                  

 1st = FORTH DIMENSION - O Paterson       

2nd = FREERIDER II - R & S Hetzel               

3rd = XENA - L Hay

(Division 3)

1st = THUNDERCLOUD - J Scragg                  

2nd = INNOVATOR II - C Sellars                    

3rd LARICINA - M Bishop

Burnsco marine - Summer Series                                                                                                                              

 (Division 1)                                                                                                                                          

1st = CLEAR VISION - K Skelton                     

2nd = BLACKOUT - N Eichbaum                   

3rd = FUTURE FEEDBACK - G McConnochie

                                                                                                                                                     

(Division 2)

1st = MACINTOSH - K Harris                           

2nd = XENA - L Hay                                        

3rd = JET - R Borrell

(Division 3)

1st WIND DANCER - L Duff                              

2nd = IRISH MIST - A Heward                        

3rd = REBEL - W Jensen

Overall - Burnsco Twilight Series 2014-15

(Division 1)

1st = CLEAR VISION - K Skelton                      

2nd = BLACKOUT - N Eichbaum                  

3rd = FUTURE FEEDBACK - G McConnochie

              

(Division 2)

1st = XENA - L Hay                                               

2nd = MACINTOSH - K Harris                      

3rd = JET - R Borrell

(Division 3)

1st = IRISH MIST - A Heward                             

2nd = LARICINA - M Bishop                          

3rd = THUNDERCLOUD - J Scragg

Most Guns (Line Honours)                                                                                                                          

(Division 1) = BLACKOUT 

                                                                                                                                                               

(Division 2) = MACINTOSH 

(Division 3) = REBEL 

Most Improved Boats (Biggest handicap increase) 

                                                                                                                                             

(Division 1) = CLEAR VISION

                                                                                                                                                     

(Division 2) = EAGLE

(Division 3) = TE TUI

PHRF (Twilight Series) 

(DIVISION 1) = 1st Blackout - N Eichbaum

                             2nd Clear Vision - K Skelton

(DIVISION 2) = 1st Jet - R Borrell

                             2nd Bootlegger - C Lewis

                                                                       

Photos from C V leaving Golden Bay / Separation Point

 left -Future Feedback - right Zenith

Blackout

Future Feedback

Earlier shot of instruments, 

Too busy later when we hit 18.8

NELSON - TARAKOHE RACE Friday 27th

We always look forward to this overnight race and the weekend that goes with it.
Crew - Kev, Steve, Jenna, Alix, Knoxy, Matt and Howdie.
1800 start in a light northerly and a forecast of light breezes, Predict wind had some easterly out in the bay and fickeled up the coastline, which way do we go?
Out the entrance, we tacked up the boulder bank to clear our air from yet another bad start, we crossed tacks with Future Feedback a couple of times each time they threw a cover on us, each time we tacked away, this had us further up the bay bit that's were we had decided to go anyway.
By sunset the 7 boat fleet were spread out over the bay 4 of us out to the NE, 3, lead by Ballistic heading up the western coast.
The breeze lightened off but backed a little to the east, enough to go to our bigger jib top, the easterly backing had us a little more confident of easterly, Future Feedback was on our stern and had gained a little to within 100 metres, once jib top and inner staysail were set we slowly pulled away,
The midnight sked, and things didn't look good, Ballistic in on the coast had a big lead over, Blackout, Zenith, Columbus, C V Future Feedback, the coastline had payed, soon after we were in the offshore westerly they had had, for us it was catch up time,
We went from jib top to kite in the shifty light conditions, at times we had nothing, we slowly pulled in Columbus, then Zenith for 3rd place, we could see lights ahead in the distance but the slow drift to Tarakohe continued without us closing.
This the longest race to Tarakohe I can remember? we finally crossed the line at Port Tarakohe heads at 0727, 13 hours 27 minutes of light air, very trying.
A long way off the Oldsmobile record of 5 hours 50 minutes.

Ballistic had finished at 0631, Blackout 0706, Future Feedback back in 4th at 0815.
Ballistic in their 1st Tarakohe race took out both 1st and fastest, well done.
C V wearing the highest handicap only managed 5th would have been 7th had Columbus and Zenith not retired. but that's the Tarakohe race.

