Solo Specific

October 2013

Class Association National Solo of Karen courtesy BallentinePhoto Tim Law at Salcombe Solo Specific

A.G.M minutes 2013 Supported by National and Inland Championship Reports Charlie Cumbley on the 3DL Good Wood Modifications Charlie’s Foils Area Reports

www.solosailing.org.uk

NSCA Officers and Committee 2013/2014

Class President Technical Adviser Northern Area Rep Roger Gravatt Jim Gates Nick Hornsby 24 Mundells, West Cheshunt, 17 Shaggy Calf Lane 5 Field Hurst Hertfordshire, EN76BP Slough, Berks, SL2 5HL Barkisland, Halifax 01992 626377 Contact 01753 529170 HX40JE [email protected] 01422 820212 Newsletter Editor [email protected] Vice President Vacant Claire Clark [email protected] Western Area Rep 28 Bassett Gardens Nick Fisher North Weald, Epping Coaching e-mail Essex, 01992 523262 [email protected] Simon Jones [email protected] Contact 01934 811319 18 Cornfield Gardens [email protected] Plymouth, Devon, PL7 5LB

Hon. Treasurer Contact 01752 340614

David Walford [email protected] 8B Huggins Lane Thames Valley Rep North Mymms Midland Area Rep Vacant Hatfield Stuart Bush [email protected] Herts 25, Leicester Rd AL9 7LR Sharnford,Hinckley Tel : 01707 259665 Eastern Area Rep/TV Rep LE103PP [email protected] Godfrey Clark Contact 01455 272927 28 Bassett Gardens [email protected] Membership North Weald, Epping Essex, 01992 523262 Phil Sturmer [email protected] 6 Tor Bryan, Web Master

Ingatestone, Doug Hughes Essex, CM4 9HJ. 4 Oak Cottages, , Scottish Area Rep [email protected] Hungerford Lane, Sherlock Row Kevin Gibb Reading RG10 0PH 27 Buckstone Hill, Edinburgh Contact 01189 320223 Contact 0131 4452498 Hon. Secretary and Info [email protected] [email protected] Martin Allen 11 Grantley Close, Southern Area Rep Ashford, Kent, TN23 7UE Publicity Andrew Thompson 01233 646471 Claire Clark 10 topcliffe drive Farnborough [email protected] 28 Bassett Gardens village Orpington Kent North Weald, Epping 01689 816878 Chief Measurer Essex, 01992 523262 [email protected] [email protected] Gordon Barclay 98 Norwich Rd, Chichester West Sussex, PO19 5DF 01243 789162 [email protected]

CONTENTS ADVERTISERS 4 President’s Report Vice President’s Report Inside Front Sailboats.co.uk Hon. Treasurer 5 Rooster Sails 6 Editorial 7 Chris Brown Trailers Membership Milanes Foils 8 A.G.M. Minutes 15 Noble Marine 13 National Championship Report 16 Edge Sails 19 Equipment Analysis 20 Boatyard at Beer 20 The Boatyard at Beer 23 Creation Covers 22 Area Reports 24 Winder Boats 24 Winder Boats 30 C2 Marine 25 Charlies Foils 31 Poulson Boats 26 3DL Campaign 35 Gosling Dinghycraft 29 Good Wood Tips Paintcraft 31 Licences Craftinsure 32 Inland Championship report Back Cover Boonboats 34 Dutch Nationals Report

Disclaimer The views expressed in this magazine are those of the contributors and not3 necessarily those of the Officers and Committee of the N.S.C.A. President’s Report THE PREZ SEZ (4)

Hello National Solo sailors, I hope you are well. With only the End of Season Championship to go our main 2013 activities are coming to an end but I expect your sailing will continue at Open Meetings and at Club level. Enjoy.

At our AGM, Mike Evans stood down and I thank him for his service to the Association. Claire Clark was voted in as Vice President and I welcome Dave Walford as our new Treasurer and Phil Sturmer as our new Membership Secretary. Also, Martin Allen agreed to stay for one last year as our Honorary Secretary and I am very grateful for this.

We have experienced good attendances at many of our main events and with Membership at over one thousand your association seems to be in rude health.

Our events have produced a variety of different people at the front of the fleet, using various different Hulls and sails although one mast continues to dominate. Having choice is good, I believe.

It is also good to see some not brand new or nearly new boats competing. Will Loy brought S1102 to the Inlands, a boat which won the National Championships in 1966 and 1967. Pleasingly, this boat has not been restored as a piece of furniture and from a short distance looks every inch of a modern FRP hull. Having said that, I also spotted S3977 owned by Dave Rudman, a Gerry Ledger hull recently refurbished by Kevin Gosling and very beautiful it was too. Proof positive that it is possible to compete without the need for a mortgage. I hope to see more examples like this.

Good sailing to all. Roger Gravatt S5300 Pingu Vice President (or should that be President of Vice??) Report Ramblings

Having been Publicity Officer since 2004 bar. Move over Pinot Grigio and hello “championship” events. There will be a and with Will Loy’s enthusiasm for Doom Bar!! need to take account of local variations writing event reports accompanied by at the different venues, but these can be his fantastic video’s, I thought it was issued as appendices to the standard time for a change of role on the NSCA SI’s. The hope is that not only will it Committee and put myself forward as make it easier when organising each Vice President. event (no need to keep agreeing the SI’s) As I sit here and write this, the weather but will also help the competitors by is definitely changing and becoming knowing what will apply at quite autumnal. Gone are the heady Championship events. I hope to have days of summer that gave us some this in place for the start of the 2014 brilliant “champagne sailing” days this season. year. While many of you were The “Battle of the Classes” race competing at the National previously held at the London Boat Championships at Hayling, I was further Show at ExCel, has been revived and down the coast at Salcombe competing this year will be at the Southampton in the Merlin Rocket week crewing Boat Show. The result will be known by our recently acquired Winder Merlin. It the time you get this newsletter, but was lovely to laze on the beach after representing the National Solo class this each race but at the end of the week year is David McGregor and Ben there were some interesting tan McGrane. I hope you did well guys! lines!! I’d always vowed never to sail a Hope to see you on the water Merlin Rocket, now I have one registered One of the first tasks as Vice President somewhere. in my name and I’ve been seen drinking I’ve undertaken is to try and standardise Claire Clark a pint of the sponsor’s beer in the the Notice of Race and Sailing Vice President Instructions we use for all S 5012 – Reckless Rat

An Introduction To Your New Treasurer

My name is David Walford and I have Series. I do also participate in the Winter relating to finance within the Solo been racing in various Solo's since I was / Spring / Inland and End Of Season Association or have suggestions as to aged 16. My father Geoff Walford put me Championships on an annual basis. how matters could be improved then in a boat at the age of 5 at Chess Sailing please do not hesitate to contact me Club Rickmansworth Hertfordshire and Whilst racing my various Solos I can either via the Treasurer link on the since then I have been actively involved confirm that we have a friendly / social website or by phone. in our sport. My father up until recently Open Circuit and Association where raced in a Solo for circa 50 years and everyone is made welcome. Competitive Elsewhere within the newsletter is an up this included Open Meetings / Nationals racing is undertaken throughout the to date financial summary for the and the like in 1960's 1970's alongside fleet irrespective of your position in a association which was shared with the Will Loy's dad. To coin a phrase Solo race. All members are happy to provide membership at the Nationals at Hayling sailing is definitely in the blood ! advice and guidance on a number of Island Sailing Club. subjects ranging from boat set up to I have owned a number of Solos ranging sailing technique. It was on this basis See you on the water soon and for those from 1710 to my current boat 5320 - a that I wanted to support the Solo attending the End Of Season Winder (mark 2) named 'Aquasition'. The Association and volunteered to become Championships see you at Draycote name being linked to my job as a your new Treasurer. Water Sailing Club in late October. Relationship Director within the Royal Bank of Scotland. Mike Evans your former Treasurer has David Walford undertaken the role in an efficient N.S.C.A Treasurer My home club is Broadwater Sailing manner where I am pleased to report Solo 5320 Club near Denham in Buckinghamshire that all is in good order. I now have the 'Aquasition' and I do venture onto the Open Circuit in challenge to ensure that this remains ! either the Thames Valley or Eastern Should any member have a question 4 Utilising the design features of the Rooster ProHike System you too can experience the ultimate in hiking comfort and performance.

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PRO-HIKING_AD_SOLO_AW13.indd 1 21/8/13 15:57:54 Editorial

It has been another hugely successful season for the National Solo Class, punctuated by the 116 entries at Hayling Island S.C. Charlie Cumbley secured the title after a week of intense racing in unusual conditions in the bay. The North Sails jockey was pushed all the way by the highly competitive fleet and is a worthy Champion. The two hour delay for the protest hearing before the prizegiving was equally harrowing for myself as I had My latest project, 1102 which won the Nationals’ in 1966-67 in the hands of the builder Alec Stone. Bought on Ebay for £56. 186 is now demoted to flower pot. already composed the report, cut the video footage (including the winners interview) and was ready to ‘send’ to the media. Geoff Carveth’s protest was a nail biter and if the outcome had been in his favour it would have been a dramatic ending and good reading but fortunately for me, the delete key was avoided.

