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.

BURNSCO SPRING SERIES Race 10

A 15 knot northerly this week, a change from the previous couple of weeks of 30 knotters.
Crew:- Kev, Knoxy, Jenna, Matt, Charlie.&  Patrick, 7 weeks since Patric last sailed with use, the 2 weeks with Future Feedback then sailed with Howdie on Eagle (Elliott 5.9) leading up to the %.9 Nationals in Napier.
They but up a good showing improving every day finishing a credible 14 off 17, with 2 11's in the last races,
The 1st 10 boats were all out of Auckland sailing a series of regattas each month, a lot of professionals sailing in theses boats.

We / I decided to leave the Dacron cruising main on, with the fresh breezes lately we had been saving the racing main from reefs & flogging

All of our division (9 tonight) seemed to be wanting to start in the same piece of water on the start line this week, but we came out of the start in good shape, with only Blackout and Ballistic to weather

A bit of push and shove at the pile line. C V bow far left

 A little more orderly now C V far right

Allmost sorted now C V far left. Blackout ahead - C V - Ballistic

Blackout popped a gennaka for a short burst into the lead, we slotted onto the pileline on their stern with Ballistic on our transom.

Blackout was fast in these conditions, the breeze now down to 12-13 knots, Ballistic made an early tack into the bank to clear our dirty air, we pushed on into the tide covering Mcleod, Wild Thing and Future Feedback.
Our tack back on port into the Boulder bank, having to dip Ballistic coming out on Starboard, the early board on port, out of the tide was paying off as next cross as we came out we were ahead again.
The same happened with McLeod, as they stayed in the mix with Ballistic and ourselves.
Blackout meanwhile was loving the conditions and our 3 way battle,  moved out to a big lead.

The breeze was dropping, now only 10 as we worked our way to the top mark, Ballistic had pulled 200 metres on us at the top mark, 3rd around, Mcleod 150m behind us, then Wild Thing, Future Feedback and Zenith, having a 3 way battle for 5th, Redline and Smak a long way back, infact the Div 2 boats were catching them?

For us not a lot changed for the rest of the race, we opened out a little on McLeod on the windward - leeward, by the time we rounded the top for the run home the breeze was down to only 8-10 knots.

Blackout finished 5 minute ahead of Ballistic in 22nd we were 3 minutes behind Ballistic, Wild Thing, McLeod, Future Feedback, Zenith we all tangled up together and amongst some Div 2 boats, Wild Thing making the most of it finishing 4th.

No crew for Saturday's Current Basin Race or Sunday's Cans racing?
I will be making up the numbers on Wild Thing instead.

AIMEX NOMINATED SPEED TIME TRIALS Sunday 30th Nov

A 27-30 knot SW wasn't nice conditions for a motor event, so moved inside the harbour for the sake of the Launches?

Clear Vision - Transition - Pelorus start jockeying for position on start line

We have the lead so far just after start Zeta M & Transition

Transition about to open up the horses, 1800 HP against 18 HP no contest, Zeta M at right

Well behaved crew. Vicky & Gypsy

Photos taken Wednesday 26th

Shots from ashore last Wednesday (Thanks Bill Evans)

Lining up for the start - McLeod - Clear Vision - Future Feedback

We're OFF Clear Vision - Blackout 

Heading for the Cut

Wild Thing (Young 8.4) Clear Vision (Young 11) Blackout (Ross 914) Future Feedback (Young 11)

Clear Vision Out the Harbour in 1st place

BURNSCO SPRING SERIES Wednesday 27th November

Another breezy SW evening, a little less this week at 22-25 knots.
Crew:- Kev, Knoxy, Steve, Aaron, Jenna, Alix, Matt, Holly, Charlie.

This week we reefed the main pre start, last week we kept full main for the run up the Bolder Bank, reefing for the on wind leg back but lost too much while reefing.
From the start it was on, hard on the wind off the line, 5 of us in a line trying to climb over each other, McLeod and Blackout to weather of us, Redline, Wild Thing, to leeward, Future Feedback astern to leeward.
With a strong outgoing tide, I decided to have a go a laying the harbour entrance early, tacked onto port, cleared the sterns of McLeod and Blackout,and started gaining all the height we could.
Some shouting behind caught our attention, Redline had Wild Thing, McLeod and Blackout in his sights, the three had overlaid as we had just proved, but Redline wasn't looking for the layline, he wanted blood, Wild Thing was head to wind but no were to go, as McLeod with Blackout above charged on. Nice not to be in that battle.
The early tack had us out the entrance and on our way to the approach beacon in 1st place, the next 4 boats still sorting themselves out after their wee incident in the entrance,

At the Approach Beacon the breeze was around the 25-27 knots with some west in it so I had decided to go for the gennaka, but once on deck it was discovered it hadn't been packed. NO!
Fractional kite then? by the time they were changed we were around the Beacon heading for Boulder north, Blackout had popped a gennaka and was flying at us, they are certainly sailing well.

This wasn't a great sight from the other side either as Blackout runs us down

Finally we had a hoist and started to at least hold Blackout, now further out to sea, as we run flat to Bolder North.

Blackout dropped their gennaka before the gybe, 2 sail reaching at us on starboard, rounding only 20-30 metres ahead, Mcleod hadn't flown a kite but were 3rd round followed by Redline , Wild Thing and Future Feedback

 Wild Thing (Young 8.4) photo from Future Feedback

We were slowly making inroads on Blackout, managing to climb off him a little, but 15 minutes into the beat out to the Cardinal Mark and the breeze dropped down to 18 - 20 knots, Blackout was now quicker and we were loosing ground, we shook out the reef, which helped but we had lost some more shacking it out, and weren't making anything on them, behind McLeod was closing.

Some Division 2 traffic at the Cardinal didn't do us any favours, more ground was lost.

A tight 2 sail reach back to the entrance, McLeod was closing all the time, we were now in blocking mode forcing them below us, and bugger me they slowly moved through us, we popped the gennaka for the turn to the finish, finishing 3rd, 2 min 20 sec behind Blackout, who had sailed a faultless race, we were only 40 sec behind McLeod.

