FOUL PLAY NOT to BUY JANET TAKES a DIVE Top Tips on Yacht Charter New Diesel SACRE BLEU! Dilemma Andy Struthers Endures French Berthing CARESSA Clinches It!

The Channel Sailing Club Magazine WINTER 2014

TO BUY OR FOUL PLAY NOT TO BUY JANET TAKES A DIVE top tips on yacht charter New diesel SACRE BLEU! dilemma Andy Struthers endures French berthing CARESSA clinches it!

Over the top WW1 fun and games on the Icicle

www.channelsailingclub.org WAVELENGTH WAVELENGTH Wavelength The Channel Sailing EDITOR’S NOTE Club magazine A WORD FROM THE COMMODORE Welcome to the winter 2014 edition of Wavelength. EDITOR Anyone struggling to find a berth on a sunny summer day Simon Worthington in the Solent will be amused by Andy Struthers’ tale of pontoon bashing in Brittany. And if you’re thinking of hiring ART DIRECTOR Marion Tempest a boat for a trip to France, then we have an essential guide to yacht charter. There is a busy diary of club sailing events PLEASE SEND ANY LETTERS AND “As the sun sets” in 2015 too, so there’s no excuse to not get on the water. PICTURES TO And now’s the time to give your sailing kit a makeover, so [email protected] read John Futcher’s top tips. Wishing everyone a Merry s it really a year since the last AGM, dependent, taking to the water. It’s a splendid CLUB NIGHT Xmas and a Happy New Year. Simon where has the time gone? It’s been organisation and well worth your support. Channel Sailing Club meets every so busy; your committee has been The club has sent them £300, a result of 50% Wednesday at The Old Freemen’s CHANNEL SAILING CLUB Clubhouse, City of London Isuperb at picking up the previous of our various raffles profits. I hope we can at Freemen’s School, Ashtead Park, administration’s work and, as so many least match that figure in 2015. COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2014 Epsom, Surrey KT21 1ET. Doors of them have not served on any form of I know those who attended the Icicle open at 8pm. Prospective committee before, it’s quite amazing how rally with its World War 1 theme enjoyed members welcome. they’ve coped. The stalwarts like treasurer themselves, I know I did. It really finished the THE CLUB SENDS OUT EMAILS Phil Martin and company secretary Peter year off in grand style. Congratulations to on a regular basis to remind Denning have been as diligent as ever but the the crew of Shibumi which, in the opinion of members of upcoming events. newcomers have matched them. the commodore (oh that’s me!) deservedly Don’t forget that if your personal My thanks go to all but particularly to Clive won the prize for the best show, even if it was information changes you can go Commodore Vice- Company Treasurer into your personal account on Hall for his handling of the move to the new the only show and even if I was the butt of Trevor Barker commodore Secretary Phil Martin the website and update it online. clubhouse; Teresa Hemingway, who knew it. May I thank everyone for the good spirit Clive Hall Peter Denning Check out the club’s website for nothing about our IT set up when she took on shown and sorry, but I can’t remember who news and information about events the challenge but is now an old hand; Frank provided the best rum ration! Well done. - www.channelsailingclub.org Gibson who has seamlessly taken over Jane I really hope that the club has a good PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN Shott’s role of membership secretary and 2015 with an increased membership, with AT CLUB EVENTS Janet Sainsbury who has had a difficult year at least as many activities ashore and on the may be used in Wavelength or on sorting out our racing programme. water and bigger turn-outs on Wednesday the club’s website. If you do not Then there are Debbie Wiffen, Steve Cole, evenings. Two events to look out for are the want to appear in published pho- IT and web Training Wavelength Training tographs please inform the club David Surman, Jeremy John and John White club dinner-dance in the 19th Hole at the committee committee editor principal committee and the person taking not to mention Simon Worthington who, RAC Club on Saturday, 18th April, and a very member member Simon committee the photograph if possible. along with his wife Marion, really take the special buffet in the Cholmondeley Room and Teresa David Surman Worthington member biscuit for the production of the new-look Terrace at the House of Lords on Wednesday, Hemingway Steve Cole THANKS to the RYA for permission to use Wavelength. On behalf of all club members, 24th June. material from their handbooks my thanks go to you all. Good sailing and season’s greetings

THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS Your generosity is appreciated of contributors are not necessarily I have often been asked about the those of Channel Sailing Club. Accordingly Channel Sailing Club commodore’s charity the Gwennili Trust, disclaim any responsibility for such which this year alone has organised over Racing Special events Bosun Cruising views and opinions. administrator committee John White administrator 100 seaborne events with more than 500 Janet Sainsbury member Jeremy John people of all ages and with varying degrees Debbie Wiffen of disability including 130 wheelchair Trevor Barker WAVELENGTH SAILING EVENTS 2015 Provisional dates for races/rallies in 2015

PAINTINGS BY ALISON STRUTHERS BY PAINTINGS MARCH 21/22: Frostbite rally APRIL 3-6: Easter cruise the complete opposite of Yar- While Andy APRIL 18-19: Long race mouth. I love Yarmouth – it is improved his APRIL 25-26: SOUTH BRITTANY my favourite Solent harbour Experience weekend - but it is not French. French, his wife WHY AND WHEN TO GO? In Port Tudy the capitan Alison took time out MAY 2-4: Milk O Punch Sunday rally to Alderney of the capitanerie is an im- to paint the scene f you read the very Andy Struthers recounts a summer sailing posing man who prowls his MAY 16-17: Two handed race good pilot book for trip to the south of France harbour walls with handheld MAY 30 - JUNE 6: this area – West France VHF and a Gauloise clamped Spring cruise Cruising Companion ble angle, but won’t give up. to his lips providing instruc- months and never saw a har- I JUNE 20-21: by Neville Featherstone – On his third attempt disaster tion to his dories below. bour full sign, always finding Wooden Spoon race one thing becomes very strikes. He ends up broadside But what intrigued us was a home and often a friendly clear – it’s going to be busy across the bow of gaff rigger the long periods when nei- Ricard. JUNE 27: during the French annual 1, entangling his rigging ther capitan nor dories were We sailed back at the start Round the Island race holiday season. In particular comprehensively with the there at all – lunch, aperitif of September and reached JULY 4-5: Sprint races to enter the area from Brest raised bow sprit, threatening time, just had enough? Yarmouth at about 1800. The JULY 11-19: Bastille Day cruise to the Loire including the in comes a weighty gaff rig- to rip it off. If this sounds a bit Jeremy harbour full sign was already AUGUST 1-3: nightmare that is Benodet, ger with a huge bow sprit. He I learned many new Clarkson then it is the exact up and we were lucky to get Lymington race and rally les Glenan, Belle Ile and the has to back in and it’s tight. French words in the next opposite. I enjoyed every an outside buoy. If Yarmouth Morbihan is verging on mad- He turns but not enough and few minutes and my French minute of it and watched in was French or you went back AUGUST 15-22: ness. No chance of a berth about 15 of us pull and push insult phrasebook (always awe as the harbour at Port 20 years then you would Plymouth fireworks cruise and full of enraged French- and round he comes. Many worth carrying) was hugely Tudy filled to capacity during get far more boats in the SEPTEMBER 5-6: Joint rally men seeking the last buoy. “mercies” and “un Ricard extended. So in response the afternoon. The avant harbour. with Sutton Mariners With superb planning we pour vous ce soir?” follow. to pilot book concerns my harbour had fore and aft The French have retained SEPTEMBER 12-13: managed to be in this area view became – don’t worry buoys and by evening it was the joie to vivre which is Passage race & rally this summer right in the Pardon my French because you will get into that nearly possible to walk across what sailing should be all SEPTEMBER 26-27: middle of this period and In comes another gaff rigger tiny space eventually and for the harbour by jumping from about and I fear we are in Foxhunt rally experienced the French way – smaller and with husband sure someone has cocked up boat to boat. Being French no danger of losing. We will OCTOBER 17-18: of berthing. and wife crew. There is one worse than you earlier. one had thought to rig lines return to the land of Ricard Navigators’ race & rally Picture the scene. We have empty berth next to gaff or fenders as they arrived and Gauloise next summer – amazingly – got a berth in rigger 1 and he is a French Not very Yarmouth! because as we discovered you and look forward without OCTOBER 31- NOVEMBER 1: the small fishing harbour of sailor so he will back it in What I particularly enjoyed get them out after you come any trepidation to joining the Pursuit race & rally Port Tudy on the Ile de Groix. too. After two attempts, he at Port Tudy was the attitude alongside. bunfight that is the French DECEMBER 5-6: A berth frees up near us and has drifted into an impossi- of the capitanerie which is We were away nearly 3 annual holiday. Icicle rally and dinner WAVELENGTH Janet takes a dive JANET DIVES IN! Drama at the end of the exciting Navigators’ race

Caressa is doing well!

