Six Soling skippers raced in the cove today. With a northerly and northeast wind, Bill Raposa (as RD) set a course out to Red and Blue striped buoy, rounded to port, back the southwest to Orange and White to port,and Red and Black to port as an offset…..back to the start/finish line. The brisk breeze had the races moving quickly, and that allowed for 9 scored races today.
Sam Morgan raced with us and was the dominant sailor until after race #6. He told us he had to leave, and unfortunately that problem denied him the chance to win the day. Great sailing Sam!
The 5 other skippers had a great time racing today, and most races were close finishes and very competitive up and down the fleet.
Category: News
Soling Series #1
Six Soling skippers came to the cove to begin the Soling racing series. It was a mostly sunny day with a brisk breeze that rotated a bit from West Southwest to Southerly. Bill Raposa set a good start line and added a downwind to the East. Race course from a good start line out to orange buoy taken to port, around red buoy as an offset to port, out to green stripe taken to starboard, over to the red mark added today taken to starboard, and back to finish line. This course remained unchanged for 8 races, except race number was twice around the course.
Several skippers had difficulty with the windy conditions, and it seemed the winter rust on their thumbs was evident. Bill Raposa had to retire his ”Thriller” due to electrical problems, and he kept score after the second race. Paul Mercer, having spent much of the winter racing in Florida, had a spotless day by winning all 8 races.
DF95s will start their 2022 series on Thursday.
Beach work
Tuesday (5/10) was the day we wanted to get the buoys installed, skiff delivered, and beach cleaned up. Weather, however, didn’t cooperate. Too much wind on Tuesday, so Thursday (5/12) is now the date. Volunteers still needed to assist. Let Rob know if you will be joining in the effort! Many thanks, in advance!
Lunch Meeting Notes
May 4 – Good meeting and lunch. 13 in attendance.
High points:
Elected officers for the coming year. Same slate as current. All agreed to eliminate Derek’s term limits (Ha Ha).
Club is in good financial condition. Sale of boats has fattened our cash balance.
Annual dues to remain $25. Proposal was made and voted to eliminate the club’s initiation fee.
Weather report and weather cancellations will be posted on the website front page. No need for emails. Posting by Paul will be made by 9am.
Minor adjustment to the proposed calendar. The first week will be scratched. An additional week will be added at the end of the season and the season end regatta will be rescheduled accordingly. Racing starts Tuesday May 17 with Solings. DF95s start Thursday May 19. Both at 11:00am
Beach clean up and buoys will be set on Tuesday 5/10 at 10am. Bill Raposa leading the effort. He and I will review the bottom step situation and remedy if possible. Kim will acquire new buckets for the buoys. John Perkins will donate spare line that he has.
Not much interest in embarking on a formal effort to search for a new or second venue. Suggestion was made that we investigate the town beach improvements currently underway. Some interest in considering the previous alternate location as a back up (Old Orchard Cove, directly across Rt 24 from Montaup Golf Course). We will discuss further when you return. (I visited the site on the way home and believe this could work. Good site for when we have strong North wind.)
General agreement to operate without a formal score keeper. First over grabs the clipboard, second over calls the sail numbers. I will donate a chair to be stored in the box in the event an available score keeper shows up. Jim Fuller showed some interest in doing this.
Discussed the possibility of introducing the club to the local Tiverton paper with hopes of an article. Kim will follow up on this. Also general agreement that it is a good idea to have at least one loaner boat available – a Soling.
General discussion about the decline in Soling attendance. No formal action taken. Discussed the possibility of reminder emails from the fleet captain (Raposa). Reminder from Henry DiPietro that we can participate with the Newport DF95 group. No interest in arranging away dates with other clubs such as we used to do with Martha’s Vineyard.
General discussion that we need to do more to introduce and coach new members so that they develop higher confidence sooner. All agreed. Assigned mentors was suggested and agreed as a good idea.
End of Meeting
Rob Hill
Vice Commodore
“Kick off” meeting
It’s that time of the year when we traditionally hold our club kick-off meeting.As I’m off to London for five weeks tomorrow, Rob will be running the meeting on his return from racing in the sun and he’s suggested that members meet at Aidan’s Irish Pub in Bristol for lunch at noon on Wednesday, May 4th. Could you please RSVP to Rob? Rob’s email is rob1416@comcast.net The agenda is attached in ‘Word’ and pdf. formats.The race schedule is also attached
Have a great meeting …………..and a Guinness for me.
Derek
2022 Racing Season
Hi Everyone,
It’s that time of the year again when our thoughts turn to Spring activities.
Yes, model boats, time and tide, and the cooling waters of the cove.
The 2022 schedule is has been posted on this website, so get those boats fit and ready for the fray and fun and companionship.
Stay safe and well,
Derek
New Improved DF95 Sail Winch
At long last, there is a new class approved Sailwinch for the DF95. The drum winch was designed for use in the 95 and the 65 using different drums (both drums come with the unit). Available from the boat supplier, radiosailing.net.
I have not spoken to anyone who has it yet but will likely see it this winter. I’ll let you know what I hear.
Rob Hill
https://radiosailing.net/products/df-upgraded-sailwinch-for-df95-df65-includes-both-class-drums
Brenton Cove DF95 Regatta
RSVP for Saturday, Sunday or Both to both Henry and me.
NOVEMBER 13-14. The Brenton Cove Invitational / Intergalactic DF 95 Championship!https://sailnewport.org/calendar/the-brenton-cove-df95-invitational-intergalactic-regatta/ Registration is up! https://sailnewport.org/brenton-cove-d95-regatta/ $10 entry. BYOB for after race beers. (Bring to cooler prior to launching boat to get your beer/ wine/ beverages cold for after racing.)We are looking to have racing for 2-3 hours per day and will target 1100-1400 for racing time each day. (If there is a huge reason to move earlier in the day due to weather, we will adjust accordingly)As many races as is practical per day with one drop for every 10 races. Please register ASAP so we have an idea of numbers so we can plan on how to actually run the thing! Thanks all! This will be a blast!
Brad
Bradford S. Read
Executive Director
Sail Newport
72 Fort Adams Dr.
Newport, RI 02840
T. +1.401.846.1983sailnewport.org
Fun sailing 10/14
Gorgeous day at the cove on Thursday. Only 5 skippers came to play. Still, it was fun to sail in a brisk NW breeze with challenging chop (especially for a US 1 Meter). Rob’s IOM easily out sailed Paul’s US1M mostly because of the sea conditions. Boat speeds seemed equal, but the IOM out pointed the US1M and easily tacked while the US1M with its light weight and skinny hull had difficulty with tacking smoothly. IMPRESSIVE yacht Rob!
Thursday 10/14
Weather looks to be fabulous for our fun sailing. Some sailors will be at the cove as early as 10AM (Wilkie and Paul). Join us whenever you can and bring any boat you may prefer. Rob will have his IOM and Paul will have his US 1 Meter. Should be fun to see which of these boats competes better.
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