Sun sets over the bay,

Steve warms up the barby ready for the traditional dock party to begin

Another ripper if a party which continued all day and then onto prize giving at the Pohara Boat Club where once again Amy supplied all with a delicious BBQ meal.

Sunday, the usual sore heads, but at least the heavy overnight rain had passed through and a 15 knot westerly in the bay for the 10am start.

Lining up for the start, Clear Vision far right, Future Feedback 3rd from right

Approaching the start line

We're off. C V and Blackout

We carried our No 1 jib top off the reaching start then added the inner staysail once underway, Future Feedback lead off the start we slotted into 2nd with Black and Zenith to leeward, the 46 foot Zenith loved the reaching conditions and after an aggressive move up under F F took over the lead.

Blackout climbed out to weather to pop a gennaka but Zenith, FF and ourselves had straight lined it to Separation Point, We hoisted kites as soon as we could and side by side the 2 Young 11's took over the lead, 

We both ran side by side toward Nelson in 13 - 15 knots of NW, 35 miles off matching boat speed to go?

Half way home F F had opened up a lead of around 500 metres, the breeze had built and we now had 20 knots and building, we were surfing up in the 16 - 17s at this stage.
We had carried over on starboard gybe to the marine farms, Future Feedback out the other side, this would be interesting when we meet at the finish in the harbour entrance.
We gybed  onto port for the last run to the harbour entrance, about 3 - 4 miles off we had some 27 knot gusts C V started to feel a little on edge as we were down in the shallow area of the bay and short steep waves made things a little exciting and speeds close to 18 knots, then another 27 gust down a wave and crashed through the back of a bigger one, 17 - 18 - 18.2 - 18.4 - 18.8, the highest speed we have reached in the 2 years on C V, not bad for an old cruiser?

We were charging in on port, as the breeze started to head us a bit and more gusts which meant bering away more, F F had dropped their kite short of the harbour entrance, we now sniffed a win, if only we could carry the kite all the way?
We couldn't, 100 metres short and we lost her, pinged the kite, retrieved it from across the waves, crossing a few seconds behind Future Feedback.
A quick trip home 4 hours 3 minutes, to do 45 miles, just checking, but I think Future Feedback may have a record for this one.

Last race for the summer series this Wednesday, Ladies race and closing day Sunday 12th, then that's it for summer.
Winter series ahead though.

BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Wed 25th Race 9

Another 10 - 12 knot northerly for this the 2nd last Wed night race. Again not a great start, no excuses like last week? just ended up to leeward of Future Feedback and 2nd last out the harbour entrance along with Blackout.
Outside we were rapped in dirty air from Smak and Future Feedback, we tacked away once we had enough water clear of the entrance, only room for a short one, but next tack back we were clear of F F coming back to us on port.
We continued out to the lay line, tacked back for the long board on port, slowly gathering in all but Ballistic out in front, Blackout ahead to leeward would be close, however we had overlaid the mark and ended up rounding in 3rd on Blackout's stern.
Blackout had a slow gennaka hoist, letting us roll over them on the way to Boulder middle which we rounded 5 boat lengths behind Ballistic, Blackout 4 behind us.
We carried on into the boulder bank while both Blackout and Ballistic had tacked out. as we came back out on Starboard we were just ahead of both, we crossed Ballistic then tacked on Blackout's bow forcing them to tack away, however we had pushed them out to better pressure and lost the lead at our next cross at the top mark.

Around the top mark 4 boat lengths behind for the run home, it was still a 3 boat race with Ballistic only 100 metres back and known to be a fast runner down hill.
But we manage to work hard enough to run down inside Blackout, they gybed back to us crossing just ahead continuing into the bank, we carried on to the lay line to the entrance. this time crossing ahead.

We lead into the cut but only 2-3 boat lengths in it, as we hugged the pile line we had a couple of bumps on the flat rock between 2 & 3 piles, at low water it sits waiting for the forgetful?
This wee bump reminded me of some years ago the same scenario on Oldsmobile, in the lead but this time flying a gennaka, bumped on the rock which unbalanced her, we rounded up and on our side up the boulder bank,

This time we got away with it, however the breeze had swung to the west a little and we were instead of the normal hard on to the line, only laying the middle of the line, harder to defend as Blackout had tacked to clear their air, we tacked back to cover, tacking to weather of them, but they had bore away for speed, breaking from under us, and taking the gun by 10 seconds, a great race however with 3 boats sharing the lead throughout the race.

