madyottie

$100 to enter a short there-and-back, in a 22' trailer yacht, (Yes Tim, that's 6.7m) seems a bit steep. Given our Racetrack handicap we should probably enter anyway 😎 - it's 5something. Aside from that, seems like a great concept. Here's hoping it goes well! Is there much interest out there in yot land?

Wow, I didn't even know this was still a thing! Years ago (like the 1970's) they used to have a Ladies Race in motor boats. My mum won it at least once. I believe the last time they went, she was the only entrant, and they cancelled the ladies race from then on. They had a condorcraft 15' Deep forefoot cathedral hulled bowrider, with a 50hp Evinrude on the back. It was calle Raurimu, after the street they moved into when they sold the farm. The thing went like the proverbial scorched kitty, although once we loaded 8 full size adults and four full sets of scuba gear, she needed

One Year Later... Saturday November 5, 2022. Ngaroto trailer yacht sprint racing. For over a year, I've been tinkering about, five minutes here, five minutes there, just trying to get the boat into a safer and faster state. The old centreboard has been removed, chopped, welded, and reinstalled. The rudder has finally been finished, and fitted into place, just a few days prior to this day. We have no indication of how it's all going to go, and have the whole family along for the ride. We arrive on time, get rigged, and go to the briefing. 17 races planned, wi

Hi guys, Can anyone tell me the history of the Esprit beach cats? One website says they were a Tennant design, but I'm pretty sure they weren't. There's another guy on line says the same. I tend to recall them being from the board of a prominent keelboat designer. Just can't remember which one. Any help much appreciated Cheers

This November. One weekend. 17 races in central Waikato. Open to all trailer yachts. 2021-trailer-yacht-sprints-nor-200921 (1).pdf

I read on the Suspect Device FB page, that they don't require lifelines as a classic yacht exemption. I'm thinking that 1970-ish construction probably allows me the same. Maybe next year. But first I'll try racing a few piedys around the cans.

I guess they've eased up on the size. At one point, the last time I thought about it, there was a 24foot minimum length. At 6.5 I could be in, no sticky out bits required. I'll give the '22 race some consideration, haven't tested the boat enough for this years race yet.

Since people are comparing notes... In the mid '90s I did the RYC Sailor's Spring Regatta. A mate and I did it in a Hartley 16. That was the year that Innismara lost a crewman, the race was abandoned, and the CG had to rescue crazy numbers of boats. Being a tiny boat, with a handheld VHF, we didn't hear the abandonment call, so just kept racing. From memory the gusts were the high side of 60knots. We couldn't even make out north head, so after Islington just edged around Rangitoto until we guessed we could lay Bean, then a couple more tacks and we were home safe.

Not that I can do this race unless the size limit has changed, but I'm loving the way you guys are thinking. Where there's a will, there's a way etc. I hope it gets the green light, and can happen- those of you stuck in Auckland must be chomping at the bit by now. Although on a very selfish level, another week would let me finish the new rudder blade before going back to work.

When I was selling this stuff, the best spraytop was the cheap Gul non breathable. They were waterproof for a couple of full-on British race seasons, and at around £30 were easy to replace. Paired with the Gul bib dinghy trouser thingies I found them great, and never had complaints from people buying them. Actually, I need to get some more. Edit... In my experience, breathable fabric is best in freshwater, and tends to lose its waterproof-ness in a salty environment.

The trailer works!! September 11, 2021. Bundle the whole family into the car, hook the boat on the back, and head south. An hour and a tiny bit later, we arrived at our destination, Lake Ngaroto in Te Awamutu. Boat and trailer towed absolutely perfectly, not a wobble, no clunks or bangs, infact at one point I forgot it was there, and cut a corner very, very fine. Unfortunately, the racing wasn't quite as good, because bundling a bunch of kids into a car just after sunrise isn't quick. We Arrived in time to see the end of the first race, and after rigging, finally got on the

Ive had both jabs, nothing at all. After the first one I had to double check they'd actually done the jab. Standard seems to tell you to look away, and then say it's all done. Such a small needle I didn't even feel it. I felt the second one, but no side effects at all. My daughter had a really sore arm, couldn't sleep on that side for a few days. A mate had massive headache for a week after jab 2, but no side effects after jab 1. Seems to hit everyone differently.