If you all stand on the bow, we might see the propeller

After a tow to Cowes

All hands on deck The day started well with several boats from the club racing to Cowes on our annual

Navigators’ race, when after a JEREMY JOHN PHOTOS good days sailing disaster struck. Janet’s boat Knight’s Challenge ran into problems when it got a line wrapped round its propeller. It took the combined efforts of members and And a brief discussion bystanders to raise the stern and of the problems Jeremy to finally free her, but not before Janet had got very wet. WAVELENGTH

picion. A hidden crew would on the surface by the German however remain on board and UB-4 near Great Yarmouth SAILORS once the U-Boat was in point- on August 15th 1915, the TONY’S blank range screens and other Inverlyon pumped nine disguises would be dropped rounds into her at close range, BENCH TAKE ON to allow the guns to be fired. sinking her with the loss of all Nigel Barraclough These vessels were known hands. As the UB-4 sank, the GERMAN to the British as “Q-ships”, Inverlyon’s fishing skipper, a finds a dedication taking their initial letter from man named Phillips, dived in to a former club Queenstown (now Cobh), the to try and rescue a German member U-BOATS southern Irish port were most crewman in the water. were based. In retrospect it seems few weeks ago I was There has been much recently on the 100th anniversary of the start A Q-ship would usual- irresponsible to have kept out walking around of WW1, but what about the little-known part played by sailing ly cruise in areas frequented the smacks in service and a A my local patch and by U-Boats. She would be particularly high price was to came across a new seat, be- boats in the conflict? Naval historian Antoine Vanner* looks back packed with light wood so be paid in 1917 by the smacks ing of a curious nature I went that even if torpedoed she Nelson, Ethel and Millie. and had a look and found it lthough the “age of For much of the war the end of hostilities – and would stay afloat, encourag- On August 15th these craft was in memory of Tony Turn- fighting sail” end- Germany refrained from without them the use of the ing the U-Boat to surface and came under fire by a U-Boat. er. The seat is sited on the ed around 1840 as unrestricted submarine primitive depth charges of the sink her with a deck gun. The Fire was returned but the edge of a track in the downs Aregards major war- warfare and international- time was mostly ineffective. Q-ship’s appearance might be Nelson was overwhelmed. just south of Leatherhead ships, small sailing craft were ly-accepted “Prize Rules” The most likely method of changed frequently, by paint- Thomas Crisp, her skipper, and has to be reached on to play an important role in were applied, these dating destroying a U-Boat was to ing or by erection of dummy was seriously wounded but foot, bicycle or horse back. World War 1 in Britain’s battle from the age of fighting sail. catch her on the surface and funnels and deckhouses, to he ordered resistance to con- Lat: 51° 16’. 4 N, Long 000° against Germany’s U-Boats. These stated that passenger to finish her by gunfire or deter suspicion of the same tinue. With only five rounds 21’.3 W 220°T The image most of us have ships could not be sunk, that ramming. The challenge was merchant vessel being seen remaining he ordered “Aban- Leatherhead FC 1¾mile of sinking of British merchant crews of merchant ships therefore to lure the U-Boat to too frequently in the same don Ship” and pigeons to be Grid Ref: 148539. shipping by German U-Boats, must be placed in safety the surface. area. Crews were Royal Navy released with information on It is in a lovely spot and is a in WW1 is by torpedoes. before their ships were Observance of the “Prize personnel and reservists. the position. Badly wounded fitting tribute to a fine sailor. However, small submarines sunk and only warships Rules” was to make U-Boats A total of 193 Q-ships were Crisp refused to be moved and carried few torpedoes which and merchant ships that vulnerable to being trapped commissioned during the even dictated the message were reserved for big targets. were a threat to the attacker by apparently innocent-look- war, of which 38 were sunk. for the pigeons as “Skipper At this time most seaborne might be sunk without ing merchant or fishing craft Killed” before going down freight was carried in small warning. Germany’s surface which carried concealed High price with his ship. The Ethel and vessels, many of them still raiders and U-Boats stuck weaponry. These would sail German coastal U-Boats rep- Millie had also went down sailing craft which sailed to these rules, until their de- under merchant colours and resented a significant threat fighting and their crew were alone. Encountered on an parture triggered American a naval ensign was to be run to fishing craft and in early hauled aboard the German empty sea, and usually entry to the war. up only when the U-Boat was June 1915 three smacks from submarine, where the Nelson without radio a small ship sufficiently close to allow fire Lowestoft were sunk, after survivors last saw them stand- could be approached with Prize rules to be directed on her. The boarding by U-Boat mariners. ing in line being addressed by impunity by a surfaced Anti-submarine technology crews wore civilian clothes The response was to arm a German officer. They were U-Boat. Gunfire could then be was also in its infancy. Only and in many cases a “panic four fishing craft as Q-ships. never seen again and disap- used to sink her or she could limited progress had been party” would drop a boat and The first success was by the pearance remains a mystery. be boarded so that explosive made on detection meth- row frantically away from the sailing smack Inverlyon which *Antoine Vanner is the author of charges could be placed ods – sonar, or asdic, would ship as the surfaced U-Boat was armed with only a single the Dawlish Chronicles, the third of which, Britannia’s Shark, is out below the waterline. only become effective after approached so as to allay sus- 3 pounder gun. Approached on Kindle and paperback. WAVELENGTH WAVELENGTH

