Which way did he go?

Confusion seemed order of the day on Sunday 29th July, as half the fleet ended up sailing the wrong course. Exciting conditions were enjoyed by five boats of five different classes. New member Keith Cuthbert crossed the finish line first but unfortunately took the first mark to Starboard when it should have been Port, leaving Graham Keir to win the race. Graham made the same mistake but realised and unwound again.

Who say's yachts are not romantic?

Lee Robertson, one of Perth Sailing Club's family members, took this picture at Perth Sailing Club (Friarton Bridge in the background).

It's the first time that I have seen yachts cuddling!

Going down!

Oh dear! When you have a boat load of water, you really should sit a bit further back. Bob and Eric look set to pay Davy Jones a visit.

Yes that is a sailing dingy that morphs into a submarine!!

Perth Sailing Club Fun Weekend

It was a busy weekend at Perth last weekend with the Fun Race on Saturday, a barbecue in the
evening, and the Newburgh Race on Sunday. With many members on holiday, turnouts were lower
than usual but enjoyed by those who did take part.

The fun race took place in light winds so that only Oliver Williams completed the challenges set by
Malcolm Moore.

Three keelboats from Arbroath visited Lairwell on Saturday and enjoyed the hospitality of the club
for the evening before returning on Sunday morning.

Race To Newburgh

The race to Newburgh is our longest annual event, a little over seven miles, and has been contested
since 1958. This year, a good westerly breeze was forecast so a fast passage looked on the cards.
On the day, it seemed windier than predicted so Oliver Williams and John Ferguson chickened out
of sailing the International Fourteen “in case we broke something” so opted to sail two of the less
frisky club Fevas.

 Both managed to fit in a capsize on the first part of the course but went on to
have an exciting sail nevertheless. Unfortunately, John snapped his spinnaker halyard so was unable
to achieve the boat's full potential.

Gary Tait also had some difficulty and retired quite early in the race, but the other five boats all
reached the finish line off Newburgh Sailing Club without major incident.

The PSC Race Fleet arriving at Newburgh

Sandy Rodger with daughter Jennifer led the whole race but Graham Keir's Solo was too close
behind to take the honours, both in under an hour. Third across was the Kestrel threesome of Alan
Jones, Audrey Robertson and Martin Howie but again were beaten on handicap by Oliver.

After a break for a cuppa courtesy of our friends at Newburgh, most boats accepted a tow home
from the safety boats, which John described as being “like a tour of the inside of a washing machine
on a cool cycle” in the still freshening breeze.

Sandy chose to sail on ahead to show us wimps the way to do it, including a capsize drill at the west
end of Mugdrum Island, but despite this, they were up and sailing again quickly. Eventually the
ebbing tide and tired muscles saw them accept assistance for the last couple of miles/

Results, Newburgh Cup.
1 Solo 4580, G Keir; 2 Dash, S & J Rodger; 3 Spring Feva, O Williams.

A Breezy Race to Newburgh

Sandy and Jennifer were first to complete a breezy Newburgh race in 54 minutes and 20 seconds, earning them second place on handicap.

Their Albacore could not shake off Graham Keir's new Solo, while Oliver Williams sailed a Feva into third place despite some "horizontal planing" under spinnaker.

Fourth place was the threesome of Alan Jones, Audrey Robertson and Martin Howie in the Kestrel while last finisher, John Ferguson suffered a broken horse rope, a broken spinnaker halyard and a capsize to arrive fifteen minutes behind the leader in the other Feva.

The trip back under tow from the safety boat was both longer and much wetter than the sail down.

Thanks to all the non competing members who provided essential support services like Safety Boat etc

The big one

Perth SC's most celebrated race takes place this Sunday for the "Newburgh Cup". A good westerly breeze is forecast which could make for a fast passage over the seven mile course. The quickest I recall was Chris Watson a few years back who took about three quarters of an hour in the Laser, but less favourable conditions may give times of three hours or more. I have sailed the course (in a special race to mark the club's 50th anniversary) in under an hour despite capsizing about four times in my Albacore crewed by Chris in 1999. We will have to see what happens this time.

Perth Sailing Club Committee News. Meeting held 26th June.

Committee News.

Meeting held 26th June.

The committee met to have a debrief about the recent sailing course. Three youngsters, Mark Pitts, Isabelle Donald and Thomas Moss  gained their level 2 [junior] and Andrew Pitts his level 2, qualifications. 

John noted we might have made a loss, but to offset that, we have benefitted in past years. Thanks to everybody who helped to instruct and help out. To celebrate and thank students and members a Barbeque was held run by Audrey and Ian, when the certificates were awarded.