Handicaps 1st McLeod, 2nd Redline, 3rd Clear Vision
We are 2nd overall in the series with 2 to go, Redline with too many points in 1st to catch, Blackout and Future Feedback only a couple of points behind us, so a 3 way race for 2nd Overall.

AIMEX TIME TRIALS ON SUNDAY - Launch & Yachts under motor

FISHERMAN ISLAND RACE 22 November

We were due to do the Nelson - Tarakohe race Friday night but with 40 knots forecast Friday and Saturday I decided to postpone he race and race the Fisherman Island race instead, starting Saturday morning, at least there was only 25 of NW in the south end of the Bay.
We decided to change the main as we are still using the old batched de-laminating main on Wednesday nights, but with the forecast, I decided to use the Dacron cruising main, less roach and I don't shudder as much if flapping.
Crew:- Kev, Steve, Knoxy, Alix,Jenna.
11 boats fronted on the start at 10am, in light rain and a light 6-10 NE,
Wild Thing lead the way out the harbour Blackout, Kauri Ann and ourselves right behind,
We all headed out hard on the wind, Wild Thing on a Code 0 was sailing fast and low, as was Blackout, Future Feedback and ourselves had managed to climb out to weather of the rest.
The breeze went north,picking up a little so we were happy to be out there, Blackout was picking north of  the marine farms as Future Feedback and ourselves had decided, the rest were sailing free down toward the coastline to go inside the Marine farms off Motueka.
Blackout had been falling away with a code 0 so had tacked out to us, but now the breeze was dropping not freshening?
The fleet was now split, Future Feedback ourselves and Blackout out to the north looking for breeze, Wild Thing, Zenith, Jet, Kauri Ann, Redline on the coast, we were still ok, I thought, there was a wind line and sunshine out to the north.

Future Feedback was covering our every move as we tacked on some big knocks slowly heading north, every time we got close they managed to sneak away again, we but this down to our bottom not being the cleanest and the cruising main, but wait till the forecast breeze kicks in?

We were both now well ahead of Blackout who was stuck in a hole way to leeward but the boats on the coast were flying kites? I still wasn't too worried at this stage as Predictwind is usually pretty good and a 25knot NW with a nice fast kite ride home was still possible. I HOPE.

Well it wasn't happening, earlier in the race I made the statement the 2 Young 11's were in front by 3-4 pm, 3 back markers had retired, Blackout had headed way north and found some northerly to sail around us, Wild Thing still leading the rest up the coast under spinnaker, a big red ex Oldsmobile one I had lent them.
So an afternoon of light to no wind with a terrible slop, no steering at times to make matters worse.

 We finally got a light easterly and managed to fly a kite to Fisherman Island. Future Feedback was still close by so we still had someone to race. the rest apart from 1 behind the Island had rounded and heading home.
It must have taken an hour to get around the Island, finally reaching the top at 5:30pm.
Here we broke 2 records, the longest it has ever taken us and 1st time we have been last around.?
7 1/2 hours to do 18 miles

On reflection I can remember a slower one in Oldsmobile, we rounded later than this, in those days there wasn't a time limit, we pulled out in a big rain storm and no wind at 10pm, 10 minutes later a 20 knot northerly kicked in and we were charging home at 12-14 knots.

As we came out around the top Jet (Farr 1020) was sitting there, Future Feedback picked up a couple of zephyrs to park next to them, we worked a few wee zephys closer in against the Island, as we strained our eyes ahead and could just make out 3 of the 5 boats up front, 2 well out to sea and 1 on the rum line,

Two, NO, three questions!
Q 1 - Anyone keen to stay in the Park tonight?
I happened to know some of the Table of Knowledge boys were at Anchorage onboard Transition, would be a good party.
Q 2 - Out to sea?
Q3 - On the coastline
A quick check on VHF 22, Nelson = average - 27, highest gust 31, from 239 ? with only 3 1/2 hours to beat the time limit we would need it, and soon.
We headed slowly along the island in a light NE then a wee sniff of southerly and a dark line ahead, we changed to #2 and were soon hard on the wind in 27 knots trying to get inside the Farms, Future Feedback were to leeward so for the 1st time all afternoon we were not last.

The SSW kicked in at 24-27 as we staggered our way to the NW corner of the Marine farm, Future Feedback and Jet couldn't make it and had cracked sheets for the northern end.
Once at the NW corner a small bear away made life easier and faster, we were sitting on 8-10 knots in 25-31 knots. funny old day?
We reached the southern end of the farms to bear away on a course to Nelson 12 miles away but now eased enough to fly the inner staysail this took us up another knot with the breeze now down too 18-24.
The breeze slowly settled down to 15 -18 so we decided to try the gennaka, more slick work on the foredeck by Knoxy and up she went, filled and we were now carriering gennaka, #2 headsail and inner staysail, (cool) boat speed back up to 8-10 and some 11's

Gennaka - number 2 headsail inner staysail all working well

Future Feedback and Jet were now 3-4 miles back and to leeward so wouldn't be sailing as free as we were, she was a handful however all on the rail aft, Knoxy working the main, Steve on the gennaka while I had to keep he on the edge of a round up (had a few) but with main & gennaka good heavy cloth I had no fear of damaging them.

We struggled to lay Nelson most of the time but too a good a ride to worry about that now.

Approaching the finish we had a couple of big round ups trying to make the Cut so dropped the headsail, hardened up a little loosing speed but gaining height, then headed again and 2-3 knots more breeze so down gennaka up headsail.

A great ride while it lasted, we crossed the line at 2105 hours 7 1/2 hours to Fisherman, 3 1/2 home

Jet finished at 2123, Future Feedback 2327, so we did a good job in both on the way back.

Wild Thing (Young 8.4) had stolen the show, finishing at 19:07 hours, 2 hours ahead of us, Blackout 2nd finishing at 20:08, Zenith 20:12, Redline20:21

So up the coast lie payed this time? and as for Mr Predictwind & Met service, "I'm not happy".