3rd on handicap at now enough points bagged to take the series, we only need to start next week.

Friday Tarakohe - Nelson race and weekend coming next

BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 8 Wed 18th

It all seemed too hard to go sailing Wed night, Old people need to rest? And I hadn't had much?
I had a ship to bring in at 1630, should be ok normally an hour to berth a ship, Steve and I could be picked up from the Tug at 1730 and be on the start at 1750. what a plan!
Only trouble it all took a little longer to berth the ship, we jumped onto C V from the tug as the 5 minute sounded, the main up at the 4 minute, jib up engine off and run to the line, 30 seconds late?
Not a lot different  to the past 3 weeks?
15 knot northerly though NICE.

Only 5 of us in Div 1, so out the entrance in 5th on the transom of Future Feedback, we got to number 1 beacon gaining speed after stalling on their stern, and shoved C V's bow up inside FF, however FF had gone high and we were both head to wind, only our bow was almost tapping on their starboard quarter while my starboard quarter was only 100 mm from the barnacle covered steel pile?
We both fell away to gain speed but we couldn't quite get high enough to clear our air, once out a wee way and enough water to the right we tacked onto port for clear air and out of the flood tide until we run out of water then back out on starboard to find we were well clear of Future Feedback and close to Wild Thing and Ballistic, a longer tack back in this time with Ballistic coming out on starboard, we were bow to bow, too big to dip so tack on their bow, beautiful tack to leeward, built speed then started to squeeze them up, they were forced to tack away onto port, we tacked back a little later for the long port tack to the top mark.

We had pulled back both Ballistic and Wild Thing, only Blackout ahead and to leeward about 250 metres away, we were slowly pulling them in, but out of no where they found a high mode? Slowly they came up from under us to lee bowing us? as we were close to the top we hung in on their hip then followed them in to the top mark.

We both had good hoists with no change down to Boulder middle although we had used our fractional for this short run to save a repack on the short up leg.
Around Boulder middle and only 2 boat lengths in it as we tacked away onto starboard, we were now in a bit of traffic as the Div 2 boats were also using the top mark and home, so managing slower traffic was going to be important.
We meet again at the top with about the same gap but we had to follow Blackout and Freerider into the mark.
Another good hoist, this time the heavy masthead kite, we had set above both boats, rolled over Freerider as they were still setting their kite, Blackout came high under gennaka across our bow, no good fighting as we would have trouble holding the masthead in a luffing match, so we run down flatter to the entrance using waves and pressure as mach as we could.

Blackout had run down under Zena, the Young 9.9, finding themselves trapped under them not able to break through, meanwhile we were picking our way through traffic best we could.
We opened up a good 500m ahead and to leeward which we held to the finish line.

!st on line, 1 minute ahead of Blackout in 2nd,Wild Thing 3rd 5 minutes behind, Future Feedback only 10 seconds behind Wild Thing.
A great race and another handicap win, we are now 9 points ahead of Future Feedback and Blackout both sharing 2nd overall. 2 more to go.

BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 7 Wed 11th March

A bit late with this one properly because our race wasn't great?
A bad start, "again" last out the entrance "again"? To make matters worse the 8 knot breeze was out of the west so cracked sheets up to Boulder middle, meant no passing lanes,
Wild Thing and Smak both loving the conditions out front, with Future Feedback, in 3rd, Blackout 4th with us to leeward of them, Redline further out to weather and behind.
Blackout managed a wee burst near the top mark rounding in 3rd, we were sitll back in 5th with only Redline close by on our stern,
Once around it was very tight for a kite, too tight we decided, the boats ahead had gone for gennaka's, but struggling,  Future Feedback setting up a kite, while we decided to 2 sail reach to the Lighthouse shoal then may Pop one as we freed up a little?
We were doing ok, all 4 ahead struggling, we were making ground up slowly, but they all made it outside the shoal as we were hoisting our kite and the slight gain had gone again, we weren't looking flash, the possible, no probable 5th on line and last on handicap wasn't something we were happy with.
But as they say "It's not over till the fat lady sings" and she hadn't.
As we came through the entrance, all 4 ahead were trying to carry gennaka's / kites to the line, Wild Thing up front was rounding up and laying on their side, Blackout, was powered up dropping down the line, Smak and Future Feedback both over the club end of the line in little or no wind?
We decided to drop the kite before the gust that had hit Wild Thing and Blackout hit us, a messy drop but we eventually retrieved it (out of the water) hardened up hugging the pile line to the finish,
Wild Thing and Blackout had finished, but Smak and Future Feedback were still soft over by the Club end, both now dropping kite & gennaka, we managed to sneak in for 3rd, only by 10 seconds, from Future Feedback who finished only 10 ahead of Smak.

A good come back but 5th on handicap, we lost overall points to both Future Feedback and Blackout, so now only 5 ahead of future feedback, Blackout only 1 point behind FF now.

Saturday, Sunday, Monday had me back on the water as I had volunteered C V as Start/Committee boat for the Optimist Nationals being hosted by Nelson Yacht Club.
These kids throw their little boats around and don't mind a bit of barging on the line as the odd scar on the topsides of C V  show, but I enjoyed being involved, and some cutting and polishing will have her looking sharp again

BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 6

We were pleased with yet another sea breeze at 12-14 knots, although too strong for No 1 Genoa and perfect for No 2 light, But if it drops we my have a problem as we know, Future Feedback will carry their No 1 heavy, we don't have one. They did.
Crew :- Kev, Patrick, Steve, Knoxy, Matt, Aaron. (No girls tonight?)
Always a little disadvantaged on a No 2 off the start as we lack horsepower for the reach to the pile line and entrance, tonight would be worse as we also had a 500m reach from the entrance to Beacon 0.

Plan! a good start to leeward with clear air, the club end, giving us a tighter reach,
The actual start ? middle of the line to weather of Future Feedback and luffed up the line, complete opposite to our pre start planning?
Again only 7 in Div 1, 6th out the entrance to Pile 0, only Smak behind us, Future Feedback ahead, while Blackout out front had clear air, along with an incoming tide which meant flatter water our chances weren't looking great.

At Pile 0 Ballistic tacked onto port early, and up the Boulder Bank to clear their air from Blackout. Wild Thing, Redline and Future Feedback all tacking as they cleared their air, then finally Blackout.
We were now the only boat heading out on starboard, although the tide was coming in we were only in the 1st hour of flood, so looking like more pressure out a bit ? we pushed on for a bit.
Once in better pressure and a wee knock, we tacked onto port, all the rest except Ballistic were coming back out on starboard,  As we approached F F  we had a to either dip them or lee bow tack, I love lee bows, so through onto starboard, a nice tack, managing to build speed before they rolled us, now up to speed we could take advantage of our pointing on our No 2 and started to squeeze them up, until they were forced to tack away.

We tacked back in soon after, Blackout coming out on starboard, would be our next cross and was looking close, in fact we were now Bow to bow with them, nice catch up considering our 6th at the bottom, we tacked onto starboard to leeward rather than dip them,  once up to speed we were a little quicker, surprising considering breeze and flatter sea.
Blackout went back into the Boulder Bank while we went out a little further as it still looked like slightly better breeze but a little more tide.
We tacked back  in to keep in touch, next cross we crossed Blackout's bow by about 4 metres, we were now in 2nd place too Ballistic, not bad? we had taken 5 boats and only half way up the beat.

Ballistic meanwhile had enjoyed a quite sail up the Bank on their own, while the rest of us crossed tacks fighting with each other. They were close in with less tide, we were 100 metres to weather, behind, more breeze, more tide, but we were slowly reeling them in.
Three quarters the way up the beat we rolled over Ballistic and into 1st place, around Boulder north mark, nice kite hoist and off down to Boulder middle, Blackout had rounded in 2nd, just ahead of Ballistic, I finally had a chance to look around on the run, Future Feedback had slipped back, now fighting with Redline and Wild Thing.

