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If you read only one thing in Smooth Sailing today make sure it’s the Double-Handed Post Optimist Proposal.
Anyone and everyone who has an interest in the future of our sport should read
and comment on this idea! There are lots of other things to read in today’s
Smooth Sailing as well though and I hope that you enjoy them all.
Double-Handed
Post Optimist Proposal
Family
Sunday At The Royal Natal Yacht Club
In the last week we have made a change in the way in
which we post Notices of
Race on the Smooth Sailing web site.
In the past NOR’s have been formatted into the Smooth Sailing web page frame.
Amongst other things it is time consuming to format the NOR’s like that and it
means that what you download isn’t, strictly speaking, the official NOR as it
could theoretically have been tampered with or altered. Instead, from now on we
are going to be posting NORs in PDF format. This presents a number of
advantages both for myself and users of the web site. For started the PDF
documents are smaller and therefore quicker to download than the full web page
and what you are getting is the document as I received it. The only
disadvantage is that you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to be able to view the
document. This shouldn’t be much of a problem as it is included on most PC’s
these days and for those that don’t have it, it is available free on the
Internet. It is easily downloaded and installed and probably worth having as
PDF documents seem to be fairly common these days. You can find the latest
version as a free download at http://tucows.saix.net/preview/194959.html. If you have any questions, queries or concerns
please e-mail them to me at hethcot@iafrica.com.
Coach’s and Coach Boats are
increasingly becoming a problem at international regattas. Not just because
they often transgress the rules and get closer to the boats than they should
but also because they pose and a danger to the sailors. In the last year there
have been a few serious accidents involving coach boats. Despite much attention
being placed on the issue of late it does not seem to have gone away. While
amusing, the following incident could have had fairly serious implications if
it hadn’t been averted. The solution is a pretty good one though!
“HERE'S ONE SOLUTION FOR RUNAWAY COACH BOATS...
During the Saronikos Gulf regatta in Athens,
in early August, the Austrian Tornado coach was tossed out of his boat in high
waves while heading to the course area. He did not have the kill switch cord
attached to himself, so the boat kept running, directly at the Mistral fleet
(approximately 80 boats). So with no one driving, and the boat a threat to the
Mistrals, the Greek Coast Guard simply shot at the coach boat, putting what
appears to be a 20 mm cannon round through the motor.... Alfred was rescued and
is fine, but the Austrians have a used motor they would like to sell.”
The following proposal was put together by Rob Walker and Dale
Hudson. Rob is the Chairman of the KZN Optimist Association and was the manager
of the SA team at the recent Opi worlds while Dale was the team coach. They has
seen a gap in our sailing program through which loads of sailors slip once they
move out of the Opi ranks. Having put some considerable thought and research
into it he has put together the following Double Handed Post Optimist Plan. As you can see it is very
thorough and clearly a lot of thought, time and effort has gone into it. That’s
not to say it’s 100% correct though and one thing that we know very well is
that yachties often don’t agree when it comes to things like this. Without a
plan in place though we will never get anywhere and the plan is open to change.
The aim of publishing it here is to stimulate debate. Already we have posted a
very good letter, from Peter Vowles, on the Smooth Sailing Letters to the Editor web page and I look forward to
posting more in the next few days. Please take the time to read the following
proposal carefully and then let us know what you think. Constructive criticism
is welcome and as you will see, Peter’s letter contains a good deal of this and
it’s something that is really needed to help this plan evolve into something
workable and supported by the great sailing community in SA. The basics of what
this plan outlines is something that I believe we desperately need! E-mail your
thoughts to me at hethcot@iafrica.com.
“Dear
all,
It is a given that South Africa loses sailors after Oppie Life. Some
leave sailing all together and the remainder get spread thinly over our vast
array of senior classes.
Reasons for this loss:
1.
Sailors don’t know which class to choose next
2.
Some sailors are too small for any of the Laser options (4.7: 55 – 65kg, radial: 65 – 75kg, full rig: 75+ kg)
3.
Some sailors don’t enjoy helming
4.
Youth (under 18’s) sailing in SA is poorly structured
5.
Incentives to race (qualify for a Worlds team) are no longer clear
We can do something to change
this.
Step 1: Put in place a structured career path for your sailors (under
18’s, ie, straight after Oppies).
Step 2: Narrow down the senior classes to a discipline based career path
(ie, single-handed, double handed, board, multihull and small keelboat – as is
used by ISAF).
To address step 1:
·
Sailors must make two choices after
Oppies:
o
Do I want to sail single- or double-handed classes? (or board or multihull!)
o
Do I want to compete locally or internationally?
