Mudlark winter 2008

The
WINTER EDITION, JUNE 2008
MUDLARK
WHO IS THAT MASKED MAN?
See
Page 5
Picture: STEVE FOX
STEVE
See Picture:
Page
5 FOX
AGM: Monday, June 9 — Page 4
The official newsletter of Maylands Yacht Club Inc
With
PETER
KERRIGAN
Commodore’s Report
W
ELL folks, another season done and dusted.
It was great to see such a good turnout for our
Presentation Night. Congratulations to all of
our Club Champions. They have once again set a very high
standard for the rest of us to aspire to.
I would especially like to congratulate Maryion Carter,
who was awarded the Piglet Trophy for being the best club
junior. Maryion is a delightful young lady and her family
should be very proud of her.
It was also fantastic to see such a good turnout of Past
Commodores and Life Members at Presentation Night
(See Pages 7 and 8). I think the count was seven Past
Commodores and four Life Members.
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Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find notice of our AGM
(See Page 4).
I urge all members to attend this important event. Many
positions are filled by pre-arrangement, whereas others will
need to be filled on the night.
If you don’t turn up, we might just vote you in to something.
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FROM an administration point of view the season has gone
without major incident.
The club remains in a strong financial position and no
major issues confront us in the short term.
The major looming issue is City of Bayswater’s proposed
redevelopment of the Bardon Park precinct. The club’s
administration will need to be very wary of the implication
of any such proposal so as to protect the club’s integrity.
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helped at the club in some way throughout the year would
really just look like our membership list. Thank you all for
your hard work; I can assure you that every member is
appreciative.
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IT was very heartening to see such strength in our juniors
and with the untiring work of our volunteers in the training
and junior fleets, the future looks bright.
For me, the club feels much more alive and energised
when there are lots of happy juniors about and I look
forward to seeing them all back next year.
ANOTHER important event is the Busy Bee scheduled for
September 20-21.
Please put at least one of these days aside to give us a
hand. At this stage we don’t have a “to do” list, but Bob
Jackson is working on it.
One thing we do need to attend to is the repair of some of
the training boats. Ken Patterson needs some people who
can spare a bit of time during winter to repair various boats
and pieces of equipment.
Some jobs don’t require a lot of skill, like revarnishing
spars or rudders; other tasks, like repairing leaking hulls,
will require more skill.
If you think you can help, please give Ken a call.
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WELL, members, I am writing this late as usual, much to
the annoyance of the editor, so I will sign off by wishing all
members and families a very restful off-season.
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May all those yachting widows get a few jobs done around
THIS time of the year is also when we try, without overlook- the house, and I hope to see you all fit and raring to go next
October.
ing anyone, to thank all our volunteers.
—The Commodore
I can only say that to attempt to list everyone who has
PRIZE NIGHT: Commodore Peter Kerrigan,
left, chats to past commodore Kim
Stephens and his wife Margaret.
2
LLOYD BLAKE talks to a veteran member who’s still soaring at Maylands
Top Gun John
S
ENIOR sailor John
Wood is eligible to be
a Laser Great Grand Master
competitor, but these days
he’s swelling the numbers in
the Mixed Fleet.
John and his two sons were
introduced to sailing in a Mirror
30 years ago in Adelaide. The
boys moved on to 420 dinghy
sailing and when their tertiary
education intervened in sailing
activities, John took to singlehanded craft — aircraft !
He switched to gliding and
learnt to fly at Waikerie Gliding
Club in South Australia’s
Riverland.
According to John, now 74,
gliding is related to sailing
through tuning in with the elements, but is much easier. A
skllled pilot, John’s longest
flight was 7.5 hours following
the River Murray in to Victoria.
After flying gliders for 15
years, John and his wife Ruth
moved to Perth, planning to
continue cross-country soaring with WA gliders at Beverley. At a local function John
and Ruth met Sally and John
Gaunt who introduced them to
MYC.
The single-handed glider pilot
became a single-handed
yachtsman.
John’s first outing in his
Laser, Sharnah, in a 15-knot
breeze, caused more concern
than his first solo flight. Soaking wet, John weighs just
69kg, so he struggled to control the boat.
Switching to a Radial rig,
John quickly adjusted to sailing
in stronger weather. Now he
sails a 4.7 in the Mixed Fleet.