Charlie and Andy Davis were missed at the HARKEN Inlands but w e still had a quality field of 97. The conditions were classic Rutland with some huge gains and losses possible, in my case the latter ( I think I say that every year). Micheal Sims retained the title he won in 2012 with Ross Harvey a close second from Andy Tunicliffe. It is great to see this younger breed of Solo sailor attracted to the Class. The allure of big fleet racing, friendly but healthy competition and the high octane nature of this superb performance craft are just a few reasons to sail… Ok, maybe a little too enthusiastic about the performance but the Class is just that, mad about Solos’ and keen as mustard.

There are a couple of big regatta reports missing from this edition due to available space but they will be In the Spring magazine. Salcombe Y.C and Abersoch Week were both great weeks with Tim Law and Chris Gillard the respective winners. The cover photo is of Tim at Salcombe, shot masterfully by Karen Ballantine and fully reflects what Solo sailing is all about. I am sure there is an equally good shot of Chris somewhere but I found this one first, sorry!

Next Year is huge (again) with trips to the Italian lake of Garda and the magical waters of Brightlinsea, Essex. Both venues will promise good racing, big fleets and a bevy of beauties post race, I will take my chances with the Italian variety. More info to follow on both venues online and in the Spring edition.

The End of Season Championship is what it says on the tin so please make the trip to Draycote on October 26th. There is a surplus of prizes from previous events and these will be awarded along with the Area event prizes so stay for the prizegiving or miss out!

The Noble Winter Championship will be held at Grafham Water on 22 February 2014.

Finally, this is my last official Solo Specific. I have enjoyed the challenges and look forward to handing over the reigns to the next power crazy editor. After 7 years it is time for a fresh pair of eyes and someone with a grip on modern design software. My skills as a Baker could only take us so far. Please contact myself or any Committee member asap.

Will Loy

Membership News For those of you that do not already 1720, 707, Squibs, Etchells and in more that simply prefer paper, the paper know I have taken on the role of recent times Melges 24. I’m happily based system will remain. There are Membership Secretary. married and I have one daughter who is plenty of other items on my ‘to do’ list her GCSE year. and in time I’ll give you an update on Having bought my first ever Solo and these. joined the association this year, I then I’m sure the membership will be pleased decided that the time was right to put to know that at the top of my ‘to do’ list It just remains for me to say that I’m something back in to sailing. Yes I is to put membership application and looking forward to serving as your volunteered, no arm twisting. renewal on-line. Yes the 21st century is Membership Secretary and equally I look just around the corner, and renewal forward to meeting many of you on the Having not sailed a dinghy competitively season is not far off either. Membership circuit. for 26 years it appears I now have a on-line is not as straight forward as you challenge both on the water and off the might think and requires a lot of effort to Phil Sturmer water! In the interim years I've sail on a get it right first time. Thus I’m on the NCSA Membership Secretary number of offshore circuits and in many case and I’ll update you later in the year. e-mail : [email protected] day boat classes including J24, Cork Clearly for the technophobes, or those Solo 5373 6

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11 12

National Solo National Championship and Nations Cup 2013 Sponsored by Soak Watersports Club Insurance Equipment Sponsor HARKEN And additional Sponsorship from OPTIMUM TIME, P +B Sails and LDC Racing The N.S.C.A is kindly supported by Noble Marine

Day 1 of the Solo Nationals’ and Nations’ Cup at Hayling Island Sailing Club is drawing to a close. The bar is filled with contented sailors, lightly baked by the July sunshine, faces weathered from the southerly breeze. The relaxed atmosphere after the two back to back races contrasted starkly with the tense mood in the dinghy park this morning. With the prospect of 116 Solos’ on the startline and a high pressure area threatening to deliver 4-5 mph across the racecourse the fleet were pleasantly surprised to find a short chop and a punchy 8- 10 mph. It was indeed a privilege to see such a large fleet thread their way out of the harbour, laminate sails glistening like shards of glass against the clear blue sky. Race 1 The tide would play a significant part in tactics but with such a large fleet some chose to look for a clear lane and eat some tide. Geoff Carveth won the committee boat end and worked the shifts to round first with a group including Pete Mitchell, Stuart Godwin and Andy Couch close behind. It felt just like old times for Geoff having won this title back in 1983 at this venue. Reigning Champion Andy Davis and Charlie Cumbley were next round and Matt Howard and Micheal Sims were in the mix. The rest of the fleet rounded the top mark, some had overstood on the left, some on the right and some had gone up the middle. There was little place changing down the reaches by the leaders, they all know how to work the waves downwind and they did. Carveth sailed the next beat conservatively and held his lead at the top mark but Godwin had held out to the right a little longer and had made gains. He rounded second and past Carveth to take the lead by the bottom mark and the finish line. Cumbley and Mitchell split gybes and at the bottom mark Cumbley found the kinder wave angle to finish third. Sims, who missed last years championship with a back injury was fifth and Ross Harvey who swapped his Laser Radial for a Solo took sixth. Race 2 The fleet had wised up to the tidal influence and were keen to start at the committee boat end. Paul Carpenter, a man not to be messed with saw the approaching carnage and aborted the start with a critical 15 seconds to go. A great call as we were all covering our ears on the safety ribs from the inevitable crunch of FRP. The following start saw a similar scenario with 116 Solos’ trying to fit into 100 yrds and a general recall. There were some relived faces from those who had bailed out early with nowhere to go. Under the black flag the fleet set off, fully powered up in the 10-12 knots. Godwin looked good from the start, slightly down the line he found a nice lane, trusting in his transits and worked the shifts to round with a healthy lead. Matt Howard was second from Ross Harvey. Micheal Sims and Charlie Cumbley were in the own private battle in fifth and sixth. The leading group pulled out a healthy lead and Godwin looked good for a brace of bullets. There were plenty of opportunities for gains if you could work the Hayling wave pattern. Ross Harvey overtook Matt Howard and they were both gaining fast down the last run to the finish. Godwin looked to have enough in hand and crossed the line….to silence, OCS. That must have hurt. Ross inherited first but one more lap and he may have got through anyway. Howard second, Cumbley third and Mitchell fourth. Micheal Sims was fifth and Carveth picked of a few for sixth. So, as the fleet meandered there way home along the beachline, cheating the tide as it made its’ way out, there was time to reflect on a good day’s racing. Sun, enough breeze for all and no protests. With ten races remaining there is still much work to do. For Godwin, mixed emotions but all the top guys seem to have great bounceback ability. The forecast for Monday is not promising with a north easterly opposing a southerly sea breeze but at least it is sunny.

Day 2

Race 3 The 116 competitors awoke to a light north easterly which threatened to spoil the sea breeze. Fortunately, with temperatures soaring into the eighties the sea breeze won the battle and the fleet were greeted by a constant 8-10 knots. The first beat measured approx 0.65 of a mile, enough to spread the field and with a clean start the race was on. Stuart Godwin was on fine form and rounded first with Charlie Cumbley and Matt Howard second and third. The other main players were also close, Ross Harvey, Andy Davis and Micheal Sims showing the sort of consistency to put a championship together. The front two were able to sail their own race and it was Godwin who held his nerve to take his second bullet of the championship. Cumbley was second which strengthened his hold on the event, fitting since he was wearing the event leader yellow jersey. Ross Harvey took third from a fast finishing Sims who pipped Gordon Barclay Davis on the line. Matt Howard bagged another consistent result with a sixth.

Race 4 High drama on the sea as the blood was spilled by some of the leading contenders for the title. I chose to sit at the pin end, I would like to say that my knowledge of first beat tactics led me to that end but in truth I just wanted another angle for the video. With three minutes to go the fleet were sat at the committee end and I considered opening the throttle of the rib to reach the action. Fortunately, like one of my wifes’ errant drives, they came towards me. With so many over, and the line obscured at the pin end the general recall was raised. The fleet did not learn anything from that and the black flag did little to deter them either. Four were OCS including Andy Couch and Pete Mitchell. General Recall. Like moths to a light bulb they came again, ten fell this time with Ross Harvey, Ewan Birkin Walls and Brenda Hoult amongst the damned. General recall. Eventually the race was underway under the black flag, the radio crackled with the message that four more were OCS but we did not know Chris Powles who. Stuart Godwin continued his assault on the title but with an OCS already he had to keep his nose clean. Charlie Cumbley rounded second and Andy Davis third. Andy Tunnicliffe was in a strong fourth position with Howard and Sims on his heels. The real drama began when a cruiser, totally oblivious to the116 Solos’ behind him, led round the top mark and hindered the leaders down the first reach. It took some choice words and a rib to persuade the captain to alter course. Cumbley broke through Godwin and looked good to consolidate his title chances but was greeted by silence as he crossed the line. Godwin looked to consolidate his title chances but was greeted by silence as he crossed the line. Davis looked good to consolidate his pos…you get the drift, he was OCS. Andy Tunnicliffe had kept himself out of trouble and took the win from Matt Howard and Micheal Sims. Geoff Carveth had plgged away and recorded a fourth with Tim Law fifth.

So, with a discard coming into play it is Charlie Cumbley who leads overnight. There will be much soul searching and beer consumed before tomorrow.

