How to achieve the start of the season

Why do some boats always seem to reach the first mark ahead of the rest of us? It could be his or her starting technique is more polished and while we are struggling to reach the start line, the other boat is romping up the first leg into the distance. Andrew Porteous tried to address that issue on January 24th to help our less expert sailors understand where they might be going wrong. With a little input from Bill Inches and John Ferguson, most of our members questions should be hopefully resolved for the start of the new season which is fast approaching.
The next talk on Resuscitation and Radio usage, will be delivered by Rick Raeburn on February  21st at 19:30 in the clubhouse.

Running repairs

Work continues on the Mirror with one bilge panel replaced and the other side being readied for fitting. Chine boats like this are relatively simple to repair when rot sets in or accidental damage occurs as they are essentially made of flat sheets of relatively simple shape and modern adhesives can be used to fill any voids if one's skills are really lacking. A bit more aptitude can result in invisible mends stronger than when the boat was new.

HIGH tide

The combination of lots of rain and spring tides allowed the river to breach the bank at Lairwell and turn the dinghy park into a boating lake today. With an hour to go before high water, it was gurgling up the drain grating in the middle of the park but the river was rising faster than this allowed in and began trickling and then gushing in near the slipway first. By the time it stopped, it was lapping at the boatshed door and most of the carpark was flooded too. Higher tides are predicted for the next few days!