A true MYC stalwart, John
joins a team of club volunteers
every week, summer and winter, assisting with maintenance
and refitting of equipment.
He sees the future of MYC
growing from the vigorous
training program led by Rear
Commodore Ken Patterson.
Young sailors who graduate to
Minnows and Lasers are a
credit to the program; however, John rightfully points out
the need for continued volunteer support.
A recruiting campaign to attract learn-to-sail adults would
help bridge the big age gap
between junior and senior
membership.
He welcomes any development that will bring more members to MYC. A boardwalk cafe
would be attractive for public
and members’ use while exposing the club to prospective
members.
ABOVE: On a wing
and a prayer . . . John
Wood, left, joined the
thrill seekers over
Waikerie in South
Australia.
BELOW: Gentleman
John provides a
“subtle” reminder of
valuable sponsorship.
Maylands pictures:
STEVE FOX
3
Annual General Meeting: Monday, June 9
EDITOR’S COMMENT
THE Mudlark is going gangbusters but that’s only because some
members are putting in the effort to write an article — or talk to us.
It takes a lot of time to put together each edition, particularly the new-look
production side of the job, so anything you can do to provide words and pictures
is truly appreciated, particularly in advance of edition time.
Unless you tell us about yourselves, we’re none the wiser — unless I unleash gun
reporter LLOYD BLAKE and he digs out stories such as the one in this issue on
former glider pilot John Wood.
Regular columnists, including Carol and Kelvin Davis who are a full
bottle on the Juniors, keep us up to speed with developments and happenings in
their fields. I have already asked new Laser Full Rig Club Champion David Ponton
to compile a yarn for the October edition, revealing a few secrets on how he
achieved fantastic improvement in the 2007-08 season (that dobs you in, Dave!).
Finally, a suggestion: Let’s make “Smart Casual” the minimum dress standard
for club functions, such as Prize Night. Perhaps jeans, beanies and T-shirts could
have a rest for one night of the year.
— STEVE FOX
PS: If you agree or disagree with anything in this issue and you’ve got something
to say, send me an email for publication.
PPS: Last issue we reported that Terry Gaunt represented Australia in Japan. He
didn’t. Terry finished second in the Olympic 470 class and just missed out. Sorry
for the misunderstanding, Terry.
WHERE: Maylands Yacht
Club.
WHEN: 7.30pm.
WHAT FOR: All committee positions, from the patron to the
webmaster, are open for nominations or challenges. Your
vote on the night might be crucial to the benefit of your club.
WHAT ELSE: Immediately after the AGM, a general meeting will be held when you can
rant, rave, praise and applaud
people, and raise issues.
INDUCEMENT: Cheese and
biscuits, tea and coffee, bar
open (after meetings).
Does your
dolly look
like this?
YOU COULD REPLACE IT WITH A STAINLESS-STEEL MODEL
$200 AND YOU PROVIDE WHEELS FROM YOUR OLD DOLLY
See Max Albury or call 9349 3739
4
Hi-ho Hoggie! Lone Mothie Dave Hogg tells The Mudlark editor Steve Fox
what it’s like to be the only sailor in his class of boat in the Mixed Fleet
A true believer
I
STARTED sailing at age 10 as a
it is sad that cheap, good, medium-size
“bailer boy” on a 22ft, wet, opendinghy classes have died and been redecked yacht at Claremont Yacht
placed with very expensive fibreglass/
Club. The skipper of this boat was the
kevlar dinghies. I refer to classes such as
kind but strict Curly Strickland, who was
the VJ, Moth, Cherub, Rainbow and
always looking to get people out on the
Kittykat (cat I know). They are being rewater.
placed by 29ers, 49ers, hydrofoil skiff
My apprenticeship in sailing was spent
Moths, etc.
on this boat, working my way up from the
I have thought about upgrading to a
never-ending task of bailing, to providing
Laser to gain more competition, but I think
ballast on the gunwale, to packing and
that you will see me in the Moth for a seasetting spinnakers, to jib sheeting and
son or two more. (I intend to look into
then sheeting the mainsail. In a lot of
maybe having a sail on one during the
ways I am still doing my apprenticeship in
Winter Series).
sailing!