14 Day 3 Steve Denison Race 5 T he fleet were once again treated to unbroken sunshine but the sea breeze could only manage 6 knots from 180 degrees, due south. Apparently, the sea temperature has been too cold which effects convergence of cold/warm air. Or it could be the lack of cumulus cloud over the Downs or too much cloud, depending who you talk to. The race started at the second attempt under the black flag. Two casualties, one of them Geoff Carveth. The left paid and it was Ian Pinnell who rounded first in the P+B works John Poulson designed Solo. Andy Davis was second despite doing turns and Brenda Hoult was third. Close behind were Andy Tunnicliffe, Ross Harvey and Carveth, unaware of his OCS. Those who had gone right were buried and those who had held the middle of the course were struggling. Stuart Godwin was in the teens with Matt Howard behind by some way. There was place changing on the second beat with Davis pulling through to lead from Pinnell, Harvey, Tunnicliffe and Cumbley. The run was tense as the pressure down the track decreased and the pressure of the race increased, is that a paradox? Move countered move as they all searched for clear air. Pinnell dropped low and was able to round just ahead of Davis and Harvey to earn a well deserved victory. Tunnicliffe added a fourth to his total and is producing some very consistent results. Carveth realised he was OCS at the finish which could break a weaker man. Stuart Godwin and Matt Howard finished outside the top ten but for Godwin it was a counter as he already has two OCS so has no room for error.

R ace 6 The fleet were away first time with only Nick Peters over the line and he went back and exonerated himself. The majority went left and tacked on the layline which appeared to pay as the tidal influence kicked in. Ross Harvey led at the top mark with Tunnicliffe and Gregg Lamb just behind. Carveth and Godwin showed their metal to round fourth and fifth. This time it was Charlie Cumbley and Pete Mitchell who were struggling down the field. The tide was causing trouble as sailors tried to make the mark then the real fun started as they looked for room to complete their penalty turns. Up the next beat there was further place changing and it was Carveth who had sniffed out a shift to round with Harvey and Tunnicliffe on his transom. The run was as tense as a Wimbledon final as the leaders looked for pressure, not easy with 100+ Solos’ behind. Carveth did all he could, protecting the inside line to the mark and trusting his skills. He crossed the line first, the sound of the finishing gun must have been as welcome as a lovers’ whisper. That is called ‘bouncebackability’. Harvey took second, to add to his impressive scoreline, though he to holds an OCS. Godwin finished third which keeps his dream alive. Tunnicliffe took fourth, a brace for the day and a title contender.

Overall, a hard days; racing in energy sapping conditions. Tomorrow, more sun, light winds and drama.

Ross Harvey

15 Day 4 Wind of Change By Gerald New

Day 4 of the Solo National Championships and we are moving into the end game. After the upsets of today some will be calculating their chances of the title and others wondering where they went wrong. The day started with a familiar winner, Stuart Godwin claimed his third trophy win, but only just manages to break into the top ten due to two BFD. Race 2 was to be the Game-Changer for some big names . . . Just after the start a wind change spoilt the plans of the pin end starters and it was Grand Master, Ray Collins, Locks SC, who sailed out from the committee boat end and with one tack rounded the windward mark first. A position he Fotoboat ( John Murrell) Nick Peters with the Batt rig. held to the finish, chased home by Claar Van der Does, Braassemermeer SC and Mike Hicks, Salcombe YC With seven of the top ten scoring in the twenties and thirties, the eighth and sixth of Geoff Carveth was an excellent days work and he moves into second behind the leader, Ross Harvey. Harvey was fifth in race 7 to keep his run of single figures but dropped to 15th in race 8 and now has a seven point lead. Charlie Cumberley was third in the first race, but has to count his 14th from the second race and sits in third, three points behind Carveth. For others it was worse, Matt Howard had a 14 and a DNF, Mike Sims an 18 and 35, Andy Tunnicliffe a 2 and 39, Andy Davis a 10 and 26. The pain went on . . . Triple race winner Godwin had a 38 and Ian Pinnell a 4 and 33. Four races to go and the top five are looking a little less secure as the scores mount-up. In fact this was something of a Ladies Day at Hayling. Claar Van der Does' second place in race 8 makes her the leading lady, Brenda Hoult, HISC, finished ninth, Vanda Jowett, Littleton SC, was eleventh and Marleen Gaillard, Braassemermeer Claar Van der Does leads Mark Lee SC was 36th . . . Van der Does leads, Gaillard is in Fotoboat (John Murrell) second and Jowett is third.

Day 5 OPTIMUM TIME Thursday

OPTIMUM TIME had kindly donated an array of their fantastic sailing watches including the famous ‘BIG YELLOW FACE’. There were several attempts to hold various ‘shoot-outs’ and time trials but the breeze refused to play so it was decided to award watches across the fleet in what is now been branded, ‘OPTIMUM THURSDAY’ No matter how far down the fleet you were you could still win a prize and this was evident as the racing was ferocious and few competitors retired. The Thursday evening prizegiving was packed to the rafters and the biggest cheer went up for Matt Howard who had finished 16th in race 10. All the prize winners were delighted to be part of the OPTIMUM TIME brand and there were jealous looks from those who finished behind them. Many thanks to OPTIMUM TIME for their generosity in supporting the class at this prestigious event.

Race 9 With the weather resembling the Greek Islands’ but without the building meltini, the fleet snaked their way out into Hayling Bay. Chimet was forecasting a pleasant force 3 which cheered up the heavier competitors and some of the lightweights too. The sea dogs amongst the sailors were less optimistic, the north-easterly would once again fight with the sea breeze for dominance. Their clash resembled a World War 1 scenerio with casualties on both sides and a truce with the north holding the harbour and the south holding the bay. On the course a light 6-8 knots from 160/170 degrees looked to settle the competitors’ nerves but there was no waver from the PRO Paul Carpenter. I do believe if he told the Ocean to recede it would at least think about it. The starting sequence began and after a general recall the fleet were away, hulls cutting Charlie Cumbley through water like knives through…treacle. The radio crackled with the news that there was less than 4 knots at the top. The fleet eased forward, like lava down a gentle slope, 3knots now and the leaders were in touching distance of the first mark. Ross Howard, Micheal Sims and Nick Bonner looked clear ahead then the hoot of the abandonment echoed from the Tim Law gets water on Steve Denison Committee boat. To the leaders it must have sounded like an impending avalanche to the rest of them, a musical melody. After a long wait the sea breeze re-established itself and the race could begin again but without the unfortunate Dave Mcgregor, Ian Mcgregor and Joe Ryecroft who were OCS on the black flag. Five more fell on the next black flag, Andy Davis, Matt Howard and Ewan Birken Walls to name but three. The race was started and the fleet split, at the top there seemed to be no advantage but it was Stuart Godwin who rounded first from Pete Mitchell, Micheal Sims and Andy Tunnicliffe on his tail. The reaches were as interesting to watch as an episode of Panarama but the next upwind leg was eventful as the righthand shift shuffled the pack. At the top Tunniciffe took the lead and held it down the run with Sims, Cumbley, Mitchell and Carveth finishing close behind. Steve Denison took sixth from the unlucky Godwin who had fell into a hole the size of Mexico.

Race 10 After another lengthy wait the race was started, unbelievably at the first time of asking. The PRO was visibly moved by the experience and lit a cigarette to celebrate, the championship is not over so a cigar would have been overkill. At the top mark it was Micheal Hicks who rounded first from Daniel Henderson and Pete Mitchell. Nigel Davies was next from the impressive Godwin. The leading bunch went high down the second reach but Hicks dropped low and was penalised dropping several places by the bottom mark. Pressure down the course was dropping and finding a clear lane was as difficult as the M25 on a bank holiday weekend. Those who picked the right were blessed all others were sinners and gained nothing. The Committee boat fired up its’ powerful diesel injected engine and made haste up to the top mark. The hoot once again reverberated down the course, abandon, no, shorten, yes. The relief was reflected in the leaders faces, then the joy could wash over them. Ewan Birken Walls won the race from Kevan Gibb and Pete Mitchell. Nigel Davies got back up to fourth. The remainder of the fleet struggled to cross the line, and there were some protestations that it should have been binned.

So the Championship is reaching it’s climax. Geoff Carveth looks to re-create history by winning the title he won in 1983. Ross Harvey, Andy Tunnicliffe, Charlie Cumbley and Micheal Sims are all within seven points and Pete Mitchell and Stuart Godwin are not far behind. Friday and history beckons’. 17

Day 6

The day of reckoning. The fleet awoke to the sound of rattling halyards, the easterly wind a welcome addition to the mornings sunshine. The final day of the Solo National Championship and Nations Cup would be settled, and with five realistic heirs to the title, a ‘Red Wedding’ scenario from ‘Game of Thrones’ was not out of the question.

Time to Reflect As I motored out to the starting area on ‘Safety 5’ as cameraman and safety crew with David the skipper, I was able to reflect on this incredible event. The measuring process had been completed with the accuracy of a military ‘op’. 116 Solos’ weighed, sails measured and certificates validated by the team of volunteers with Gordon Barclay leading the charge. The sun blazed all week and some of the competitors had also lit up the event with their performances, Stuart Godwin in particular who showed he has massive talent but with a daredevil tendency to push the line on the black flag. Ross Harvey also showed he has a taste for glory and the leader’s yellow jersey he earned mid-event did not look out of place. Charlie Cumbley was hoping to have a good day on the water and there was no doubt he could overturn the 7 point deficit. Micheal Sims had scored seven top five finishes in the twelve race series and no OCS’s, with more breeze he would certainly figure. Andy Tunnicliffe had been in his element in the light winds that had so far dominated the championship but knew he could also perform in breeze. Always cool as a cucumber, he would play whatever cards were dealt. Geoff Carveth had worked his way to the top of the impressive list that sat ‘bluetacked’ to the H.I.S.C. noticeboard and if history could be repeated, it would be today. The Vacher Trophy for the ladies was also reaching it’s climax, Marleen Gaillard held a slim lead over her compatriot, Claar van der Does and ‘Brit’ Vanda Jowett. The ladies had certainly shown they could mix it with the men, three in the the top eleven in race 8 and top ten finishes in other races too. Brenda Hoult in her ‘baby blue’ Winder had led a race for a time and did not look out of place there.

