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.