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THE MAIN SHEET The Hampton Club Newsletter www.hsc..org.au ______PO Box 42, Sandringham, 3191 Tel: 03 9598 6198 email: [email protected]

Commodore’s Corner FEBRUARY 2009

Happy New Year all HSC members and start another, so if you want either a brush up family. I trust you had a great New Years or are starting from scratch give them a call Eve and a safe and merry Christmas. Last and let them know and they'll slot you in Sunday saw the start of the business end of asap. They run Sundays from 9.30 to 12.30. the sailing season with a great fleet. Talking with the powers to be on the bay, it seems we 3. Thanks to Michelle Moller for running an are amongst the top three fleets on Port impromptu family sail/fish and chip night Phillip - something you should be proud of! If prior to the first sail for 2009. Weather was a you're not currently taking part get out there tad strong, but a great night. Thanks on Sunday! Michelle.

I would like to congratulate Kev our resident 4. A reminder - anyone who doesn't want a ACE! for a very well sailed Arrow cat title potentially damaged boat, should have a tow over Christmas. He was sick for most of the ring and float rope ready to deploy on the series, missed two races and still made a top bow of their boat (as per our regs). ten finish in a very very competitive fleet. For anyone interested we are going to get Kev 5. Thanks to my Matty and Kev for to bring one of his two Arrow cats down for a representing HSC at the recent world Flying test sail at Hampton SC. 15 Champs held at RYCV. On short notice they skippered and crewed a RYCV duck for As you will read from David Thompson's part of the 110 boat fleet at Royals. You guys report we had a terrific sail (albeit a bit light did us proud. It's nice that we are called upon on for wind) last Sunday. And if you see the for help by the bigger clubs and can respond. results, what a difference it makes when you have a crew that can sail! It was a competitive 6. Some news for all members. We have just start with 20 boats and a line that reflected it begun a closer relationship with our (allowing one boat length for each boat that's neighbours, the Guide and Scouts down the about an 80 metre long start line which is beach. We are providing skippers for their great). Keep an eye on the web site for the sailing days, in return for storage on regatta great pics Mon took. days and additional rubber ducks when we require them. I hope this is the start of a long 1. Which brings me to the point - you relationship between two organisations that teenagers and family members that want to have the same aims - to take kids sailing! learn and become regular crews, please let me know as we have skippers with two person 7. HSC is ready and positioned to run a boats looking for a regular and able/or National or State title so if you hear of a class teachable crew. come down and see me on a looking for a venue, let me know, be it mono Sunday or email me on hull or cat. [email protected] 8. Thanks to Kev for all the hard work he has 2. Mon and Kev have just finished the first of done and still does on club boats. His most our season ‘Learn to Sail’ and are about to recent pride and joy is a club . And it's

THE MAIN SHEET February 2009 a beauty. So get the kids down and ask David Thompson to organise to use it.

9. For those of you that don't know, we are about to start our Sunday Junior race program - speak to David Thompson.

10. One final bit of news. As the fleet is getting bigger our rescue boat to yacht ratio of 1:8 is struggling. If the duck is busy with a rescue and as Lady Isa is not ideal as a close boat to boat rescue boat, we are looking at options to get another larger and more useable duck - maybe similar to the Yachting Victoria ducks. These have many improvements and The took off and owned the race from more efficient 4 stroke motors. We'll keep the start. With a handicap of 95 it’s not you informed. surprising that the boys are quick. Next to the windward were the three Lasers, Robin, In the meantime.....come sailing David and Jeff, who were tack for tack for Sail Safe Johnno much of the race, closely followed by Kevin in his Impulse. Kev made good ground over Commodore the next two legs and secured an inside overlap at the bottom mark; the leading Autumn Aggregate - Race 1 – 12 th January was obliged to give buoy room. Kev rounded the bottom mark and was back in the lead for A perfect start to the New Year's racing - a the rest of the race. day of 10knot SW winds, warm water and clear skies. The three Sabres had a great tussle for much of the race –well done to Clare, Martin and 20 boats rigged were and ready, with a good David. With Clare’s new yellow and blue representation from the and boat on the water, the Sabre competition is fleets - we also had a couple of boats from sure to hot up over the rest of the season. Sandy join in for a while. Our race officer, Stewart, set a great course.