Race 11 The wind was at 50 degrees, the north easterly building to 20 knots in the harbour and the fleet launched and reached out to the starting area. As we reached the committee boat the wind had moderated to 10-12 knots with the odd puff of 15knots but still solid at 050. The fleet started and the pin end proved once again to popular, recall. On the black flag start there were no casualties, the majority of the fleet headed left then tacked on the layline. Having filmed the start we fired up the outboard and headed towards the top mark to catch the leaders. Carveth looked to be struggling, Ian Houston, who had jetted in from Switzerland was in the mix, his distinctive purple Winder powering upwind. After a week of light winds my mouth was watering at the prospect of filming the fleet as they powered around the course. It was then that my world ended, the silent walkie talkie crackled into life. Safety 1 to Safety 5..over. Procceed to middle of course…Solo with broken shroud..tow it home please..over. The rest is history as they say, but I was not there to see it. With Tim Deacon’s stricken Solo in tow I bowed my head and cursed the shackle that had failed. The faint murmur of the outboard engine as is churned the water did little to appease my frustration of missing the action. Once back on the course we collected the top five results from the committee boat and did the ‘math’. Salcombe ‘legend’ Tim Law had taken the bullet but more importantly, Charlie Cumbley had finished second. This was a crucial result and with Carveth finishing no better than ninth and Tunnicliffe out of the top five, Cumbley had a chance.

Race 12 The wind was still at 050 but was around 10-12knots. The fleet started and with the majority heading left towards the beach it was a surprise to see Carveth and Ian Pinnell heading right from the committee boat. They both tacked back towards the middle of the track and were starting to hook into a lift. Those that had worked the left were now coming into the mark but were eating headers. The fleet converged at the top, Godwin, Tunnicliffe, Law, Sims and Cumbley rounded and headed down the reach which was fast becoming a run. The pressure was dropping to 5 knots and the remainder of the fleet who went right reached in and those who went left struggled to lay it. Geoff Carveth was in a bad place, needing to find a result he gybed to put some separation between himself and the front pack. There was more pressure on the right and Ewan Birken Walls made some big gains by the wing mark. The fleet fetched to the leeward mark, boat after boat trying to work over their nearest adversary. Godwin rounded the bottom mark and headed to the new windward mark that had been re- laid at 160 degrees. Law and Sims headed right with Tunnicliffe and Cumbley and Godwin went left. Carveth had not made ground and for now was out of the hunt for the title. At the top it was Godwin and Tunnicliffe with Sims and Cumbley and Law all close. Tunnicliffe went right down the run while Cumbley went left. The wind was 5-6 knots and the gap between the leaders and the pack allowed the main players to concentrate on each other. Godwin, in his now normal position of first held Sims while Tunnicliffe had a tiny lead over Cumbley. The Championship rested between these two, Cumbley tacked and Tunnicliffe responded but fell into a hole which allowed Cumbley to break through. The rest should have been history. Godwin collected his fourth win of the series while Sims was second, his title expectations over for another year, and Charlie Cumbley crossed third. Ewan Birken Walls had played the right and found more pressure to finish fourth ahead of Tunnicliffe. The main players headed towards the committee boat where the OCS blackboard awaited. Nobody likes blackboards, the subliminal connection between them and schooldays and the stomach churning emotion of seeing your number scratched upon it is not a nice place to be. The relief that non of the top finishers were OCS was short lived, now the maths had to be done and these kids can sail but can they add up. When the dust settled it appeared that Cumbley had secured the title but the drama was not over. Carveth submitted a protest about the 110 degrees change of wind direction but this was eventually dismissed after two hours of discussion. I do believe the title could have gone either way but it was at least settled on the water. Congratulations to Charlie Cumbley, 2013 National Solo National and Nations Cup Champion. Many thanks to H.I.S.C, the club have been incredibly welcoming, the catering first class and Barry Blades, fleet captain has done a fantastic job to promote the event. Paul Carpenter the PRO was a consummate professional, and Dave McGregor the CEO of Soak Watersports Club Insurance very generous with the sponsorship. Special thanks also to HARKEN and OPTIMUM TIME who provided some super prizes and to LDC and P+B for the barrels of beer. The Class continues to be supported by NOBLE MARINE and thanks to them. Most importantly, thanks to the members of the N.S.C.A for supporting the event by entering and making this one of the highest attended Championships in the history of the class.

HARKEN

18 Top Ten Overall

For full results visit www.solosailing.org.uk/events The results will also be published in the 2014 Yearbook.

19 The New Solo from the Boatyard at Beer

Our new boat has been in the development stages and we are considering making a change to the deck layout regarding the dual sided cleating area as Geoff Carveth’s boat only had 3 cleats on and it seems that the class requires more so we are going to change the dual sided cleat area to accept up to 6 cleats, which we will be mounting inside on the tank side.

Geoff Carveth sailed the boat at the National Championships finishing third, and was first going into the last day, bearing in mind that Geoff has been out of the class for a long time, this was an outstanding performance, and showed the real potential of this design.

Regarding the hull shape we studied the Solo shape in detail and made the stem area more rounded than all existing plastic solos in the hope that she punches through the waves to windward easier. We also made differences to the hull shape, the boat is 3mm under maximum length. Narrower on the lower chine at Section 3 by 4mm each side this means that it has less frontal area and theoretically less drag, and a slightly straighter run through the rocker at section 4 for a more fairer hull section. The side decks have been lifted in relationship to the shear at the sitting out area, this was done to help keep the boat dryer when roll tacking. The thwart has been lowered to make tacking easier with a more ergonomically efficient cockpit.

The boat was sailed during Salcombe Regatta and came 5th overall, despite being capsized several times. We are delighted with the results and performance of our new boat and we will be working closely with customers and jockeys to ensure that our Solo will be and remain the best.

Quote by Phil King “I was a complete debutante in a Solo, and I only really got to grips with the boats idiosyncrasies by the last race of the regatta. Salcombe is not really a place to judge a boat’s pace, but when I gave it the chance, the Beer boat had the speed”

20 Photo courtesy of Boatyard at Beer

Carveth and Hopwood battle upwind at the National and Nation’Cup

Photography; Will Loy

Photography; Fotoboat.com Mike Murrell

21 NORTHERN AREA TRAVELLERS SERIES 2013

Kindly Sponsored by Winder Boats

I did advertise for the post of head a little from the pressures and again taking the honours from Craig Northern Area Rep in the last to enjoy the sailing more will be good. Williamson and John Blundell. Magazine Article and it gives me great pleasure to say that Nick Northern Circuit Update. Round six was at a rather wind swept Hornsby, 4842 Hollingworth Lake SC Round four took us to Delph SC Nr Crosby Nr Liverpool. The forecast has stepped up to the plate. Well Bolton. With a good breeze blowing and conditions put most off but a few done Nick you cannot beat a good down the lake, although a little gusty of the hardy but brave may I say mad volunteer. Hope you get as much three very close races were sailed soles did venture out to get a couple enjoyment out of it as I have done. I with some capsizes early on. Three of races in with numerous swims etc. will endeavour to get most things in different race winners and only one Andy Tunnicliffe winning again, this place for next year and hand over the point separated the first three boats. time from Andy Fox and Ian Hopwood. reigns so to speak after the last event Andy Tunnicliffe coming out n top on this year, which happens to be at this occasion. The Bangers and mash Round seven was sailed at Yorkshire Hollingworth Lake on the 20th went down a real treat at lunchtime. Dales SC, the first time Solo’s had October. raced as a fleet there. The facilities Round five was part of the Northern and hospitality were really good. I would just like to say a big thanks to Area Champs at Carsington in a Four races were sailed with a one and all for the support I have sunny Derbyshire. With a very good different winner in each race. The received over the last five years. The entry of thirty-six boats. Although the force 3 to 4 winds giving us some of Northern Circuit has gone from winds were light and a little shifty at the best close racing we have had for strength to strength in recent years, times John Poulson the OOD gave us many years. When the sailors come with increased turnout and the some excellent racing with some up to you and say they had a good standard of racing is the envy of long beats that helped spread the days racing then it must have been many other areas. Having done fleet. The first five races had different good. Kevan Gibb venturing down nearly all the events I can honestly winners with Chris Brown managing over the boarder to take the spoils. say I have enjoyed every minute, well to double up in the last race to win An entry of twenty-one boats was nearly all. Not that I will be hanging overall from Any Tunnicliffe and John excellent considering they were all my boots up but just to clear my Blundell. The Northern results were visitors. We look forward to returning taken from Sundays racing with Chris there next year.