SLOW BOATS congratulated on a win over CSC and the retention of the RACE SEASON TO HAMBLE Wooden Spoon. Although the margin of triumph was substantial 51 to 87, it was ENDS WITH AND BEYOND less than the previous year giving us hope that next year TIGHT FINISH victory might be ours! The race within the Wood- There were ten races, with en Spoon race for CSC boats two discards. 16 boats took was won by Eagle, a little to part in at least one race, the their surprise as they were largest entry being 12 in the getting quite used to finishing Two Handed, 11 in the Navi- fifth. gators’ and 10 in the Pursuit. We welcomed a newcomer, competitive team spirit. Hardly a cloud Ian and Trish Emery’s Drag- Mainly it is supposed to be As a bonus CCRC invited all onfly and hope to see them fun and not a cut-throat war. interested CRC boats to join next season. Five different Although many boats have a in their Sunday morning race boats gained at least one win permanent crew, many others back towards Chichester. The during the season. do not and are always happy morning was gorgeous with We run a variety of differ- to take anyone who is keen hardly a cloud around and ent races, short sprint races, to learn. In fact you can learn Club Event WIND. So we set off at 1000 longer passage races, the nav- a lot by sailing on different Simon Davey on the Wooden Spoon race from Hamble Winter Series igators’ race which involves boats with different skippers. with three CSC boats, Eagle, using navigation skills to get Any suggestions for new Petal and Knight’s Challenge the best result, and a race races and also volunteers to he morning was over the line but after half for a four leg race finishing at and the CCRC fleet. Eagle against the Chichester Cruis- organise some of the races full of promise for an hour or so when the wind Hill Head, from where it was made a great start leading er-racing Club. I would like to will be welcome. a warm possibly expired with a sigh and the a short trip into the Hamble the fleet to the first mark but run a single handed race next Tsunny day but fleet were likely to be taken river and Port Hamble where after were overtaken by the year, not to be part of the Results of 2014 devoid of the magic ingredi- back over the line by the berthing down tide proved CCRC boats Markova and series, and possibly we could championship: ent: wind. Nevertheless as spring tide going west the a little tricky for a few CSC Exeat to finish 3rd in their allow entrants from nearby 1 Caressa Officer of the Day boat we set race was abandoned. boats. The combined 70 crew alpha fleet with Petal in 7th clubs. We also usually have 2 Matumba off to motor to the Winner enjoyed a splendid evening after a shortened well organ- competitors in the Round the 3 Myst buoy that was to be the start Four leg race at the RAF Yacht Club at ised race. Island Race. Petal and Gary 4 Papillon of the Wooden Spoon. 21 However undaunted the which speeches were made And so home ports. McKay won the trophy for the 5 Petal fine craft in all, 8 from CSC Race Officer suggested that with references to the Pirates best CSC cruising boat. 6 Knight’s Challenge and 13 from the redoubtable the fleet motor-drift on the Cruising Club of old and a The races are run using a 7 Eagle Chichester Cruiser Racing tide down to Mother Bank chance meeting in Nor- rolling handicap system based 8 Celestine Club. where, wind permitting, a mandy between the Pirates on the NHC, the aim being Harlequin Trophy for most The start looked unlikely new though shorter race founder David Evans and the to give all boats a fair chance improved handicap: Petal for some time but as 1230 would be commenced at Commodore of the CCRC, of winning. Racing encour- approached so did a tad of 1430, and it did. The wind David Perrin. However in ages better sailing practices, I wish you all good racing in wind from the east which never became too overpower- the end the results had to be getting the best out of one’s 2015. was just enough to get boats ing but proved to be enough announced and CCRC were boat, and hopefully, a healthy, Janet Sainsbury WAVELENGTH

