Club Newsletter 20/11/19

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Newsletter Items, Idle Gossip, etc to Mark Pierce [email protected] (deadline midnight Tuesday)

Commodore Phill Robbins 0466668541 Club Newsletter 20/11/19

Vice Commodore Jonathan Horsley 0412798505 HARWOOD “BRIDGE TO BREAKERS” Rear Commodore Chris Hallett REGATTA NEXT WEEKEND 0414866998

Secretary – No Racing at our Club Nola Hallett 0414866999

Treasurer Col Woodbury

Class Reps Gennakers – Michael Wiley Catamarans – Michael Cocks Trailers – Paul Morris Monos – Graham Hams

Rowing Officer Graham Hams

Website Admin Mark Pierce

Publicity Officer Trent Morgan

Training Club Committee

ALL EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE TO: [email protected]

CONTENTS Above is multi world-champ 2. Club News 2. Quiz Andy Landenberger, seconds 2. Idle Gossip before breaking a VERY 3. From Trent EXPENSIVE A-class Cat mast, 4. Col’s Column 5. Race Reports at a recent “Bridge to Breakers” 24. Upcoming Away Events Regatta. 25. Marketplace

If you’re new to the club, and like camping out, camaraderie

and good, country-style hospitality – this is a great

Regatta.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

CLUB NEWS

QUIZ (Please send any good Quiz questions to Mark [email protected])

What’s this, and what sail boat does it belong to? Hint: it’s usually made of 1-2mm stainless

Matt answered “I reckon it holds the keel down in one of the trailer sailers”

I’m awarding the Quiz to Matt, because his was the closest answer. The device is a plate-retaining key. The metal Corsair centre-plate has a “slot” that drops down over an axle (bolt) in the plate case The u-shaped end of the key hooks around, and under, the bolt. The other end shackles to the top of the centreplate. The plate can still swing up and down, but if the boat goes over, the key prevents the plate from falling out (and sinking!).

New Quiz

Name the class of each boat (at a recent Harwood Regatta), with a visible sail or hull number. You need to send a list of boats, numbers and classes

IDLE GOSSIP

(Please send anything interesting sailing or club related to Mark ([email protected])

No goss this week 2

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

FROM TRENT:

Just noticed yesterday there’s an auction this Saturday for 272 River Street. This is next door to the recently completed massive building which helps to stuff us up in the Northerlies. At the moment there is a lovely little old fashioned three bedroom house on the block. The advertising is pushing the prospect of large commercial development on the block – multi level etc. Everything we don’t want.

I know the council are aware of our situation now but that is no guarantee (as Phill said) that nothing enormous will go up in the future.

Just an out-there suggestion:

If there are any cashed up members who wanted to combine forces to buy the property it might ensure nothing large going there. Even if a whole lot of us banded to put in an offer. It could even potentially be turned into a slightly more up river annexe of the club? It has river frontage with a jetty currently.

Here’s the link to the house. https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-ballina-132222790

Many regards,

Trent

(Contact Trent, if you’re interested – Ed)

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Col’s Column – No 2 (thanks Col H ;-) -Ed)

The Issue this week is on correct tiller placement. The conventional way removes one hand from the equation, even with the “Laser Roll”.

Ok some use teeth as a third hand, but that has been superseded by this un-named boat, who prefers to use a different asset.

Lock It In - It’s there for a reason – tho it does require careful tiller selection.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Gennakers 17 Nov 2019 (thanks Duncan) Two RS100’s and five F15’s got to the up-river start line in good time on the incoming tide. Note to Committee: the tide was still slack by race end around 3pm – we could have sailed down-river.

The wind looked like it would swing north but remained east for the race. Strength was about 12 knots, rising in a squall towards 20 with raindrops, and then easing to about 15 for the remainder. The line was biased to the starboard ‘pin’ end. Duncan got away on time, comfortably crossing the rest of the fleet who were on port and

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

possibly dreaming they were sailing catamarans.

