Seasons greetings

looking forwards to the first races of the new season on 5th April, but ;lots of winter events before that

Winter Sailing

The final two races of the RTYC winter series were held on Sunday 8th December in quite a nice wind of about force 3. Three Perth SC boats, Bob Watson and Eric Taylor (Enterprise), Keith Fergie and Audrey Robertson (420) and Andrew Porteous (Solo) were in the slow handicap fleet which contained boats from an Albacore to a Topper and seemed to have few problems. They say it is the taking part rather than the winning that counts, perhaps just as well as that Feva was going blooming fast for a slow boat.
The trouble with two races back to back is you are left dithering about after the first race while the tail enders finish the course and you tend to get a bit chilled. Bob and Eric cleverly came in to the shore to be rewarded with the sight of Doug Ogilvie bearing mince rolls. It seemed to help their performance as they were noticeably speedier in the second race.

For those who don't know the site at Broughty Ferry, the area is known as Grassy Beach, which sounds much more exciting than it actually is. I have been going there for years and have yet to find a girl in a grass skirt welcoming me ashore, but perhaps Doug with a mince roll is even better! 
If anyone is stuck for something to do on Boxing Day, there is a two race mini regatta planned at RTYC, weather permitting along with the prizegiving for the series. Racing usually starts about 11am.

Messing about in boats

Even during the winter, the Tay is a fun place to be and while us dinghy sailors are hibernating, the boys and girls from St Andrews University Boat Club are getting in some practice for their next event. They are out most weekends and Wednesday afternoons making full use of the relatively flat waters off Lairwell. They prefer calm conditions, unlike us, they would rather not be propelled by the wind but condiions are not always perfect. What's new there!

Hey presto?

You can see Ali saying to herself, "goodness, he's turned Sandy into Santa", one of the highlights of the magic show on Saturday

Several of our members are enjoying sailing in the RTYC open winter series on the estuary at lunchtime on Sundays till early December. Weather caused two races to be held over but this week, race 3 was held after race 5. Race 4 will be fitted in if possible another time.

Prizegiving 2013

The 2013 winners were awarded their trophies and prizes on Saturday night, 16th November. The annual dinner was held at the Best Western Lovat Hotel in Glasgow Road who served us a fine meal. This was followed by a magical performance by Gus McGregor who had us mystified how he did it all. The only disappointment I heard mentioned was that the act's finale, sawing Audrey in half, had been axed (along with Rick's first aid demonstration.
Well done boys and girls!

Powerboat training

Four of our members completed a level 2 powerboat course this weekend. Saturday was cold and wet and rather miserable for all involved but Sunday made up for it when the sun shone all day. Well done Audrey, Brian, Jim and Doug, and thanks to John Cameron for running the show. Bet you can't wait to get a safety boat duty next year!

You don't have to be crazy but it helps

Why did four of our apparently sensible members turn up to go afloat at Lairwell on a cold wet Saturday in November?

I don't know how he does it

A familiar sight, Bill Inches bailing water from his Firefly and despite sailing the oldest and leakiest boat in the fleet, (not to mention the slowest according to the published handicaps), he still managed to lead the fleet for a full round in the penultimate race of 2013.
Hunter Williamson was first across the line in the final race but Bill was not far behind and won both todays races on handicap.

A pleasant late afternoon sail was had on Sunday 6th October with 12 boats attending the final general sailing day at Lairwell. A little excitement was had when the mast on the club Enterprise fell down giving an excuse to try the refurbished club safety boat to effect a rescue. All hands were saved despite Jim Galloway waiting till I was cleaning the spark plug before needing assistance.

To Milhurst and back

Jack and Ben Douglas finishing this weekends Milhurst Race in one of the club's RS Fevas. The boys did OK for their first time using the asymmetric spinnaker avoiding the usual tangles and other foul ups these things are famous for on quite a breezy day. While they were last to finish, they were sailing the slowest boat in the fleet so well done!
The race celebrates the founding of Perth Sailing Club which was originally based at the Milhurst fishing bothy near Kinfauns for the first seven years, and the winner is awarded a trophy which was originally an ashtray in the original clubhouse.

