Mid-seventies temperature with low humidity and a strong breeze brought five members with their boats to the cove this morning. Bill Raposa had another appointment so, unusually, couldn’t be there. Kim, Pat, Jim K, and I were joined by Sam Morgan for his first Soling outing this season.

The strong wind was from the north so we set off from the red and pin start to the blue then downwind to the orange, back to the blue, and back to the line. All marks were taken to port.

The first race ended with Sam, Kim, Jim, and me in that order with  Pat’s boat drifting out of control. It eventually came to shore but didn’t race again. 

The second race was another win for Sam with Jim second and Kim third. My boat had intermittent control problems and like Pat’s didn’t race again. Before we could start the next race, Jim also lost control and Pat had to rescue the boat from the rocks so now we just had two boats left.

We then enjoyed four match races between Kim and Sam, with Sam the victor in three and Kim winning the final race of the day. No scores today, but still lots of fun, and Sam was certainly today’s Champion.

The next series of races is for DF95s on Thursday, August 24th when the tide will be coming in towards a high at 2.22 pm

Any advance on five for the next Soling race day? That will be next Tuesday, August 29th when the tide will be going out to a low at 12.22 pm.

Time to get all our electrical contacts actually making contact!

All the news is on our website mhbmyc.org

The weather is looking good for Thursday so see you there.

Derek

The DF95 Regatta will be held on Thursday, September 7th at 11.00

The Soling Regatta will be held on Tuesday, September 12th at 11.00

As is usual we will welcome entries from other clubs and there is no entry fee.

Be at the cove by 10.45 and bring your own lunch and a chair.

We will hold a minimum of 6 races before lunch and a minimum of 6 races after lunch finishing the event by 3.30. Low point scoring with one throwout for every 6 races run. Results will be available soon after the end of the last race.

Be ready for some competitive fun!

Derek

There were 21 members attending: Bruce Collemer, Bill David, Pat Donovan, Rich Field, Jim Fuller, Ed Haddad, Kim Hanna, Rob Hill, Jim Kelly, Dick Mahoney, Wilkie Marvel, Derek Melven, Paul Mercer, Albert Meyer, Sam Morgan, Nick Bailey, Bill Northup, Shelley Northup, Bill Raposa, Al Sampson, and David Vigeant. 

Our guests were Judy David and Connie Sampson.

Apologies for absence were received from Henty DeWolf, Henry DiPietro, John Perkins, and Charlotte Stone.

After lunch we opened the meeting by thanking Bill Raposa for arranging the room and helping bring the lunch goodies there, Kathy Melven for ordering and collecting the sandwiches, and donating the brownies, Marge Fuller for donating the cookies, Judy David for her super-scorekeeping and Connie Sampson for assisting in any way she can.

Kim gave the Treasurer’s report and said we had 20 paid-up members and funds of $3282. 23 before paying for the lunch.

No one seemed interested in replacing the existing officers who agreed to continue in their roles for another year. Rob agreed to resume the role of DF95 Fleet Captain with Paul willing to deputise in Rob’s absence. Paul has in fact done this very well this season. Thanks, Paul.

Bill Raposa appealed to Soling owners to turn up on race days, otherwise, the Soling fleet would just die out. He also suggested buying a depth finder at $60 to aid in setting marks

We discussed the various ideas that had been submitted for improving the club and spending some of our money. As we’d started discussing marks, Paul suggested we look at other ideas such as the swimming noodle rings used by the club in Carver. There was a general exchange of views on marker buoys so Wilkie was persuaded to co-ordinate all these ideas and come up with a proposal. Thank you, Wilkie. Paul raised the point that we should have more marks in the water so that we can vary the course depending on the conditions. We all agreed.

All ideas on the mark construction and deployment to Wilkie, please.

Paul also recommended that we investigate the use of a radio-controlled Buoybot so that we can easily adjust the start line from the shore. He undertook to make that investigation.

We discussed Regattas and suggested holding a DF95 regatta on a Thursday towards the end of the season with a Soling regatta the following Tuesday. It was left to me to pick dates.

Former member, Frank Calore of the Old Colony MYC, had proposed a joint event at his club for Solings, but they could only race on Thursdays. We can try to arrange a visit towards the end of the season. Paul said that other clubs such as Minuteman and Carver also race Solings.

Any other business.

Henry DeWolf had raised the question of more appropriate venues with better parking as our sailors age. We have conducted many searches in the past but we should be aware in our travels in the area to look out for other sites.