The two RS100’s sailed very different races: Vince his usual steady performance and Duncan a series of flying runs and multiple capsizes. But Vince lead the RS100 duel where it counts, over the finish line. He now leads the Gennaker Championship point-score by a good margin. The F15’s likewise had a duel for the front with two very different approaches to the race. Barry & Anna sailed their usual best but Tom & Brendan were faster. They were Toxic while B&A kept their weapon Secret, only unleashing it on the last lap by sailing the correct course. T&B suffered a lapse in counting and sadly a DNF. B&A took the race on yardstick, with Vince second and Duncan third.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

The rest of the F15 fleet sailed well with Justin & Clare second home. Michael & Tara didn’t have their usual spark, we know not why. Possibly Michael was thinking too far ahead, on how to get three F15’s on a trailer to Harwood next weekend. Laura & Francine proved their tenacity and humour again, coming home saturated but happy.

MONO RACE REPORT 17/11/19 – (thanks Graham Hams – Ed)

Still smokey, but the wind forecasts were for lighter breeze to give the firies and the light air racers a possible chance. A reduced fleet of six boats came to the up-river Championship start in an 8 to 12 knot NE breeze, the line heavily skewed to the starboard (pin) end for a port tack take-off for the brave or foolhardy. Alter Ego got the best of it with Trent and Daisy in Graeme Garden (GG) in hot pursuit and Retro close behind. Half way up the first beat, G3 in Alter Ego was just in front of G2 in Retro; followed by Dave in the Laser Abedare, GG and Des and Paul in their Impulses. With G3 just clear there seemed to be some pretty intense duels for second to fourth spot. Down the run G3 managed to clear out a little and have a look now and then at the fighting behind (that's the way boys and girls, just keep slowing each other down....).

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

In the mind spin of 5 circuits of the course a thunderstorm crackelled overhead that caused the breeze to first die and then to come racing back in at 20 to 25 knots, far in excess of the leader's wind range. GG, at that stage in 2nd spot after gear problems on Retro, stormed back into striking range when Alter Ego opted for survival on the last gybe mark by heading into the shoreline wind shadow to make the gybe. With more crew weight, GG made the best of the final beat to go into the lead until near the mud island a failed tack saw her capsize and become one of the "mast impaled". G3 took the opportunity to go into survival/limp-home mode to get to the finish first, and the knucle chewing wait to see where the Laser and Impulses were going to end up. After the yardsticks were applied Alter Ego had survived to score its' first seaon win by just 36 seconds from Abedare; then came Paul and Des in the Impulses (Paul having snuck past Des only on the last beat) and then G2 in Retro (suffering from that yardstick correction) and GG (suffering from "black sail top" syndrome. Only 5 minutes in it for the first 5 boats after 90 odd minutes sailing; this is going to be a very tight season!

Rescue Rick, and helper Sarah, with their RAIN-COATS on!! Yes, we had a few spits of RAIN during the race ☺

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

TRAILERABLES REPORT 17/11/19 – Thanks Matt

With the forecast suggesting a fresh nor easter to arrive and a big run out tide the race committee opted for us to sail downriver west of the RSL club on the normal course consisting of a windward return. It was decided at the briefing that the trailer sailers would complete 5 laps around the bottom mark.

The competitors for this Club Championship and Champ Day Handicap series were; eX, Bella, Run Rabbit Run, Treasure Island and Spudgun. With John in Adelaide Spudgun was lucky to have the highly experienced Charlie Pearce on board. It was good to see Treasure Island sorting out the kite prior to the first downwind leg instead to losing time during the race. Run Rabbit Run had time for several kite sets and practice works before the start which was slightly delayed as we waited for the arrival of the cat fleet. Having packed the kite myself on Spudgun I was confident of a good set without a practice and as luck would have it that is what happened.

At the start the breeze was a pleasant, but shifty, ENE of approximately 10 knots. Rick and Sarah had set a line with the starboard pin end clearly favoured which resulted in most boats opting for starboard tack near the pin. Both Spudgun and Run Rabbit Run got a good start with Treasure Island close

Norm limping home with a detached side-stay behind and Bella and eX following.

At the top mark the first time it was Run Rabbit Run closely followed by Spudgun with Treasure Island not far behind. Bella and eX were having their own close quarters battle further back. There were no gybes to be seen in the trailer fleet with a nice run to broad reach (although sometimes quite shy) for each of the five downwind legs. The tide did not really start to properly ebb until the last lap.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

We experienced a wide range of conditions throughout the race from nice moderate breeze to thunderstorms to a 20+ knot gusty Northerly. Spudgun experienced one of the fastest kite runs they have yet as did Treasure Island and Run Rabbit Run thanks to that gusty period. eX and Bella decided to forget the last 2 laps and were awarded a dnf.