Around Boulder middle, back on the wind to Boulder North then the long run back to Pile 0 off the harbour entrance,
We held our 400 - 500 metres on Blackout but they had worked  out to sea, with maybe more tide and breeze, we weren't too worried until we gybed at Pile 0 for the entrance which was a little tight for our kite and perfect for Blackout's gennaka.
They were now smoking up on us, to make matters worse we were coming up on slower boats, race on.

We dropped the kite, 2 sail reaching up to block Blackout before the entrance but they managed an overlap before No 1 beacon, but still had their gennaka to drop, as we came up on another slower boat from one of the other Divisions, we built speed and stayed low to break through the Div 3 boat, at the same time Blackout was dropping their gennaka, both back on the pile line we had a 3 boat length lead, we only needed to sit on their bow to the finish, finishing 23 seconds ahead.

3  line honours in a row, 3rd on handicap. 5 races and we are on only 10 points 3-1sts, 3rd, 4th
We are now leading the series overall by 7 points from Future Feedback. with only 4 more races to go

Div 2 is being dominated by the Lidguard 35 "MacIntosh" (Kim Harris) by 11.5 points.

BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 5

Another typical Nelson evening, warm, with a nice 14 knot sea breeze, but would it hold in or like last week, die away by 7pm?
Crew :- Kev, Patrick, Steve, Aaron, Jenna, Knoxy and Maria - a Swiss visiter.

Not such a good start, 4th onto the pile line and sucking up dirty air behind, Blackout, Wild Thing, Red Line.
We fell away to leeward once out the entrance, slowly breaking through to leeward of Wild Thing, Blackout had tacked onto port early, looking for flatter water, we were happy heading out, the out going tide with us but as usual lumpier, which the lighter boats struggle with.
All 3 had tacked onto port early, we ploughed on with the tide, wanting to get the best out of it on the next board as well. there is also usually more breeze out at the tide line.

We tacked onto port, a long way to weather of the others, faster and high, the tide was working for us now, Blackout was the 1st to head out they had been well ahead of us all when they headed into the Bank,
We had made up a lot, as Blackout  was now 100 metres behind, not long after we dropped both hight and speed, so tacked back out to the breeze/tide line to cover both Blackout and Future Feedback now on the lay line to the top mark.

We rounded 150 metres ahead of Blackout & Future Feedback back in 3rd, kite up, we headed for home, running as flat as we could to avoid the tide.
A lot of traffic as we entered the entrance with all 3 divisions arriving back together, but we managed to work our way through pretty well, for a 1st on line finish. AND another handicap win! 3 on the trot.
We all know what will happen to our handicap next week.

NZ BOAT SALES 3 ISLAND SERIES Continued

After another Anchorage raft up (Wild Thing & Clear Vision) the shot hook made yet another appearance which took at least one player out early.
Another major clean up and another large bag of rubbish we were out off Pitt Head for the 11:00 start.

This was meant to be a kite ride home? instead we had 10-12 knots of easterly.
Bunj got us off to another good start we were soon leading the 3, 30 footers out of the Park, some spots of rain now and breeze dropping, not the sunny kite ride I had promised?
An hour or so latter the rain eased, then sunny but still no wind, we had held our lead all through this despite the other 3 with Code 0's,
The 1400 radio sked had Blackout and C V side by side with 0-3 knots NE, Wild Thing and Redline 500 metres behind.
The breeze slowly backed to the north, we were all hoisting kites, this is what we wanted at the start?

The lighter boats took of in the early stages as the breeze built, Wild Thing had sailed past to leeward, Redline had closed up on us carrying breeze up to us, Blackout 3-4 miles ahead.
As the breeze built too 14-16 we started to hold our own, Wild Thing almost catching Blackout at the finish,  we had closed up in the latter stages to only a mile behind them, Redline a mile behind us.

A fun weekend and nice sailing, thanks to Bunj and the team

NZ BOAT SALES 3 ISLAND SERIES Race 3 & 4

After getting over the frustration of NOT ONE of the C V crew available to race across the bay to Tonga Island, finishing at Torrent Bay Saturday, Torrent Bay - Nelson Sunday.
The Dream team (Vanuatu trip June) stepped up sadly Callum & Des couldn't make it, but Bunj, Vicky & boyfriend Mitch,  and my son Mitch joined me after I assured them great sailing and a good (normal) night at Anchorage.