Club Event IN HOT PURSUIT Organiser Stephen Morris on the last race of the season

he traditional season ending 1 Jambo! Pursuit Race is always well sup- 2 Caressa ported. Whether this is because 3 Celestine T it usually settles club racing was not perfect. The opposing wind and tide 4 Change of Course championship, it is a last run out for the year did confuse the time and distance calcula- 5 Tucana or is a chance to race boat against boat rather tions for some though. Tucana being with the 6 Eagle than just against the clock , is not clear. It lowest handicap was the first boat away and 7 Matambu is probably a mixture of all of these for the the hare for the others to chase. The handicap 8 Petal various participants. calculations meant that there were several 9 Myst This year’s event was run on Saturday clusters of boats starting close after one an- 10 Knight’s Challenge 25th October, with 10 boats competing. The other and then able to match race all the way. weather was good with unseasonable sunny At the back end of the fleet the gaps were intervals and, despite some concern during larger, and appeared fairly daunting. Jambo! the week preceding the race, a fresher than was last off a full 50 minutes after Tucana, Celestine, Caressa and Jambo! were in a expected 15 knots from the west. The very with just 3 hours to make up the distance. line, with Tucana and Change of Course also strong spring tide was running down the closely matched a little way behind, and Solent to the west throughout the race, and The fight is on! Matambu and Eagle challenging each other this was clearly going to be a major factor for Most boats hugged the island shore to mini- for sixth position. Those last few minutes the navigators to consider, especially when mise the adverse tide on the downwind legs, were crucial. All of the boats were on a down- combined with a largely east / west course. and then headed back to the stronger flow for wind leg and Celestine opted not to use her the upwind legs. spinnaker and dropped slightly behind. There Time and tide Gradually relative performance started to was an interesting confrontation of different The start, at NE Ryde Middle was followed become apparent and the places started to configurations, with Caressa, as ever revelling by a short upwind leg and then a longer change. If the race works perfectly, then every in windier conditions, using her conventional downwind run to Motherbank. This gave the boat should be in a line at the end. However kite against Jambo!’s asymmetric. Caressa opportunity to air the spinnakers for those as usual this did not quite happen. As a com- was able to head more directly downwind, who wanted. The course then headed back to petitor you know that any boat you manage to but Jambo was going a little faster and was the wide open spaces of the western Solent. overtake, is really behind you, so long as you able to pull ahead and then cover to the fin- The Thorn Channel was thankfully free of stay ahead. You tend to keep a note of anyone ishing time. For fourth, Change of Course was shipping, as it was traversed, en route to a you have swapped positions with and when able to pass Tucana, who had gamely held series of triangles south of Lepe. you do overtake, it is great to know that you everyone off until the very last leg. Eagle just The start was spread over nearly an hour, will not be trumped on handicap later. headed Matambu for sixth and seventh. and as every competitor started on their own, With 10 minutes remaining, the race was The evening was spent in East Cowes, with

there was no one else to blame if the start a series of races within races. At the front, an enjoyable meal for all at The Lifeboat. LUKAS PORT PICTURES: WAVELENGTH

