Too Small, too Old, too Wooden

[ianwright]

Most of the 'Ocean' races from the AZAB onwards are no longer accepting entries from smallish boats (under 28ft dwl) like Vertues , a Wanderer wouldn't get in either. I'm not sure, but I'd bet the organisers would get a bit twitchy about wooden boats with no guard-rails of any sort.
This is total tosh.
It was our sort of boat that started the very events they are now banned from.
So,,,,,,,,,
During a pub lunch the other day one of three Virtue owners said "I wouldn't mind sailing to the Azores and back before I'm to old for it,,,," Then it went quiet for a bit.
So (again),,,,,,,,,
Anybody else like to come? Spring 2005. No entry fee. No organisation, all boats sail under the Skippers responsibility only.
Side bets of small value not a problem.
Just a thought

IanW


<hr width=100% size=1>Vertue 203, Patience

 

[Twister_Ken]

Mmmm?

Not wooden though and have guard rails!

Fly in ointment might be that CA are talking about a Round-Britain Cruise in Company at some point.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Twister_Ken on 12/12/2003 10:11 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[jamesjermain]

Go for it

Great Idea Ian, I hope it takes off. YM would love to follow progress.

I, too, regret that smaller but sound cruising boats no longer take part in the long distance events though I can understand the reasons. AZAB has a bottom limit of 30ft LOA, the RTYC Triangle RAce has no lower limit but a minimum SSS number of 30, which effectively restricts it to yachts of 25ft or more.

From an orgnaniser's point of view the problem has arisen because of the huge increase in speed of the top end of the fleet. It is difficult to organise an event which includes yachts travelling at up to 30 knots at one end, and 3 knots or less at the other, specially in these days when demands and expectations on Race Officers are far greater.

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[Gunfleet]

Ian, I have been considering a trip like this for some time. Would you accept the company of a 26ft C&N? Only problem is it's not wood. We could start from the Blackwater, just to be different.

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[Guest]

Post deleted by danfoley

 

[Cobra]

Lateral thinking James!!

Quite rightly you point out that the bigger boats have a massive speed advantage over the smaller boats.

What a shame that the organisers don't think logically and restrict the waterline length to a MAXIMUM of 30 foot together with a MINIMUM weight of say ???. The minimum weight to cut out the lightweight flyers, and the maximum waterline length to cut out the out and out machines that are rapidly becoming the norm.

<hr width=100% size=1>When God invented time he didn't give me enough of it.

 

[Twister_Ken]

No problem

Easy. Boats 25' and less start on day one, 26' and 27' day 2, 28' & 29' day 3, etc. By the time the real greyhounds get out of the traps the smaller fry will already be 2/3rds of the way there.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[ChrisE]

Ahem

...and how are you going to cope with my Rival 38 which has 29' LWL downwind and about 34' LWL upwind, do we leave with the other 29' then wait until they catch up .

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[Twister_Ken]

Re: Ahem

There's always one, boys and girls, isn't there?



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[jamesjermain]

Re: Lateral thinking James!!

Try selling that to sponsors.

Of course, if people want a low key amateur event for small boats, then fine - a very good one can be organised. To get insurance cover it will have to be organised through a recognised yacht club with qualified race officers setting the course, starting and finishing the race, and a legally watertight notice of race, race rules and sailing instructions. The cost becomes quite high, leading to high entry fees without sponsorship.

Ian's idea is, of course for something much more informal, probably with self-timed starting and finishing and the passage being a cruise in company for the sake of insurance. I think this would be great. Ewan Southby-Tailyour was trying to organise something like this a few years ago. I don't know what came of it. He was planning to recreate the old Half-Crown competition

I am also not sure people would particularly enjoy a race in which the slow boats started days, even weeks ahead of the fast boys. One of the joys of such a race is that the whole fleet mixes together before the start and shares experiences. Also, can you imagine the feelings of the race officers having to turn out at all ours of the day or night to start one yacht whose start time has come up. At the other end, the habit of self-timed finishes has become much more established and acceptable for competitors and committees

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[Guest]

Post deleted by danfoley

 

[ChrisE]

Re: Ahem

...that must be you then!

Seriously, it sounds like a great idea and I hope that you get it off the ground. I'd be up for it except that we're planning to go to Norway in '05 then all points West.

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[Aeolus_IV]

Re: Lateral thinking James!!

My old dinghy club used to run a race along the lines suggested. Yes, the start is a pain, but on the other hand the race is a straight dash for the line - if you are infront of somebody you are beating them! Then as a benfit on the side - everybody should arrive at the same time - better for the apres-sail activities....

But, yes, it is rather rare to see races run in this style.

Jeff.

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[Chris_Robb]

Any room for a two decker?

This is a really good idea, however could it not be expanded to cover old heavyweights of larger size? I have a Victory 40, and would love to do this race in 2005. I would much prefer this informal approach.

Chris

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[Chris_Robb]

Ken - I wouldn't fancy doing a round Britain, too much bad weather up north. I would though fancy going to the Azores - so have entered the race for 2005 under double decker above. - want to come as crew?


Chris

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[ianwright]

Re: Any room for a two decker?

Why not?
As this is an event with no organisation and, other than a hope that participants and their boats are fit for any trip they undertake, no rules, why would I wish to stop you?
I suppose that if I had given this the thought it deserved I might have said that anyone who wouldn't or couldn't join a more formal event (Like AZAB, ARC or what have you) for whatever reason might, just possibly enjoy a bit of a sail with other people of like mind.
Does anyone else listen to "I'm sorry, I haven't a Clue", the antidote to panel games? Well, think of this idea as the Mornington Crescent of sailing events.
If it happens it might be fun, don't you think?


IanW


<hr width=100% size=1>Vertue 203, Patience

 

[Gunfleet]

26 feet and ferro? That's not a boat, that's a stone

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[Gunfleet]

Re: Any room for a two decker?

No motoring, now Chris. You probably carry enough fuel to motor to Horta.

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[ianwright]

Re: Lateral thinking James!!

"Ian's idea is, of course for something much more informal, probably with self-timed starting and finishing and the passage being a cruise in company for the sake of insurance."

That's the sort of thing, but not so ridged.
Say,,,,,,, start when you like within a ten day slot , self timed and if anyone cares who would have won on handicap if it had been a real race we can use the OGA thcf system. I'll ask Jon Wainwright if I can borrow a disc,,,,,,,,

"Ewan Southby-Tailyour was trying to organise something like this a few years ago. I don't know what came of it. He was planning to recreate the old Half-Crown competition"
That's what I had in mind. EST announced that he was sailing and that if anyone cared to join him,,,,,,,,,?
Same thing here but not quite so far. Sheila is of the opinion that I'm far to old, fat and slow for a real transatlantic sail, and she might well be right, but I reckon I could sell her on letting me go on a cruise to the Azores,,,,,,,,,,, solo.

IanW

<hr width=100% size=1>Vertue 203, Patience

 

[Chris_Rayner]

Half-Crown...

was the prize surely? No entrance fee at all I think.

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