Treasure Isle on the heel ☺

First in Club Championship was Spudgun followed by Run Rabbit Run and then Treasure Island while the rankings for the Champ Day handicap being Spudgun, Treasure Island and Run Rabbit Run. Many thanks to Rescue Rick, and duty officers Ian and Sarah. quote of the day :

Charlie Pearce: "We got the old tub up and going!"

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Cat Report – (thanks Jonathon)

Wind from all directions early in the day with a forecast for east to north east kicking in later, poor visibility due the smoke from all the bushfires. The wooden paddle was placed on board 2 FOOT Extra during the morning preparations. Prior to the briefing, the first puffs of the Easterly sea breeze appeared, and NE course was laid up river due to the outgoing tide during the race. A fleet of seven cats, all but one left the beach early to ensure they would make it to the start, up past Fisheries Creek in time. First Strike decided on a late rig change, removed the jib, and was late to the start. The breeze filled in to about 10 knots but was a bit fluky at times. Neo and ”A” got the best of the start . Different tactics were used getting to the top buoy, even so the five leading cats, “A”, Neo , Finely Tuned, Shore Thing and 2 FOOT Extra, were close at the mark.

Well done Kirah, another hard days sailing on 2 FOOT Extra.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

The fluky breeze had the fleet going different ways downwind, looking out for the stronger gusts. As the race progressed “A” broke free and lead all the way to the finish. 2 FOOT Extra after sailing downwind on the southern side of the river, got clear of Finely Tuned after two laps and chased “A” to the finish.

The wind strengthened on the last lap for the leaders and 2 FOOT extra had to avoid First Strike following its spectacular capsize at the bottom mark when a gennaker jibbed in front of it at the bottom mark. First Strike was already a lap behind and after a slow process getting upright withdrew from the race. The strong wind on the last work gave Shore Thing a chance to use its crew weight to advantage.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

The return through the Ramada narrows had all the cats on edge with the wind swinging wildly and coming in bullets, fortunately all managed to navigate the area safely.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Shore Thing was approaching the finish line when a sudden wind shift left it unable to sail through the line under power. A split second decision saw the cat pointed into the wind so the bow of the boat crossed the finish line, thus getting the hooter, but a capsize resulted from the manoeuvre. One tricky way to finish a race and not lose time due to an additional tack.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Neo struggled with the stronger wind but finished well. No Waiting was lapped, Alan had a good sail out on his own and finished 6th after First Strike retired.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

The over the line results were soon forgotten as the handicapper applied the yardsticks, for this Championship race. At the end of the calculations, it was Shore Thing, continuing its dominance of the CC. Neo was second and 2 FOOT Extra third Many thanks to all those club members who helped, Special thanks to Rick for running the rescue boat. A very enjoyable afternoons sailing, the wooden paddle worked to ensure the breeze was not too light but maybe a bit too strong at the end. Thank you to the Morgan’s for all the great photos.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Home & Away Events

If anyone knows of any events or would like an event posted please let me know - Ed

([email protected])

The next "away Regatta" is Big River's ... Bridge to Breakers Regatta 23rd 24th November

MONOMASTERS!! November 30th - December 1st Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club.

SAIL SYDNEY 2019

Thu Dec 12 - Sun Dec15 - Woollahra Sailing Club

Entries Now Open!

A massive fleet of local, national and international sailors is preparing to take on the first major event in the Australian regatta season when Sail Sydney starts on 12 December 2019.

More than 300 competitors are expected at Woollahra Sailing Club, with strong fleets in 29er, 49er, Finn, 420, Bic Techno 293, Bic Techno Plus, Flying 11, Laser, Mirror, Nacra 15, Optimist, Sabot, and Tasar.

Don’t miss out!