An outside start at 10:15 with a strong incoming tide, 4.7m at 12:24, Bunj on the helm today, Oldest takes priority, in our team.

1st off the start with Wild Thing sporting their Code 0, were quickly catching us in the light fluky NE, however they were gracious enough to overlay Boulder south mark letting us around 1st.
Still very light for the next couple of hours but swinging to the north, the light 30 footers Wild Thing and Redline with their code 0's sneaked away but falling to leeward, Blackout 200 metres behind us,

The forecast was to be a 20 knot NW so out to weather we were happy with, but sooner rather than latter,
The breeze did swing NW freshening to 12 -13, time for a sail change to number 2 headsail, the father/son foredeck team worked well through the change and we were back in the grove, Wild Thing had opened out a one mile lead over Redline, another mile or so back to C V, but we were closing the gap slowly

Inside the marine farms we carried on looking for a lift up the coastline and tide now going out will push us up the bay.
The lift wasn't there but the tide was as the next cross out to sea had us closer to the other 2 who were now neck and neck.
Next cross off Kaiteriteri we cross ahead of Redline, with Wild Thing close by in 3rd.
Off Adel Island we decided to head back out to sea as we were in 18 knots off the shore, only 13-14 inshore but flatter water,
Bad move, Redline had stayed in, found a nice lift up the Island then came out on a huge port tack lift to cross 200 metres ahead, they tacked on our bow covering us, as we should have done to them before?
We managed to climb out from behind them to clear air taking back the lead off Pitt head we rounded Tonga close to a mile ahead of Redline, Wild Thing another mile behind in 3rd, poor old Blackout was a long way back in 4th,
The farther son team sorted the kite all going well for a loverly kite ride down the pack to Torrent, were  the raft up with Wild Thing would be another challenge?

BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 4

Another nice warm sea breeze 10-12 knots
Crew:- Kev, Patrick, Steve, Knoxy, Alix, Jenna, Aaron.
Not a great start at the club end, with Redline to leeward exposing ourselves to a now famous Redline luff, however we managed to brake clear getting onto the pile line behind Future Feedback, Ballistic, Blackout.
1st mark out the harbour entrance, Pile 0 was hard on the wind so a little west in it tonight, Blackout rolled over Ballistic, ahead and to leeward, we had good boat speed and hight and had closed up the game as we rounded Pile 0 Future Feedback 1st, C V & Blackout neck and neck, Ballistic in 4th.

We,l along with Blackout had gone a little further out to sea and seemed to be in slightly better breeze, Blackout to weather of us but we were matching their speed.
Future Feedback tacked out to cover us both, but tacked on our bow although their tack was good we managed to bear off, build boat speed and break through to leeward, then into high mode and slowly climb up onto their bow, nice, that was it for F F as we were on the lay line, giving them no where to go, but suck up dirty air.

We rounded the top mark, in 1st, 100 metres ahead of Blackout, Future Feedback another 100 behind,
Kite run to Boulder middle, then a bad kite drop?
That bad we ended up trawling the lot in the water, Blackout managed to slip around the mark inside us taking over the lead.

Sorted again we couldn't make up the lost ground, rounding the top mark 200 metres behind but still with a good gap back to Future Feedback, this was it too the finish with the breeze dropping off  to 4-5 knots at the finish.

Another 2nd, we could have had this one except for our kite drop, however another win on handicap, we have now moved into 1st overall in series.

Saturday. Tonga Island race with overnight stay, then race home Sunday. very short of crew, (None) anyone keen to come, for a fun race & a night in the park?

BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 3

After a great weekend of sailing at the Lake Brunner regatta on the West Coast where I sailed on the Noelex 22 Christabel, with Knoxy and Juliet (Waikawa)
4 Nelson Trailer yachts attended,  Elliott 6.5 Geralda (Sam Maitland), Eagle (Howdie), and The Hairy Navel (Matt & Hollie), a great weekend on and off the water.
Best results - Howdie 3rd overall in A division, Matt & Holly 3rd equal line honours B division.

