In the wake of a hurricane; National 12 Open and Palnackie race, 17th and 18th September 2011

by Ian Purkis

Later in the year than usual, the annual National 12 open didn't look promising weatherwise, but contrary to forecast, Saturday dawned bright and by early afternoon a pleasant breeze saw the N12 fleet sailing out to the bay, past a very sad scene. The previous Tuesday night, the tail end of a hurricane had hit Kippford and several yachts, including the Solway YC flagship trimaran "Mingulay" lay stranded and battered high on the rocks. Hunca Munca was more fortunate, left high and dry on the Merse, but a big task awaits Charles, Willie and others on the next Springs.

Once on the startline, the N12 fleet set off on a big "triangles and sausages" course nicely set by PRO Lindsay Tosh. Sporting their brand new P&B sails on N3384 Cunning Plan, it was Ian & Margaret Purkis first to the windward mark, followed by N3356 Squidgy Bits with Howard Chadwick crewed by Fiona McCulloch and N3462 Red Snapper sailed by Mark Simpson and Rhys Williams. Howard and Mark then engaged in a lengthy battle for position, allowing Ian & Margaret to build a growing lead. By lap 2 Mark and Rhys had finally got clear of Howard and Fiona, so set off after Cunning Plan. By the final upwind leg Mark got ahead, but thanks to a lucky lift, Ian and Margaret were on Red Snapper's transom rounding the mark. Downwind on the sausage leg, Ian wasn't beaten and, keeping Mark covered, got the vital overlap approaching the Leeward mark. As they rounded and now back in the lead, Ian only had to hold on to the finish line to win, his first ever in an N12 Open. To his and Margaret's delight, they did it, amazing so soon after Ian's first N12 Open, only 40 odd years ago!

Race 2 and Mark wasn't going to let that happen again! A blistering Port end start saw Mark & Rhys cross well ahead of the rest of the fleet with Howard and Ian, now joined by Neil McInnes and crew Rachel on N3216 Twice Shy, all in close company. With Red Snapper disappearing into the distance it was left to Howard and Fiona to give chase. Sadly the wind died and the fleet was left wallowing in the swell on a falling tide. The PRO wisely decided to finish the race on the water before some really foul weather arrived.

Saturday night and the now traditional N12 "Open House" saw the N12 crews, families and SYC members enjoying a pleasant social at the Purkis' house. Gordon Daly's tales of brave parachuting teddy bears summarised the mood, until the protest committee declared the winner, Penelope Panda, NOT a teddy bear!

Sunday and a change to the usual N12 Open format; tides and date clashes meant the event had to be combined with the annual Palnackie Pursuit race so with the N12's sailing of NTOA recommended PYs and with a fleet of Mirrors, Toppers, Lasers, an Enterprise, plus Neve and Trish in the Gillespie family GP14, the fleet set off in a brisk breeze through the moored yachts. Rounding into The Devil's Reach it was Mark, now crewed by son Toby, chasing Howard and Fiona. Into the trees and hills and the wind now fickle and shifty saw Howard first to the turning mark, the tidal gate already closed. Rounding the wrong way Howard first had to unwind, then re-round but, caught by the tide, hit the mark so it was turns for Squidgy Bits, with Fiona, his crew, now giddy, Mark & Toby closed within a boats length but Howard and Fiona just held on to win. Meanwhile further back Angus Beyts and crew Martin Ellis, appeared from nowhere in N3406 Agent Orange to claim third. The National 12s took 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Palnackie Race with Dewi Williams, Rhys's Dad, 4th in the family Mirror.
N12 Overall Results:
1st N3462 Red Snapper Mark Simpson and Rhys Williams/Toby Simpson
2nd N3356 Squidgy Bits Howard Chadwick and Fiona McCulloch
3rd N3384 Cunning Plan Ian & Margaret Purkis
4th N3216 Twice Shy Neil and Rachel McInnes
5th N3406 Agent Orange Angus Beyts and Lynne Watt/Martin Ellis

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This facility is now available within the Clubhouse for members and visiting sailors. It is protected by a password which will be changed at regular intervals.

It is available on a per computer basis to members at £10 per annum and to visitors as part of their Temporary Membership fee. The facility will be included as an option on 2009 renewal forms. A permit will be issued on payment for production if requested.

