BRISTOL SAILING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter May 2009

Contacts:Gordon Ogden (Commodore)01275 462473

Jock Playle (Secretary)0117 973 8855

Jane Jenkyn (Treasurer) 01275 880318

At the meeting on April 6th we welcomed Kath Liddiard, Rhian Phillips and Marguerite Thomson as new members, and Paul Johnson who has rejoined. We also welcomed as guests and potential members Carol Watson, Stuart Lees, Andy Holyoake and Jeanette Allum.

Statement by the Commodore regarding skippers for PASAB

Gordon said that some members already knew that, during March and up to the time of the April meeting, a situation had developed over the issue of skippers for the PASAB (Isles of Scilly races) in July, and that rumours may be circulating among the membership.

The position was that, following a number of protests from prospective crew for the PASAB and subsequent lengthy deliberation by the committee, Gordon had to inform Dave Girling at the April meeting that a number of people had refused to sail with him as skipper and it had then proved impossible to put together two crews, and that consequently it would not be possible for him to skipper one of the yachts.

Sadly, but predictably, Dave took offence at this action of the committee and initiated an exchange of emails involving some members. In case this had started some rumours the committee decided that this statement should be made to clarify the situation. As a small number of members had become involved, through the email from Dave, it was felt only right that the membership as a whole should be made aware of the facts.

Gordon ended by saying that these were the essential facts, and he was not happy at the prospect of this continuing to be the subject of behind-the-scenes gossip, so he hoped the issue was now closed. However, while we could not spend the evening debating this at length, anyone at the meeting (which was well-attended) was invited to comment briefly if they wished, before we proceeded to the usual business.

There was no comment at this time from any member present, and the meeting proceeded as normal, although after the meeting many members privately thanked the committee for the way the issue had been handled.

Future Trips

1.1The long weekend cross-Channel trip proposed by Alan Howells from Plymouth to Brittany will be from the afternoon of Friday June 19th to 1600 on Monday. This weekend has been chosen to get the most suitable tides for arrival at Tréguier. It is now fully booked and paid.

1.2Phil Steele will skipper a weekend trip from Plymouth on the last weekend in June, the 26 – 28th. This trip is also now fully booked and paid.

1.3PASAB (Penzance – Scilly races). We now have two full crews for this event. The same two boats as last year have been booked from Cornish Cruising at Falmouth Marina. “Chantan II”, a Beneteau S35S, will be skippered by Malcolm Price and “Enigma of Tamar”, a Sigma 33, by Phil Steele. As well as the race weekend from Friday July 24th – Monday 27th, we need two crews of about three people to deliver boats from Falmouth to Penzance on Thursday 23rd, and return on Tuesday 28th. At present we have six available for the Falmouth to Penzance leg on the Thursday, but are one short for the return on Tuesday. Is anyone else from the crews available?

The cost will be £220 per person, including race insurance, plus the race entry fee of £40 per boat (which includes two nights mooring at St Marys) which will be paid by the skippers and included in the onboard expenses.

Everyone going has paid a deposit of £50. THE FULL CHARTER FEES OF £2640 ARE DUE BY MONDAY JUNE 8TH, SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE RECEIVE YOUR INDIVIDUAL BALANCE OF £170 BY THEN. IF YOU WILL NOT BE AT THE MEETING ON JUNE 8TH PLEASE SEND IT TO THE TREASURER NOW (Mrs J R Jenkyn, Edgecliff, 12 Marine Parade, Clevedon, Bristol, BS21 7QS).

1.4Phil Steele will skipper a week’s Med charter in Sicily on September 5th – 12th. Peter Wakeling has arranged flights and, with Phil, booked a Beneteau Oceanis 423. All deposits have been paid. The balance of £264 will be due by June 21st, payable to BSA and sent to the Treasurer (address in 1.3 above).

2.Announcements

2.1Sponsorship wanted. Two of our members have asked for announcements regarding sponsored events in which they are participating:

1) Nigel Buck is taking part in the 24 Peaks Challenge in aid of the National Deaf Children’s Society. This involves climbing 24 Lake District peaks of over 2400 feet in 24 hours – equivalent to walking 35 miles and climbing a height equal to half of Mt Everest. To sponsor him go to www.justgiving.com/24pchallenge

2) Steve Addis is crewing on board a First 47.7 “Pi Squared” in this year’s Rolex Fastnet campaign. He is self-financed, so all money raised will go to two charities, The British Institute for Brain Injured Children, and Help for Heroes. In early May he took part in the first two races of the campaign, the Cervantes Trophy and the Trophée Guillaume. (At Ocean Village in Southampton, before the Cervantes Trophy race, Steve met the BSA crew of “Flying Banana” before they set off to Cherbourg with Malcolm Price as skipper.) They came 10th in the first race and 5th in the second. To donate to either of the charities visit www.steveaddis.org

3.Recent Trips

A summary of all trips reported at meetings is given here, or a full report, if available. Members reporting at a meeting are reminded that a full version of the report should be provided, either written or emailed. If this isn’t available, then only a short summary will be given in the newsletter. Full reports will be included in the next newsletter following receipt.

