Toe in the water...

[tome]

Been invited to participate in an Oyster regatta Cowes July 04 for a week, hosted by Royal Yacht Squadron. Tempted, but my spinnaker handling is crap. Anyone up for this, including a bit of pre-regatta crew bonding? I'll have to check dates with SWMBO before green lighting.

Need a couple of experienced dip-pole gybers and sheet/guy handlers to get me round the downwind legs. Participation includes temporary membership of RYS for the week (ooh aar!).

Don't quite know what to expect of a bunch of Oyster owners, but the Scuttlebutt meet in Cherbourg has emboldened me to meet fellow sailors.

Tom

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[bedouin]

I'm inclined to think that too close a contact with RYS might undo all the good work that Chergbourg did. They have quite a reputation which I have good reason to believe is well deserved.

That apart - Cowes 04 sounds like great fun. It's too early for me to be making plans for next year's sailing; but I'd be interested in helping if I can - I have some experience dip-poling Holman designs

I presume that the Oyster Regatta is IRC handicapped? Any idea how you are handicapped? I would guess it could be quite favourable



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[Talbot]

To far off to commit myself at this stage, but did some foredeck work racing abt 15 years ago and if available would be happy to assist. Would be able to offer my boat to spread crew for more comfortable sleep arrangements (sleeps 7).

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[wishbone]

Well I’m a dab hand at pole handling and bagging up, sure footed, slight build but strong, can also blow own trumpet! (have been known to dangle on the end of life line
To reach stray sheet! only 10 stone wet! Too much going on at the moment to commit
Myself but sounds great!!

Wishbone
Rolling, rolling, rolling keep them doggies moving!
Where’s me chuck wagon gone?


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[Twister_Ken]

I could be tempted out of retirement, but am not as young, fit, strong and sexy as I was in my days as a racing snake. Used to be a good hand on genny and kite trimming, was never a foredeck ballerina. However, July 04 is a bit far away to be making plans. Nearer the time?

PS - How are you as a racing skipper, which is not at all the same thing as a cruising skipper, oh no it's not.

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[tome]

Ken

I've only skippered 1 race. This was the round island race in 85 when I entered my gaff cutter Norma Jean. She was the last to cross the line out of 1184 boats so I think I'm well qualified. It's a funny story and I dined out well on it.

Tom

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[bedouin]

Is that the starting line or the finishing line?

In my first RTIR a few years ago I underestimated the amount of time it would take the two female members of the crew to get up. As a result we were still sailing gently down the Medina when the gun for our race (which was the last start) went.

As a result we started a full 5 minutes after the rest of the fleet. The good thing about it is that no one passed us, and we passed a couple of hundred boats.

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[Jeremy_W]

I've been known to handle the odd guy or sheet (Oceanis 350, Benny 337, Sigma 33) while some maniac did bow! Many years ago I did bow on a Albin Cirrus, but I'm alright now! Being a member of a [non-internet] yacht club even for a week sounds like fun!

Apart from a Bavaria 38 delivery in January my '04 sailing diary looks pretty empty.

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