Ahoy there! Since our last newsletter in May things have been relatively quiet as the winter months started to close in. There was the most interesting talk by Rick Nankin on sails and two cruiser-type events were held at FBYC. These and other items are reported on below.

While contemplating the moon during the day/night race my mind wandered to the countless times I had rounded Seal Island and Whittle Rock in the years I have been sailing the False Bay waters. It made me realise that there are only so many ways to round a mark and wonder about the lack of exciting sailing venues and destinations we have here in the Western Cape waters. I suppose this explains why the emphasis is more on racing than on recreational sailing.

Imagine if there were an island at the mouth of False Bay suitable for mooring and recreational purposes. What a great advantage this would be. A day's outing on the water would include a leisurely sail to the island, a braai, a snooze, a swim and then back to Simon's Town or Gordon’s Bay. Even an overnight stay would be possible. That's if we could keep the seals and the penguins off this paradise.

Informal FBYC Miura Committee

Tom Brown, Dennis Stevenson and Chris Ray have agreed to operate as a team to spread the load and to facilitate the day-to-day co-ordination of the FBYC Miura Association. This team will pursue the objectives agreed by the FBYC Miura owners, including possible sponsorship of some future Miura events (more about this in coming newsletters).

Crew availability

My comments in the last ‘Bullsheet’ on this subject sparked some interesting responses (from Poul Hansen, amongst others) and we will be putting these suggestions to the next FBYC Miura working session for consideration.

Miura Monthly Talks at FBYC

Rick Nankin of North Sails presented at our last monthly technical/education talk on Monday, May 6th 2003. As always, when Rick gives a talk on sails it is most interesting and informative as he goes into such depth about his subject. The gathering was held in Yachty's Restaurant at FBYC in Simon's Town and was well attended by some 25 people comprising both the FBYC Miura owners as well as a group of Miura sailors from GBYC and RCYC, including their incoming commodore and present chairman of the Miura Association, Russell Vollmer.

Miura PHRF

The PHRF saga continues. The original idea, to lower the handicap rating for cruiser Miuras, is being done at FBYC on a trial basis. The reasoning for this change is to encourage Miura owners to take part in organised club racing events thereby increasing their confidence and expertise. The intention is that once a suitable set of results has been assembled, these will be submitted to the National Miura Association for expert consideration and possible amendment of the prevailing standard Miura PHRF handicaps.

Lowering the PHRF of the cruiser Miuras has certainly encouraged more yachts on the waters and with that, more crew. So overall, the whole sailing scene has benefited. However, dissent has been heard amongst other racing members. It's a pity that this happened before the test has been completed.

What is interesting is that several Miuras, such as Haiku, Inca and Sundowner have been using what they have learned through the technical sessions to improve the efficiency of their boats as well as their sailing techniques. As a consequence they have been moving up the results table without the boost of a lower handicap. Closer, more competitive racing is resulting; surely something in the best interests of all participants.

Recent Miura-type Events at FBYC

Medium distance event

This daytime event took place on Sunday 8th June in the form of an opening stage around the cans and then out to Whittle Rock and back. Three Miuras (Haiku, Inca and Sundowner) took part in the fleet of boats that sailed in blustery, squally south-westerly conditions. Overall winner on corrected time was Inca (pictured below) with Haiku finishing second while Sundowner finished somewhat later after an ‘altercation’ with the larger Drifter at Whittle Rock. Interestingly, Inca won irrespective of whether the old PHRF rating or the new Miura cruiser time correction factors were applied.

Day/Night Race

This event was held on June 14th. The day/night races generally start around 3 p.m. and last until around 9 p.m., which at this time of the year means half the sailing takes place after sunset. The race was sailed in False Bay - the course set started around the cans and then went from Simon's Bay round Seal Island to Whittle Rock and back to Simon's Bay. To start with, the winds were light north-westerly but picked up towards the end, swinging round to south-east ending up blasting through at over 30 knots offering an exciting run and reach to the finish line. The weather was mostly overcast and it was raining hard by the time the race ended. However, there were moments: seeing the full moon peek from behind the clouds over a stormy sea is very spectacular. Miuras taking part were Haiku and Inca, which respectively finished third and second overall on corrected time.

Closing cruise

This outing on Sunday June 29^th saw seven Miuras take part, including the newly built Charlotte out for the first time with her sister ships; a hearty welcome to this new member of the Miura fleet!

Forthcoming FBYC Events

The next cruising-type events in our neck of the woods:

· 12^th July - Long distance “Compass Rose” event.

· 9^th-17 Aug - Miura nationals at Gordon’s Bay.

Dates to Diarise (if you haven’t already)

Monday, 7^th July 2003

Cape Weather – by Riaan Smit of the SA Weather Bureau

Monday, 4^th August 2003

GPS Navigation and chart software – by Mike Blignaut

Monday, 1^st September 2003

Engine Care – by Chris Ray

Monday, 6^th October 2003-07-02

Emergency Medical Advice for sailors – by Dr.

Allan Walters of FBYC

Monday, 3^rd November 2003

Building, cruising Miuras – by Gerfried Nebe

[ There will be a break in December and January ]

Monday, 2^nd February 2004

Subject to be advised

Monday, 1st March 2004

Sails for Miuras, continued – by Rick Nankin

Social and Fellowship.

Planning is now starting for the next Miura national Association meeting and more news on this will flow separately from Russell Vollmer. It is envisaged that a social event will be linked with this Miura meeting.

A final thought

Sailing is such fun, so you would believe. However, there are times I would rather find myself sitting in front of a cosy fire with a good glass of wine than to be sailing on False Bay on a winter's night. One such time was during the last day/night race. We had braved the smell of Seal Island and heard the bell of Whittle Rock. On the way back to Simon's Bay it started to rain. It was cold and miserable and I was looking forward to that fire. As Inca came into her moorings, a partygoer on the Cable Restorer greeted us. Glass in hand he shouted across: Had a good sail? My fellow crewmember replied: Yeah, it was great. Flabbergasted, I turned to him, 'How can you say that? You're standing here, dripping wet, freezing cold, and you've just said you've had a good time! What good time?

All the best in sailing,

Chris Ray

Classifieds

Miuras understood to be for sale:

‘Kudra’, at FBYC - Trish Bond on (084)5114151

‘Hlaselani’, at Vaal Dam - Rory Halse on (083)9629209

Request for help:

“I have obtained a 2-cylinder Yanmar, with gearbox from an 8 year old backyard project on a 26' steel yacht which has now been abandoned. Do you (or any other Miura owners) perhaps have any installation diagrams with angles / measurements etc. so that I can prepare everything before pulling the boat out of the water? What size prop (2 blade folding) has worked on the Miura's? Do you (or any other Miura owners) perhaps have any bits eg. folding prop, shaft, " P " bracket, diesel tank, exhausts etc ? Much Appreciated

Happy Sailing,

Robbie Lehman (LehmanR@telkom.co.za)”