DF95 Racing 6/12/25

Let me start with an apology to Judy David for omitting a mention of her sterling contribution to last week’s racing. Sorry, Judy, and thank you. Judy was here today and, this time, brought her granddaughter, Maggie. Welcome. Cindy was also here to support Louis. Thank you, ladies.   Connie, along with Al, wasn’t here this morning, and we missed them.

This morning was hot and humid, but the adequate breeze helped us stay comfortable.

Five members thought the conditions were good for sailing and brought their boats and their competitive spirits to the cove. We also had visits from Jim Kelly, Bill Raposa and Dick Mahoney. Good to see you all.

For ease of understanding, I have attached a depiction of the course markers, with apologies to the artists who may be reading this.   Today, the course was set with the DroneBuoy and the pin forming the line. South to take the blue and green pins to port, then north to the pink/white pin to port, and back to the line. As the wind strengthened, after two races, the course was extended by including the red/yellow mark, then onto the red mark to port. South to take the blue and green marks to port and downwind to the line. Whew! 

Nick got off to a great start by winning the first four races, but Bill David won the next five to easily become today’s champion with 12 points. Nick finished the day with a creditable score of 18 points. With two third places and six second places, Kim equalled Nick’s point score but took third place because Nick had more first places.

New model boat sailors, Mike and Louis both had two third place finishes, and it was level pegging with these two, with Mike scoring just one point more.

Well done, everyone. Some very close racing today and lots of fun. 

The results are attached. Don’t forget to visit our website mhbmyc.org  for all the news.

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Df95 racing continues next Tuesday, June 17th, when the tide will be coming in towards a high at around 1.30.

In the meantime, have a great weekend.

Derek

Racing 6/10/25

The weather forecast for tomorrow, Tuesday, shows showers and rain from 10.00 until 4.00 pmwith temperatures in the mid-sixties and 4 mph winds.

In contrast, Thursday shows sunshine all the way, mid-eighties, and 12 mph winds.

So let’s race on Thursday 

See you at the cove,

Derek

Racing 6/5 continued

A warm day. By the time we got started, it was 80 degrees with a nice wind from the southwest, so we expected the eight protagonists who battled on Tuesday to resume friendly competition this morning. However, this was not to be, as we lost three, leaving only five boats racing. Louis was there without his boat, which is waiting for spare parts. His wife, Cindy, did join us and had the good sense to sit in the shade. We missed Connie today as she had an appointment with a vet and her cat. Hope all went well, Connie.

The intention was to continue with Tuesday’s races today, but the consensus was that we should declare Tuesday’s results null and void and start afresh today. That’s what we did, holding nine races around the same course we used on Tuesday, with the only difference being that the start line was from the pin to the DroneBuoy.

.Fokka won eight of the nine races, and with his one second-place finish as his throwout, achieved a perfect score of eight. Very well done!

Bill David was second with 18 points, followed by Al and Kim, each with 25 points. Al gets third place as he had two second-place finishes to Kim’s one. Mike had fun in fifth place.

Today’s results are attached, and don’t forget, you can get all the news on our website, mhbmyc.org

Good friendly competition this morning with good weather conditions and lots of fun.

The next DF95 racing will be on Tuesday, June 10th, when the tide will be going out towards a low at around 1.00 pm.

Have a great weekend,

Derek

Racing 6/5/25

After a cool start, the morning quickly warmed up and reached the low seventies. This, combined with the promise of a light breeze, enticed 8 members down to the cove.

Judy and Connie were there and looked after the starting and scoring as usual—many thanks.

Apart from the competitors, Bill Raposa, Brad, Bill Northup, and Shelley came along to watch. However, the promise of a breeze failed to materialize, and we waited 30 minutes before sailing could start. We only managed three races before the wind vanished, so the competitors resolved to meet again to continue today’s racing next Thursday.  Unusual, but in the fun spirit of the club, to call a “semi-weather” day.

New members, Mike Todd and Louis Cordeiro, raced today, Louis having acquired Al Meyer’s old boat, sail number 70. A big welcome to both.

Rob set the course with the starting line from the pin near the shore to the red/white mark to the west. Head south and take the blue mark and the green mark to port, then a long leg north through the gate formed by the red/yellow and pink/white marks in the north, and back to the line.

Three races and three winners: Bill David, Fokka, and Rob. Mike finished third in race three, a good start.

We had the DroneBuoy in the water, but it didn’t play a part until it was time to get it out of the water, when it refused to budge. The controller had a little encounter with water a little earlier, so the DB had to be brought to shore by the rescue boat and the efforts of Kim and Mike.

Henry and Al Sampson both had fourth-place finishes.

Today’s racing is to be continued………….. next Thursday, June 5th, when the tide will be coming in from a low at 09.55.

Expecting more favorable winds,

Derek

Racing 5/27/25

Yesterday was a sunny day, but there was very little wind in the morning, and the course was plagued by seaweed. I could only stay for a short while, but it was great to see so many familiar faces. Ladies first, Judy and Connie were there to help with starting and scoring. Kim has used a SkyFly transmitter to control the DroneBuoy, and he handed control to Connie.

A good turnout of eight members brought their boats: Bill David, Henry DiPietro, Kim Hanna, Rob Hill, Wes Siegner, Al Sampso, Fokka de Jong, and new member Mike Todd (Sail Number 77). Potential new member, Louis Cordiero was also there and would like to know if anyone has a DF95 for sale. Welcome Mike and Louis.

The wind picked up a little as I left, and boats were in the water. I asked Kim later what happened then, and this is what he wrote. Many thanks, Kim.

