Jono G

Convert to a chemical porta pottie. No skin fittings, holding tank, valve issues. Light.

What a great day for a sail. A waterline race favouring the big fast light boats but no matter. The rain held off and the breeze was moderate and the water was mostly flat. We had a good day on the Ross boat. Beat boats we didn't expect to which is always good.

Not many little boats this year.

From the RAYC website. R4 Percy Jones scheduled to proceed Interesting, what does RAYC know that we don't? Or being hopeful? POSTPONED Saturday 25 September A decision on rescheduling this race will be advised soon Race 1 – Spring Regatta (Richmond Yacht Club) / Approx. 50nm NEW DATE Friday 11 February In conjunction with the Night Race to Kawau Race 2 – Roy McDell Memorial (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron) NEW DATE Saturday 2 April In conjunction with the Haystack Race Race 3 – Bean Rock Race (Royal Akarana Yacht Club) Saturday 4 December GOING AHEAD! Race 4

But not too close on the motorway side as you get too much road grime. ie L-O Pier aim for about #20 P-T aim for 10. On both sides I wouldn't be 1-6 as it is nice to have a little bit of runway if it goes wrong so you aren't on the rocks and it gives you a lot more privacy

I see it is on TM. We can have a look after December 15.....

yeah - naah Another one down

Manly Sailing Club was adverising several old boats recently. They sound perfect for you.

Yep, getting older. Grey hairs appearing. Yes Supergroove. We had a good race but were smoked by the Aces High and Blue Dude. Interestingly none of these boats are in NZ now. In this case, fortunately he held onto the mainsheet, so with the extra sheet we rounded up and dragged him in.

Shall we show our age and discuss the race record year in the Easterly in 1996? Just realised 25 years ago today Did it 4 up on my trailer sailer. Had a guy slip through the leeward lifelines when a wave knocked us down off Sail Rock. Had an excellent wipe out in the gybe on the way in from the Brett, Finished just after midnight. But then we were all so wet and cold we had the overboard person in the one sleeping bag and the other 3 huddled under a wet kite in full kit. Too tired and not enough rum to stay up all night. Had the last laugh when we loaded up and drove home while

2 down and still 1st =. No gear broken either.

Still recall being on High Society D37 with Baldy and his equally impressive wife. They did move to the 42.

But Matt will be fine on Krakatoa. He could do the double!

If it is bubble racing please make it Saturday not Friday. I need the kids to sail and they have missed too much school this year already. Imagine - Tickled Pink Hilder Family, Playbuoy Pilkington family, Herbert family on whatever, Woolridge family on a Piedy, Nick Brewer might even get somewhere on his Young, Neeleys on Vagan, Stantons on Sister. And don't forget Dennis and Emily borrowing Fat Freddy. It could be awesome.

Quite a bit of diffeerence between the "small" 52 Dr Who and JJF, and the bigger 55 Starlight and Emotional Rescue. I had a severe lust after Stormrider 780 when it was on the market last year. Couldn't face the divorce lawyer bills.

Did my first ever Coastal race - AKL - Tga in 83 on a Davidson 35. Pegged the speedo at 15kn for any number of waves. When it went we set the #2 and were poled out still doing 11s. Then owned Archon for a few years. RIP.

Another Saraband (funnily enough also ex Tauranga) Vitesse just popped up on TM. I remember her getting launched, and it was owned by a family we knew quite well for over 30 years. She was on the same pier as the family launch so I always cast an eye over her as we walked past. Looks like the current owners gave her a good birthday. The extra freeboard would be nice, but no walk through transom.

Based on that sail number and launch date she must just about be the last launched.

Lockdown Divisions For Auckland. Start, Tiri Stbd, Shag Is Stbd, Tiri Stbd, Shig Is Stbd, Finish Orakei. Tauranga start, Mercs Stbd, Mayor Stbd Finish A beacon Northland WHG start, Sail Rock Port, Mokes Port, Poor Knights Port, Finish Russell Wharf.

The cheap boat costs are adding up. Why the Gori over say a 3 bladed Volvo prop?

Any news regarding the Spring Regatta? Or is everyone hoping for L2 before then? If so, The Castle springs to mind.....

A few comments Luckily the Gulf waters are generally flat - think chop rather than swell. So getting pooped / rolled won't happen. In any boat if you are heading downwind just a small or partly rolled jib will be safe. You won't need a drogue. A Noelex 22 is one of the safest boats in a breeze in NZ. It will go upwind in 30 knots without a reef.

So it might be getting close to a turn and burn. People might have to take boring things like bedding and food and enough diesel / petrol to turn straight around and motor / sail home.

Sorry for the thread drift. But NZTYA got it wrong in the mid 90s when they refused to recognise the only new boats getting built were fast ones. I wanted a remit where Cat A was (almost) anything goes as long as it was legal on a trailer. Then the Thompsons and 5.9s could have stayed in the fold with hiking straps, and the Magics could have joined in too. Bar takings would have gone through the roof. But no.... So I went off keelboat racing. Phil - I had it the other way too. RNZYS wasn't going to let me race when I shifted to Auckland because I had a T4XXX sail number.

It could be part of the entry requirements. Photos of the usual equipment - anchors / flares / first aid etc Declaration of date of rig check by skipper and one crew / bubble Picture of life ring light, throw line set up in cockpit Job done.