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Volume 2 Issue 07 |
April 2007
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PREVIOUS ISSUES AVAILABLE ON LINE
VOL 2 ISSUE 6 - DEC 2006 I VOL 2 ISSUE 5 - JUNE 2006 I VOL 2 ISSUE 4 - MARCH 2006 I VOL 2 ISSUE 3-DECEMBER 2005 I VOL 2 ISSUE 2-SEPTEMBER 2005 |
EYAV 2007 State Championship |
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Russell & his crew take Imp to win their 2nd Championship in a row.
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2007 Endeavour 24 State Championship
Races 1 & 2 were run Sunday March 25. Perfect sailing weather, winds from the south east to south at 10 to 15 knots and temperature around 20°, saw some of the closest racing for many years. The Bay was filled with yachting events and a number of State Titles being run, plus the start of the Melbourne to Osaka Two Handed 5,500 nm.
Race 1 Began at 10:00 with the lead changing several times until Russell Hibbert with Imp broke free to hit the front. The close racing continued with only four minutes separating the fleet. First Imp, second Cathmarine and third Puff
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Race 2 Started at 13:00, the same time as the Frigate, HMAS Melbourne started the 16 yachts in the Melbourne to Osarka race from Station Pier, and also as the final race for the Bluebird Championship began. These events, coupled with the spectator fleet, led to some rather heavy traffic as yachts zigzagged on their course. Once again the racing was extremely close, sometimes with the fleet in a line abreast as they contested the lead. Sadly, one of our most improved yachts, James Walshe with Rocket Science, came to grief when he was dismasted after catching his rig when a wave tilted his yacht too close to the mark. Russell Hibbert and his crew performed with admirable skill to bring Imp first over the line followed by Puff and Cathmarine.
Race 3 Sunday April 22 was run in identical weather conditions as races 1 & 2, south east to south winds at 10 to 15 knots around 20°. Yacht damage and injuries reduced the number of entries, however the three leading E24 yachts were present to battle out the final placings. Imp led the race at the start followed by Cathmarine and Puff thru the tricky chicane from 19 to 17a and off towards St Kilda. The race gave all the thrills one could expect from a Championship final, close tacking, fast reaches and poled out downhill runs. Extremely close duels were fought out, some skimming 15 metres out from Webb Dock's rocky shore. But nothing could stop the flying Imp from winning her second Championship in a row. |
Congratulations to Russell and his crew for a sterling performance, however, there are a determined group of E24's already preparing for 2008.
Well done to all competitors in the 2007 Championship,
Cheers, Frank.
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Imp leads Geondy & Rocket Science across the start line in race 2.
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President's Report
EYAV ready for the Brass Monkey Winter Season.
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We enjoyed an exciting State Championship with splendid sailing weather, Russell did a fine job winning the three straight races to take the E24 Title. Entrant numbers were reduced and we were not able to run the E26 Titles, with some yachts not ready to sail and Gary Cook, skipper of Onedin, receiving a badly broken hand in a yachting accident just prior to the Titles. We have been assured that the E24s & the E26s (including Gary) will be ready for the 2008 Championships.
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We are fortunate to have EYAV members enthusiastically providing photos of their Endeavour activities. James Walshe, owner/skipper of Rocket Science is a professional photographer and often provides great shots for our newsletter. New member, Andrew Keir owner/ skipper of Charissa, provided photos of races 1 & 2 while James was out contesting the events. Don't forget to send in your photos and stories so we can share them amongst out members. Three races and two trophies to go for E24s, & Wine for E26s in the Brass Monkey. Check the calendar.
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Those amongst us that enjoy racing have great fun in the exciting competition, especially with yachts of the same class. For those members who prefer cruising, we will liase with the HBYC cruising division, let us know your ideas.
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We continue to receive financial support from our sponsors - put them at the top of your list when thinking of shopping for new items for your Endeavour. Our sponsors are always ready to help you with their expert advice, and remember they are all chosen for their knowledge & experience with Endeavour yachts.
http://www.users.bigpond.com/msheahan/eyavsupport.htm
Safe and Happy Sailing.
Frank Rendell, EYAV President.
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Racing in Hobsons Bay - Who's on Starboard?