Radio times COASTWATCH GETS VHF Club Event CHANNEL 65 New service will give seafarers a range OVER THE TOP of information, including weather IN COWES! oastwatch as information on a range of Rum punch a-plenty on the Icicle rally been allocated a local facilities including, for national licence example, local moorings, even boats and nearly 50 sound effects. C by OFCOM for charted anchorages, water Channel Sailing Club Orcella adopted an ‘Allo, Allo’ the use of VHF Channel 65. taxi contact details and local members joined in a French cafe-style theme and treated The National Coastwatch hazards. S fabulous Icicle rally in Cowes visitors to rum punch while Andy Institution (NCI) has been This facility became op- which rounded off the 2014 season Lear entertained all on the allocated a national licence erational on 1 October 2014 in style. accordion. by OFCOM for the use of when National Coastwatch With a theme of World War I for Shortly after dark, it was time VHF Channel 65, advises stations went live for the first the event, boats were adorned with for many crews to have their third the RYA’s Southern Region time on Channel 65. The ser- camouflage, Your Country Needs change of clothes of the day as they Committee. vice will replace the practice You posters and a range of other donned black tie outfits and party This dedicated channel of some stations currently wartime memorabilia. frocks for the dinner dance at the has been granted to NCI holding a licence to operate And of course there was the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. with strong support from the on Marina Channel 37. This obligatory Christmas twinkling fairy After canapés in the bar, Maritime and Coastguard will no longer be available. lights which boats hoisted up their members enjoyed a delicious dinner Agency (MCA). Channel 65 masts. of roast duck followed by dancing will facilitate communica- Seafarers Crews dressed up in a hilarious to a rhythm and blues band till after tions between NCI lookouts Richard Brown of the RYA’s mixture of wartime costumes with midnight. and seafarers on a variety of Southern Region Committee commodore Trevor Barker lead- Shibumi clinched the best overall routine matters. comments “This arrange- ing the way in full Naval attire, boat award for their show and ment will facilitate radio alarming some Isle of Wight locals decorations and Orcella won the Local hazards communications between as he marched down the high street midships trophy for the best interior. Stations will be able to stations and seafarers. Coast- towards Cowes Yacht Haven. While the sail over to Cowes on respond to requests from watch will communicate Shibumi’s crew entertained Saturday morning was in light, passing, as well as local sail- effectively with all who use members and guests with a fantastic north westerly winds, the return ing craft and fishing vessels our coastal waters and with show which involved the commo- trip was in 20-knot plus westerlies, for radio checks as well as the NCI’s Search and Rescue dore trying and failing to pass a which no doubt cleared any cobwebs actual weather and sea state partners at both local and number of mock wartime recruit- lingering from the night before. conditions. They will also be national level”. ment tests, complete with alarming Simon Worthington able to provide on request Simon Worthington WAVELENGTH WAVELENGTH