Thanks 👍 I'll get in touch with him.

Someone suggested soda blasting. Is that the same thing? And is it expensive?

Sadly yes. Looks like a royal blue gelcoat under all the white layers. Kinda explains the name Chillibin, huh?

Hi guys, Any recommendations for removing what appears to be a really good 2pot paint from aging gelcoat? I've tried the heat method but it seems to soften the gelcoat instead of the paint, which could create a whole new raft of problems. The moderate heat and wire brush seems to work on the kiwigrip over the 2pot, but I'd really like to get it back to the factory moulded non-slip, so I know what the substrate is like. Any and all ideas welcomed!! Thanks

Started building the Mk3 rudderblade for the Noelex today. Centre ply bit, first glass layer, and first ply layer each side all epoxied together. the up-and-down strings are built in too. Mk3, because the Mk1 was too light and broke, then the Mk2 was indestructible, but a terrible profile, and as aerodynamic as a slightly rounded brick. To be fair, the Mk2 was slapped together mid regatta, then reinforced at home later. Racing performance took a back seat to getting afloat. This one is being built properly, has a decent profile, and shaped to (about) NACA 0016 section.

I'm a do-it-all-from-the-cockpit guy, turtle bag in the main hatch, leeward hoist, windward drop whenever possible. To be fair, my kites are pretty small. Extremely small if we're talking presently. But have used the same procedures on 25-30ft keelboats.

Exactly what I was thinking. Tradition (ie, port rounding Olympic courses) dictates that spinnaker lines run to starboard, while others lead to port. But why anyone would want to end a kite halyard on a mast, especially short handed, is beyond me.

It's likely that it was Boating NZ, I had a subscription back then. Would have been early '90s, I think. From memory the Mummery design "Icefire" was tested just a few months later, and there was a brief comparison as the two boats were alongside the jetty side by side. Although my memory is rather rubbish these days, so I could be way off track. Anyone got NZYachting or Seaspray from that era laying about??

There was an article on her titled "Sagitta. This Spencer arrow proves a point" in one of the national yachting mags a few years back. I've Just spent a little while searching online for it, but no success. Maybe someone has a copy floating around.

Class minimum 726kg, + outboard etc. Not obvious from those photos are the diagonal hull supports which cradle the area below and forward of the mast. The skeg takes the entire weight of the boat, rollers and supports just stop it moving around. Test drives have felt really good, and the builder following behind reported good behaviour as well. We did try to recycle, but ended up replacing everything, even the winch died. The old wheels are going to become a farm trailer in time. It's been built with a possible brake system in mind, but as it stands, meets the stopping requireme

One year later, November 2020, and we're ahead of the game. Down to the lake early Friday, get the tent set up, airbeds in, all set for a fun weekend. Or so we thought. Just pick up the kids from school, and the boat, and we're good to go. By this time we've towed the boat to manukau a few times, and she tows beautifully. Rock solid, not the slightest hint of drama. We leave home, and get to Taupiri before having a discussion about leaving the front door open. Turn around, go back, and find we had in fact locked the door. Take 2. Leave home, get to Taupiri, go over the railway b

I made mention of the first sail earlier... Late November 2019, there was the inaugral Trailer Yacht Sprint Regatta, being held on the awesome pond that is Lake Ngaroto in Te Awamutu. On the way there the gps sent me through some back country roads, and as we bounced along just after a one lane bridge there was a strange noise came from the trailer, which was immediately followed by a small round object passing the drivers door. Apparently the studs had cracked over time, and chose this moment to finally wave goodbye. Fortunately there was a farmer working right by said bridge,