·
The single-handed route is clear –
Laser 4.7, radial or full rig – depending on a person’s weight
o
The beauty of this system is that the boats can be raced from club to World
Champ level as they exist in abundance in SA
o
Each division has it’s own class World Championships each year
o
An individual can change the rig to suit his / her current weight
o
Importantly, the ISAF Youth (under 18’s) World Championships races the Laser
full rig (boys) and Laser radial (girls) in it’s annual event.
·
The double handed route does not
exist. The advantage of this position is that we can set up something that
works both at a local (considering costs) and an international level.
o
We have two choices: The Laser II or the 420 (Discussed further on)
o
Both classes have their own class World Champs each year
o
And, the ISAF Youth Worlds race both the girls and boys divisions in the 420
class
·
For sailors wanting to compete
locally in a single-handed class: the options are the Dabchick or the Laser
stream. Of course it would be greatly beneficial to have local sailors in the Laser
stream
·
For sailors wanting to compete
internationally: the Laser stream is the only option
·
For sailors wanting to compete
locally in a double-handed class: Current options range from the sprog to the
gypsey to the 29er to the Laser II to the mirror. Besides the mirror, not one
of these classes is substantial and there is no defined youth career path. This
option ultimately needs to follow the international class so that numbers are
maximised and exciting racing occurs
·
For youth sailors wanting to compete
internationally in the double-handed handed (high performance) class, the only
two options are the Laser II or the 420. Which one should be choosen is
discussed futher on. (Note that the mirror is not a high performance boat).
Step 2 we will save for a rainy day!!
The need for a
double-handed youth class is clear. Importantly, it must be exciting and
challenge youths to keep them stimulated. Both the Laser II and the 420 are
good candidates as they both have a trapeze and a spinnaker, are fast, are raced
internationally and are fun to sail. In addition to allowing those who are not
keen to continue steering an opportunity to crew, the skills learned by the
crew (trapezing and trimming the jib and kite) are vital. Also, if we breed
strong youth double-handed sailors, we are building a good foundation on which
to grow our senior double-handed sailing in SA
We have a choice
between two classes for the SA youth double-handed boat – the 420 and the Laser
II. The following table compares the two.
|
|
|
420 |
Laser II |
|
Dimensions |
Length |
4.2m |
4.39m |
|
Upwind
sail area |
13m2 |
11.5m2 |
|
|
Downwind
sail area |
22m2 |
21.7m2 |
|
|
Hull
weight |
80kg |
80kg |
|
|
Crew weight |
Ideal |
110 – 145kg |
110
– 150kg |
|
Minimum |
100kg |
|
|
|
Costs |
New boat (incl hull, all fittings, sails, spas and
foils, ie. ready to race) |
R42
141.91 (E5 100.00) – from Naaix |
R53
256.66 (£4545.00) from Performance Sailcraft Europe |
|
R44 740.02 (US$6145)from Vanguard Sailboats |
R45
256.36 (US$6215) from Vanguard Sailboats |
||
|
Second
hand boat |
TBA |
TBA |
|
|
New
main (local) |
TBA |
R2814
(from North Sails SA) |
|
|
New
jib (local) |
TBA |
R1373
(from North Sails SA) |
|
|
New
spin (local) |
TBA |
R2052
(from North Sails SA) |
|
|
New
main (overseas) |
R4985.93
(US$685) (from North Sails US) |
R6610.96
(£562.40) (from Performance Sailcraft Europe) |
|
|
New
jib (overseas) |
R3203.37
(US$440) (from North Sails US) |
R2939.44
(£250.05) (from Performance Sailcraft Europe) |
|
|
New
spin (overseas) |
R4514.57 (US$620) (from North Sails US) |
R5213.48
(£443.50) (from Performance Sailcraft Europe) |
|
Pro’s
|
|
Current class used at the ISAF Youth World
Championships |
Boats
exist in the country (numbers of old and new TBA) |
|
|
|
Is the youth development boat in the UK and USA and
41 other countries |
Is
a strict one-design class |
|
|
|
56 000 boats world wide |
Current
resail value of the old boats is good (TBA) |
Con’s
|
|
The class does not exist in South Africa |
We
would have to get more boats into the country – very expensive |
|
|
|
|
The
very old boats may not be as good as the newer boats |
Exchange rates used: £1 =
R11.8
US$1
= R7.3
E1
= R8.3
Attached are price lists from Vanguard (420) and High Performance
Sailing (Laser II) detailing costs of replacing entire or any parts of the
boats.
Notes: Neither hulls
are manufactured in SA and would therefore have to be imported.
Spars and foils are also not
made in SA and would have to be imported (can look at making them locally once
the class becomes established).
Sails
for both boats can be bought locally which would greatly reduce this cost.
All fittings to be replaced
could be bought locally.