Nick Bailey had proposed tech sessions concerning maintenance and set-up before or after some races rather like Rob has held in the past. Rob said he would willingly run some more and Paul reminded everybody that there are some excellent videos on these subjects on YouTube.

Bill David proposed getting an electric outboard motor for the dinghy. That was thought a good idea and Bill offered to investigate and make a proposal.

On the subject of rescues, Rob suggested we bring in a requirement that every boat has a “failsafe”. easy enough if you have a SkyFly transmitter which most of us have. We agreed.

There was a question about AMYA insurance regarding coverage and cost. I will investigate.

There was a question about the date for the annual Awards Banquet. The answer is on our website, Sunday, September 17th in the Great Room at the Village clubhouse at 6 pm.

If I’ve forgotten anything, I apologize. Please let me know

The meeting was declared over.

These are the agreed assignments:

Wilkie:  Recommend buoys, type, construction, and deployment

Kim/Bill R.; Purchase depth finder.

Paul: Investigate the “Buoybot” and make a recommendation.

Bill David: investigate types of electric outboard motor and recommend one for purchase

Derek: Select Regatta dates, Contact Frank Calore regarding a possible visit, and investigate AMYA insurance.

Have a great weekend,

Derek

An overcast, humid morning with a light wind saw a record number of thirteen members bring their boats to the shore. It couldn’t be the weather, maybe it was the thought of lunch and the momentous decisions to be made at the club meeting. Bill Raposa paid us a visit before going off to prepare the room for our meeting, but, just maybe, he was also eyeing the competition as he has the DF95 that Dick Priestley gave him.

Judy, once again, did a fine job starting and keeping score and Connie is fast becoming our official photographer. Thank you both very much.

Paul set the course, upwind to the blue mark, downwind to the orange striped mark, and upwind to the finish with all marks taken to port. Later in the morning, there were variations including a reversal of the course.

We were pleased to welcome Rob Hill, Sam Morgan, and Bill and Shelly Northup for their first races of the season. Unfortunately, Shelly ran into a transmitter problem and couldn’t race. 

Jim Kelly had an elastic issue (you have to own a DF95 to know what this means) and Wilkie had an issue with the rudder so two stalwarts of the fleet didn’t race. This left eleven to race.

Jim’s talents weren’t wasted as he replaced the starter batteries between the first and second races. The batteries were supplied by Jim and Paul. Thanks, the club owes you.

The starting line was adjusted after the first race so I moved my chair in line, sat on it, sank into the very wet sand, and tipped over backward. Jim kindly helped me up. Thanks, Jim. 

There were seven races and Rob was back with his old skill intact. He won two races and finished second in four more to easily win overall today.

Other winners today were Nick with two and Bill David, Sam Morgan, and Paul Mercer with one each. 

Paul had two seconds and one third to end with second place today. 

In third place was Nick with a third place to add to his two wins.

 Kim finished fourth ahead of Sam in fifth.

The only non-finishers in races today were Albert Meyer who sat out race 4, Bill Northup who had an unwound sail drum winch and missed race 6, and finally Rich Field who had a recurrence of the rudder control problem that’s dogged him for the last few race days and this kept him out of race 7.

There was a lot of good friendly, competitive racing today and, I think, everybody had some fun.

The results were tabulated, winners announced, and off we all went to the meeting.

Notes from the meeting later.

The full results are on our website mhbmyc.org

Solings will try to beat the weather curse next Tuesday, August 22nd when the tide will be coming in with a high at 12.43

DF95s will race again on Thursday, August 24th when the tide will be coming in with a high at 2.22 pm

Until then, keep smiling, have fun, and enjoy the weekend,

Derek

The gloomy rainy morning transformed into just plain gloomy, but dry and with a nice breeze from the north, or so we thought. But ’twas not to be. We were struck by the Tuesday weather curse and got very wet at just about start time. Racing was abandoned and the usual three, Bill R, Kim, and me, went home to dry off.

All the news, but no results from today, can be found on our website mhbmyc.org

The next racing is in two days’ time, Thursday, August 17th for DF95s when the tide will be going out from a high at around 09.30.

FOLLOWING RACING, DON’T FORGET THE CLUB MEETING IN THE VILLAGE CLUBHOUSE, LOWER LEVEL. 1.30 PM.  YOUR SANDWICH WILL BE WAITING

Solings meet again next Tuesday, August 24th when the tide will be coming in to a high at 2.22 pm and we hope for better weather than today

Further details about the meeting will follow.