Sailing in the Mixed Fleet has been
After two seasons of fun but wet times
revitalised with the influx of the Hartley
with Curly, he felt I was ready to venture
16s, sailed by some very experienced and
out and sail my own boat. My dad felt a
competitive crews. On some days I feel
Manly Junior was an appropriate boat, so
very lonely with the Hartleys consigning
with my brother as crew, I ventured out
me to sail my own race, with me glimpsinto the world of skippering my own boat.
ing views of them on the horizon.
Suffice to say, everything I had learnt
But when the wind gets up
deserted me as soon as I had my own
I am able to sail with them
HANGING
boat. Fortunately a grinning Curly came to
on equal terms. I am happy
IN: Dave
my rescue with a kind tow back to the
to try to beat my handicap
Hogg,
beach and some gentle words of encouras I use my Sunday sail as
above, flies
agement.
a fun outlet.
the Moth
After two seasons of sailing the Manly
Funny moments at Mayflag in Pigs
Junior, I moved up to a Mirror and, to imlands? I think my antics
’ll Fly at
MYC.
prove my skills, sailed at Claremont and
keep a smile on a lot of peoPictures:
Nedlands which had a fleet of 100-plus
ple’s faces, due to my capSTEVE FOX
Mirrors. After sailing the Mirror until I was
sizes and thus my belief that
16, I moved up to a Paper Tiger which
the Swan River Trust should
was a magnificent boat for a testosteronehire my services as a depth
laden teenager.
sounder!
Into adulthood I moved around different
I think Maylands is a club
classes, crewing on Cherubs, Skates,
with a good balance for the
Kittykats, Tornadoes and indulging in a bit
sailor: Good grassed rigging
of offshore racing. I’ve been lucky enough
area and testing sailing
to sail on yachts from Townsville to Frecourses. There seems to be
mantle and Gladstone to Darwin.
very good-natured banter
I arrived at Maylands at a time in my life
between all sailors with no
when I was looking for a sailing outlet to
“prima donnas”, and everycomplement my time spent raising a famone prepared to help out in
ily. I wanted to have fun but without the
some way, such as training,
pressure of “sailing for sheep stations”.
moving boats in and out of
I felt a single-handed yacht was what I
the water and shed.
needed and I had sailed on a couple of
The club has a good old
Moths in my teen years. The late Clem
sailing club feel, which a lot
Eaton took me under his “wing” in a simiof clubs unfortunately have
lar manner to Curly and he encouraged
lost. As for the future of the
me to not dwell on the negatives and to
club, there is a need for the
learn from my mistakes.
club to be regularly rejuveBoth Curly and Clem were very similar,
nated with an influx of
both gentlemen in the best way.
youngsters, which I am
Why have I stayed with the Moth? This
happy to see has occurred
is a question I regularly ask myself when I Unfortunately, at the club level in this
this past season.
am drifting around in two knots of wind.
state, the class is dead, due to the modI think we need to keep pushing the MirThe feeling of sailing a Moth from the
ern skiff Moth design being comparatively ror fleet because it is a good boat that can
wings on a reach in 15 knots of breeze is hard to sail — and expensive.
be sailed by two teenagers or an adult
the thing that keeps me coming back.
On the note about the Moths dying, I feel and youngster.
5
STATE LASER
TITLES 2008
BEARDED BURBLERS OF BUSSELTON: Maylands Yacht Club’s Laser Radial representatives, from left, Ray Martin, Jerome Toonen,
Picture: LLOYD BLAKE
John Wallace and Alan Benn.
R
ADIAL skipper Alan Benn flew the
flag highest among the Maylands
contingent who competed in the WA
Laser Association state championships at Geographe Bay, Busselton, over the
Anzac Day long weekend.
Wind conditions varied markedly — from an
abandoned race after almost an hour in heat
one, to a brisk final morning on the Sunday
when it was cold, wet, breezy (about 17 knots)
and steep waves were rolling.
Overall we had two heats on the Friday afternoon (including the one that was abandoned),
five heats throughout Saturday and two on the
Sunday.
Congratulations to Tim Castles, who won the
Open title for the fourth consecutive year. The
full regatta results of 73 Lasers can be viewed
on http://www.laserwa.asn.au.
From the MYC skippers — all 10 of us —
sincere thanks to Martin Clark and Carol Davis
who were on the beach to assist with dolleys
before and after each day’s racing.
Thanks also to the Geographe Bay Yacht
Club which conducted a well-organised event
on and off the water.