I have
tried to establish how many Laser II are currently in SA and have struggled as
there is no class association. Although we do have some in the country, finding
30 raceable boats that their owners are happy to sell may take us 5 years.
Also, we would need to grow the fleet and importing the Laser II costs more
than importing the 420. My personal feeling is that the 420 is a more popular
boat overseas and that we should try and get into synch with what is happening
internationally.
I
was able to discuss with Naaix in Las Palmas (who manufacture 420's) the
feasibility of getting some to South Africa to test. They (Patricia and her
father who came out with the African's charter Oppies to PE) are keen.
Discussing options with them it seems:
(1) 8
boats to a 40' container
(2)
they would be prepared to send 3-4 containers
(3)
normal charter boat & damage deposits would apply as per a championship
regatta
(4)
the boats would be fully equipped including sails
(5)
we could purchase any boats after the exercise for a discounted price less the
charter cost
(6)
we would be welcome to try & arrange our own containers/shipping if we
could find a sponsor (MSC?)
(7)
Patricia would come with the shipment for the duration (1 week - 10 days) as
she did for PE
(8)
they will send me a comprehensive quote but those on offer at Las Palmas were
on a special for ~Euro 5,100 excl transport; they had been on charter once
already so we would most likely get these at a very good rate, one off!
My
suggestion is to hold an invitation regatta (to give it some hype &
specialness) at an exciting venue say, post selections at Mykonos! (If we hold
it here, we have to ensure that sailors from all Regions can get there easily –
maybe organise a sponsored bus from NVL, KZN and EC). In addition, we would
have to try to get the accommodation at Mykonos sponsored. Alternatively, if we
were to hold it at Simon’s Town, Ian Ainslie could help us out as he has the
run of the mill of the Navy base there – we could have great launching
facilities and could accommodate everyone too). Make sure that every boat is
taken up; 32 boats = 64 sailors. I think we should just say for under 18’s – as
that is the youth age criteria – if a 12 year old wants to come along –
great!! - at least they will know what
they are aiming for after Oppies. I suggest the regatta should run for a 6-day
programme of: 2 days of putting the boats together, learning about trapeze and
spinnaker sailing and coaching on the water – Ian, Dale & David Hudson
could do the coaching for this. Then we would have a 4-day regatta – in which
we could film the kids and give debriefs / coaching type help so that they
learn as much as possible. Also, we should organise a spectator boat for the
last two days of the regatta (Sat and Sun) so that parents and others can come
and see what their kids or getting up to and how much fun it is! We could
easily organise a keelboat for this. If we could interest a dealer maybe they
would put up the prizes with a hope of capturing the imagination of the
double-handed teams. Could be an awesome event, lots of fun and who knows . . .
Dale
& I would appreciate any feedback and I will circulate the Naaix quote
asap. Please pass this on to anyone you can!
Yours,
Rob Walker
& Dale Hudson”
The Sharks take on Western Province
on Saturday afternoon in their fourth game of this year’s Currie Cup. So far
the Sharks have been unbeaten in the competition although it is only right to
note that they have only had to play against the less skilled teams so far.
Saturday’s game, which takes place at Newlands in Cape Town will be the
toughest of the season so far. Beating Province is always important so
hopefully the team is primed for a good game. Kick off is at 15:00 and the game
will be televised live on Supersport.
Also in Cape Town, the UCT Frostbite Regatta takes place at Zeekoevlei this
weekend. The regatta is open to all dinghy classes, and large fleets of Extras,
Lasers and Dabchicks are expected. Food and drinks will be on sale throughout
the weekend and a big party is planned for the Saturday night. Join us for the
first (and coldest) regatta of the season. For more information on this event
please contact Dave Waiting at wtndav001@mail.uct.ac.za.
This coming Sunday, the 17th of August, is
Family Day at the Royal
Natal Yacht Club. As well as the
regular braai on the lawns, live music and general sociable atmosphere there
will also be a jumping castle and entertainment for the kids. The entertainment
will be in the form of a magic show, something that always has the kids well
entertained. It will all be happening on the lawns from around 11:00 onwards. A
day such as this offers a great chance for the whole family to get down to the
club and enjoy the ebst that this great facility has to offer. For more
information on this or any other RNYC event contact Nicola on 031-301 5425.
The Dart 18 World Championships
are due to start on Saturday at Gosport near Southampton. Three teams from
South Africa are competing. They are Noel Holman and crew, the De Wet brothers
and Kim and Bruce Phillips who incidentally placed 6th at last year's worlds
held at Marseille. You should be able to get all the results and pictures of
the regatta on the event website at www.dart18.com.
