Proud new owner

[alistairedw]

I started dinghy sailing a few years ago on the Thames. I bought a nice wooden Enterprise called Turbo-Charged Veggie Burger, and have enjoyed racing and pottering around in her.

However, inspired by watching some National 12 dinghies racing a couple of weeks ago I decided to try my hand at sailing something a bit more exciting

I discovered a very nice wooden 12 available locally. After a brief test sail this morning I decided to buy it. Loads more pieces of string to play with and much more lively, even in light winds.

I will be learning how to handle the 12 during the winter racing season so I suspect I may be going for a few swims!

I guess I will have to change my avatar now.

 

[Bajansailor]

Congratulations!
Perhaps the 12 will lead on to an International 14?
Or one of those modern lightweight turbo charged pocket rockets with assymetric kites, twin trapezes and everything else?
Dinghy sailing in the fast lane is very contagious and addictive.....

 

[Alfie168]

[ QUOTE ]
I started dinghy sailing a few years ago on the Thames. I bought a nice wooden Enterprise called Turbo-Charged Veggie Burger, and have enjoyed racing and pottering around in her.[ QUOTE ]


I've got a sneaky feeling in my distant memory banks that TCVB was a championship winning boat..or at least one of the top boats at one stage.

I could be wrong, but that name rings a bell as an ex Enty man.

Tim

 

[alistairedw]

People have tried modern high performance stuff here but it just doesn't work. Because of the narrow channel and the wind shifting around through the trees we have to tack very frequently.

There just isn't time to mess about with kites etc. There was an attempt to establish the Merlin Rocket class here but that didn't seem to work out.

On the river the most important thing is that your boat points very high, and tacks quickly without losing momentum.

I think it will probably take me a few years to learn how to sail a 12 really well. I enjoy sailing a double hander single handed sometimes so a jib + mainsail is enough to play with.

 

[alistairedw]

[ QUOTE ]
I've got a sneaky feeling in my distant memory banks that TCVB was a championship winning boat..or at least one of the top boats at one stage.


[/ QUOTE ]

You do remember correctly. It's the kind of boat name one never forgets!.

She was built by Tony Prior in 1983 for Ian Southworth. He won the Enterprise Inland Championship with TCVB in 1983 (+ quite a lot of other races) It is still a quick boat and in very good nick for it's age.

I think I have found a new 'custodian' for the Ent at our club.