At the May meeting Liz Stubbs reported on the cross-Channel charter skippered by Malcolm Price on May 1 – 4, Jock Playle on a trip from Plymouth the same weekend, and Bob Buchanan on a trip he skippered on Becca Hayward’s yacht “Lady Emma”. Bernard Smyth has also sent a short report of Sailing on the PYC yacht “Firebird” skippered by former BSA skipper Dave Price. The available reports follow.

***************************

Trip on Moody 36 DS, skippered by

********************************************************

Sailing on “Firebird” April 26 – 29 – report by Bernard Smyth

I went with former BSA skipper Dave Price, now a Phoenix member on a 43-mile midweek sail from Gosport in the Phoenix YC Elan 34 “Firebird”. The first morning was spent in the rain waiting for a clearance and one crew member jumped ship to finish off some DIY at home. The departure timing was wrong as we had a stormy crossing to Cowes, with icy rain lashing the helmsman in 30 K gusts. The four remaining crew enjoyed a sunny sail on the next day in 6 – 8 K to the Beaulieu River, where I sailed in for the first time and picked up a buoy for a lunch stop. On to Yarmouth on a sunny afternoon for an overnight stay in the rain. The final day saw us drifting gently eastwards at 1 -3 K on the tide in a gentle sunny breeze. A trip further to Bembridge was put off because of the tide, as was the idea of hoisting the cruising chute for practice, and instead we visited the Portsmouth Offshore Group clubhouse in Gosport and had lunch tied up on their jetty. Before handback we had a good sail out towards the Nab Tower in 12 K of wind and had a good look at a new stealth destroyer going into Pompey after sea trials.

****************************************

Sailing on “Lady Emma” 18/19 April 2009 – report by Bob Hayes

Skipper. Bob Buchanan.

Crew. Becca Hayward, Bob Hayes, Dave Fogden, Paul Ashbee, Kevin Lay, Colin Evans, David Winks

Friday. We all meet up on “Lady Emma” a Barberis Cantieri 42. My first time aboard. She is a good looking boat with great lines to her. Becca has made a chicken & leek pie, with drinks before to whet our appetite. Eight on board, things are a little bit cramped, but very friendly. Excellent meal (thanks Becca)

Saturday. The weather forecast, light NE winds & heavy showers. We left Ocean Quay at 11.00 and pulled the sails up at the top of Southampton water. It was an excellent sail down. The plan was to make for Cowes and then Port Solent in Portsmouth. But, with the light NE winds we turned east directly for Portsmouth. As it turned out the wind came up and we had very good winds (F3/4 N/NE) and no rain. It was a really good sail, sun out, wind up, fantastic! We sailed past Spit Sand Fort on our port side, and then turned into the channel. We motored up into Port Solent, through the lock gates and into our berth at 1600 hrs. First things first, out with a beer, and a chat about a good days sailing sitting in the sun. We had a table booked at “zizzi’s” for 2030 hrs so we were not pushed for time. Some of us sat on board with a drink and Foggy went walkabout, as he usually does.

Not long after, two young ladies approached us asking if we had a David on board. The other David thought it was his lucky day. Unfortunately, they were asking about Foggy. They explained that he had a bit of a fall and was on his back and couldn’t move. We made our way to where he was and found that he had taken a short cut back and came across a wooden fence. It was just a little bit to low for foggy to crawl underneath so he thought he’d “Red Rum” it. But, he landed on his bum. It was a small stone kerb that got him and he was in quite a bit of pain. The ambulance was called and when the crew arrived they picked him up and took him aboard. With all of us outside waiting it was not very long before they brought him out and said that he was OK and photographs were taken of Foggy with his new crew. Although it was very serious it was impossible to keep a straight face.

That night we all managed to have a few drinks in a bar or two and a very good meal in “zizzi’s”. Back on board it was the usual nightcap before turning in.

Sunday. The mooring fees were £38.78 - “Lady Emma” is 42ft!

First thing Sunday morning the wind was blowing very strongly (forecast was light winds). After breakfast the wind did drop and we set off at 1030. We motored down into Portsmouth, out into the channel, pulled the sails up outside the war memorial and turned towards Cowes. We had full main and number 1 genoa up. The wind was still N/NE F3 and we had a great sail, in the sun, again. We arrived at Cowes and tied up in Cowes Yacht Haven. All of us, apart from Foggy, visited the island sailing club. We sat outside on the balcony, chilling out with a well deserved drink. Back on board, Becca served up another wonderful lunch, before we slipped our moorings and headed for home. Close hauled all the way from Cowes, and all the way up Southampton Water. Even put Foggy on the wheel for an hour. “Just to make me feel part of the crew and not as a passenger” as Foggy said. We moored up in Ocean Quay at 1930hrs.

It was a very enjoyable weekend, the weather was really good. (Not as forecast). And, the food on board was, as always, excellent (thanks to Becca). Is your back now OK Foggy?

N/Miles logged 50

BSAMay09- 1 -