And well done to the 4.7 juniors from MYC
who stuck it out when the breeze picked up.
— STEVE FOX
Picture: AMBER BLAKE
HOW THE MYC MEMBERS PERFORMED
FULL RIGS (Fleet of 31)
Lloyd Blake (7th out of 7)
David Ponton 23rd (best finish 9th)
Steve Fox 26th (best finish 21st)
Lloyd Blake 31st (best finish 28th)
RADIALS (Fleet of 23)
MASTER
David Ponton (6th out of 8)
GRAND MASTER
Steve Fox (4th out of 7)
Alan Benn 12th (best finish 3rd)
Ray Martin 14th (best finish 5th)
Jerome Toonen 18th (best finish 7th)
John Wallace 19th (best finish 15th)
MASTER
Alan Benn (4th out of 6)
GRAND MASTER
Ray Martin (3rd out of 6)
Jerome Toonen (4th out of 6)
John Wallace (5th out of 6)
4.7s (Fleet of 19)
Owen Davis 14th (best finish 13th)
Matthew Clark-Massera 16th (best finish 13th)
Jack Clark-Massera 17th (best finish 14th)
6
MYC Prize Night
And the
winners are:
SHORT-COURSE CHAMPIONS
Laser Full Rigs: David Ponton
Laser Radials: Kim Stephens
Mixed Fleet: Jenny Pederick/John Gaunt
Mirrors: Hugh Davis/ Alexander Port
SHORT-COURSE CONSISTENCY
Laser Full Rigs: Bert Brescianini
Laser Radials: JeromeToonen
Mixed Fleet: Michael Albury
Mirrors: Hugh Davis/Alexander Port
MOST FASTEST TIMES
Laser Full Rigs: David Ponton
Laser Radials: Kim Stephens
Mixed Fleet: Brian Plumb/Doug Bonny
Mirrors: Jack Clark-Massera/Owen
Davis
SAIL POWER LASER MASTERS
Apprentice: Vince Rogers
Master: David Ponton
Grand Master: Ken Patterson
Great Grand Master: Terry McCartney
STEVE FOX TROPHY (Laser Full Rigs)
Bert Brescianini
MORNING FLEET
Laser 4.7: Mattherw Clark-Massera
Minnows: Hugh Davis
JUNIOR OF THE YEAR (The Piglet
Trophy, donated by the Blake family):
Mary Carter
MAX ALBURY MOST PROMISING
JUNIOR IN TRAINING FLEET
Callum Ferguson
JIM & IDA BENNETT
CLUB MEMBER OF
THE YEAR
Andrew Carter,
pictured
CLUB CHAMPIONS 2007-08
FROM LEFT: Kim Stephens (Laser Radial), Brian Plumb and Doug Bonny (Mixed Fleet), David
Ponton (Laser Full Rig) and Paul and James Borrett (Mirrors).
CONSISTENCY CHAMPIONS 2007-08
FROM LEFT: Andrew Nicholls (Laser Radial), Brian Plumb and Doug Bonny (Mixed Fleet), Ken
Patterson (Laser Full Rig) and Alexander Port and Hugh Davis (Mirrors).
LEFT: Bert (The
Bandit) Brescianini
won The Steve Fox
Trophy for Full Rigs
for the third time
and shows his
unbridled glee at
having outfoxed
the handicappers
yet again.
All Prize Night
pictures by
STEVE FOX
RIGHT: Juniors at
Prize Night included, from left,
Hugh Davis, James
Borrett, Matthew
Clark-Massera,
Jack ClarkMassera, Alexander Port and Ryan
Borrett.
7
Saturday, May 17
ONE FOR THE ARCHIVES: Maylands Yacht Club was privileged to have seven past commodores, six of whom are still active sailors, join Commodore
Peter Kerrigan, far right, at Prize Night. From left, they are Max Moore (who started his stint as commodore in 1969-70), Terry Gaunt (1974-75),
Brian Plumb (1990-91), John Gaunt (1993-94), Ken Patterson (1998-99), Kim Stephens (2001-02) and Jerome Toonen (2004-05).
FULL HOUSE (ALMOST): Commodore Peter Kerrigan addresses members at the 2007-08 Prize Night function.
8
Junior News
C
HANGES of sail colour were
apparent in the second half of
the MYC youth sailing events.