Round eight took us down to Notts County SC. On another sunny day we have light winds with three races and again different winners, Steve Graham coming out on top from Andy Friar and Chris Gillard. With high standards of racing now available we are all enthusiastic for the September and October run in. Hope to see you all on the water soon. Chris Gillard 5417 Lottie

Thames Area Report Sponsored by Guildford Marine Following a posting on the forum that popular region, noting that the while others decline, and it may be said the Thames Valley Series would Western score sheet has a large the right thing to drop any be dropped in 2014, I have offered to number of tba competitors which opens from the series where there is be Caretaker rep for the Thames gives a false first impression. little, if any, home support expected Valley series until a more local Also, the Southern Area is indicating for 2014. person comes forward to look after a larger than usual number After the summer holiday period, the scheduling and score keeping of of competitors as a result of a huge only two events remain to be played this series. It’s not a hugely onerous pre-nationals turnout in the Thames Area. Papercourt, task, especially if you already know at Hayling Island for the Tyler Trophy which is always well supported from how to use ‘Sailwave’ and can upload with 55 entries, which must be some within the club and offers great the weekend’s results directly. sort of a record! hospitality and also Island Barn, Planning-wise, I’ve already been Historically, the Thames Area came which offers the only piece of contacted by one club regarding next into being when the Southern area reservoir sailing in the Thames series. season’s calendar……Please get in became far too large with potentially This is also a good meeting to do, touch if you fancy taking on the well over 20 meetings and it was especially if you have a head for Thames Valley admin. decided to balance out each area at heights and a map to find it with! Contrary to being a dying series, a about a dozen events, which is where recent look at the scoring showed the we have remained since then. Thames to be the second most However, new club fleets do emerge

Eastern Area Report The Eastern Area is now well some truly fierce gusts at Stewartby. Two events remain to play, with Ely advanced, although with no clear Elsewhere, we have enjoyed some in September and Hunts the last to winner as yet, with Steve Ede having lovely summer days racing with go in October. Steve needs both to retire for a month having broken a perfect conditions at Marconi on events to take the area series once toe walking along a jetty the Blackwater estuary, which can be again. So far we have 5 qualifiers and at Hickling Broad. miserable if the weather is bad, and a a further 7 helms can achieve this if Sailing conditions have varied from a return to the fold of Herts and Beds they do both the remaining events. drifting match at Fishers Green to after a 5 year absence. Godfrey Clark Eastern Area/Thames Valley Rep (caretaker) [email protected] 07713 871802 22 Western Area Report With the summer now drawing to a 1st & 3rd, having been split by one qualifier in the shape of close the highlight for me was the Geoff Silcock (Bowmoor) in 2nd. Geoff Silcock (Bowmoor). There are Nationals at Hayling Island. With 112 several with 4 races in and numerous entries there was a long start line which Chew Valley had the inevitable winds others with 3 races completed. So, with was very well behaved in the main. A again, but all who turned up sailed and 3 more to go the season is still wide far different prospect than the usual had a very enjoyable day. Chris open. open meeting starts that we see at our Goldhawk was the winner, with Tim Frampton 21st Sept. A small but well local opens. Since the last magazine Johnson (in a borrowed boat) in attended open, very friendly and easy to report we have had 5 western area 2nd and Andy Hewitt in 3rd. reach. opens, Salcombe, Sutton Bingham, Teignmouth 28/29th Sept. Out on the Chew Valley and Clevedon, along with Clevedon had a modest turnout of 8 wide open seas. the Weymouth Sailfest. boats, won by Nigel King (lymington) South Cerney 5th Oct. A medium size with Colin Newton 2nd and Myself in lake which should attract a decent Salcombe saw a great turnout with 30 3rd. number. Entries, a high number of local boats as Sailfest was put into the Area at the I will be contacting the Fleet Captains usual with a few travellers from Solo Committees request to see if we shortly to confirm dates for next year. If elsewhere. Paul Rayson being could garner any interest, unfortunately you have any suggestions to promote victorious, followed by Tim Law and it wasn’t popular and a separate Solo the western area, or boost numbers, Geoff Carveth who was out in his new start was not achieved. However 2 please let me know. Boatyard from Beer Solo, in preparation solos did attend and those results have for the Nationals. been pulled out and entered into the Nick Fisher Area results. 1st Roger Battersby & Western Area Sutton Bingham (a new open this year) 2nd Joe Goyder. Rep [email protected] with 13 Entries. Locals With Frampton, Teign & 0777 586 3972 Howard Frear and Richard Frost in South Cerney to come there is already

Midland Area Travellers Report

As you read this the Midland Travellers some great Olympic course racing in a Edge champagne. Hollowell was a Series will be close to completion. As it stiff breeze. A turn-out of 20 saw Jon challenging event with a gusty shifting stands with 3 wins apiece will it be Clarke of Edge Sails presenting a wind that kept you on your toes. Richard Adams or Stuart Hydon that bottle of champagne to Peter McCrea Midland Sailing club had a healthy turn takes the title. Mathematically it could for his efforts. Chelmarsh by all out of 15 boats despite the light winds, still be myself, but I’d need to win all of accounts was a challenging event in and saw Richard Adams with a home the remaining three. Ho hum… light and fickle club win. winds. Northampton had a fantastic The Series this year was shortened to turn out of 26 boats. Again plenty of To date, 5 helms have already qualified 11 events. Unfortunately Banbury’s close racing and Nigel Pybus taking for the series. 5 sailors need just one early season starter was curtailed by home the bottle of Edge more event, 3 need another 2 to qualify the late spring snowfalls, so now its 5 champagne. Shustoke saw the closest and a further 7 could qualify if they to count from 10 events. Most events and most hard fought end to an open I complete the remaining 3 have seen improved turn out on last can remember, with a win from any 4 in events. Hope to see you on the water. year with a larger contingent of the last race to wrest the trophy. In the travellers. Barnt Green’s re-filled end it fell to Stuart Hydon with the first Stuart Bush reservoir saw some close racing at the three boats all within a boats length. Midland Area Representative. front of the fleet. Draycote hosted Richard Charles went home with the

(HD Sails) Southern Series Update

With 4 races left to go, the Southern Series is still up for grabs. Will Loy is currently leading the board as the only qualifier (but with 1st & 5thplace in his pocket), the Jowetts are fighting it out between themselves for 2nd & 3rd, but Steve Ede is looking good with a 1, 2 from his two races to date. A large number can still qualify for this series (four to count). With prizes kindly sponsored by HD sails, and also some freebies for qualifies from a mystery sponsor I am sure we will massively beat the 8 qualifiers from last year.

Next up is Papercourt on the 15th September. Just off the A3, it is in easy travelling distance of all in the Southern series. A popular event last year saw 37 boats competing in a close fought meeting.

The week after is Mengeham Rhye, missing from the 2012 series, it is back on the list and also in the Sea series. Based a stones throw from where the Nationals were held on Hayling Island, they must certainly be hoping for a few of the visitors to return on the 21st September.

October sees the last two Opens in the series, Bough Beech on the 5th October, followed closely by Chipstead on the 12th October. Bough Beech is the only reservoir in the Southern Series and is always well attended. You can expect a large course and a competitive fleet.

Just 15 minutes’ drive from Bough Beech is Chipstead SC, home to a thriving fleet of Solos, (36 boats and a regular start line of 18+ ). You can expect some strong competition from the locals in a 4 race finale to the Southern Series at this friendly club.

Andrew Thompson Southern Area Rep 23 . Winder Boat Developments

Here are some photos of the new floor on the MK2 solo hull.

We have developed a system where we mould a gel finish on the inside of the cockpit incorporating the resin infusion system we have been using since 2003. This is one process, hull and floor finish together. No joints. We are in the process of making moulds for the Mk1 at the moment.

A Bit of History

Dad started building Merlin Rockets in his garage at home in the early 70s. In 1976 he started full time building Merlin Rockets until the mid 80s when we started building Fireballs in wood. In the late 80s we built our first epoxy foam sandwich composite fireball which proved to be a huge step forwards. In 1994 working along side the class we changed various rules and produced our all epoxy foam sandwich Fireball. This proved a great success and allowed us to look at building more classes. In 1997 we built the N12, 1998 the Merlin Rocket, 2000 the Solo, 2007 the Mirror and the Gp14 and the Mk2 Solo in 2010. Over the years we have always looked for new building techniques moving from wood to the high tech carbon Kevlar epoxy foam boats we build now. In 2003 we started looking at resin infusion. Over the past 10 years we have developed the process and are now using it on the majority of our mouldings. The new floor is the next step infusing a gel finish to the inside and out side of a boat at the same time. We think this gives you the ultimate solo. Dave Winder

24 Charlie’s Foils Revealed ! By Phil Milanes

What we were trying to achieve:

A dynamic centreboard to give lift and--- wave and gust response, plus a blade which is low on

drag, light and balanced.