“We had one race, but the seaweed was stopping or slowing almost all the boats, so we stopped official racing.  The wind picked up, and there was some fun racing, after a fisherman’s line that went between the two southwest buoys (and snagged several boats—any excuse in a storm 😊) was removed by Rob.  The drone buoy seemed to be operating pretty well, but also had a fair amount of seaweed in the props—at least it got back in.”

Our weather day is Thursday, but the forecast is for rain until 4 pm, so that’s out.

Next racing will be on Tuesday, June 3rd, when the tide will be coming in from a low at 08.43

 See you then,

Derek

Al Meyer

I’ve just received an email from Al’s wife, Harolyn, that Al passed away in early January. Al was a true gentleman and will be missed in the club.

Condolences to Harolyn.

Sad news

Derek

5/12/25 Racing

Hi All,

On Monday, 5/12, Rob brought the repaired dinghy to the cove and a crew consisting of Rob, Wilkie, Bill David, Bill Raposa, Al Sampson, Mike Todd, and Kim set out the marks in the cove.  We were finished before noon and were in position for racing the next day.

Tuesday, 5/13, was a challenging day, with winds from the south and southeast, gusting, shifting, on and off, and generally miserable for sailing.  Sailing were Al Sampson, Rob, Bill David, Fokka, and Kim.  Mike Todd had his boat in the water for his first boating adventure, decided not to be scored, and made great progress for a first-time sailor.  Connie and Judy scored (thanks!) and Bill Raposa was on the beach for a while.  The results for the day are:

Next racing day is 5/20 with racing starting at 11:00 AM.  Let’s have some more sailors!

Best,

Kim

Pulling Marks and Next Year

There were six of us Tuesday afternoonand the marks were well and truly pulled. The marks are in the box, the blocks are nearby and the buckets are lurking in the undergrowth, The boat is in its normal winter location chained to a tree, waiting patiently for snow.

Thanks to all who came down to the cove. Rob did all the rowing, Bill Raposa did most of the heavy lifting, and Kim, Al, and Jim Kelly did everything else. Please remember to thank them next time you meet.

Thanks, everybody.

In May we’ll do it all again in reverse.

The season schedule for next year will be formulated in the near future with the major change being that the race day will be Tuesday.

Stay safe and happy,

Derek

Banquet and Trophies

The banquet took place yesterday evening and for the first time was a catered event. Everyone had a good time. I thanked Pat and Kim Hanna, Bill Raposa, and Kathy Melven for their roles in organizing the banquet. Applause. Special thanks to Pat who had the brilliant idea of using club funds to get a caterer to supply the food. Louder applause! 

Venda Ravioli was the chosen caterer and they did a fine job if the reaction of the twenty-one diners was anything to go by.

We had three Soling Regattas during the season. The winners were Paul Mercer (twice) and Greg LaPlante. Runners-up were Jim Kelly, Kim Hanna, and Paul. Third place finishers were Bill Raposa (twice) and Bill Northup.

We held one DF95 Regatta which was won by Fokka de Jong with Greg LaPlante in second place and Henry DiPietro in third.

Now for the big one: The DF95 Championship held over 16 race days. The full results are attached. 

Five prizes were awarded with fifth place going to Nick Bailey, fourth to Fokka de Jong, third to Paul Mercer, second to Bill David, and first to John Reilly.

Wilkie Marvel made presentations to Judy David and Connie Sampston who have been so helpful to the club this season.

Wilkie then made comments about the Corinthian Trophy which is awarded once per year to the member who is a champion of fair play and makes a significant contribution to the success of the club. The 2024 Trophy winner is Paul Mercer. A very well-deserved and popular winner. Congratulations, Paul.

So that’s the 2024 season……well, almost.

Tomorrow ( Tuesday) we’ll be lifting the marks and stowing the dinghy at 1.00 pm. Please help if you can.

Rob Hill will be leading the effort. thank you, Rob.

An early reminder that for next season racing will be on Tuesdays with Thursday as the weather day.

Take care and have fun,

Derek

DF95 #16. September 17, 2024

The temperature was nudging seventy, it was sunny, and the wind was light from a westerly direction. It was more humid than in recent days but it was the last race day of the season and seven members brought their boats for some friendly end-of-season competition. The tide was low and going out so there was lots of room on the beach.

The starting line was formed by the yellow and a throw in red (the drone buoy was on the bench). The line was parallel with the shoreline and the course was west to the red/white, taken to port, and back to the line. Sounds simple, and it was, but with this wind also slow.

Once again Judy looked after starting and scoring. Thanks, Judy, not only for today but for the whole season. Connie was there to cheer Al on and to take some pictures but, unusually, we had no other visitors today.

We had seven close races but, with four out of seven wins, Paul came out on top.

Other race winners were Kim, John, and Nick but Kimhad one second place and three third places to finish second overall.

In third place was John who added to his win with two second and one third places.

Seven slow races with sedate down-wind finishes but everyone had a good time.

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

We had 16 race days this season, a record. That means that there will be 7 throw outs.

Awards for the first five places will be presented at the Banquet.

The next event is the Awards Banquet which will be held at 6 pm on Sunday, September 22nd in the Great Room of the Village Clubhouse. The Club is providing food and drink so bring nothing except yourselves, your wives, your husbands, and significant others.

And after that, the final event of the season. Thursday, September 26th at 10.00 we will pull the marks and store the dinghy. Rob Hill will take charge but he will need help so get to the cove at 10 am and do your bit. Thank you all.

We have 28 people signed up for the banquet so see you there.

Derek