Last week a member asked for tips on avoiding mainsheet mayhem. Thanks to our Champion Martin White who has come through with these ideas:No rope is perfect, but selecting the right rope and giving it the right care helps.A) The right rope: I use Rooster Polilite 7mm (blue coloured). For myself, and most Masters sailors, the Polilite 6mm (yellow) is only good for less than 10knots only – you’d need great grip strength to play it effectively in medium to strong breezes. Don’t simply copy the full time young Laser professionals who sail every day – they usually use the 6mm.Rooster mainsheet rope is designed with a load bearing heavier outer to reduce the problems of twist. There is plenty written about this online. It’s made of polypropylene which is light and absorbs little water.B) Care: With the mainsheet tied off in the boat, take it for a walk before sailing. This purpose is
Category: Latest from Double Bay Sailing Club
Up Next at DBSC
Wednesday, 13 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sailing / BBTPSaturday, 16 November, 9am – Learn to Race. Come along if you want to learn more about Laser boat handling, balance, boat posture, trim, starts, tacks, gybes, boat set-up and any other race management fundamentals. Please email Martin White HERE if you are planning on attending.Saturday, 16 November, 2pm Start – Spring PointscoreWednesday, 20 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sailing / BBTPSaturday, 23 November, 8:45am SHARP – Competency TrainingSaturday, 23 November, 2pm Start – Spring Pointscore
Make it 21
Last week we had 20 boats for Wednesday Twilights. This week let’s make it 21 (or more). The weather is looking perfect – 27 degrees and a nice 15 knot NE wind. We hit the water around 5pm for a 5:30pm start with Brett Beyer. Hope to see you tonight.
Practice Makes Perfect
Don’t forget to RSVP for our annual Competency Training taking place on Saturday morning, 23 November. Everyone is expected to attend this important morning of education. If you haven’t done so already, please confirm your attendance HERE. Thanks!
Kool Kit
If you’ve been at the club the past two weekends you would have had the chance to try on and order your new branded club kit. If you haven’t done so already there is still time to get your hands on the sharp looking gear; just fill out the form HERE (which includes prices). One T-shirt, bib, cap combo will be provided FREE to each of our members attending an ILCA regatta in the next 12 months, and anyone can purchase whatever you want. Diana will also be at the club on Wednesday and Saturday with Musto jacket samples in various sizes for people to try.
Unbranded Musto jackets will be available to try for size on this Wednesday and Saturday.
Race Report
Mother Nature has certainly been keeping it interesting for our Saturday racing this spring. For the third weekend in a row, the wind was gusting well over 20 knots. This time it was a 22 knot N/NE breeze that was blowing against an ebbing tide making upwinds and downwinds a challenge. Rumour has it that everyone but Ashley Deacon took a swim. Congratulations to the robust victors. The results were: Full Rigs: Ian Alexander (Championship Heat 5) and Luke Parker (Championship Heat 6); Radials: Sylvie Stannage (Championship Heat 5) and Matt Wenke (Championship Heat 6). Thanks to the many race volunteers who helped in the wild winds — Pat Levy (PRO) assisted by Jason Wilkins and Christine Linhart on the Jazzman, David Huber, Kevin Gilroy, Peter Collie and David Devlin on the RIBs, and Yves Stening and John Vasey in the canteen.
Hadrian took a swim like most sailors
Top Tip Question
This week we have another member in need of help. Mr Messy often finds his mainsheet wrapped around his ankles. He’d like to know how to reduce mainsheet tangles. Let’s see if we can help poor Mr Messy — please email your responses HERE.
Up Next
Wednesday, 6 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sailing / BBTPSaturday, 9 November, 2pm Start – Sprint Racing at DBSCSaturday, 9 November & Sunday, 10 November – Laser State Championships at George’s River Wednesday, 13 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sailing / BBTPSaturday, 16 November, 2pm Start – Spring Pointscore
Up Next
Wednesday, 30 October, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sailing / BBTPSaturday, 2 November, 9am – Learn to RaceSaturday, 6 November, 2pm Start – Club Championship, Heats 5 & 6, followed by a BBQSunday, 3 November, 2pm Start – Big Boat RaceWednesday, 6 November, 5pm Splash – Twilight Sailing / BBTPSaturday, 9 November, 2pm Start – Sprint RacingSaturday, 9 November & Sunday, 10 November – Laser State Championships at George’s River (see info above)
Welcome New Members
If you ever see a prospective new member walk into the club, please be on your best selling behaviour! We constantly want to grow our fleet and increase the depth and engagement of our membership base – and new members are a great way to do that.In case you are wondering, our racks look full, but they are never actually full. There are boats on Level 5 that are rarely or even never used – and we keep them there because they pay their way. But, if we can replace them with an active sailor’s boat, we will. All members whose boats are infrequently used are aware of this. So, if someone asks about a rack spot, the answer is ALWAYS YES. Get their details and pass them on to Emily Ball or one of the Flag Officers.And in case the idea of being on Level 5 is a turn