The WSC Team

2 Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay, NSW 2029, Australia Telephone: (02) 9371-9805 You are receiving this newsletter as a WSC member

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

For Sale/Wanted/Free to a Good Home

If you have any sailing related items for sale or if you want to buy something sailing related and want it put in the newsletter please let me know – Ed [email protected]

Hobiecat 14’ Provenance Document 17th November 2019 This craft was purchased from a boat sales yard at Tynedale circa 1984. It was in very poor condition. The canvas trampoline was rotten; all the sheets & halyards needed replacing; there was no headsail or headsail fittings; the rudder ‘locks’ needed replacing; the boom needed to be rebuilt; there were no trapeze lines, and so on. • The craft was cleaned and the hull polished and new drain cocks fitted. • The anodised mast & frame were cleaned but no attempt was made to repair the minor surface corrosion. • New cleats and pulleys were fitted • New sheets and halyards were fitted • A new trampoline was manufactured and fitted • A new headsail was made • New headsail management fittings were installed • The boom was stripped, revarnished and rebuilt • A new boom vang was created • All stainless steel shrouds and lines were checked and replaced as necessary • A ‘stiffener’ pole was fitted between the bows of the pontoons and a stiffener support fitted beneath the mast step • Trapeze lines were fitted and a trapeze ‘nappy’ manufactured • New rudder ‘locks’ were fitted • The trailer electrics were upgraded; the wheel bearings replaced; new tyres fitted; a proper sail storage box fitted to the trailer.

The craft has been used extensively for family sailing at Noosa, Byron Bay, Copeton Dam (Inverell), cotton dams out west, Ballina, Tweed. At Noosa when sailing competitively this craft proved to be a high performer in completion with other catamarans mainly on account of its excellent mainsail. The trailer is registered rego due October 2020. This would be an excellent entry-level boat for a beginner multi- hull sailor. Bruce Robinson. 2 Sexton Rd, Nth Lismore. 0417 491 702

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

PROVENANCE DOCUMENT “Scallywag” s/n 125 Boomerang 20 Trailer Sailer – 6.5 (20 feet)metres long; registered NSW IDA969N (not current) Manufacture – Frankston on Port Phillip Bay. Early model (year not known) in ‘wind-up keel’ series. Probably late 1970s. Depth in water with keel housed – about 200 mm; keel down 700 mm. Hull type – fibreglass, fibreglass cabin, cabin top plywood core Galley – spirit stove, manual pump sink – galley was set up for day trips and o/night camping. Bunks – forward triangular suitable for two persons, quarter berths running either side of cabin into under- cockpit area. New cushioning on all bunks when craft rebuilt in 1997. Cushioning in excellent condition Porta potty – housed in recess under forward bunk Water tank – housed in bow under forward bunk Storage – under bunks, in recesses around cabin, under cockpit seating Cockpit – self draining, excellent cushion seating, winder for keel at rear of cockpit, manual bilge pump. Electronics - Switch panel for cabin lights/anchor light/sounder/navigation lights. Deep cycle battery housed under forward bunk but has died and in need of replacement. Sail Suite – Mainsail, Jib, Genoa, Storm Jib, Spinnaker – all in good condition and all except Mainsail in sail bags. Ropes and pulleys – full set of sheets, halyards and pulleys all in good condition Rigging – aluminium mast fully rebuilt at restoration, aluminium boom, aluminium spinnaker pole – all fully rebuilt at restoration. Engine – Craft needs a long leg about 6/7 HP. Anchors – 2 x 8 kg sand anchors with chain and ropes History – In 1996 when sailing on the Noosa River we saw ‘Scallywag’ moored to a jetty opposite the Noosaville Sailing and Rowing Club. The yacht had sunk in shallow water and was sitting in the mud with the tide washing and out. The owner lived in a ‘castle’ nearby. He had once been commodore of the Noosa Sailing Club but had lost interest in sailing and the boat. The boat had sunk because the cabin windows leaked, rain water had collected in the hull and it had gradually settled below tide level. We negotiated a purchase price and the boat was refloated with ease the hull being sound. A full set of rigging, sails and main internal fixtures was found to be in storage on land. Belco Trailers in Brisbane were contracted to manufacture a proper trailer for ‘Scallywag’ at a price of nearly $4000. While the trailer was being manufactured ‘Scallwag’ sat on a mooring in front of the Noosa Sailing Club. This was a good test for the hull. It did not take seawater but it was obvious the cabin was admitting rainwater. When the trailer was complete the boat was collected from Noosa and brought back to Bingara near Inverell in NSW. ‘Scallywag’ was completely stripped down. The keel was dropped out and all internal fittings removed. The boat was then completely cleaned internally & externally and rebuilt. 1. Scrape off oyster and barnacles from lower hull – a big manual job done with care so as not to damage the gel coat. 2. Clean whole of interior with mould killer. Under the thick coat of grey was found the very attractive fibreglass internal finish. 3. Remove and varnish and refit all internal woodwork. 4. Remove all windows and refit with new sealants 5. Refurbish all internal aluminium structure associated with mast step and wind-up keel. 6. Remove, refurbish and refit wind-up keel mechanism – a difficult job as operator has to lie on back under cockpit. (Fat people need not apply) 26