The 4 sail reach home saved the day from being a "Bloody horror"

What about a steady 15-16 knot northerly Wednesday?

BURNSCO SPRING SERIES Race 8

This spring weather is certainly dishing up some fresh south-westerlies but Wednesday's was a good steady 30 knotter.
This was the one we were waiting for, I was anyway, a chance to pop a kite for a fast ride down the boulder bank, then a good slog home in conditions favouring the bigger heavier boats, C V?
Mistimed the start with the small (7 boat) Div 1 fleet all in front of us, as we sucked up dirty air, we picked up Future Feedback with a better lay line to the entrance,
Blackout lead out from McLoud, Redline, Wild Thing, C V, Future Feedback, Ballistic.
The reach from the harbour entrance to the Approach beacon was a procession as some of us set up downwind sails, FOR THE BIG RIDE?

We were the only Div 1 boat carrying full main so were quick on the reach but we had some catching up to do.
The run to Boulder North would be our chance, as not everyone was setting up for kites, around the beacon, pole up and hoist, we couldn't square the pole and the fractional kite was flapping and cracking, the bloody tack was hooked on the Pulpit? NO, turns out the brace is through the pulpit, Matt & Charlie try to free it but too much weight snapping at it with each crack of the kite, simple hook up the spare brace, we use for double sheet gybing in these conditions, but not run tonight?
Drop the bloody thing, no time to re-pack it so try fractional gennaka, up she went and we were off overtaking McLoud, and started catching Redline and Blackout, two wee moments 1st I fell of the helm against the lifelines pushed the tiller extension adjustment button sending C V into a potential Chinese gybe, but Knoxy saved the day by catching her in time while I regained my composure.
The next wee moment was when the mark was spotted ahead, fine in the port bow, as I looked ahead she started to round up, Knoxy on the gennaka sheet thought I was altering course for the mark until I yelled I had lost her and on our side we went.

We arrived at the mark with Redline without the "we'll show them how to fly a kite moment"in 3rd place and now had to reef for the upwind, we lost more ground slipping back to 4th as the 43 foot McLoud powered upwind loving the conditions, Future Feedback were now onto us.
Reef in we settled into the slog home, tacked onto starboard and the port car had moved back on the track now too much twist in the blade, tack back onto port just clearing Future Feedback on starboard but no closer to McLoud, Redline or Blackout.
The next tack on starboard was much better with the car reset, we got into the grove (Finally),
As a tanker was due to leave port the course was shortened to an outside finish which shortened our recovery time.
We crossed the line in 4th, 15 seconds behind Redline, with Blackout 1st, McLoud 2nd,
Future Feedback 5th

What a night? surprisingly though, we were 3rd on handicap? 1st McLoud, 2nd Redline, they both had  good races, we must have been best of the shockers?

8 of 11 races down in the series and the points are:-
Redline 25 points
Clear Vision, Future Feedback, Blackout all on 35 points

This weekends Tarakohe race cancelled due to bad forecast, we will be racing to Adel Island (20 miles) return on Saturday instead
Tarakohe rescheduled for next year now (march 21st)

BURNSCO SPRING SERIES Race 7

One of those days, the weather couldn't decide what to do, not what I wanted when deciding what courses we would use for each of the 3 divisions.
Get it right, not a lot said. Get it wrong and take the wrath of the 'hard done by'

By 5:30pm steaming out the mariner, the rain had held off, the breeze up and down 7-11 knot westerly.
Crew:- Kev, Knoxy, Steve, Alix, Jenna, Matt, Holly, Charlie, Vicky
The reach off the start and the fluky conditions had boats squirting ahead then being caught, (a raffle) best describes it?
We we 3rd into the entrance which become a beat through it tonight. Blackout, Zenith, C V in a tight wee battle up front, Wild Thing and Future Feedback close behind.
As we rounded the approach beacon for the short reach to Boulder south, Blackout  in the lead and able to fly a tight kite, C V 2nd,  Zenith, Wild Thing close by in a luffing match as the much larger Zenith tried to sail over the much smaller Wild Thing.

Around Boulder south 100 metres behind Blackout for the 2 mile beat out to the Fairway Beacon.
The breeze was now up to 8-15 knots and 10-20 degree shifts, hard work but we seemed to make the best of it with a good enough gain on Blackout to have them dip us on the 2nd cross, the left was paying off at this stage.
We had put time on Zenith, Wild Thing and Future Feedback so were quite happy as Blackout sufferers another knock having to tack on our stern 50 metres back.

Then the bloody breeze went left - left and more left, so much, Blackout was now to weather, it will go back to the right surly? NO was that answer, in-fact, as we approached the Beacon the breeze swung 20 degrees right the about 40 degrees left, we were on the wrong side of this one, now Zenith, Ballistic (who had started late) were ahead of us, they had carried the fresher, left shift from way back until back in the race.
We finally rounded the Fairway Beacon after dealing with more shifts in 5 minutes than we've seen all season?

We were meant to be having a nice kite ride an a beer back to the entrance at this stage, instead we we in a 12-17 knot SW in 4th place, tight reaching, we quickly sailed through below Ballistic into 3rd, but the 45ft Zenith with her narrow beam was loving the conditions, Blackout short but light doesn't mind reaching either, so we were all pretty much in our finishing positions.
UNLESS someone made a mistake?
Blackout luffed Zenith head to wind as Zenith tried to sail above them,
Mistake number 1, C V a little closer?
Blackout pulled away, tried to hoist a gennaka, which lay them down in a shaking - flapping stall out
Mistake number 2, C V a little closer?
Blackout regained their composure but a couple of small round ups
Mistake number 3, C V a little closer? now bow to bow and to weather.

We turned the corner in the entrance, hoisted our kite, sailed over Blackout and "HELLO" zenith just ahead gull winged genoa?
Mistake number 4, Don't blow out your best kite in Cook Srait, then return home without it.