Committed sailors have been
trading their blue-sail Minnows to whitesail Laser 4.7 rigs.
It was also great to see them ending the
season sailing their 4.7s in the afternoons
with the Mixed Fleet, thereby “resting” the
MYC Mirrors from serious racing.
For the final part of the sailing season, it
was great to see Lasers out every Sunday
morning sailed by Matt and Jack ClarkMassera; Owen, Amy and Hugh Davis;
Sam Thiele, James Cohen and Michael
Albury.
Minnows have reduced in number with
the defection of Jack and sometimes
Hugh into the Laser fleet. However, it is
great to see Andrew Britton (sailing
Loaded Dog, the new Minnow hull recently made by IAN PAVEY and rigged
from a retired Minnow. Thanks, Ian!)
and Jennifer Carter skippering JAMM,
joining in the Minnow races.
There is already a new addition for next
season, with one of the training students
With
CAROL
DAVIS
and
ViceCommodore
KELVIN DAVIS
ABOVE: Minnows
on the start line
for the City of
Bayswater
Regatta.
RIGHT: Commodore
Peter Kerrigan
points the way.
Pictures: STEVE FOX
buying a Minnow, Twister, to sail. Basically, as an overview, there were more
sailors in the morning races at the end of
the season than at the start, even if they
had changed boats during the season.
The 4.7 sailors also contested the first
heat of the winter series, and plan to sail
in more winter races.
Several youth sailing events have also
been contested over recent months, both
at MYC and away.
State Minnow Sailing Championships
at The Cruising Yacht Club, Rockingham, Saturday and Sunday, February
23-24.
Three MYC sailors – James Borrett, Jack
Clark-Massera and Hugh Davis — represented MYC at the State Minnow Sailing
Championships at TCYC.
All competed in the main fleet as they
are all now becoming competent sailors.
Their TCYC mates were more competitive, while our sailors tried to better their
own placings as they progressed through
the seven-race championship.
James competed in Mach 1 and was
16th in the “A” fleet.
Jack sailed JAMM and was 18th in this,
his last Minnow event. (Jack sold JAMM
shortly after the championship and became a Laser 4.7 sailor.)
Hugh sailed Droplet and had a highest
9
Junior News
placing of fourth and finished sixth overall,
ahead of his clubmates.
This championship again helped our
MYC members gain greater skill and
knowledge under racing conditions
where ocean tides and winds can be
stronger than what they experience at
Maylands.
Continued
SunSmart Schools Team Sailing
Championship – Thursday and Friday,
April 17-18
Owen and Hugh Davis were two-thirds of
a team for their high school competing in
this championship at the Royal Freshwater Bay Sailing Club (unable to get a
third sailor from their school to make up a
full team).
Sunday, March 30 – MYC Picnic Day
Wet and miserable conditions hampered
What a beautiful day – and sailors and
racing on day one during the school holifamilies were out in force. By returning to days, while still conditions stalled the secthe club’s grassed grounds for the picnic ond day’s start until after an early lunch.
(instead of lazing about on Heirisson
It was all a bit frustrating for these two
Island as in previous years), it was eas- keen 4.7 sailors, but sailing is not always
ier for many non-sailing members and
“just plain sailing”.
friends to join in the barbecue and camaThe competition, started nearly 20 years
raderie after the social sail and before
ago by our own Kim Stephens, was won
the more serious events were competed
for the second year by Rossmoyne Senin the afternoon — Tug o’ War, Le Mans
ior High School. (Amazing what you learn
start from boatshed door to sail across
on the YAWA website, hey Kim!)
the river and back, etc.
and out of 19 Laser 4.7s, Owen finished
14th, Matt 16th and Jack 17th.
Thanks to parents
Many thanks to the parents who have
assisted their children to benefit from sailing competitions on Sunday mornings at
MYC. Keep up the good work and we look
forward to more next year – bring a friend,
too! Alan Benn will be running Laser sailing lessons on Sunday mornings from
October to assist these sailors to improve
their skills before their race in the morning. Come one, come all, and learn from
one of our experienced club sailors.
Canteen Capers
Many thanks to the members, families,
friends and passing cyclists and walkers
(in increasing numbers) who have patronised the MYC canteen to buy drinks or
their lunch.