The Board: The core consists of laminates of Western Red Cedar, with splices of balsa in the bottom half to give the flex at the tip and some Yellow Cedar to give stiffness at the handle, with an epoxy/ glass re-enforcement of wrapped- round Bi- axial glass weave. An extra layer of bi-axial was laminated from the top of the board extending down to 260mm below the Keel-line. The board was then flow coated with epoxy resin, clear in the photos, but white pigmented for Charlie’s board. The tip is an inset of a high density filler/epoxy matrix. After block and orbital sanding the epoxy flow coated board, we either continue to a 2000 grit wet and dry finish on the clear board or on the white board up to 320 grit before white PU lacquer is applied. The white PU finish was wet sanded to 2000 grit and finally finished with a polishing compound and a final Super- Glym polish

Shaped Blank

Arrow Weave Peel Ply

300grm Twill 300grm Bi axial

The shape of the board is based on a 30% chord instead of the normal 33% because the Solo is not regarded as a quick boat by modern standards. On faster dinghies, we sometimes go up to 37% to keep to the chord profile we taper the board towards the tip. As we proceed with the shaping of the foil we are constantly checking with a profiling comb to make sure it’s the same both sides. Throughout the process we make sure that there are no hard spots in the profile, especially on the leading edge, to avoid any break down of the laminar flow over the board. To eliminate any turbulence at the trailing edge, we take this part to about 0.25mm. Thin yes, but worth it!

The Blade:

This was a fixed version with a carbon tiller and Arrow Weave finish. The core was Laminated Western Red Cedar, glassed first with Bi-axial, then having ply cheeks [to meet the requirements of the class rules on thickness at the head] The shape was based again on 30% chord with a slightly more rounded/fatter leading edge to allow for greater angles of attack. Otherwise a blade is more likely to stall—so slow!. The plan shape was close to max depth and minimum width, as high aspect as Ed; is possible within the rules and a leading edge 20mm forward of vertical.. I made Phil was far to modest to mention it but his Milanes foils this blade for myself, but in the end didn’t fancy getting really wet when helped some fine sailors achieve Championship titles in launching. Such a wimp! And, may I say, making a board with Arrow Weave is the Enterprise / Scorpion / Albacore / Streaker / Wayfarer not an easy glass to use: you have to incorporate peel-ply at every stage. Good and 505 Championships this year. luck if you have a go! On performance, you’ll have to ask Charlie what he thought ! www.Milanesfoils.co.uk

Charlie Cumbley, 2013 National and Nation’s Cup Champion explains

Solo 2013 3DL development & Nationals & Nations Cup

2013 was always going to be a big year with regards to the Solo, the fleet has been strong for years now, but, the idea of a Hayling Island Nationals was exciting a lot of people and so the training started in earnest pretty early this season, that was exactly my plan until the arrival of little Mila Cumbley in March scrapped my plans for some cheeky training at the weekend and in the evenings!

The aim was a simple one, I wouldn’t be 3DL model. This sail has been hugely with our own experience we decided we able to sail as much as I had in the past successful and popular over the last 2.5 had a pretty good direction to take the so I had to focus on one event, that event years but we now had some ideas on development. The main aim was to being the Nationals, and fortunately how we could improve the sail. When we improve the performance of the sail in being local to HISC meant that any initially launched the 3DL mainsail for the the light flat water ‘inland’ conditions sailing I did was likely to be at the venue. Solo, we knew the price would put a few whilst maintaining its impressive people off but we knew that once they medium/heavy air performance. We had seen the sail and seen the changed the sail twofold, firstly we In addition to this I had decided this performance longevity it would turn looked at the construction and weight of season we needed to develop further the some heads and we are certainly seeing the materials and then we also looked at North Sails Solo range ready to launch a that on the early well used examples. the design, always being careful to new product range for the 2014 season. However, we had some feedback on the manage each step on the development We would start the project looking at the sail from various sources and combined curve.

So first idea was to get the overall weight of the sail down, no matter where the design went, we

wanted to get the sail into its new 2014 form right from stage 1, then we could switch our attention to tweeking the sail shape. So in came new light films specially developed by the ‘NASA’ scientists at 3DL, along with a reduction in the amount of the Kevlar and Carbon fibres in the sail as they were simply not needed in the amount we had initially thought. We combined this with a change of concept on the corner patching, this extra reinforcement in the corners is there to help transfer the loads seen in the head, tack and clew into the sail as smoothly as possible. Through the use of a special sticky back material called Cuben Fibre (a product developed by North Sails during America’s Cup testing) we were able to reduce the layers of cloth in the corners and thereby reduce the weight, in the end we managed to save 500grams on the previous 3DL version, so that was stage 1 ticked off!

Now for the hard bit! Developing a sail in 2013 is a far cry from the pre computer days, where all changes would be made by the sailmaker on the loft floor, adjusting the luff curve by a few mm here and there and opening up seams to add or remove shape in the body of the sail. For sure all these skills are still required but now you have the back up of technology, meaning all changes could be easily quantified and more importantly, easily replicated. All our Solo sails for some years have been designed on computer design software, using a 3D mould on the computer screen which could then be cut accurately and built to match the computer mould shape.

The added complication of developing a foot tape, rings, headboard etc. (see pic Picture 2 is the same picture but taken 3DL sail is the timescale, for a normal finished item) All in all its usually a 2-3 from the sailscan software showing all panelled sail you could design the sail week lead time from design to finished the info on that sail. This sail was an on Wednesday, cut it Thursday morning product so you need to think long and original design but with an addition of and have it to race on the Saturday! if it hard about the design tweeks as a luff curve low down in the sail, Pictures was a disaster you could redesign a wrong decision puts back the process a 3 and 4 are the same concept but on the new sail on Monday and repeat the long time. To help make the right new design, clearly showing the process! But with a 3DL sail the design decision we had various tools, one of differences between the sails. This is sent to the US 3DL office and then which we use a lot and that is our whole process is shortened scheduled to be moulded, once the sail Sailscan software, this software allows considerably when you have the trial has been ‘made’ it needs 5 days for the us to take a picture of the sail and use horses of the quality of Matt Howard, glue to cure and then its shipped in its the draft stripes we fitted to our Pete Mitchell & Pete Cumming as we ‘blank’ format, i.e. just a sheet of development sails to work out the did on this occasion whose feedback material to our sail loft (as per pic shape in the sail and then put into was invaluable to get us towards the ‘blank’), we then trim around the excess numbers, draft position, twist, entry and product I used for the Nationals. to match the class rules and then add exit angles. Picture 1 is just an example the normal finishing such as luff tape, of a normal picture I would take. . 3 1

27 The Nationals would be the final worth thinking about! As soon as we myself back into a decent position, this proving ground for the sail, we were had the forecast for the week we were I think was the key to being in a happy with the performance of the sail getting worried and so the only ‘normal’ position still able to win on the last day. in the testing in the light and heavy sea breeze conditions we got all week Fortunately the last day came with a conditions but a final seal of approval was for the sail in after the last race, solid offshore breeze and despite a would be a good result at the nationals, typical!! It would prove to be key to be terrible start it was my best race of the the 115 boat fleet, the strongest able to get yourself out of deep series to get back to 2nd and make it a singlehanded fleet in the country would positions and into solid counting 3 way sail off between Geoff Carveth, see to that! results, the conditions would make it Andy Tunnicliffe and myself for the final tricky for all so consistency would be race. This was a full nerve jangler but the key, all week I had purposely been the results went my way and even Just prior to the event Matt Howard and conservative on the starts, (apart from 1 without a race victory all week the I had been joking about what if the black flag!) and fleet positioning but phrase ‘consistency wins regattas’ normal Hayling summer sea breeze this sometimes meant I was well into really did work! It also was a great way conditions didn’t materialise, after the twenties and thirties at top marks to sign off the sail development and tick tucking into the full English breakfast in but I was quick enough even in the light off the 3DL sail as ready to launch for front of us we decided it wouldn’t be conditions I usually struggle in to get the 2014 season.

Matt Howard

Pete Mitchell

It was by far the hardest Solo event I had raced in, and winning in the Andy Tunnicliffe, Charlie Cumbley and Geoff Carveth on the podium. generally light airs made it even more satisfying. As I mentioned at the time I certainly had some help from my great friend Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson in picking some shifts!

As I am now writing this I am realising my diet for the endeavour trophy has gone exceptionally badly, shown up all the more so by Taxi’s completion of an Ironman Triathlon event in Wales recently. Must try harder!

See you all on the water soon

Charlie ‘Sailboats Solo 5387’

GOOD WOOD MODS By Tony Thresher

I have been asked to write something about how I think a wood boat can be improved to compete with the modern GRP/FRP boats. It is my view there are a few things that can be done that most wood boats (even the odd new one that is built) would benefit from. It all depends on how much time and effort you are prepared to put in. If you cant afford a new or nearly new off the shelf GRP/FRP boat but have a few basic skills and some free time then improving your existing wood hull or buying a cheaper wood boat to renovate could well be a way forward.

Weight, hull fairing and redistribution possibilities

The first thing to do is to weigh your boat and check it against what it says on the certificate. It is extremely important to do this properly and as required by the rules, centreboard out, removable lines and fittings off except main sheet and the hull in dry condition.

If your hull weighs in as per certificate this is good news because it indicates the hull hasn't taken on weight since it was last officially weighed. In my experience many well built wood boats that have been looked after take on no weight except by additions of extra layers of paint and varnish over time. This is even more the case with boats that were epoxy coated from new. What is bad news in terms of extra work is if your certificate says the boat originally weighed in overweight. Not so bad if it is just the odd kilo but any more than two or three and you may well need to carry out some structural modifications which I will cover in the next issue.

So assuming you have a good wood Solo which is The keel can on or near minimum weight where do we start. I be faired, would always start with the underside. We want to remember produce a finish like a modern FRP so this is going there is a min to mean making sure all your keel, rubbing strips, Original keel with measurement and keel band are as well faired in as on said double brass of projection modern boats and that the final finish is as shiny keelband above skin and smooth.