See many of you on Thursday,

Derek

Eleven members brought their boats to the cove this morning taking advantage of a middling tide, ample beach. eighty-degree weather and a 7 mph breeze from the southwest. A friend of Nick’s, Bill Newbold also raced as a guest. Welcome, Bill. Wilkie had his grandson, Johnathan, with him and let him race in race six. Wilkie’s wife, Marilyn, arrived a little later.

Judy David looked after the starting and scoring and Connie Sampson assisted. Thank you very much. 

The course was the same as last week, upwind to the orange striped mark, downwind to the blue mark, upwind back to the orange striped mark, and back to the line. All the marks were taken to port. We held eight races with the last race adding a second trip to the blue mark and then upwind to the line.

The first race went smoothly, but in the second race, Rich brought his boat back as his transmitter showed his battery ar zero, volts that is, So Rich’s electrical problems continue. Our guest, Bill’s boat also seemed to lose contact and, in the fourth race was rescued by Nick and the boat was retired with the loss of rudder control. In race seven, Nick’s boat got tangled with Bill David’s boat. Eventually, they broke free and finished the race. In the final race, Bill was at it again and got tangled with Henry DeWolf’s boat. The boats had locked keels, a freak and unusual accident.

So who won today? Well, Henry DiPieto did by a wide margin after winning five races.

Paul Mercer came second with three second places and two thirds. 

In third place was Nick Bailey followed by Bill David and David Vigeant.

There was a lot of good close racing today in a friendly, cooperative atmosphere.

The full results can be found on our website mhbmyc.org

Let’s try and get a Soling fleet together next Tuesday, August 15th when the tide will be going out with a low at 1.13 pm.

Our large DF95 fleet will do battle once again next Thursday, August 17th when the tide will be going out from a high at around 09.30

AND ON THE SAME DAY WE’LL HAVE OUR ANNUAL MEETING WITH LUNCH IN THE VILLAGE CLUBHOUSE, LOWER LEVEL. THAT’S THURSDAY, AUGUST 17TH AT 1.30.

LATER TODAY OR TOMORROW I’LL SEND YOU THE CHOICE OF SANDWICHES.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Derek

The great weather continued with temperatures in the mid-seventies, low humidity, and a nice 

breeze. Just the sort of day to get outside with a bunch of friends and engage in a little friendly competition. Ten members had the same thought and brought their boats down to the cove this morning. 

The wind was from the southwest so the course was south to the orange-striped mark taken to port, north to the blue mark also taken to port, back upwind to the orange-striped mark taken to port, and back to the line. There were eight races today.

Judy took care of the starting and scoring. Many thanks, Judy. Connie was also there to help and support Al.  Al’s friend, Ross, and Nick’s friend, Bill were also there. Welcome Ross and Bill.

Except for the display of some good close racing, the morning was largely uneventful.  Bill, Charlotte and Rich might not agree. Bill had some, probably connectivity, problems and retired after the second race. Charlotte had some battery and set-up issues and retired after the third race and Rich also ran into connectivity issues but only missed one race. Nick gave Charlotte some valuable set-up advice. Well done, Nick, truly in the spirit of the club.

Our overall winner today was Henry DiPietro who won 4 races and was third in two.

Nick and Paul won 1 race each, and both had the same points. Nick had 3 second places and 1 third. Paul had 2 second places and 3 third so Nick gets second place by virtue of more second place finishes.

The only other race winner was David with two, but that wasn’t quite enough to finish ahead of Rich who had 3 second places and 2 thirds.

Great fun and good enjoyable competition.

The full results are on our website mhbmyc.org

DF95s race again next Thursday, August 10th when the tide will be coming in with a high at around 4.30 pm.

Before then, on Tuesday, August 8th, it will be the turn of the Solings when the tide will be coming in with a high around 2.30 pm

REMINDER; THE ANNUAL CLUB MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 17TH AT 1.30 PM IN THE VILLAGE CLUBHOUSE LOWER LEVEL. SANDWICHES AND DRINKS WILL BE PROVIDED.

Judy and Connie are invited, of course.  Please let me know if you have any special dietary requirements.

Stay safe, keep smiling, and have a wonderful weekend,

Derek

The Club meeting will be held in the downstairs room at the Clubhouse at the Village at Mount Hope Bay after racing on Thursday, August 17th. The Lunch and Meeting will start at 1.30 pm but you’re welcome to arrive earlier. If racing is canceled for any reason, the meeting will go ahead.

All members are urged to attend and Judy and Connie are invited as key helpers.