John D (125) went for his infamous 'Rabbit' start - where he's fully powered up on a port tack at the pin end, and tries to cross in front of the entire starboard tacking fleet. He almost got away with it, but had to duck the 29er and a Laser that accelerated away in the middle of the line - See the photo taken at the start. It’s a great perspective.

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Club Championship - Race 4 - 18th Family Sailing January Again we had a well attended family sailing We saw a couple of our top sailors return to event on 10th January. Approx 10 families the course today, with Ian T skippering his enjoyed the pleasant evening with fish n chips 505, Tia-M and Paul G in his Impulse. on the balcony. The high winds initially denied us the chance to sail to Half moon The wind started building just before the Bay, but eventually settled down permitting start. We had a consistent 15+ knots for the about 6 boats to frolic around the Hampton race, which, coupled with a solid 1m chop Beach area in the evening. and boat wake, saw some of the competitors with their hands full. Brian and Liam made Family BBQ the decision to head back early, as the conditions were a little more challenging than All members of HSC are invited to join us for expected. a BYO BBQ

I saw the bottom of a few hulls as I was When: 21st February 2009 racing around the course. There was the Where: HSC clubhouse ubiquitous upside down Laser, the boys on Time: 6pm onwards the 29er had some spills and a 125 was also seen to ‘wash its sails’. BYO: Meat and drinks of your choice and Salads and desserts to share on the The Adshead entries performed well, with the large table crewed by John and Ben getting a great start, and continuing to grind down some of RSVP: not required, just come along on the the faster classes - finishing with an night admirable 6th place, out of 22 entries.

Final Results: Members are welcome to have a BYO BBQ 1st Kevin Kay after any of the Sunday races. 2nd Ian Taylor 3rd David Jones Special Thanks

David Thompson HSC committee would like to thank Anna Sailing Secretary Lowe for keeping the kitchen well stocked and clean over the past 7 years. She has also New Members kept the toilet rolls/paper towels filled and The committee would like to welcome tended to many small jobs around the clubhouse. We hope Anna keeps up her Leeanne Rothacker and family kayaking and look forward to sharing a chat on the balcony. Thanks Anna. as new members. HSC is looking for a member to continue If you see them about the club, please Anna’s good work. It is not a difficult job; it introduce yourself and say "Hello!" could be done on a monthly basis. Enquiries to Michelle.

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Juniors & Novices Club Boats

Calling all juniors & novices . HSC has a number of club boats available for use by members. To book one of the club Commencing Sunday morning 1st February boats, contact David Thompson. 2009, short races will be run for juniors and novices. So get your sabots, minnows, The boats are generally available on Saturday optimists up to scratch. and Sunday afternoons when there is a Duty Officer at the club. While there is no charge For those kids and adults who feel not so for the use of the boats, the onus is on the confident to compete, some on the water club members to return the boats in good training will be provided by members on the order. All and gear must be returned rescue boat, to help you around the course. to the appropriate place. Any maintenance issues with these boats should be reported to Races are expected to commence around David. 10.30am, depending on wind strength. So competitors would probably need to be at the Sabot - t he latest addition to the club fleet is a club around 9.30am to provide adequate time wooden Sabot. This boat has been restored to rig boats & race briefing. by Kevin over the past couple of months and is now ready for sailing. The Sabot is a great Racing session would be expected to finished boat for junior or novice sailors to gain some by 12.00 midday at the latest. experience and confidence on the water.