Alfa Romeo won line honours in the Fasntet Race on Tuesday in a nail biting finish with Zephyrus V. Alfa Romeo had to battle back from behind Zephyrus V in the final stages of the race which was sailed in extremely light conditions. Thursday saw a flurry of finishers and the last boat on the course rounding the Fastnet Rock. A total of 40 boats have now finished the course and the last boat round the Fastnet Rock. The winners of Class Super Zero and Zero have been determined and the overall Rolex Fastnet winner is almost certainly going to be Charles Dunstone's Maxi Nokia which finished nearly two days ago. The fleet still at sea is now enjoying the steadiest winds of the race so far with 10-18 knots Easterlies blowing right across the Celtic Sea and the Western Approaches. For more information on this race visit the event web site at www.rorc.org.
Our Notices of Race page on the Smooth Sailing has all the NOR’s available to us. If you
have a regatta coming up and would like to make the NOR available online then
e-mail it to hethcot@iafrica.com and it will be posted and
listed in this newsletter. To get your copy simply click on the name of the
regatta you are interested in below:
|
Regatta |
Venue |
Dates |
|
Transvaal Catamaran Club |
23 & 24 August |
|
|
GBYC & HBYC |
23 & 24 August & 20, 21,
24, 27 & 28 September |
|
|
UNYC Winter Series |
Durban Bay |
6, 13 & 20 September |
|
Hout Bay Yacht Club |
11 to 14 September |
|
|
RCYC & HBYC |
11 September |
|
|
HBYC & FBYC |
12 September |
|
|
False Bay Yacht Club |
20 to 28 September |
|
|
False Bay Yacht Club |
20, 21, 24, 27 & 28 September |
|
|
2003 Nationals for 36" Shipmate, IOM and RM
Class Radio Yachts |
Henley Midmar Yacht Club |
20 to 27 September |
|
|
|
|
|
Royal Natal Yacht Club |
24 to 28 Septembet |
|
|
Saldanha Bay |
24 to 28 September |
|
|
Henley Midmar Yacht Club |
3 to 5 October |
|
|
Chelmsford Boating Club |
4 & 5 October |
|
|
Various Clubs |
10 to 12 October |
|
|
Nautical Nomads Society |
25 & 26 October |
|
|
Albert Falls Yacht Club |
25 & 26 October |
|
|
Seal Point Yacht Club/Manten
Marina |
25 & 26 October |
|
|
Sterkfontein Dam |
25 & 26 October |
|
|
Hout Bay Yacht Club |
15 & 16 November |
|
|
FBYC & HBYC |
22 November |
|
|
False Bay to St Helena Island |
29 November 2003 |
|
|
Spionkop Boating Club |
6 & 7 December |
|
|
Table Bay International Sailing
Week |
Royal Cape Yacht Club |
12 to 17 December |
|
Glendee Yacht Club |
1 & 2 February 2004 |
The Classifieds has been updated on the Smooth Sailing web site. Take a surf past to see what is for sale or sought after in the wanted column. To place an ad, e-mail the details to hethcot@iafrica.com.
FOR SALE
In reasonable
condition.
Wooden hull, two sets
of sails (main, genoa, spinnaker)
Dolly and road
trailer.
Situated in Cape Town.
Urgent sale
R5 500-00 O.N.C.O.
E-Mail: charlewd@mweb.co.za
Fully
equiped, ready to sail.
55hp Perkins
diesel
R500 000-00
to R600 000-00
Or swap for
property
Contact: Sam
Cell: 083 467 8283
PSI Hull
Sail # 80700
In good condition
With dolly and boat cover
Cell: 082 459
5497
E-Mail: iti05603@mweb.co.za
Fireball
R6 000-00
In good condition
Roadworthy trailer
Contact: Jaco Kornelius
E-mail: jaco@softsim.co.za
Flash
Optimist
-- No Limits
! --
Sail No RSA
1144
White with
dark blue trim.
Immaculate
condition, complete and ready to sail .
Includes
galvanised dolly, spare sails, spare bouyancy bags,
McSon
original foils,spare rudder blade and top cover.
R 6 000-00
Contact:
Victor Hassan
Cell: 082 654
6919
E-mail: woodwork@absamail.co.za
WANTED
In good
condition
Contact:
Stewart Hewitt at Hewitt Yamaha, Durban,
Phone:
031-3373759
E-mail: hyamaha@iafrica.com
Optimist or
09er
2nd
hand in good condition for beginner
Contact:
Tracey O’Sullivan
Cell: 084 514 2274
Andrew Heathcote
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 783 8805
This newsletter is
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subject matter contained herein is entirely of a yachting orientated nature or
that which may be of interest to yachtsmen.
Please note that the views
contained in this newsletter are those of the authors concerned and in no way
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