First remove all the keel band and chine rubbing strips on your boat and weigh them. It is often brass and if you have double keel band running the length of the keel to the transom it can add up to as much as 3kgs! Next assess the keel shape. Can it be triangulated and faired into the hull better. If so it is out with the plane, spoke shave and sandpaper. Keel faired, From the stem to approximately station 1 the hull keelband keel and keel band can be legally faired so that they glued on and all combine together as one with virtually no visible profiled ready separation between each. Looking at the stems of some current FRP boats there seems to be a fair for painting. Rubbing strips amount of scope for manoeuvre in this area. 12mm by 3mm half round hard wood moulding glued to the with neat profile at the keel comes in handy along with either polyester or ends epoxy filler. As you work aft of station 1 the separation between the hull, keel, and keel band is more defined but the idea is to keep the area where each part joins the other as seamless as possible. For practical purposes we need to be able to remove the keel band that holds the slot gasket down in order to service/replace it. Shape the keel so this keel band fits tidily around the slot and so it can be fitted easily after hull painting.

If you have re shaped your keel you will now have an idea of the paint regime or regimes used . If not then sand back the paint along the the bottom panel where the chine rubbing strip was attached. Go back to bare wood or epoxy. If there are many layers of paint built up over the years then it is worth stripping the hull back to bare wood. I recently bagged up the paint I stripped of an old 1 950s Firefly hull and it came to over 5kgs! Going back to bare wood on the whole hull should not be necessary with an epoxy coated boat or one with few layers of good condition paint.

Now glue on some of the wood moulding you used for the keel band in place of the chine rubbing strips and fair in the ends so that they taper neatly onto the hull. All that is left to do is to repaint. I don’t intend to cover painting regimes here except to say if you are using a structural epoxy on bare wood don’t over do it. Epoxy is relatively heavy stuff as are some high build paints. Do consider getting the final coat sprayed with two pack car paint by a professional. For those on a serious budget I have used Dulux non drip gloss successfully as a final coat. Takes some weeks to harden but is relatively cheap and very easy to use. Keelband faired in and all imperfections Profile of bow before removed. keelband removed.

. Once painted re weigh your shiny Finally you need to be well aware of new hull. Depending on what the rules when undertaking any came off the bottom and what modifications of your boat and it will went back on it may have lost a at a minimum need to be reweighed at considerable amount of weight the end of the process. but hopefully at least a little. Rules relevant to this article: Obviously if your boat was down Max. hull weight 70kgs incl. a max of to weight at the start of the 3kgs correctors attached to aft end of process any weight lost will have centreboard case. to go back on somewhere else. Keel depth incl. keel band min 12mm Correctors of up to 3kgs can be max 20mm placed at the aft end of the Chine rubbing strip length min centreboard case which isn't too 1194mm bad a place to concentrate Keel band width min 12mm depth min weight. Ideally we want as much 3mm weight low down in the middle of Make sure you fully understand the the boat so the case sides can stem profile rules D 2.4 (b) justifiably be strengthened as Distance from the bow profile could the side tanks where the measurement point per D.2.4 (b) to helm sits and the floor. Logically the nearest point on the then we are looking to reduce keel weight in the ends and the top of band ...... the boat. Structural modifications ...... 30 mm ...... 50 mm including fitting a double Width of stem thickness floor will be covered in apron ...... 88 forthcoming issues. mm .... 102 mm

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SOLO BUILDING LICENCES

As some of you may be aware 7 rule control of licences and the identification of licences are legal documents between the changes were put forward under a single moulds and hulls easier for the RYA and the licencee not to be made proposal no.4 at this year's AGM. licence administrator, the RYA. There is no public by either party. The RYA are now Thankfully in my opinion it was agreed that question that the licence situation as it taking steps to put things right and have none should be passed at this time and stands needs to be sorted out as for one asked all licence holders to renew their that the proposers should bring them reason or another there are I believe 17 licences by 1st December 2013. I wonder forward if they wish at a future AGM when licences in existence and the RYA have whether we will be able to ascertain the they have been more thoroughly worked lost administrative control of them. I am not terms and conditions of these new licences. through. This rightly gives the membership surprised by this as their technical I certainly think it would be helpful if we more time to help in this process and to department do not have the resources to were. As I am not intending to renew my better understand what the reasons are for administer this many licences or not at licence I can reveal now that one of its the changes and whether they are in the least in my opinion on the terms of the terms was that I may not discuss the best interests of the class. licence I still currently hold. In construction or layup of the hull with this environment some licence holders anyone! Bizarre and impossible to comply The main driving force behind the may have breeched the terms of their with. proposals was that they would make the licence but none of us can really tell as the

I do not intend to go through each The class's current success has been built similar situation in terms of competition individual change as they were proposed on the fact that in the past when wood was as we had in the wood boat days. as I have now come to the conclusion that the only and then preferred material for Of course the terms of the licences have builders should not need a licence to build boats any builder amateur or professional been broken on both sides over this period. a Solo or Solos and that we should work could build Solos in wood. This has kept The RYA just do not have the resources to towards this goal. As the rules stand at the the standard of build high with builders inspect premises, moulds, tooling etc. on a moment the RYA have the power to sort competing with each other to build better regular basis particularly if there are out the problems they have with current boats than others. This kind relatively large numbers of licences in licences. Indeed Bas Edmonds from the of competition has today extended into existence which there are especially if you RYA replied that this was the case when the licenced GRP markets as the include all the other National Classes. One asked the question at the AGM. So why do Association has up until now supported builder of several National classes told me we now want to licence all builders applications of builders wishing to build in recently that he had not once had a visit including those amateur, wood and the currently fashionable GRP. It seems to from an RYA technical officer in the time composite builders using hulls from me that up until this year the RYA have he had been building boats. other manufactures? Indeed why do we turned a blind eye to the goings on in the need to licence builders at all? licenced marked so that we have had a

My worry is that the RYA, some builders and some members of the association would like to see all builders licenced and a reduction in the number of builders. The reasons for this are varied. The RYA's job would be easier with less licences to administer. Some members (not many) do not like the choice there is in the class and would prefer it if they knew they were sailing exactly the same boat as the next sailor. Builders may see restricting licences as a way of preserving their current market share. Personally I do not think any of this would be healthy for the Class and smacks in the face of many of the principals of competition that have made the class so successful. So what would we need to do to get rid of licences? Solos may be built by any builder amateur or professional inserted in the rules would be a good starting point! We would then have to prescribe the allowable construction materials (no carbon) and probably make one or two other changes just to be absolutely clear what is allowed in FRP/GRP boats. This need not be a rushed process which will allow us to get the changes right first time hopefully.

What about the RYA? Well they will still be our national authority with their technical committee available to help and rule on any measurement matters. They will still administer certificates and collect royalties. As I see it they have no less power in a licence free world than now to continue to protect the original design. Why on earth would they want the extra hassle of administering licences which they have clearly struggled to do in the past?

There is much debate to be had here but the great thing is that we can have the debate from a position of strength and in the knowledge that our current rules are robust enough for the RYA to deal with their current licencing problems.

Tony Thresher

2013 National Solo Inland Championship Sponsored by HARKEN Sep 7-8 Rutland Water S.C.

As in previous years, the N.S.C.A held a training day on the friday that preceded the main event and 34 association members were coached on and off the water by the team of class trainers. The N.S.C.A training scheme has been run very successfully for over ten years and gives the chance for the top Solo helms to pass on their knowledge to the newer members. Training days are run up and down the country and are free to association members.

The Main Event headers to get back to the middle of play the shifts. Ross Harvey won the the course. race. A fantastic entry of 96 Solos’ made the Kevan was already far enough up the trip for the 6 race series set in the beat to not be affected and held the Ross; ‘’I started very near the pin, beautiful surroundings of Rutland lead down the run to the finish. Paul there was a pretty big left shift just Water. PRO Ralph Tingle led the Heath and Paul Rayson took second before the start so I was able to tack briefing and Bill Brockbank explained and third respectively with a fast onto it quite early after the start, just how he would be policing the fleet on finishing Andy Tunnicliffe in fourth. after a few other guys so rounded the water from his jury boat. The fleet fourth’’. obviously paid attention to both as Kevan; . I held the lead down the black flags and rule 42 infringements reaches and went left up the second Chris Brown in the new John were few. The forecast was for 10- beat, tacking on the shifts and Poulson/P+ B Solo led from Dave 16knots dropping later and this was maintained until the finish. It is always Winder and Micheal Sims and proved accurate, the sunshine was a tight racing in the Solo Class and great extended on the downwind legs but bonus and the temperature was a very fun’’. was very unlucky to find himself on the pleasant 18 degrees. outside of another right hand lift up the There was a lengthy delay before race second beat. Race 1 2 as the PRO hoped the wind direction The committee boat looked favoured would settle. Ross; ‘’I went further right than the but a shift just before the start leaders on the second circuit and hooked into a big right hand lift, taking favoured those at the pin with Kevan Race 2 Gibb 5399 and Paul Heath in the front the lead by the top mark. The chasing The pin end was favoured and the row. At the top mark Kevan rounded group made ground on me down the majority of the fleet wanted to start first. run as the wind filled in from behind there so the result was a recall. I was but I was able to hold to the finish’’ especially pleased as I had started at Kevan Gibb; ‘’I started at the pin and held out to the left, tacked on the the committee boat and the vision of How do you find sailing the Solo header and crossed the fleet. I rounded the fleet crossing on port was like downwind in these conditions ? first with a couple of guys close walking to your car and finding a behind’’. parking ticket under your wiper. Ross; It is quite difficult racing these The fleet finally got away and those legs in non planing conditions as the who were able to tack onto port at the The leaders were able to soak low boats behind can try and get above pin were away. I was pinned out to the down the reaches while the remainder you so I try to sink low and encourage left and despite pointing out very of the fleet tussled for pressure. There them not to go too high, at least that delicately that we would be reaching was a large right hand shift up the way we do not ruin both our races. into the top mark, could not persuade second beat which favoured the my tormentor to tack until way too late. chasing pack as they were on the So Ross won race 2 from Micheal Sims The leaders had worked back to the inside of the lift. Anyone who had gone and Dave Winder with Stuart Bush middle of the course and were able to left early found themselves eating fourth.