Access will only be given to children and teenagers where an adult has requested the access. It will be the adult's responsibility to monitor and control their use.

Why not bring your laptop and keep up to date with your mail, newspapers etc.

Contact Frank Bewley at websec@syc.co.uk

 

Extracts from notes of AGM held on 19th November 2011.

After apologies for absence were received and the minutes for the last AGM were approved with a minor amendment.

In matters arising, we were told that the Club's VAT de-registration is now completed - in accordance with the agreement reached at the April EGM

The Commodore drew attention to Use of Club Property Guidelinesand areas to be used. In particular, cruisers on trailers should overwinter behind the clubhouse. Presently there are 3 vacant berths behind the clubhouse and yet somr cruisers on trailers, on the pier. Overwinter Dinghy storage this is not encouraged, dinghies can easily be towed home at the end of season.

In the his report the Commodore's recorded the death of Frank Cropper - thoughts are with Rona and family long supporters of the club

He then said that David Henderson had again volunteered to produce of the Club Handbook and thanked David for his work last year, which allowed a much earlier circulation.

Continuing, he said that entries for Cadet and Kippford Week were healthy after a slow start and produced two successful racing weeks.

He then announced two Committee retirements - Janet Sutton is stepping down as Treasurer and Elaine Ross as Principal Training Officer - he thanked them both for all the work they had done.

Frank Bewley reported a decrease 43 in memberships in 2011, of which 23 were Cadets.

He reported that the use of email and the web site for communication with 82% of members saved a lot of time, effort and postage costs. He thanked Jim Holland for kindly hosting the web site with his firm Digital Forge which meant these facilities were at zero cost.

The Pontoon Sub Committee reported that pontoons had been inspected and were OK to be left in, this winter. In the meantime funding options to secure £60,000 for a complete replacement in a few years time are being explored and money will be added each year to a replacement fund.

Elaine Ross presented her Training Report - Cadet Week Training had been replaced by 3 weekend modules to achieve the same qualification level. Two First Aid Courses.

The Club had again passed RYA Approval as a training establishment for next year. Members thanked Elaine for all the work done over a number of years.

Duncan Gillespie reported on the Club's revised handicap system for cruisers, he said it would be fairer and under constant review, based on a boats results in racing. No boats would change by more than 50 plus or minus. He thanked James Copland for his work on this issue.

He then highlighted the popularity of pursuit races and said he planned some cruiser only pursuit races for next year.

In AOB two proposals by Barry Filer were discussed. One regarding changes to Pier Regulations to cater for the use of the inner faces of the pontoons by Race Committee Boats during Kippford and Cadet Weeks was accepted with the addition of the Rescue Boats.

The second proposal for cruising qualifications for cruiser racing was rejected as being limiting and discouraging for a good number of current; and potential participants. The Club would look at the cruiser rules and the Commodore will contact Barry Filer with this result.

In a brief overview of the Club's accounts the Commodore said the Club was in good heart financially. The increased water charges were down to 2 underground leaks (now repaired) and a metered water supply - he apologised for this. It was agreed that the club's water supply would be turned off after this meeting.

The appointment of auditors and the borrowing limit was agreed.

Frank Bewley proposed a 5.2% increase in subscriptions - (the Sept CPI inflation rate). Details had been circulated and showed increases between £1.50p and £7.50p. There would be no increase on storage and parking fees this year - as agreed at the April EGM.The proposal was agreed.
Graham Weakford suggested future increases should be by flat rate as opposed to percentage to give a fairer result - the Commodore interjected and said this should be put as a proposal for next year if it was to be to be properly assessed.

The appointment of Office Bearers and the Committee ensued and were agreed as per the Agenda letter, with the addition of Gail Holland as Treasurer and Chris Nurney as Training Officer. Duncan Gillespie was additionally appointed as Rear Commodore (as well as Sailing Secretary).

The Meeting Closed at 3.24pm

Late Competition Prizes were awarded: -
Balcary Bay Pursuit Race - Willie Patterson in Hunca Munca
Hestan Isle Pursuit Race - Jim Holland in Jolly Roger
Palnackie Pursuit Race - Dewi Williams in a Mirror

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