Blended biodiesel fuels are much more A GUIDE TO YACHT likely to suffer from ‘diesel bug’ than CHARTER yachts generally live very non-blended fuel Oleg Lebedev guides us through hard lives and are very tired. The Specialised charter the ups and downs of yacht charter yachts are similarly abused of course this may change at due to their use for training some point in the future. and match racing purposes. Elsewhere it’s likely that staff t is highly exhilarating from: will have no idea if their fuel to be in charge of a a.Yacht school, e.g. Hamble Chartering abroad FUEL FOR is blended or not - or even be yacht. To do so you School of Yachting. Racing yachts in the UK, aware of the difference. PBO/IPC IMAGES I could either own (or b. Specialised charter are more pricey, around Unless you know that the part own) a yacht or try char- company, e.g. Sunsail or £900-1000 for a day of club fuel is not blended, it could PHOTO PHOTO THOUGHT tering. Although the former Fairview Sailing, or racing to £2K - £3K for races be better to refuel little and doesn’t make any economic c. Niche yacht management such as Round the Island or Rise in biodiesel level could make boat often rather than keeping the sense (or so we are told) firm, e.g. Hamble Point a day during Cowes week, owners re-think fuel policy tank full. This is counter to people still do own boats. So Yacht Charters. depending on the boat. The traditional laying up advice, this article will focus on char- higher price is due to higher iesel engine so mpg will be worse in a where the idea is to keep the tering, i.e how to be in charge Go for niche risks and higher insurance expert Pat blended fuel. tank topped up to reduce of a yacht without the pain of My personal preference is c. premiums. Manley has Biodiesel is also a solvent condensation that can lead ownership. as these yachts are privately As for chartering abroad, Dresponded to and can damage the rubber to diesel bug. However, only owned, well looked after and there is plenty of choice: concerns about the increased seals and pipes commonly time will tell the best strategy. Qualifications anyone who charters them is many yacht charter com- levels of biodiesel in marine found in older engines. Adding an enzyme additive You will need relavant quali- very well vetted for insur- panies specialise in various fuels. Newer engines tend to use such as Soltron will help keep fications, to prove to the char- ance purposes. I chartered a destinations and it is usually In the November edition synthetic rubber and are not the fuel fresher for longer ter company that you know Hallberg-Rassy 342 to take safer to deal through a UK of Practical Boat Owner, he affected. and help to prevent infection what you are doing and also part in the 2013 icicle rally based company (e.g. Nautilus said: “Un-dyed white’ diesel by diesel bug. ensure pay out by the insur- for about £650 for a weekend Yachting). Before you commit for marine purposes is almost Blended or not The higher the percentage ance company if you happen from Hamble Point Yacht to any of the charters, you certain to be road fuel, as Biodiesel is also hygroscop- of biodiesel in the blend, the to be unlucky. The minimum Charters and can recommend need to consider the air-fares that is the most cost effective ic - it attracts moisture and worse it is for the engine. At is Day Skipper (both theory them. Those club members to the destination as some can way of supplying the fuel for goes stale fairly rapidly. Both present, Volvo and Yanmar and practice), but be pre- who came on board Blue Lady be very expensive effectively leisure marine use. Road fuel effects are undesirable when guarantee their current en- pared to still be treated with can confirm that it was a very negating an attractive price in the EU is a blend of min- boats spend a lot of time idle. gines only up to a 7% blend. caution and rightly so, by any nice boat. of a charter. Weekly prices for eral diesel and biodiesel. The Blended biodiesel fuels are Road diesel fuel has yacht charter company in the I have also chartered from a charter are around £2000 blend varies from 5% to 7% much more likely to suffer anti-waxing additives during UK, although abroad they a yacht school to go across the and depend on the size of biodiesel and may well rise from ‘diesel bug’ contamina- the winter, but because ma- seem less fussy. Coastal skip- channel to Bologne to take the yacht and the location. to 10% soon. In the UK even tion than non-blended fuel. rinas often don’t top up their per is generally preferred. part in Bastille Cruise in July Remember, that the cheaper marine red diesel is likely to In the UK, two marina tanks in winter, you’re likely In the UK, cruising is pretty 2013. There was a big differ- the yacht charter, the more be ordinary low-sulphur road groups say their marine diesel to be supplied with summer reasonable: you can get a de- ence in quality and not much expensive the trip to get to the diesel, simply dyed red for is non-blended, so when refuel all year round. Operating cent yacht for a weekend for difference in price. yacht and back home. tax purposes. fuelling at an MDL or Premier in cold weather could then £600-£800 depending on the Although the yacht school Happy sailing, either in the Biodiesel has a lower calo- marina you can be sure the cause your filters to clog up season. Yachts are available option is the cheapest, these UK or abroad! rific value than mineral diesel, fuel is not blended - although with wax.” WAVELENGTH WAVELENGTH