C V - OVER THE LINE 1st place, Blackout 2nd Zenith 3rd Future Feedback 4th.

Only a 5th on handicap but 1st over the line is SO SWEET

Rotary Charity harbour race this Sunday.

CLIVE LEWIS DESIGN - Bluff to Bluff Race Sunday 9th Nov

After our lack of pace in recent races we needed to start at the bottom.
How good a job was the dock brush doing? I cleaned her bum again with the repaired brush (Thanks Knoxy) Saturday, then Knoxy dived on her for inspection and tidy up of sail drive, bulb, keel and rudder, the places the brush isn't quite up to it.

Sunday, race day, a 28 mile triangle in the bottom of the Bay.
Crew:- Kev, Knoxy, Jenna, Matt, Steve & Livy, Vicky. and Gypsy,

The sign on sheet showed, 7 POB + 1 DOG.

Gypsy look for wind shifts

The start line just outside the entrance was a little tricky with only 3-4 knots of northerly and a big 4.4 metre tide flooding across the line.

We hit the line with good pace at 2-3 knots at the top end of the line with Blackout and Xena (Young 9.9), to weather, Future Feedback to leeward, our other treat in these conditions Wild Thing (Young 8.4) way to leeward, Code 0 unrolled and moving quickly up the Bolder Bank out of the tide.

Blackout & Xena to weather just after the start

We managed to sail out from under both Blackout & Xena with better boat speed and height, Wild Thing had come up below us against the bank crossing ahead as they came out.

We stayed in, working the bank out of the tide, taking back the lead with our next cross with Wild Thing, the tide had affected them.

Blackout had done an early tack out to clearer air from Xena, Future Feedback and Geralda the Giant Slayer (Elliott 6.5) all 3 were tacking on Blackout, bouncing them out into the tide.

We did the same to Wild Thing, tacking on their nose each time, sending them on short boards out as we worked up the bank in less tide and the odd lift in the slowly building breeze.

Xena was working the Bolder Bank, that close the were almost on it but it was paying off, as they were in 3rd place, Future Feed Back 4th.

At the Glen Marine Reserve buoy , 8 miles up the bank we had a good half mile lead on Wild Thing, Future Feedback not too far behind them, followed by Xena and Blackout.

A tight kite across to the west side of the Bay to the Marpua Bluffs 12 miles away, a 3rd the way across and the breeze increasing to 8-10 we started to power up the light masthead kite, now struggling to stay high enough to lay the mark.

The sea breeze was now on it's way, time to change to either the heaver 3/4 oz masthead kite or try the gennaka - jib top - inner staysail combo? I have been waiting to try this combo since I bought C V.

All up and flying, no trouble staying up on or above course but a knot slower. Bugger.

What do we do? The wise old Fellow that hold's the steering stick decided, "NO WORRIES", the breeze was freshening, soon the 3 behind would be struggling to hold kites and we would be in the groove with our triple foresail setup.

The 2 of them got closer and closer carring the breeze to us and still holding mastheads, Wild Thing a huge gennaka, Future Feedback a kite.

AS much as I liked the look and idea of this 3 sail combo, we looked like a Volvo 65 in slow motion I thought? but we had been caught up, hoist the fractional, Wild thing took the lead, Future Feedback now level to leeward.

For some reason Wild Thing was high on the mark and now running low & slow, we were approaching the Mapua mark together, much discussion on the next setup for the tight reach home? Large tiptop and inner staysail, the decision,

The plan the kite brace becomes the jib top sheet, we need to get rid of the pole, the staysail needs to be gybed and oh the kite needs to come down, easy, and all this with an audience, the two other boats.

We run to the mark side by side with Future Feedback, they dropped their kite 1st, got their pole off and ready to gybe, our plan, get the pole off, fly the kite without the pole, to the mark drop the kite, Matt on the foredeck would ping the kite (normally we run it), hook the brace to the jib top as the sheet, hoist the jib top, as the kite was being retrieved. a busy time for all, and a cock up waiting to happen?

Wild Thing got around the mark 1st, we gybed across Future Feedback's bow on port, but they were slow running flat to the mark with the early but orderly kite drop.

The C V crew went into action, as planned, beautiful to watch, around the mark in 2nd all set up for the 8 mile tight reach to the finish.

                                     

                Mapua mark rounded, rift of photo, just the staysail to sheet in, then off to the finish

Everything sheeted and drawing we pulled in Wild Thing, taking back the lead, at the finish only a minute or so between each boat, C V 1st, Future Feedback 2nd Wild Thing 3rd, Blackout 4th, 5 minutes back.

Prize giving sounded like a Jim Young benefit race. Young 11's 1st and 2nd, Young 8.4 3rd and Young 9.9 Xena 1st on handicap. - Well done Jim, 

Thanks Knoxy for the bottom clean

Im feeling much better than I have the last couple of weeks, much more fun up front!

BURNSCO SPRING SERIES Race 6

Fresh gusty easterlies all day, I hate easterlies.
My pre race chores didn't go well, clean bottom with dock brush, starboard side done, with the gusty wind I decided not to turn C V around on my own fearing and knowing another gust would come through at the wrong time.
Mitchell & Vicky turned up just after 4pm to help, so turned her around and started to clean port side then the bloody brush broke? Have to set a course tonight with all port tacks?

Vicky & Mitchell ??? Vicky is the Spanish girl we bumped into while in Vanuatu, she had sailed up on a Cat from Aussie, met the Dream team aboard Bloomers, decided we were more fun than the owner/skipper she was with and jumped ship.
They arrived in Nelson Monday to see what sort of town breeds crew like "The Dream Team".

Crew:- Kev, Steve, Knoxy, Alix, Jenna, Charlie, Vicky & Mitchell

The easterly was up and down but we went for the No 1 headsail, off the wind start, then a reach up the  Bolder bank to the top mark.
The middle of the line looked the spot to start until 30 seconds to go then the right had breeze? we were left with very little, again, we were left behind with Blackout as company this time, although worse off, than us.