Good for a few more years?

Our old safety boat has seen improvement over the last couple of weeks. Led by designer Eric Taylor, we have fitted trim tabs to help stabilise the ride as it had a tendency to nod its bow when travelling at speed especially with one person aboard unless a substantial weight was placed in the bow. We tested it for the first time tonight and were delighted with the improvement in handling. Testing will continue for the remainder of the season.

Miss it at your peril

A sure sign that the season is drawing near its end is the re-appearance of the rowers from St Andrews University.
While there are still a few weeks racing left including the Milhurst Race, but Anne Watson reminds us of our dinner and prizegiving on 16th November and could we please let her know if you are coming so we can plan for numbers.
Venue is the Lovat Hotel, tickets cost £27, and there will be some entertainment involved?????

The season is fast ebbing away and with the evenings drawing in, weekday sailing finished this week. Another good turnout for general sailing on Tuesday had a colourful assortment of dinghies bobbing on the Tay in the light breeze.
The breeze deserted us on Wedneday for the final scheduled weekday races so we will have to wait till the weekend. Sailing is due to start at 10:00 and 11:30 on Sunday.

 

Gently dentally

The latest series at Perth Sc was kindly sponsored by Perth Dental Care consisted of four races over the weekend. Saturday had enough wind though it was a bit gusty. Conditions on Sunday were much lighter, but nevertheless fifteen dinghies launched and had a go at sailing round the buoys. The more experienced sailors hovered on the line for the start while others allowed themselves to drift rather far away making it hard to get back on time.. The leaders looked to have blown it when the wind died completely on the approach to the upriver mark and the tide sweeping them towards the harbour. Rather fittingly, the wind started filling in again allowing some to perform an extraction from their predicament and as usual, the usual bunch worked their way to the front part of the fleet.

Our re-sailed race to Newburgh took place this weekend and unlike the earlier attempt, there was plenty wind. All who took part ended up either in the drink or in the reeds. Some, myself included (and I was safety officer) tried both. One by one, the fleet limped into Newburgh to partake of some hot teas courtesy of Newburgh Sailing Club whom we thank heartily for their hospitality. Boats were brought ashore to be recovered later and lifts back were organised by various family of sailors. Here are a selection of photos of the event.

Having just bought himself a new toy in the form of a Rooster Streaker, Peter Bevan raced it for the first time tonight and won both races at Lairwell. Clearly he intends to start as he means to continue so the old guard had better watch out. The boat certainly looks pretty slick though the white hull makes the tidemark stand out when the water is less than crystal clear.

A contrast from last weekend

Some shots from our pursuit race on Saturday 24 August, and one from the barbecue.

Didn't your mother warn you about accepting lifts from strange men?

There are times however when a lady has to accept assistance when the wind dies on her. Graham and Fergus offer a tow.

Busy river

We expect a visit of keelboats from Tay Corinthian Boating Club and dinghies from Dundee Sailing Club this weekend. We are laying on a barbecue and bar for the visitors on Saturday to which our members are welcome too. Please bring your own food.
It will also be our pursuit race, but whether you are sailing or not, do come along and make our visitors feel welcome.

Pirates invade Lairwell

Perth Sailing Club met Treasure Island on Sunday 18th August for our second Pirate Day. Stormy conditions curtailed the sailing for all but the bravest sea dogs but casualties were kept to a minimum and all returned from their voyages relatively unscathed.
Thanks to all who helped make it a success.

Attention all pirates and would be pirates

Pirate??? I thought he said come dressed as a p......
Don't forget, it's Pirate day at Perth Sailing Club
Sunday 18th from 12:30. Walk (the plank) this way for chestloads of fun!