So get out there & get some practice. Pacer - t he club Pacer Spindrift has been with the club for some time. It's a fibreglass pacer, For further information contact: currently rigged without a spinnaker. This is a great all round boat for family sailing. David Thompson The second club pacer 'Roaring Forties' is Kevin Kay currently not available for use by members. Monica Jones Pacer Pursuit - t he Pacer Pursuit has a Reminder standard fibreglass Pacer hull, with a much larger sail area and a trapeze. It also has a Remember you are responsible for cleaning covered foredeck with spinnaker chute. This the club if you use it. The cleaner only comes boat is fully rigged with a spinnaker, and is once a fortnight so please ensure sand is more suited to intermediate or advanced brushed off before you enter the club sailors. (especially the showers) and crumbs and food are swept up and disposed off to discourage Member Functions ants and mice. Don’t forget the club rooms are available for Working Bee member functions. Contact Michelle.

Make a note in your diary that the next working bee will be on Sunday 3 rd May 2009 Club Boat Trolleys – more info re the tasks closer to the date. Please remember that boats are not to be left Frank Leipper on the club trolleys. These trolleys should be Rubbish Bins available for any member to use to launch a boat, not to store a boat. If you are at the club and the bins are outside please bring them in if they are empty. Collection is Thursday.

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Building an Impulse Dinghy The main things that you need in undertaking a challenging task like this is Many of us over the years would have a place to work, good plans, some basic dreamed of building our own racing dinghy tools and skills, lots of time and a group and I am aware, that a selected few HSC of advisers with experience to help you members have actually undertaken this along the way. Thanks to Kevin, John and challenging task. Charles.

With my Impulse 263 getting older, in On the current rate of progress I expect October last year I took the plunge to build a the dingy to be completed by early March. new replacement. Many of you will have already seen it gradually taking shape in the HSC yard which the Committee has very graciously allowed me to use for this exercise.

The first question I should answer is why decide to build an Impulse? Because:

• They provide high performance single handed competitive racing • They can be built in glass or timber or a combination of both • The Impulse Association is supportive with advice and plans Neil Watson • The Impulse is a popular class at HSC • Kevin Kay, former state champion, has previously built a number of HSC Rules of Incorporation and By-Laws dinghies and is available to give advice. All members should know the Club Rules and By-Laws. These can be viewed on the website Wanting a stiff and durable hull that will under Members/Member Information. not flex, I decided to employ a composite construction with a glass sandwich hull, Please note that under the Club Rules the timber frame and deck, wooden foils and annual subscriptions are payable in advance aluminum mast. Clearly not all the work on or before 1 May in each year. A member will be my own. whose annual subscription is in arrears at 1 June is not entitled to compete in any sailing The details are; event organised or managed by the Club until payment is received. If payment is not • Hull: Glass sandwich by Tim received by 1 August of the same year, the Wilson, Inverloch membership will lapse. • Foils: Centre board and rudder, Formula 15, Williamstown The Committee is considering introducing early bird discounts for the next club year. • Timber: Meranti Watch this space. • Deck: 4 mm Hoop pine marine ply

• Other bits and pieces: Ronstan • Sail: Barracuda Sails

The hull has been painted Fire Engine red so it should stand out in any fleet.