We all bunched up again at the Entrance so back in the mix, the back end at least.
A tight reach up to the top, quite a few gusts causing the odd round up, no passing lanes

McLoud (Spencer  42) Out for the 1st time with re-feared keel and new anti-foul, lead all the way to Boulder north ahead of Ballistic, Future Feedback, Wild Thing, C V, Red Line, Blackout, Smak.

We had a kite ready at the top, as the course I picked out to the Cardinal and back next. I THOUGHT? However the front runners were heading home? I had text the courses for the night to the start box, but the wrong ones?
Stupid old fool, then to top things off the next mark was Boulder middle which was missing? what a night???
However, Jim back in the start box had been informed and re directed Div 1 & 2 in the form off a shortened course, i.e. straight home, we just hadn't heard the radio chatter? It was off.

We got onto Wild Thing's transom on the way home managing to poke ourselves up inside as we hardened up for the beat through the entrance, we had a good couple of tacks to the line almost picking up Ballistic on the line.

Another average night, the bottom is starting to effect us, I need my A into G and re anti- foul.

So, On line - McLoud, Future Feedback, Ballistic, Clear Vision, Wild Thing, Blackout, Redline, Smack.
Handicap - McLoud. - C V 7th, Blackout 8th not good.

Next race Clive Lewis Design Bluff to Bluff Sunday

BURNSCO SPRING SERIES Race 5

After a stormy afternoon of rain and strong northerlies gusting 40 knots the weather had settled down to  a cloudy 18-20 knot WSW .
Crew:- Kev, Steve, Knoxy Aaron, Alix, Jenna, Matt, Charlie.
Full main & Number 3 tonight, as I thought the breeze and weather had settled down maybe swing to the SW around 18-20?
Crews putting reefs in pre start ,when the breeze dropping to 12-15 as we started in Div 1.
My thoughts were it would stay in at around 17 - 20 as Kev and predict wind had suggested,

A poor start stuck behind Redline and Future Feedback had us trailing the 6 boat Div 1 fleet out through the cut, kites up (fractional), as I still expected more?
We were inside the rest kite up 1st thinking we're ok here as we shuddered & shook our way through the nasty northerly swell left over from the earlier blow.

The breeze line out further moved onto Blackout, Ballistic and Future Feedback, the latter broaching twice, which now had us bow to bow with C V well to leeward.

Blackout and Ballistic were off, Future Feedback were again upright and took off after them C V, Wild Thing and Redline sat and watched? yes were were stuck in a hole, flopping in a confused slop, not the only thing that was confused? we finally picked up some breeze, but still not as much as the front 3 who were now gone.

Around Boulder 1 behind Wild Thing and now hard on the wind to the Cardinal, we had changed to #2 headsail for this upwind, with good speed and height, climbing over Wild Thing but the front 3 were way ahead.

We arrived at the Cardinal amongst the Div 2 boats so at least had some company out there.
A big right shift (WSW) as we approached the Cardinal made a kite ride home look good as the SW made it a tight gennaka, we rounded and bugger me, the breeze swung back to the west, this was properly the 4th wrong call (at least) from me tonight so why not go for the big one?

Up with the masthead? we won't make the height to the entrance but we will get a good ride and with all the bad luck and shifts tonight, we may have earned a big get out of jail shift and make it?
Not to be. We did have a good ride then had to drop and 2 sail reach up to the entrance for a worst of the season 4th and last on handicap.

A frustrating night, the next day (Thursday) a 24 knot (STEADY SW). I predicted it. just 12 hours out?

Congratulations - Noel and crew on Blackout. 1st local boat to crack the magic 0.900 club handicap.

Busy November ahead
Sunday 2nd - Club Golf tournament
Sunday 9th - Clive Lewis Design Bluff to Bluff
Sunday 16th - Rotary Charity race
Friday 21st - Nelson - Tarakohe race No rest for the wicked? 

BURNSCO SPRING SERIES Race 4

Wednesday 22nd October
A nice sunny day and a 13 knot sea breeze I was looking foreword to the sail, this time I made sure I run the dock brush over the bottom with the help of Aaron.
Patrick was to be steering Future Feedback tonight so we needed to redeem ourselves / myself after last weeks spanking.
I decided to go for N0 2 light jib rather than the Genoa as the Fairway beacon was still showing 12-14 knots.
This was despite Future Feedback hoisting their genoa. a last minute discussion almost had us changing but with incoming tide the sea should be flatter and we should be higher on No2.
Only 6 in Division 1, so plenty of room on the start line, (33 on the water in 3 divisions)

A good start mid line Future Feedback ahead, to weather, Blackout, ahead to leeward, then both recalled, over the start, now we were front runners with Redline (Ross 930) and Wild Thing (Young 8.4) hard on our heals, Zenith behind them.

Out through the harbour entrance we held the lead but not pulling away as we hoped, we were again in that in-between mode on which headsail, we tacked onto port to stay out of the incoming tide just clearing Redline and Zenith hoping to have us on starboard no doubt.

The board on port and across the slop was boring and under powered, I decided to bite the bullet, admit I had headsail choice wrong and needed to go for a headsail change,
Being hanked we would drop some places but no good slowly being overtaken? better to drop back in one big chunk? Bugger!!!
Sail change done we headed out on port to measure our loss, with only 6 in division and Future Feedback's recall we were fighting it out for last place, Blackout despite their recall were now in front and flying? I discovered later Auckland sailmaker on board.

Our cross with Future Feedback confirmed we were now last, but if we wanted a head to head Y 11 match race this was it.
We both managed to get back in touch with Zenith and Redline the latter wanting to dump on us whenever he could, We approached the top mark on port, FF on starboard, we had had some close crosses on the way up, this time we might just sneak across their bow? We did just. tacking on top of them.
Both Y 11's rounded the mark side by side crews frantic in their kite hoists, as we rounded I had cut inside for an overlap, both crews did well with kites filling almost together except FF was short - hoist?
I found out latter their halyard was through the forestay, they weren't slow because if it as we run down side by side to the Boulder 2 mark.
We were leeward boat, and on starboard so could dictate the gybe and hopefully lead in to the mark for the next beat.
redline was running into the mark on port so it was worthwhile delaying the gybe until he had to gybed away.