The opportunity to buy another outboard has arisen. This is a 20hp 4 stroke Honda to replace the unreliable Johnson on the Lady Ann. Anxieties about whether it was too powerful for the boat were put to rest when the suppliers of our Linder 400 said it was OK on boats with a console. It was also felt the boat performed better and was more controllable with this engine. The necessary control cables and conversion kit would be purchased and fitted as soon as practicable, hopefully before the Newburgh race, making towing boats home easier. 


The committee agreed to the purchase, a saving of over £1000 on a new engine.

It was agreed that everybody who uses the safety boat should, preferably hold a RYA power craft certificate, or at least have instruction in power boat handling. This would be overseen by the Boats officer.

It was agreed to consider the construction of a lean-to on the downriver end of the boat shed to house the newly refurbished club Mirrors, using donated materials. It will be possible to put down some of the slabs to act as a floor in the near future.

The RYA is pushing a ‘Pirates Day’ on 25th August to publicise sailing and it was felt we could use this as an opportunity to raise the Club’s profile in the town and hold another open day and Barbeque. Plans are in hand to approach the Scouts and P&K sports development people to try to encourage youngsters to get interested in sailing at the club.

There are plans afoot to access money for regeneration of the Tay. We have agreed to try to get some representation at the next meetings [Tuesday July 24th and Tuesday 21st August, at the Glenearn community campus] to protect our interests. Any member who would be interested in going please contact the Commodore.

Plans are in hand to improve the seating in the clubhouse and we have been given some cabinets to modernise the galley.

Malcolm Moore.
Commodore

Fun for all and a BBQ too

Don't miss the commodore's day barbecue at 7:30 on Saturday 14th July. Please let Audrey know numbers and what food you prefer and bring a salad or pudding for your party. It is a great night,

The day's event, the fun race starts at 11:45. Test your assorted skills while you sail round the course, Always a laugh and as they say, refreshes parts other beers do not. Malcolm expects every member to do his/her duty!

Perth Sailing Club – Continuation of ACH/Points Series

Perth Sailing Club – Continuation of ACH/Points Series

Only four boats took to the water on Friday 22nd June for the first race of the evening.

Weather conditions were threatening rain, but warm with a light easterly wind of 5 knots. All made
a reasonable start although Audrey Robertson in Bill Inches Firefly, Glencoe was a little behind. John
Ferguson in his Streaker was the first to round the westward mark closely followed by Andrew
Porteous’s Solo then Sandy Rodger’s Albacore crewed by Ali Wood.


Andrew crept ahead on the downwind legs followed by Sandy. John lost a little as wind lightened for the beat back downriver but Andrew picked up the wind first to keep ahead of Sandy. John lost the wind and Audrey in irons without wind at downwind mark. Andrew was just ahead at windward mark and kept close to Sandy. Downwind Andrew first on to beat followed by Sandy, John and Audrey.

Bob Watson and Euan Macdonald joined the fleet for the 2nd race of the evening, both
helming lasers. All boats made a good start except Audrey who is still getting to grips with sailing
the Firefly single handed. John sneaked ahead at mark while Euan was squeezed out.

John was first to round downwind mark followed by Sandy then Bob. Audrey managed to pass Euan before downwind mark with John, Bob, Sandy and Andrew all together just round westward mark. 

Wind was a little fickle at this juncture, Andrew managing to get ahead at windwasrd mark closely
followed by John. Bob and Sandy were stuck in irons with no wind allowing Euan to catch up,
Andrew and John swapping the lead in in each puff with John first to round the mark.

Monday 25th June saw five boats enter for the first race of the evening in a light easterly
wind. Oliver in his International 14 leading at end of first round followed by John , then Andrew
followed by Ian Sadler’s Solo. These positions remained the same at the end of the 2 nd round when
the wind became very fickle and dropped and the Officer of the Day took average lap times to
enable a result to be had. Keith Fergie only managed to get one round under his belt.

The wind picked up for the 2nd race of the evening. John was in the lead at the end of the
first round followed by Andrew then Oliver with Ian bringing up the rear. Andrew had managed to
get ahead of John during the 2nd round then Oliver stormed into the lead during the 3rd round and
held that position to the finish.

Results after Handicap:-

Fri 22/6/12
Race 1 – 1st Whooper (A.Porteous) 2nd Bare Away (J.Ferguson) 3rd Dash (S.Rodger/A.Wood)
Race 2 – 1st Bare Away (J.Ferguson) 2nd Whooper (A.Porteous) 3rd Laser (B.Watson)

Mon 25/6/12
Race 1 – 1st Bare Away (J.Ferguson) 2nd Whooper (A.Porteous) 3rd Rhubarb & Custard (O.Williams)
Race 2 – 1st Whooper (A.Porteous) 2nd Bare Away (J.Ferguson) 3rd Rhubarb & Custard (O.Williams)