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Racing in Hobsons Bay is always a challenge; the Port of Melbourne is Australia's largest container and general cargo port, handling 39% of the nation's container trade. Forty-two container shipping lines, as well as a number of other general cargo carriers, make around 3200 ship calls a year to Melbourne, providing services to ports in all major parts of the world, and they all have to pass through Hobsons Bay. The Cruise Ships & Tasmania Ferry terminal at Station Pier are located in Hobsons Bay, as well as Tenix ship building yards and Webb Dock shipping terminal. It is also the home of the Water Police, Tugs, Customs vessels & Pilot boats. Couple that to the passenger Ferries, six major yacht clubs and a seaplane taking off & landing every hour, you can imagine watching the competition and weather conditions is child's play compared to keeping a lookout for all the commercial shipping. |
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The Tug & Pilot boats chase in Rocket Science & Puff
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Puff & Cathmarine dodge the tugs at the start of race 3
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| L-R, Puff, Rocket Science, Cathmarine & Geondy in race 1. |
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ON THE TECHNICAL SIDE
with Frank Rendell |
MORE SAILING TIPS FROM KERRY GIBSON SAILMAKER
reprinted from EYAA Tuning Tips for Your Endeavour - Part 2
LIGHT DRIFTY WEATHER
Try and maintain some boat speed; do not attempt to point high and set both sails up as though we were on a reach.
CHANGE ON WEATHER
If strong winds ease away and you have no quick opportunity to change from a small headsail to a big headsail, ease the back stay tension right off. This will help to put extra belly in the headsail.
CUNNINGHAM EYE -HEADSAIL
1. When used on the headsail this evens out tension on the luff of the sail in strong winds and also flattens out the lower part of the sail.
2. It can also be used to reef down the sail in winds that are getting too strong.
CUNNINGHAM EYE -MAINSAIL
As the wind strength increases, the Cunningham eye on the luff of the mainsail will need to be adjusted to remove fullness up and down the luff.
NO.2 SPINNAKER
Because this sail has a shorter luff length, it need not be raised to the top of the mast when we set it; two or three feet from the top of the mast is preferably sufficient.
SPINNAKER HALYARD
Our practice of hauling the spinnaker up by standing beside the mast is the quickest way. However, it has been suggested that after we jam the halyard in the jaws we should then run the halyard across the deck to a cleat rather than use the cleat at the bottom of the mast; the theory being that this will allow a CONTROLLED drop of the spinnaker from a crew member (probably the skipper) when the spinnaker drop is under way.
STEERING
1 Always try to keep a light touch on the helm. This allows you to sense when the boat is in a 'LIFT'.
2 Constantly observe the ribbons (TELL-TALES) in the plastic window in the Genoa luff. As the windward ribbons rise vertically then the boat is being 'KNOCKED'. If the leeward ribbons rise then the boat is in a 'LIFT'. Try and combine all this with frequent checks on the wind indicator at the top of the mast.
3 In fresh to strong winds the windward ribbons can be kept rising constantly.
4 Except in very light drifty conditions the boat can be steered up each time the ribbons run parallel; be prepared to pull back quickly when the luff of the sail begins to luff i.e. the windward ribbon is rising.
So working to windward becomes a series of scallops to windward rather than a straight line.
Remember however, that keeping the ribbons parallel in the window of the Genoa is the best position for maximum boat speed.
When steering with a shy spinnaker set, be prepared to pull the tiller savagely, if necessary, to prevent the boat broaching to windward. Ideally, as a gust hits the boat pull away to maximise boat speed. Even when running with a square or three-quarter spinnaker try to pull away and ride with the gusts then alter course back again.
5 Remember to allow for the effects of the tide on both the wing mark and bottom mark of the spinnaker legs and the tide can push you either up or away from these marks.
RECOMMENDED READING
Kerry Gibson strongly recommends the two volumes of the American book on tuning, called 'The Best of Sail Trim'.
Warren Eggins compiled the EYAA Tuning Tips for Your Endeavour , which I have found very useful.
Warren kindly gave us permission to reproduce the section above, next newsletter we will continue with Part 3. Handling Sloppy Conditions, Spinnaker Work & Make Your Endeavour Point Better. |
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Endeavours On The Waterfront
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Karina ll with a new furler, re-rigged & repainted. Ready to go, Noel Robbins told me Karina ll is out to test those racers & keep them honest. Lots of great ideas aboard Karina ll, take a peek.
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Cathmarine received a bright red re-spray. Mark tells me red yachts are always faster. Gary (prior to his injury) reloads the sails on Onedin. We hope Gary is soon back on the helm.
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Venus with sails set just right testing for top speed. Ian is keen to get the other E26s together next race. A bottle of wine for the E26 handicap winner.
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Jester has had a major refit & we are keen to see her go. Michael Oakley says the work carried out at Mordialloc Yacht Club should make Jester a real flyer!
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Geondy looked pristine & sparkling at the lunch break at Ferguson Pier between race 1 and race 2 at the Titles
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