 A good drop and hard on the wind back to the top now up the 3rd behind Blackout and Wild Thing who had had a clean run while the 4 of us were sorting out 3rd to last. we held on maybe opening out a little to the top then the run home.

Wild Thing wasn't too far ahead now maybe 3 - 400 meters, under gennaka, we worked hard on our kite trimming, run out to the lay line to the entrance gybed onto port ahead and to weather of Wild Thing for what was looking like a close encounter at the entrance? It was, Wild Thing came barrelling in from lowed down straight into our wind shadow, I said I was sorry to be in the way, but they didn't seem to think I was genuine?

Kite drop at the entrance at the entrance, reach around the piles, hard on the wind to the finish, the whole time keeping C V's big bum on the nose of Wild Thing.

2nd on line 6th,( last on handicap)
Future Feedbacks Over at start and our sail change bought us back together for a good boat on boat battle. Great racing.

I know this is C V's site. But Oldsmobile is a pretty boat and we all still love her

Photo stolen from Julliet's Waikawa Boating Club Pre wine race sponsors race

Last Wednesday's late finish after starting in 12 knots of breeze

Clear Vision (far left). We approached the entrance at the back of this bunch, managed to sail around the lot. Excellent kite trimming by Knoxy and Steve

N Z BOAT SALES 3 ISLAND SERIES Race 1 Fisherman Island

Down on crew, 3 out of 10, and this the first longer race of the season?
I was close to pulling the pin but with a good forecast light for the start, building to a 18 knot northerly, too good to miss.
A call to Milo, tutor at the Sea school, some of his students on the Super yacht course were keen.
Charlie & Jenna started preparing C V while I did briefing, this took longer than it should as most skippers needing sailing instructions despite them being on line for 2 weeks to down load?
No super yacht students turned up? 1st lessen for them should be turn too when an opportunity arises.

So Kev, Jenna and Charlie headed out to join the the other 9 boats for the 1000 start , we had the main up heading  out, and started to get the overlapping No 1 on deck, but we already had a 6 knot northerly,
Short of crew I decided to go with the No 2 and save a headsail change later.
A good start at the boat end to weather of all, a little slower than Future Feedback but higher, footing it with Blackout both of them to leeward, then the breeze started dropping? NOT Good. the wind line to the north looked encouraging so we tacked out on port and up the bank, Future Feedback coming with us but now to weather,
The board out wasn't wasted (I thought) as it was taking us to breeze and the spat farms are hard to clear on one board, so we pushed on, the normal patten emerged as it does with sailing, 10 boats, some cracked sheets heading for the western coast line below the farms, some in the middle, the straight A-B approach and see what happens and the Y 11's out to sea.

We both tacked back onto starboard at the edge of the breeze line, laying the farms and able to sail slightly free for the still light conditions, back up to 5-6 of breeze, which built to 11 knots.

We were now 300 - 400 metres behind Future Feedback, not too bad considering our small headsail, we were both well to weather of the fleet and sailing slightly faster, OK at this stage, we just needed the breeze to settle in and we were off. It didn't. the dark promising wind line stayed outside us, and at the Spat farms went fluky and died.
Over-lapper up now, Future Feedback was up about a mile ahead, we were parked against the farms with Blackout and Redline, Wild Thing was sailing through the farms despite the warning at briefing, once they were in the middle the were informed on the radio and had to sail back out and around the end, Zenith and Farr A Way were down on the coastline with kites up?
We rocked, rolled, lost steerage for what seemed like ages, the breeze line staying outside of us all.
Future Feedback had a healthy lead, but the smaller boats, with their code zero's up were carving us heavier boats up now.

Blackout managed to get to the Island 1st with Redline and Wild Thing on their heals, it was going to be a case of the rich get richer as once around the inside of the Island they would sail out to the breeze and off home to Nelson.
As we approached the back of the Island Blackout was coming out, the other 3 still behind the Island, we drifted around the back to see Future Feedback starting into the light northerly that would take them out into the breeze, meanwhile Zenith had sneaked their way up the coast and were only 100 metres behind us.
We finally got around and needed Spec-Savers to see the 4 boats ahead, just small dots.
Too tight for a kite as we got into the breeze so we hoisted the inner staysail for the reach to the Farms, we were now in the 16-18 knot northerly that had stayed 3-4 miles offshore all day, I guess Predictwind had it right, sort of ? I had it wrong that's for sure.

Once we were happy we could clear the farms we popped the gennaka (Well done Young Charlie, only been with us for 2 crewed up races, now foredeck on his own)
We were now in18 knots NNW sitting on 10-12's, Zenith had been slowly pulling us in while we were both reaching, her narrow 45 feet working for her,
Under gennaka we were now pulling away, then they hoisted their kite opposite the farms overtaking us but heading below the rum line, as they crossed our bow, I happen to mention they were only a broach or a cock up away when soon after their kite blow out. we were ahead again.

As we closed on Nelson we were having trouble laying the entrance and I was doing a balance act on the edge of losing her, 5 miles out we dropped the Gennaka, two sail reached to the line.
Because we had fallen low Zenith up to weather was bearing down on us, ever sow slowly they pulled us back in, overtaking us just short of the finish at the harbour entrance by 12 seconds.
Not a great race for us, but the 3 of us agreed it was a good day out, Well done Jenna and Charlie, a great effort on your own.

No handicaps done yet but I'm sure we were scratch boat, and a 10th, finish times reflect the rounding of the Island and out into the breeze.