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

7. Strip mast, remove spreaders, weld up damaged fastening holes, reassemble mast checking all s/s stays and shrouds. Replace mainsail halyard, headsail kicker and spinnaker sheet. 8. Check all pulleys – headsail top, headsail port and starboard pulley assemblies and travellers, mainsheet traveller in cockpit, spinnaker pulleys. 9. Disassemble, lubricate and reassemble winches 10. Sand back and paint rudder and tiller arm. 11. Rebuild and paint aluminium rudder ‘cage 12. Rebuild and improve outboard motor mount 13. Sand and varnish all external woodwork 14. Rebuild hatch door assembly 15. Have manufactured new high quality vinyl cushions for all bunks and cockpit seats. 16. Rebuild keel especially repair damaged toe of lead casting. 17. Remove all stanchions and safety lines. Refit with improvements to pushpit and pulpit. 18. Replace gunwale in ‘Sikaflex’ bed.

The restoration and rebuild took about 12 months. The yacht was then used for inland sailing on Copeton Dam (near Inverell), Brunswick River, Wilsons Creek., Ballina Estuary and on the Tweed River at Fingal. The family have had a lot of fun sailing or just river cruising.

Figure 1 At Tweed Heads

Addendum. The image placed in the ad was taken two years ago when the boat was Copeton Dam temporarily out of its shed Inverell and parked in front of our home. I accepted an offer of $4500 made by a passer-by but then rejected the offer when I realised the whole trailer suspension was very rusty and dangerous. Early this year the trailer suspension was completely rebuilt with new springs, bushes, wheel bearings and seals and the over-ride disc break mechanism refurbished. The trailer is not presently registered but would meet all registration requirements. The boat has always been housed under cover. It has not been in the water for some time. The ‘kicker’ and main ‘halyard’ lines are new.

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

For Sale - RS 100 No. 270 "Wine Down"

RS 100's are an international high performance single-handed skiff with gennacker for exhilarating off-wind speed. One design rules ensure all boats are highly competitive. Carbon fibre mast and excellent sail controls allow for adaptation for a wide range of crew weights and conditions. Join the growing competitive fleet at RRSRC. This boat will develop your skills and provide a challenging platform to enhance your individual sailing mastery. The singlehander to own! New boats sell for $19,895. Special price - Only $8000. Lowest Price for any RS100 for sale in Australia now. Excellent racing condition. 1 st in 2016 Aust titles. Comes with 8.4 main and gennacker in racing condition, mast cover, rudder cover, trolley, boat cover. Call Vincent on 6688 4480 or email [email protected]. This is a spare boat which will be available after the Harwood Bridge to Breakers on 24th Nov. Watch the video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-9wfj9Zj68 Visit the Website: http://www.rs100sailingaustralia.net/ Test sail today! It’s fantastic fun. No crew. Give it a try!

Castle 550 Trailer Sailer

Number 15. On a single axle un-braked trailer so no rego check required. Very easy to tow – fine behind my Audi A4. NSW rego.

Castle 550’s are light and easy to launch and sail.

Gypsy is in very good condition. She has a brand new VHF radio, depth sounder, CD/ipod player, 12v battery. Mariner 5hp outboard runs well. Two stroke but quiet. The rudder has a dagger foil but a brand new blade for a swing rudder is included (bought from the manufacturer). A friend recently had a swing rudder box made for less than $300. Two mains, one jib, storm jib, and spinnaker. V Berth has plenty of room for two people.

Brand new porta-potty. Bearing buddies on trailer.

$10,900 neg. Contact Dave Scott 0428 854800 28

Richmond River Sailing and Rowing Club website: www.rrsrc.com.au P.O. Box 963 Ballina 2478

Castle 650, Mr Squiggle, Sail Number 61. Generally good condition. New Doyle Main and No 1, near new No 2 and No 3. Older Main and No 1 (Still usable). Old Dacron Main. Spinnaker with launching shute. Near new 8hp Tohatsu. Trailer in good condition. New complete storage cover/tarp. Price $15,000.00 Neg. Ph Todd Goldsmith 0427002571.