Back home and onto C V.
At last a sea breeze, but it would be dying out throughout tonights race.
Crew:- Kev, Patrick, Steve, Knoxy, Jenna, Matt

A good start at the club end, Blackout at the pile end with a gennaka  ahead of us as we headed out the entrance into a choppy sea due to the ebb tide.

We settled into 2nd for the beat to bolder north, rounding 100 metres behind Blackout, Future Feedback, in 3rd, 200 m behind us, the 2 Ross's and Wild Thing fighting it out 4th - 6th place

The run too Bolder middle and back to Bolder north, Blackout opened out too 200 metres with just the run back to the entrance, now in only 8-10 knots of breeze.

We ran as flat as we could on the way back to avoid the outgoing tide, Blackout was out in the breeze line but running into tide, Future Feedback also running higher along the breeze line in the tide and carrying breeze up to us they were looking threatening, however we stuck to our game plan and flopped our way to leeward,

The gybe on the lay line to the entrance, we run flat once again trying to avoid as much tide as we could,
Blackout was coming in hot but pushing more tide, we were now only 30 metres behind, but Div 2 & 3 traffic to work through to the finish, Future Feedback now 5 - 600 metres behind.

And that's how we finished, a good night. 2nd on line, and a 1st on handicap.

BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 2

A funny old day weather wise? hot and sunny but breeze up and down, even a hint of westerly (forecast).

Down on crew tonight . Kev, Knoxy, Matt, Jenna, Charlie.

Pre race the breeze  a nice 12-13 knot NW, we went for our #2 light jib, Future Feedback with 7 onboard  a #1 so things would again be interesting.

Only 6 in Division 1, so plenty of room on the start, however we still managed to get hooked by the Ross 930 Ballistic,  start horn and a general recall, What? Talking with the start crew later, 4 boats over, C V close to over but they couldn't see our bow for Ballistic, Blackout late so safe.

The other 2 divisions get away, then back to our start, the breeze now touching 19 in the odd gust.

Ballistic again to leeward pushing us up, Is he picking on me? or do we again want the same piece of water?

Were off, 4 of the 6 starters over, Ballistic and ourselves ok, a little bit of gamesmanship as we approach the pile line but we powerd on over them and 1st out the cut. NICE

We encounter a nasty slop in the cut and the breeze dying, BUGGER we are on a #2, as the tide had been going out the slop was tricky without the power of our #1, the tide now coming in, so we tacked out to the right, side-on to the slop and out of the tide.

The breeze had stayed light, the other divisions ahead with very little so a change to #1 genoa, better now, and on the starboard lay line to our first mark the Approach Beacon, now only 5 - 6 knots of wind.

Despite the sail change we were still looking good, in fact looking like we would get the rest on starboard at the mark, (We wouldn't mind that).

Blackout came out early, lee bowed us, and then it happened, a big wind shift to the left 

From 1st to last? fighting it out with Blackout and Redline, watching Wild Thing getting further ahead, Future Feedback and Ballistic fighting for 2nd, 3rd, we 3 trying not to be last boat.

As happens in sailing the rich got richer, as we drifted flopped our way to the shorten course, Boulder middle we watched the front 3 heading home with the tide, while we weren't going anywhere against the tide.

We managed to round Boulder middle ahead of Blackout and Redline, opening a big gap, with the tide assistance.

We heard the "Well Done Wild Thing" from the start/finish box, we were only half way home?

As we rounded the Approach beacon and hoisted the kite for the run to the entrance the breeze kicked back in from the WSW we were now powered up struggling to make the harbour entrance kite cracking and flapping.

I was pleased when it was all over, miles behind the front 3, Again Wild Thing had had a blinder.

PLEASE! Give us a 15-16 knot sea breeze SOON.

BURNSCO SUMMER SERIES Race 1

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?