Blackout = 17 04  55 (Finish time, not elapsed)
Redline = 1714 41
Wild Thing = 1721 00
Future Feedback = 1726 01
Zenith = 1755 03
Clear Vision = 1755 15
Farr A Way = 1826 10
Play Doh = 1829 00
The other 2 withdrew

It's all on again next Wednesday

Burnsco Spring Series race 3

Mid afternoon an 18 knot northerly out in the bay, by our 1750 start down to 12, but still ok,
Patrick, our sail trimmer/tactician was sailing with Future Feedback (sister Y 11) to see if he could help with the lack of pace in the 2 previous races.
We still had a big team, Kev, Steve, Knoxy, Aaron, Alix, Matt, Holly Charlie.
Future Feedback had been out early for a look at sails and as we had talked about no speed difference between both boats I decided to start close to them.
This didn't happen as we looked like we were early with the out going tide carrying us across, I gybed around to have another go and stalled her !!!!!!
Last off the line with Ballistic who had started up to weather under kite, we just managed to get out the entrance ahead of them but right on the stern of Zenith, in the dirty air of a 45 footer isn,t were I wanted to be watching Blackout and Future Feedback sail away.
We headed out to sea using the ebb tide and looking for the breeze line, tonight the bolder bank payed and we arrived at the top mark on port with Zenith and Wild Thing coming at us on starboard.
We rounded the top between them, trying to overtake Zenith under kite, meanwhile up front Blackout & Future Feedback we gone.
We were still behind Zenith after the short windward leeward and just the run home to try and secure 3rd and some creditability?
The breeze was now down to 9 knots,we were slowly rolling over Zenith as we started coming up on Div 2 & 3 traffic, I never like sailing over these boats but these a desperate times, we weaved our way through, making a better job of it than Zenith putting 4 -5 lengths on him.
Ahead, at the entrance the breeze had gone a mass of boats (37 on the water tonight) half them parked up, held out by the out going tide.

We now had a drifter on our hands and the clock ticking close to the time limit BUGGER.
At one stage we were back on the genoa for a while in a light westerly, then back to light kite through the entrance.
It seemed most we sitting with limp kites waiting for something to happen, while a few were trying to sail through them, where ever we went there were boats in the way, the same one 3 times at one stage as we gybed our way through them.

Blackout and Future Feedback had finished so we had a race, not sure I wanted one?
We were now into the front runners in Div 2, making passing a lot harder, we finally made it across the line 3rd in division, a long way behind BO and FF, hurts the pride - helps the handicap.

Fisherman Island race on Saturday,  a chance to stretch our legs

C V comming through Nelson Harbour entrance on her way to Line & Handicap win

"Big Blue" Ex Oldsmobile Masthead looks good as Fractional on C V

BURNSCO SPRING SERIES Race 2

Wed 8th, a nice 20 knot WSW breeze.
An on the wind start was a nice change, we were back a bit from the line and to leeward of Blackout, with Future Feedback and others to leeward.
We broke through Blackout, lower but faster, and powered over Future Feedback, the tack on the lay line out the entrance was going to be tight but local knowledge has a hint of a lift or two as we clear Haulashore Island, Blackout crossed our bow, tacking to weather ,we laid the cut but had to sit on Blackout's transom on the reach out to O beacon, both hoisting for the run up to Bolder 1.
We had of course gone for our masthead, Blackout had a reef in the main and had gone for a fractional gennaka, we were running flat to the mark while Blackout run further out to sea and into the incoming tide, Future Feedback, Zenith and the others back fighting for 3rd.
Around Bolder 1 and a short beat to Bolder 2 then another run back to the top, we had a little hick up dropping the kite when the halyard jambed coursing us to over shoot and loose 5-6 boat lengths.
That out the way and the long slog back to the harbour entrance, the breeze had eased off a little but we were still ticking off 7 - 7.4 knots up wind.
As we approached 0 beacon we were amongst the Div 2 leaders, MacIntosh (Kim Harris) and Farr A Way (Mike Rose) having a close battle for the lead. the other Div 2 boats hard on their heals, no room for mistakes in this newly formed Division, the majority, 35 footers.
We popped the fractional kite for the run to the finish, not wanting another jambed halyard. crossing the finish just under 3 minutes ahead of Blackout.,
1st again on handicap.
Last weeks results showed we had sailed to a .901 and Blackout a .906, this week our sailed too was 915, no prizes for guessing what our handicap has done? we are now on .877, Blackout .885.

The night wasn't quite over, we went to drop the main up in the basin to find it wouldn't budge?
Patrick up the mast to find the main had been shackled in the wrong hole and the mashed kite halyard block smashed, a little maintenance to do for next week.
We are lending our mainsheet trimmer and tactician to Future Feedback next week,
I hope we won't regret this?

RACE 1 SPRING BURNSCO SERIES

Burnsco Spring Series under way
A great evening to start off the series, warm all day and a 12-17 knot northerly which would die out but not until later hopefully?
Plenty of crew :- Kev, Patrick, Knoxy, Aaron, Alix, Jenna, Holly, Matt, and Charlie Rowe, new to CV this season.
With 3 Divisions this season we only had 7 start in Div 1 but a great turnout of 33 on the water in total.
We started to leeward at the Club end but had to slot in behind Blackout with Future Feedback overlapped inside us.
Clearing the harbour entrance we stayed low, wanting to power up into the sloppy sea against tide and hopefully brake through Blackout, Future Feedback with Zenith on their tail were climbing high having a tussle.
We continued out on starboard using the outgoing tide but had to push through the worst of the slop, Blackout tacked away early looking for flatter water up the bank inside the tide.
We came back together at the top mark, tacked for the mark rounding 2 boat lengths ahead.
The run to the bottom mark was short but we got another boat length as we dropped and rounded, the breeze was now down to 12-13, CV felt a little under powered on the wind back to the top, Blackout coming back at us to lead at the mark by 3-4 lengths.
The run home we were struggling to fly out heavy masthead kite in the lighter breeze, bugger should have changed to the light kite.
An overtaking chance came when we both caught a Div 2 boat, Blackout went to leeward of him while we went to weather, we had the lead back. but Blackout caught us again to finish 25 seconds ahead, Future Feedback was 3rd home 5 minutes behind.
We managed 1st on handicap and according to the results sailed to a .901 handicap Not that slow?

