Summer 2001 News Letter

Hon. Secretarys spot.

Message from the Hon. Secretary:- Welcome to the early summer 2001 edition of the Redwing newsletter. This season seems to have been fairly quiet so far with very little filtering through from my usual sources. The most significant event lately has got to be the launch of Cecil's new boat at Looe

Cecil tells me that the special event was celebrated with Champagne and saluted by an RAF flypast. R246 is the very latest in 'High Tech' with a 'Head-Up' video display (compass) and 'Fly-by-Wire' controls (trapeze). By the Nationals Cecil hopes to have the major part of the test flights complete and will be ready for action. I have enclosed the 2001 Yearbook with this edition with apologies for only managing to get it out half way through the year. Please let me know if there is any additional information that would be usefully included in future editions of the Yearbook. Photographs in this issue courtesy of Helen Williams and Cecil DuValle.

Best wishes and happy sailing, Bill

News From Around The Fleets

Looe

May has seen some very competitive Redwing sailing in Looe although they have lost a few races due to no wind. Racing has been very close between R242, R224, R245 and R189, now back on the water with Jacko at the helm. Gareth and Tom still haven't received their new mast yet. Harold 'the Hornet' Holmes, 'Seagull', R200 has now arrived for sailing and Cecil DuValle's new boat R246 'Nightingale' was launched on June 9th. However his crew, Ted, has just got married and in July has just got married and in July is joining the Navy!!

Tenby

There have been reasonable turnouts with R195 Mike Stace, R221 Dave and Helen, R228 and R244 RollySquibbs all putting in an appearance at some time or other. A fleet of three redwings - R221, R228 and R244 - sailed round to Saundersfoot at Whitsun together with the keen RS600,700 and Vortex sailors to take part in the Coppet Hall regatta series. Although not all the boats completed the entire series the presence of three Redwings in a total fleet of 97 gave us our own class prize. There is more on the Coppet regatta in Dave's Update later. In the breezy conditions lately there have been one or two minor mishaps with Mike Stace losing R195's mast, when the stemhead fitting gave way, - fortunately without any damage occurring to the boat or it's crew - and then R228's rudder sheared off in fairly spectacular fashion, a case of 'rip along the dotted line…' the following week. In the Tenby SC Regatta, over the weekend of 7th and 8th July saw RollySquibbs and Alastair Mackay in R244 again scooping the Galleon and they were also the first Redwing in the Caldey race. Well done both.

Dave's update

Well it finally happened, my first uncontrolled capsize, And not in the circumstances I expected. Not a force 5 or 6 with big gusts on the sea but no wind at all on a flooding river Avon virtually going in reverse, although in my defence it was a roll tack which went horribly wrong. Normally I would not have tried to sail in those conditions but it was an inter-club event and my club were desperate for boats (they must have been to ask me). Helen decided to teach me roll tacking and by the third race she had full confidence in me; foolish girl; the only compensation was that the water wasn't too cold. R178 'Venus' was the centre of attention, not for the capsize, but for the way she looked with her new deck and yes, it seems as though she sealed well with the only water coming over the top and not through the planks. The next week saw us take 'Discretion' R221 to Saundersfoot for the Coppett Week Regatta and with 80 + boats of all sizes and experience racing on all days there were no easy days (a grand total 0f 97 entries altogether) and a good week was envisaged. With 3 Redwings racing a fleet prize was given. I actually managed to sail round from Tenby to Saundersfoot properly this year and got quite a thrill from it. The Redwing class was won by R228 in 23rd overall, Bill Dowell and Nan D'Ortez; RollySquibbs and various crews in R244, finished 27th overall. Sorry, but I let the side down again finishing a bad 93rd. This time I blame the crew she was a bit easy on me allowing me to retire too often.

Although the week started really well the gybes were good so were the tacks but I still managed my 2nd capsize in eight days. Perhaps I'm trying too hard, who knows. Helen agrees the technique is better although I'm still too inflexible at ducking under the boom; still more exercises are envisaged. I think she likes to see me suffer. Bill also rubbed it in by stating that the combined crew weight of R228 was less than me on my own, I think I'll have to find him a heavier crew. The Redwings got a special mention at the prize giving as it had been a very long time since a class prize had been presented. Back to Tenby for a club meeting on the Sunday. This saw Rolly again beaten by another Redwing, this time Mike Stace in R195 'Sallyforth' fought a good battle with positions changing all through the race in light conditions. There has been some good Redwing racing at Tenby with Rolly, Bill and Mike having some good tussles. Even I am improving; they invariably finish 1st 2nd and 3rd with me, when I race, taking the fourth spot so the Redwings tend to dominate at the moment. Who knows what will happen when the other boys actually get to grips with their new toys; (The RS700's)? Hope to see everybody at Fishguard. This year 'Venus' R178 has again been chartered for the week. One of the crew will be a newcomer to Redwings, but not to sailing, though it is uncertain at this stage who the other will be. They're looking for a good week on and off the water, which I know they'll get with Redwingers. After the championships 'Discretion' is going to get her new deck, (If You're lucky. Ed.) now that Bill has had a bit of practice. Hopefully anything else he spots will also be put right.

Class Rules Amendments

The RYA has requested that we draft and approve a class rule to satisfy the ISAF New Advertising Code. As a non-professional, non-Olympic National Class the Redwing falls into ISAF Category A.

The proposed new National Redwing Dinghy Class rule is as follows:

19. Advertising.

  • 19.1 For the purposes of advertising the National Redwing Dinghy falls under Category A of the ISAF Advertising Code.
  • 19.2 One Sailmaker's mark is allowed on each side of Mainsail and Foresail in accordance with ISAF Advertising Code section 20.3 (b) (1)
  • 19.3 One Builder's mark is allowed on the hull and on each side of spars and other equipment in accordance with ISAF Advertising Code section 20.3 (c) (1)
  • 19.4 In accordance with ISAF Advertising Code section 20.3.1 (a) for a Category A class, no additional advertising is allowed."

Amendments to existing rules

  • 16.1.9 Delete "IYRU Yacht Racing Rule 25 Appendix B3" and replace with "ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing Appendix G".
  • 16.1.7 Delete "1993 IYRU Sail Measurement Rule" and replace with "2001 ISAF Sail Measurement Rules".

These rule changes and additions need to be discussed and approved at the 2001 NRDA A.G.M. and submitted for ratification by the RYA before a re-issue of the Class Rules can be made.

Other News…

National Championships Fishguard Bay Yacht Club 26th - 31st August 2001 Preparations are under way for the National Champs this year already. Cary Rickards Sailing Captain of Fishguard Bay Y.C. has been in touch to confirm a few details but the main issue at the moment is confirmation of the numbers of Redwinger who wish to stay at the TS Skirmisher in Lower Fishguard.

If you need accommodation please let me know as soon as possible or contact Cary Rickards direct on Fishguard 01348 872453 Please bear in mind that Fishguard is not keen on camping at 'Sowetto' this year!

And a thought...

"Everyone has a photographic memory but some don't have film…" Anon.