Practical help Club event CURRY’N FAVOUR MUG MEALS WEARS THE PROOF? Members enjoyed an evening of spicy hen thinking of Tips on washing your oilies from John Futcher W emergency food Indian dishes at the recent curry night rations to take on the boat in winter consider the growing Sailing clothes: on the outside of the garment Granger’s XT to the outside ore than 50 A total of 53 tickets were number of products These clothes usually have a can contaminate the DWR of the garment and, if needs members sold for the evening and it designed to be made and thin, porous fluoropolymer and it can actually start to be, use a sponge to spread the tucked into made a profit of £140.58. eaten from a mug. membrane with micro pore attract water not repel it. liquid evenly over the surface. Man array of A post-meal raffle con- 1 Everyone knows Cup- technology which keeps the Washing in pure soap You should pay particular spicy curries at the popular ducted by Peter Thomas pa soup, now Heinz do a rain and wind at bay but cleans the dirt off and attention to seams and areas Indian food evening at made a profit of £117, split ‘Squeeze and Stir’, slimline allows water vapour out. actually restores the water of high wear. the Ashtead club house in between the commodore’s sachet of concentrated soup Sailing clothing is treated repellence and breathability. You can apply a wash mid-October. charity, the Gwennili (not dehydrated) for about with a DWR - Durable Water You can hand wash or use in version of Nikwax TX A starter of poppadoms, Trust, and funding the 60p each, available in four Repellent, making the water a washing machine but you Direct or Granger’s Extreme with assorted accompani- mince pie and mulled wine flavours. bead on the surface and roll are strongly advised to clean Re-Proofer, which work very ments, was followed by evening in December. 2 Quaker Oats So Simple off. The Porous Membrane the machine first to rid the well, however they have main courses of chicken, Organiser Debbie Wiffen Cuppa Porridge comes in and DWR finish both work machine of detergent build the drawback of adding a fish, beef and lamb curries said: “I had lots of very three flavours and in easy to better when clean and regular up. Run empty on a 90 degree DWR finish to the inside of of varying strength and complimentary feedback rip sachets. maintenance will make your boil wash. and clean around garment. This means that any heat. Dessert was exotic from members. Everyone 3 Pasta MugShots sold waterproofs last longer. the soap tray. For best results, moisture that you produce fruit salad with mango sor- thought it was a thoroughly individually in sachets, lots of you should wash only one actually gets repelled back at bet. The food was made by enjoyable evening. varients, including rice. Washing base layers full-size garment at a time, you instead of being absorbed Debbie John, Debbie “Once again I had great 4 Posher than pot noodles: & fleeces: with zips and velcro fastened through the fabric and al- Wiffen, Dorri Parker, John support from volunteers the Naked Noodle, Ramen Standard washing powder on a full 30-40 degree syn- lowed to evaporate. Durbin, Linda Varney, Mari- who cooked a great range noodle soup in three Asian will leave a water-attracting thetics wash cycle. on Tempest, Mike Price, Pete of food. I couldn’t do it flavours. Made in its own pot residue and fabric condition- Heat finish? Thomas and Trish Owen. without them.” so not strictly a mug! ers will prevent garments Reproofing clothing: It is possible to tumble dry from wicking. Wash your base If after washing waterproofs to restore the DWR, but be layers in a pure soap, such they still don’t seem to have a careful as tumble driers can as Soap Flakes, Liquid Soap water repellent finish then it vary in their heat settings and 20% Discount on berthing in Port Chantereyne, Cherbourg Flakes, Nikwax Techwash or is probably because abrasion some may be too hot. Seam for Channel Sailing Club members Grangers Cleaner. These will has worn off the layer of tape is applied using heat, as clean and also maintain the DWR. In this situation, you are bonding and heat trans- water repellent DWR finish. will need to reproof them. fers, so if in doubt don’t risk Berthing in the marina can be presented to the marina reception. Proofing agent will attach it. Its also possible to use a in Cherbourg is based Being the closest French marina to the Solent, Washing breathable better and be more effective coolish iron to avoid the tape on length categories. Port Chantereyne is ideally located in the waterproofs: on clean fibres. Once you and bonding, always test the Members will be heart of the English Channel. For more in- Over time the tiny pores in have washed your water- heat on a small area first. charged two catego- formation about Port Chantereyne andCher- your waterproofs get blocked proof , and whilst it is still ries below their actual bourg, please visit www.portchantereyne.fr. with dirt and cease to work damp, you can then simply l Soap flakes can be found in category, which is the equiv- *If you do not have a membership card, effectively leaving you feeling spray on a reproofing agent Boots and liquid soap flakes alent of up to 20% discount. No discount can please get in touch with Frank Gibson, Mem- clammy. Whilst oil and grease like Nikwax TX Direct or at Waitrose. be offered unless a valid membership card* bership Secretary.