OPENING DAY TBCC Harbour treasure hunt

August 31st. Race 5 (final) Burnsco Cans race
Only 5 off us today, Kev, Patrick, Jenna, Howdie and Knoxy drawing the short straw doing the foredeck, however a nice Nelson day with a light 8-10 knot NW.
The pin end was favoured which we went for on starboard, with Ballistic and Blackout behind and to weather, most of the 13 boat fleet were up the committee boat end.
We held our own on the lighter 30 footers as we headed out to the left side of the track, but would have to dip Ballistic then spoil our chances of clearing Blackout.
Close to the lay line we decided to tack onto port, luckly, Ballistic tacked as well? This allowed us to clear Blackout (just) then slowly we rolled over Ballistic,
Both boats were pointing higher than we could with our overlapping genoa, but we had a slight edge on boat speed,
Future Feedback was leading the group that had gone right but well behind as we tacked onto starboard to round the top mark. Blackout and Ballistic rounded together 100 meters behind us, Ballistic a bear away set as we had and Blackout jibe setting, but having to sail under the rest of the fleet approaching the mark on starboard.
We held our own on the run, with Ballistic jibing early, we sailed on a little for a better angle to the bottom mark, Ballistic having to jibe again before the mark and had to jibe drop at the mark.
We now had 150 metre lead and kept a loose cover on Ballistic, Blackout had lost a lot on the run, either gennaka angles or the wrong side, or both maybe?
Around the top and a nice warm satisfying run to the finish and the gun,
I needed the win as the last can race was also won by C V, but without me, anything but a win wasn't an option.

4th on handicap and 4th overall in the series.
Ballistic won the Burnsco Winter series along with the Marine & General offshore series.

The rest of the month off, 1st spring twilight race October 1st.

Marine & General Winter Boulder Bank Sprint race 4 August 17th

We missed this one, I had to work and light on crew.

I motored out later for the finish in a light 3-7 knot westerly.

Blackout took line honours this week, Ballistic 2nd, Wild Thing 3rd.

Sunday 30th August race 5 (final) Burnsco cans race.

C V Interior

 Main Saloon FWD

Saloon AFT

Burnsco Winter cans series AUG 3rd

After spending Saturday in the rain cleaning C V's bottom with the dock brush I was looking forward to the Sunday afternoon race.
But it wasn't to be, I was called into work??
Crew :- Patrick on the helm with Knoxy, Alix, Jenna, Howdie, Steve.
I can only pass on what I was told as I could't see them from the Tug.
A good start in 4-5 knots which topped 8 knots during the race.
1st at the top mark ahead of Blackout, they held their lead on the next beat then down to the finish, Ballistic (Ross 930) managed to pass Blackout at the top mark to take out 2nd, Blackout 3rd, Wild Thing (Young 8.4) 4th, Redline (Ross 930) 5th, Geralda (Elliott 6.5) 6th, Future Feedback (Young 11) 7th 4minutes 40 sec separating the 1st 7 boats, C V winning margin 1 minute 40 sec, not bad in only a 40 minute race.
I have taken some flack about how well C V went without me, Just shows what a well rounded crew we have, we can drop key players and still she goes well. MY Excuse anyway

Next race Marine & General Bolder Bank Race

Recap on 2013-14 season

Recap of 2013-14 season
Our 1st racing we sailed a couple of winter series races in light breezes and was pleasantly surprised  how well C V did, we were still mixing it up with the lighter Blackout (Ross 914) as long as we sailed smart,  we were slotting back into the same slot as our previous boat "Oldsmobile" (Young Rocket 9.4).

Summer ,First National spring series, the handicapper put us on the same handicap as the other Young 11, Future Feedback, we quickly settled in and had the measure of not only Future Feedback but were mixing in up for line honours with Blackout.

Over the spring our handicap went from .797 to .850

We competed in all our local races taking line honours in most longer, day races across the bay to Abel Tasman national Park, Zenith (Dickson 45), and Blackout taking 1 each from us.

We cruised through the Sounds in the November to compete in the Waikawa Wine race to Wellington, we did well until weed around the rudder slowed us, letting The Guarantee and our old boat Oldsmobile pass us at the entrance to Wellington harbour, a good party however and a visit from previous owners Tony & Vesna, checking we were looking after CV, and meet her new crew.
We cruised back home again in the sounds appreciating that C V was ticking all the boxes, Cruising and racing, exactly what I was after.

Back home we finished off the Spring series, which came down to the last race for the series win, our main competition coming from Jet (Farr 1020), a good last race and we had our 1st trophy in the cabinet.

After Xmas we were again heading across the Straits to Wellington for the Wellington - Nelson race.
We left Wellington on the Friday night in a 30 knot southerly with a 4m roll in the Straits, our 1st kite run in a breeze.
We mixed it up with Tony and crew on Nedax Racing beating out the harbour, once along the south coast up with the kite for constant 16-18 knot run to Stephens Island 55 miles away.
Much to our surprise we rounded the Island 1st, ahead of an open 30, Jive Talking, Nedax, Guarantee, Revs had wrapped a sheet around the keel and retired from the race.
However once in Tasman Bay the wind dropped away, by mid morning we were becalmed inshore, watching everyone sail passed out to sea.
The Nelson Regatta followed on, we had a lot of fun teaming up with Nedax Racing and crew, and Aaron and crew over from Waikawa with Oldsmobile, Nedax took the regatta win.

The rest of the summer we had fun close racing, and our share of line honours but the handicap was now hurting us

End of season Prize giving we collected:-
Spring series Div 1
Most improved handicap
Gun Boat Div 1 - The most guns but only by 3 from Blackout

Well done my Team/Crew  Knoxy, Patrick, Jenna, Alix, Matt, Holly, Howdie, Steve, Kelsey

C V After leaving Wellington we entered Tasman Bay, getting a sniff of her new home in the 20-24 knot northerly she began her slide home under main only. 

At last I'm getting on to update this site, all going well and once used to my new PC I will keep all currant with news & photo updates.