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,

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

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) 

 Their off

 Whoops

 Just finish my beer until the rescue boat turns up

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,

 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

LAST YEAR WELLINGTON - NELSON

Photo stolen from Alix, Charging through Cook Strait 

Left to Right-Jenna-Ryan-Knoxy-Steve-Kev behind Steve-Matt

Let's hope for same ride this January (16th 2015) but better breeze in Tasman Bay this time

WHAT A SHINE

Well done Jenna

WHAT A BOTTOM

A day and a half of sander above the old fella's head isn't fun, but I made it, the painting would have been easier if I could still lift my arms above my head?
Due for a medical with the Doc this week, might put it off? He will blame the smokes and drinking again?

It will turn white won't it Mr International?

Burnsco Spring series Photos

 Late off the start - playing catch up

Getting into the pack

 Still getting onto the pack?

Into the pack?

BURNSCO SPRING SERIES Race 11 (final)

Raining all day wasn't a nice way to prepare for our last race of the series? To top it off, SE although light anything with east in it I hate! gusty, fluky had to sail in.
Crew:- Kev, Steve, Knoxy, Jenna, Howdie, Matt, Holly, Charlie, Aaron, Aaron being from Picton can't see why I hate these breezes, they sail in these conditions all the time? Well We Don't Aaron?
I had set all 3 Divisions courses out to the Fairway beacon, at least we were 2 miles off the bank and a little steadier.

The breeze was around 6 - 12 pre start and really fluky near the line under the Port Hills, despite this we decided to fly a kite off the line, hopefully carry it out to the 1st mark, Pile 0,
A minute to go, pole set up, a Wild Thing and McLeod to manoeuvre around and the breeze goes light, we are going to be late, hoist the kite and chase the pack, only McLeod behind.
We made up ground on the pack which put us back in the mix as we gybed onto starboard in the Cut.
Future Feedback, Skippered tonight by Patrick (C V tactician/trimmer) had a good start and without the hassles of a kite was leading out to the 1st mark, a bit nerve racking in the gusty conditions with boats close by as the gust now up around 12-16.

We picked up Wild Thing rounding the 1st mark as they dropped their gennaka, we slid up inside, Future Feedback lead, Smak, Redline, Blackout, Ballistic, C V, Wild Thing, Zenith, McLeod.
We sailed over Ballistic on the tight reach up to Boulder middle, and closed up on Redline.
Positions stayed the same rounding Boulder middle, approaching the mark I had a change of mind, deciding to do a bear away kite set rather than bear away, the breeze was now up to the odd 18 - 20 gust.

Everyone ahead did bear away sets, our gybe set quickly payed off, but we were very flat laying the Fairway beacon, Future Feedback had pulled a big lead, as we moved into 2nd, at least it was Young 11's in front, Future Feedback had done a couple of gybes by the time they reached the mark, were we had managed to soak down without gybing, we changed headsails to a 2 for hard on back to the cut and finish,
We were busy dropping the kite, rounding the mark, almost taking out the Division 3 leader Kotare Grace the Noelex 25, as we bore away under them after rounding.

Future Feedback hadn't changed headsails, still on a 1, and was staggering quite a bit, we had the odd wee over powered moment, lower but quicker.
we arrived a the Cut ahead but had to tack across the entrance to the port beacon, F F bearing down on us with a full head of steam only 4-5 boat lengths behind, now back in the harbour under the Port Hills the breeze was very fickle again, we were soft in the lighter stuff now.
Ahead and close to the lay line to the finish looked a little light so we tacked, needing a wee lift at pile 3    
(It's usually there) but not tonight, we had to do another short board then back, meanwhile F F had gone further and was charging in to weather, we were slow out of the tack in this lighter stuff, Future Feedback taking the gun JUST.
I know what you are all thinking WHY didn't we stay on their bow and sit on them?
Blood rush to my head, and greed, wanting a bigger margin, And we needed a good result as Blackout was only 3 points ahead of us for 2nd overall in the series? My Excuse anyhow.

The margin? 1 second.
Handicap results:- Future Feedback - Clear Vision 2nd by 2 minutes on corrected time. Blackout? = 8th
Overall
1st Redline - Ross 930
2nd Clear Vision (only a point ahead of Blackout)
3rd Blackout Ross 914
4th Future Feedback (Young 11)
5th Wild Thing (Young 8.4)
Out for a well overdue bottom paint today.