S&S 34 Association - President’s Report 2014 – 2015

In July 2014 I was elected President of the S&S 34 Association. I was pleased to find the Association to be in sound position.

Membership numbers were maintained and subscription fees continued to be collected.

Financially, there was a positive balance even after the Web page update.

Our past president alluded to a reduction in interest in some areas of sailing in Western Australia and noted the S&S 34 Association to be suffering from the same malady. He attributed the problem to our being time poor. We can seek explanation, however given the ever-increasing choices that sailors have now competing for their limited time. We need to create S&S 34 events, which become the choice to make. The conflicting timetabling of events has compounded the lack of participation problem. Early planning and vigilant checking of programs should avoid many of these conflicts.I believe there is simply a greater need to remain focused and to provide the choices that the participants are wanting. I would encourage members of the Association to make known any sailing activities in which they would like to be involved.

Despite the perceived reduction in interest to some aspects of sailing. The Association was successful in organizing Racing

The Swan River Racing Championship.Summary of results:

SoPYC 06/12/2014

1st - Kungari – Geoff Connor

=2nd – PerieBanou III – Colin & Eleanor Sanders

=2nd – Swagman – Andrew & Vera Waldby

4th – Sulphur – Dick Newnham

5th – Soon – Michael Thorpe

DNC – Individual – Rob Elliot-Lockhart

DNC – Huckleberry = Phil Somerville-Ryan

RFBYC 07/03/2015

1st – PerieBanou III – Colin & Eleanor Sanders

2nd – Sulphur – Dick Newnham

3rd – Swagman – Andrew & Vera Waldby

4th – Individual – Rob Elliot-Lockhart

DNC – Soon – Michael Thorpe

DNC – Kungari – Geoff Connor

DNC – Huckleberry = Phil Somerville-Ryan

RPYC 21/03/2015

1st – Swagman – Andrew & Vera Waldby

2nd - Huckleberry = Phil Somerville-Ryan

3rd – PerieBanou III – Colin & Eleanor Sanders

4th – Sulphur – Dick Newnham

5th – Kungari – Geoff Connor

DNC – Soon – Michael Thorpe

DNC – Individual – Rob Elliot-Lockhart

Overall 2014-2015

1st - PerieBanou III Colin & Eleanor Sanders – 2,1,3=6

2nd - Swagman – Andrew & Vera Waldby - 2,3,1=6

3rd - Sulphur – Dick Newnham – 4,2,4=10

4th - Kungari – Geoff Connor – 1,DNC(7),5=13

5th - Huckleberry – Phil Somerville-Ryan – DNC(8),DNC(8),2=18

6th - Soon – Michael Thorpe – 5,DNC(7),DNC(8)=20

7th - Individual – Rob Elliot-Lockhart – DNC(8),4,DNC(8)=20

Congratulations to Colin Sanders winning from seven boats over three races.

The 2015 Commodores’ Cup

This is arguably the most important event in the year. Some years there has been a struggle to get the participating boats. Other years there has been lack of involvement from either Fremantle Sailing Club or the Commodores.

The last two years with Sailing administration at Fremantle Sailing club assisting in the scheduling and organistion. The race has run very well. This last year there was uncertainty as to how many commodores were likely to attend. It was agreed that present or past commodores of either a sailing club or the navy could helm one of the supplied S&S 34s.

After a little encouragement we were able to get 10 participating yachts across the line with 10 commodores and the race progressed in perfect conditions. Fremantle Sailing Club claimed the race a great success and their support was given to the race being continued in future years.

Offshore Racing was represented by a few yachts

Shane Kearns and crew sailed QuikpointAzzurro to finish the S2H 97th across the line and 33rd on IRC.

Simon Torvaldson sailing Blondie in the Western Australian Offshore Series with a win in the Fremantle to Albany another high point of his season after winning the Sparkman and Stephens Global Challenge

The Swan River Retro Series has been well attended with many yachts finding the format and Sunday scheduling ideal. Le Jag ventured out for a couple of races. After finding handicap success the organized rapidly reduced the chance of another podium finish. I would still recommend the series to other S&S34 sailors if the chance arises.

Cruising

Miss Cath was last reported at Fannie Bay on route to Darwin around October. The plan is to leave the boat for a short time until resuming onto Queensland.

Eucalypt set off from Fremantle Sailing Club with plans to sail to the east Coast. I heard the boat made it to Albany. The owner then continued to Sydney. Eucalypt was later sold from Albany and now has moved to Mindarie. So we are only left guessing as to what may have happened to change to original plans.

The above racing and cruising summary shows there is plenty of participation and use of the S&S 34 yachts.

Also it is pleasing to see that boats continue to get new equipment and upgrades. One noticeable example being the topsides paint work on Sulphur. The yacht is now looking spectacular.

Boats currently for sale

C’est bon

Sweet Surrender

For the S&S 34 Association to continue and grow into the future we need to stay true to our initial objectives.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Association shall be:

To encourage and promote cruising and Class racing for the S & S 34.

The organisation of championships and other events, and to act as liaison with otheryachting organisations.

To promote the S&S 34 yacht, both new and old, especially in terms of profile, interest, value and participation.

In addition to following theses objectives, the Association needs to hear what the members are wanting. We need to work together to create these activities. We also need to fuel the desire to maintain, restore and present our S&S 34 yachts in their best possible condition. The S&S34 now has its place in yachting history. The current owners are the custodians of these yachts. I would like to encourage all the owners to continue using their yachts, adding to their growing list of achievements. I would also encourage the owners to maintain their yachts or restore them to their former glory. Through participation, achievement and presentation we all can promote the S&S 34 as a highly desirable yacht and in so doing work toward optimising their growing value.

Roger Raymond