Sandwiches etc and drinks, (water, soft drinks, and beer) will be provided by the club.

Items for discussion include:

The treasure in the treasury.

Officers of the club….find a DF95 Leader

The future of the Soling Fleet

Our regattas

Competition with other clubs

and, of course, any other business.

See you all there,

Derek

It was hot and humid with the promise of a brisk wind this morning, just the day to be at the cove. Eight members agreed and brought their boats to battle the wind and each other. We have to thank Judy, once again, for dealing with the starting and scoring and Connie for her support.

Paul set the course with all marks taken to port: Upwind to the southern orange-striped mark, downwind to the blue mark, back to the orange-striped mark, and downwind to the finish line.

For the sixth and final race, the course was lengthened slightly to go to the blue mark with an upwind finish.

In the first race, Charlotte’s boat came down with a case of chronic battery disease, quite common in these parts as Rich also had to change batteries. After the first race, Paul changed rigs and it worked, at least for one race.

In race two, Rich’s boat was struck by a rare case of “Rudder Shudder” which seemed cured in race three but returned terminally in race four. Suspects are receiver connections or the receiver itself.

Major drama ensued in race five when Bill’s mainsail sheet broke and he had to take a long and wet walk to retrieve it. As if that weren’t enough, and you can’t make this up, Henry’s boat’s rudder went through the jib of Charlotte’s boat shredding the sail. Ouch!  It was very squally and choppy out there today.

Only three boats finished race five and only four raced in the final race.

There were four different winners today, Bill won three, and Paul, David, and Al Sampson won one each.

 Although he won three races, he retired from the last two so Bill David could only manage third place. First place went to Paul and David who each had 12 points and were tied on places all the way through, but Paul gets the nod on last race places. Al Sampson and Henry DeWolf also had the same number of points, 18 but Al had a race win to give him fourth overall today.

The full results are on our website mhbmyc.org

More racing next Tuesday, August 1st when it is the turn of the Solings. The tide will be going out with the low around 1.30 pm.

DF95s race again next Thursday, August 3rd when high tide is at 10.00.

THE ANNUAL CLUB MEETING will be held on one of the next three Thursdays at 1.30. We are planning a lunch and I hope it will be held at the Boat House Restaurant but they haven’t got back to me yet.  I will let you know when it is arranged. 

Have a great weekend,

Derek

A sunny morning with less humidity and a nice breeze from the northeast tempted nine members to bring boats to the cove this morning. We welcomed a new member, Henry DeWolf, sail number 806. Pat Donovan came to see the racing but didn’t bring a boat. Judy scored the races with some assistance from her granddaughter, Maggie. Thank you very much, Judy. 

Charlotte had fixed her mast crane and was ready to race, Her sister, Cathy came to cheer her on. Marilyn Marvel and Connie Sampson were also at the cove to lend support to Wilkie and Al. 

Bill Raposa put in an appearance and must have been tempted to get a DF95 in the water after seeing the close racing today.

Paul set the course with a straightforward layout. From the east-west start line head north to take the blue mark to port, then a long stretch to the orange-striped mark also taken to port and then back to the line. Nine races were held with the final race being twice around. 

Our newest member, Henry, won the first race but drama ensued when Wilkie lost control of his boat and pulled the dinghy into the water. While getting into the dinghy he had a fall (a very gentle one, Marilyn). As all this was going on, Henry had maneuvered his boat to get Wilkie’s back to shore. Charlotte then waded out at least waist-deep to retrieve Wilkie’s boat. Wilkie suspected an unconnected battery. It took the next two races to fix. Henry’s expertise was impressive but Charlotte gets the title of “Heroine of the Day”.  After doing so well, Rich had to retire from racing in race six as his rudder servo stopped functioning.

Great racing conditions today led to some very close racing as evidenced by the fact that we had six different winners: Henry (2), Rich (2), Bill David (2), and one each for Al, David, and Kim.

At the end of a very enjoyable morning, David came out as the winner, with Henry second and Al third. Al tied with Paul on points, but Al gets the place by reason of his race win.

The full results are, as always, on our website mhbmyc.org

The next outing for the DF95s is in a week’s time, Thursday, July 27th when the tide will be coming in to a high at 3.26

There won’t be Soling racing next Tuesday unless you contact Bill Raposa. Kim and I will not be able to race that day.

Don’t forget to let me know if there is any Thursday in August that you can’t make a Club Lunch Meeting. By tomorrow, please.

Have a great weekend,

Derek