Kevan Gibb Paul Rayson Ross Harvey Pic, sailweb.com

Race 3 The wind had dropped but was holding I played the shifts up the middle and went hard right up the last beat, at 6-8 knots. The direction had rounded first from Dave Winder. The hooking into pressure and finishing changed and the race course was racing at the front was very tight but I fourth behind Paul, Dave Winder and tracked round to the right accordingly. was able to hold the lead down the Chris Mayhew in the wooden Poulson The fleet started fairly evenly and reaches. Up the final beat I was able to Solo. those at the committee boat end maintain a comfortable lead but behind initially looked favoured but as the there was some significant place So Andy Tunnicliffe would be the over wind went left the pin end starters changing as the wind dropped and night leader and would wear the event seemed to have the advantage. The filled in from the right’’. leader yellow jersey on day 2. The wind continued to track left and now forecast was for lighter winds so the they were overstanding. Andy Tunnicliffe had started at the fleet retired to their accommodation, committee boat end and after one tents and cars with nervous Paul Rayson; ‘’I started in the middle of circuit he was in the twenties. He anticipation and the taste of beer the line, the fleet split left and right but worked his way through the fleet and lingering in their mouths. 32

Janulewicz

(Richard

boat.com

Foto

Micheal Sims

Day 2

What was the secret yesterday Andy Brenda Hoult completed the top five he is a big fleet player in fifth and Chris (Tunnicliffe)? and overnight leader Andy Tunnicliffe Mayhew has come of age with sixth was seventh. Ross Harvey had a bad overall. Andy; Keeping clear air off the startline race and would need to come out all was key, not doing anything too stupid guns blazing to re-ignite his chances. Micheal thanked Rutland Water S.C. for and not losing your head when things the professional running of the event, go wrong! Staying calm and focused. especially the PRO who provided fair The wind was oscillating so not Race 5 race course management in very tricky committing too early to one side of the There was drama as the black flag was conditions. course was important. I tended to stay wielded, some numbers were taken near the middle of the line until a and dreams crushed for another year. Thanks to Bill Brockbank for his minute or two before the start to gauge Brenda Hoult, Stuart Bush, Paul expertise and guidance as jury boat, to Rayson and Andy Tunnicliffe among which shift would be the right one to HARKEN be on at the gun. Today I will just be the fallen. At the top mark it was Ross for their generous looking at the bigger picture, not Harvey, making amends for the folly of sponsorship and to NOBLE MARINE getting too involved with my nearest race 4 from Chris Mayhew who was who support the N.S.C.A. A special rivals and tacking on the shifts!’’ showing good form in the wooden Solo. thank you to all the association Micheal Sims rounded third. members who attended this event, big fleets, fair racing and friendly people. Race 4 Micheal; ‘’I rounded behind Ross and The sun was shining and the wind was Chris and was able to get through into Top Ten around 8 knots. There was a delay of second by the bottom of the triangle. I nearly an hour as the wind settled. lost ground on the next upwind when st Eventually the fleet were away with caught on the wrong side of a left hand 1 Micheal Sims Micheal Sims stamping his intent with shift at the top of the beat. I maintained 2nd Ross Harvey the bullet. fourth to the finish’’. 3rd Andy Tunnicliffe th Micheal; ‘’With two minutes to go 4 Chris Brown So Ross Harvey took the race win from th before the start there was a big right Chris Brown and Chris Mayhew with 5 Paul Rayson th hand shift making the committee boat Micheal Sims fourth and now leading 6 Chris Mayhew end favoured. I had planned to start at overall. th the pin so tried to get as far back down 7 Dave Mitchell The wind continued to deviate in th the line as possible. I made a good 8 Chris Goldhawk strength and direction and when the th start and played the right of the course deadline time limit of 2.25pm was 9 Steve Ede th to round first. I was able to sail my own reached, racing was abandoned. 10 Ian Pinnell race on the downwinds and lose Micheal Sims had defended the title he covered the fleet upwind and took the won in 2012 from Ross Harvey who is a win’’. very welcome addition to the National For full results visit Solo fleet and Andy Tunnicliffe who www.solosailing.org.uk Stuart Gibson, one of the Scottish continues to make the podium, third. contingent this weekend finished Chris Brown is back in the hunt for The 2014 yearbook will also have second with Jon Jowett a very titles and his fourth overall a good the full results creditable third. Nigel Davies and platform for 2014. Paul Rayson showed

33 ONK 2013 By Jo Catterall

Travellers from the UK descended into vans put in situ, meanwhile ‘the Fox’ Friday night was happy hour night and the sleepy town of Muiden, Holland to aka Andy Fox was already sampling we were well looked after with free take part in the 2013 Dutch open Event, the local hostileries with his entourage beer for all sailors and spectators at and what turned out to be three days Debs & Jean! the local bar, Café Omo Ko, and fantastic racing. Welcomed wholeheartedly by the so taking advantage of the lovely locals there were 53 boats entered. We weather, sitting outside by the canal Arriving Thursday afternoon after an woke to a breezy day on the Friday and we sampled canapes Dutch style. easy 2 hour ferry and 3 ½ hour the Brits started well with Mike Sims The bittenballen proved drive, (Dover- Dunkirk route) the and Andy Tunnicliffe battling it out in the favourite! Race presentations took parking area at the club was home all of the races, Sims getting his bow place, a bottle of red wine to the first 3 from home there were so many familiar just ahead by close of play. Andy Friar, per race. faces. Andy Fox, Mark Lee, Kevan Gibb & Ian Boats were being set up, tweaked & Hopwood were all up there in the mix tinkered with. Tents and camper with the Dutch close behind.

back 5 boats were unaccounted for. It and Rescue were alerted and slowly Saturday dawned with a force was a nerve wracking time for anyone one by one those still out on 4 due to build during the day. Again all who was involved, the trouble was that the water limped back to the harbour. I the Brits were faring when the wind changed, the rain hit guess there were around half a dozen well with Sims, & Tunnicliffe, battling it and visibility was virtually zero it was bent masts and some serious damage out again. A bullet each left them neck difficult to know where land was had been done to some of the boats. and neck. Fortunately the second race without bearings. In the end around 13 So there were plenty of stories to chat had just finished when suddenly the people found themselves on the island, about that evening as we attended a sky went dark, the wind changed some with boats and some, as with dinner at the Royal Yacht Club. We direction and as the sailors out there Patrick Burns, without. Fortunately the were treated to great food and said ‘all hell broke loose!’ locals knew the islands Café owners hospitality, a disco and a host of Many of the locals safely made it to the and whilst there were worried people speeches including, representing local island, Pampus, to on the mainland the 13 were partaking Scotland, Patrick Burns, (entertaining shelter, & when our boys finally got in hot chocolate & muffins. The Police as ever) and Ian Hopwood for the Brits

Sunday dawned sunny with It was all to play for and And so it all came down to the final another great breeze and a battle to the when Sims won the first of three it showdown; Tunnicliffe took his second end. There was a turnaround of fortune looked all over, Mark Lee had a superb bullet of the day and the win, followed for a number of people and a different 2nd and 1st Dutch lady Claar was in by Sims, 2nd to finish 2nd overall. Gibb mix in the lower placings. Sadly Andy the mix with a super 3rd. But not to be had a valiant effort coming Friar, who was lying in third, had to outdone Tunnicliffe scored a bullet in 3rd but was just unable to catch withdraw due to a bad back. I can the second with Sims down in 8th, Fox Hopwood who ended up 6th overall. vouch for him and I promise that it improved his overall standing with a Mark Lee came 5th in the last race and wasn’t the copious amounts of beer fast 2nd while ‘Capsize King’ Hopwood moved himself up the rankings to and red wine drunk the night before was having a battle royale with 5th overall. With 6 Brits finishing in the that caused his demise! This left ‘Mr Tickle’ Gibb and was clawing back top ten it was a successful showing for Hopwood in 3rd closely pursued by places after an inconsistent first race. ‘team GB’. Casper (First Dutch sailor) and Gibb.

Just a word of warning though, to anyone thinking of visiting next year, if you win take a change of clothes, tradition dictates that an impromptu dip is order of the day for the winner & Andy didn’t escape! Having received a beautiful solid silver trophy, (which sadly cannot leave the Country) he was dutifully dumped into the canal!

34 www.goslingdinghycraftltd.com

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