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Invited classes also joined in for the last three days of the regatta, giving local crews a chance to participate in this premier sailing event. The classes involved included International ; ; ; OK ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP – SAIL MELBOURNE dinghy and . The Optimist and Cadet fleets were by far the most vocal in the From 16-21 December 2008, Sandringham regatta, but clearly included some outstanding Yacht Club again hosted the annual Sail young sailors. Melbourne regatta, with this year’s event being run under its new banner as the first leg As usual on Port Phillip Bay, sailing of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) conditions varied considerably through the World Cup. This change places Sail week. Cool southerlies and relatively light Melbourne among six of the largest and most winds dominated for the first days, with important Olympic Class Regattas in the comments such as ‘We thought this was world, and the only one of its kind in the summer!’ heard from some shivering Southern Hemisphere. overseas competitors. However, stronger winds and clear skies made for great sailing As in previous Sail Melbourne events, later in the week, rounded off by virtually Hampton Sailing Club contributed through flat-water racing in 12-15 knot northerlies on involvement of our rescue boat Lady Isa , the final day. There were lots of happy faces crewed by HSC volunteers (Charles Bagossy, at the closing ceremony, and it was clear that Elise Brennan-Smith, Stewart Simmons and Sail Melbourne will enjoy a very positive Neil Watson). Our former Commodore, Rita reputation in the international sailing Bagossy, assisted throughout the week with community over the year ahead (so look out registration of competitors. This involvement for an even bigger event in December 2009). earns valuable income for our Club (through the fee we receive for use of Lady Isa ), but Anyone interested in learning more about the also has enormous benefits through building ISAF World Cup – Sail Melbourne should networks in the sailing community. visit www.sailmelbourne.com.au , which can also be accessed through the Yachting The event attracted over 140 competitors Victoria website. In particular, it’s worth from 19 countries, including Olympic gold taking a look at the series of high-quality medallists Malcolm Page (470 class – videos produced during the week, which give ) and Anna Tunnicliffe ( great coverage of the various classes in class – USA). The Olympic classes action. See the ‘Sunday Highlights’ in represented included 470; ; Laser (full particular for footage taken around our Club. rig, radial and 4.7); ; Skud 18; 2.4m and RS:X (sailboards – who were based in our Stewart Simmons rigging yard for the week). Flags of all Vice-Commodore countries represented were flown along Hampton Pier, and the challenge of ‘naming the flags’ became a popular pastime for boat crews waiting for the start of each day’s proceedings.

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The Nationals Everyday Phrases with Nautical Origins

Kev and I competed in the Arrow Nationals at Between the Devil and the Deep Rosebud Yacht Club between 3rd and 9th January 2009. Arrows are 14 foot The Devil was the longest seam of the ship, that are one up, have a , and thought to be the first plank on the outer hull trapeze. There were 28 boats (one competing of a wooden vessel from stem to stern. When as a two up) competing from around the at sea and the devil had to be caulked, the country and won by Robbie Lea from Keppel sailor hung from a rope to do so. He was Bay Sailing Club in Queensland – a 3 day suspended between the devil and the sea – a drive away. I was just happy to be a very precarious position especially when the participant and decided anything over 20 ship was underway. knots was beyond my limit, so I was happy to come in when it got too tough. Kev did well Down the Hatch finishing in the top 8 for all races but didn’t compete on the last day due to illness. A toast that seems to have its origins in sea Rosebud did a fantastic job running hosting freight, where cargoes are lowered into the the event for the week – they have about half hatch. First used by seamen, it is thought to the membership of Hampton but were able to date from the 1930s and has been attributed to provide great facilities and food and drink for author PG Wodehouse. the week. Flake, Flake Out Notable mentions: • Kev tipped the arrow for the first time In order to keep the anchor chain of a ship in when attempting a gybe in 30 knots 3 good condition, the chain would be laid out minutes before the start – the two up and down the deck (flaked) in order to bows buried and he was thrown locate and replace any worn or weak links. overboard. Fortunately he managed to The term is still in use, as the captain will get back on board and finish the race often instruct the crew to flake out the anchor • The tide is a big factor particularly in line in preparation for anchoring. The anchor lighter winds line is looped on deck in such a way that it • Always have duct tape handy for does not become fouled (tangled) when the emergency repair anchor is dropped. So if someone calls you a • Try and remember the course – one flake, you are a weak link or about to competitor who was leading the series disappear. forgot it was a short course, going from fourth to tenth on one leg Hotchpotch, Hodgepodge • The event is a great way to socialize and catch up with other competitors Hotchpotch was a maritime term describing • The racing provides a way of the method of equally dividing cargo and improving racing skills property damaged when two ships have collided and both are deemed to be Monica Jones responsible. Current usage of hodgepodge means “a jumble”.

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