I am amazed how much hungrier people
are if their sausage sizzle is already
WALA
Laser
State
Championships
–
City of Bayswater Autumn River
cooked for them – even if it does cost 50c
Geographe Bay Yacht Club, Anzac
Festival and Regatta – Sunday, April 6
Long Weekend, Friday to Sunday, April more. Thanks to my volunteer chefs and
Though MYC had only two Minnows
the contribution you made to the club’s
25-27.
entered for the two-race Minnow compe- (See Page 6)
coffers.
tition, a trophy was awarded by the City
I have enjoyed finishing some embroiThree MYC youth members _ Jack, Matt
of Bayswater as this was the biggest
dery and chatting to lots of interesting
and Owen _ competed in their 4.7s in
fleet of junior sailors.
these championships on Geographe Bay, people while serving food and drinks.
Congratulations to Hugh Davis for tak- Busselton.
Thanks to Karen Sibthorpe for helping
ing out the trophy from the fleet of 19
out on weeks when I had other commitOur trio seemed to be having their own
mostly TCYC sailors. It was great to see mini-competition in the second half of the ments. It is also great to see everyone
the MYC juniors playing and chatting
helping out, setting up and putting away
4.7 fleet, but were gaining useful experiwith their TCYC mates after enjoying a
the chairs and tables, helping raise and
ence about sailing a trapezoid course.
sausage sizzle at the cub.
They were also learning about sailing on lower the canteen hatch and generally
making the club a friendly place to “hang
The Laser 4.7s on the water during the more open water where you sometimes
morning, along with the youth training
can’t set a landmark as a bearing to head out”.
Mirrors, showed how colourful our patch to on your way to the next mark.
Thank you! See you same place, hopeof the river can look when a reasonable
All three MYC sailors completed all eight fully same fantastic weather and wind,
number of boats are sailing.
heats in the varying wind/swell conditions later this year for the next sailing season.
Picture: MAX ALBURY
WHAT a day it was on Picnic Day on Sunday, March 30:
blue skies and an easterly with enough puffs to get you
planing.
There was a terrific roll-up among members and a great
spirit throughout the day — and the club barbecue worked
overtime to satisfy the hungry.
A fleet of Lasers, Hartleys, Minnows and Mirrors set off at
their leisure for a run down to Heirisson Island, then a tight
reach and beat back to the club.
Thanks to the ever-reliable Lynne and Bert Brescianini,
who kept the canteen and bar ticking over. Special thanks
to immediate past commodore Jerome Toonen, who became chief organiser of lawn games and novelty sailing
races. Thanks to Ken Patterson and his support boat helpers, including Andrew Nicholls.
Admittedly we had perfect weather, but it seems the switch
from Heirisson Island to the club as the picnic venue was
popular. Perhaps next year we can drop in a couple of
buoys — one in Claisebrook Cove and one near the island
— for a Club-Claisebrook-Heirisson-Claisebook-Club race.
A handicap start would give the Minnows and Mirrors a big
chance.
— STEVE FOX
10
With Rear
Commodore
KEN
PATTERSON
Training
T
HE season ended with the training group testing their skills on
the Minnows. These little boats
make an ideal starting boat for
the little tackers.
They are simple to rig and look like great
fun to sail (I have yet to put one to the
test).
Leslie Wild became the proud owner of
a very smart-looking boat that will be a
force to reckon with once Leslie has it
sorted out.
Maryion Carter, a continuing member of
the training group, has also acquired a
Minnow. She now sails the former ClarkMassera boat JAMM and will also be very
competitive.
The race series that started after the YA
certificate courses were completed saw
sailors becoming more proficient at reading the wind direction and keeping the
sails working, especially when sailing into
the wind on a close-hauled course.
However, there were so many changes
of skippers, crews and boats (Mirrors,
Minnows and Laser 4.7) that doomed any
AWARD WINNERS: Callum Ferguson and Maryion Carter.
scoring system for a trophy series. We
had great fun anyway.
#
#
#
#
CONGRATULATIONS go to Callum
Ferguson who was named the Most
Promising Trainee and received a small
award, sponsored by Max Albury, at the
club’s Prize Night on Saturday, May 17.
Well done, Callum! We look forward to
seeing more of you next season!
At the same function Maryion Carter was
named the Junior Club Person of the
2007-08 season and was awarded the
Lloyd Blake-sponsored Piglet Trophy in
recognition of her wonderful club spirit
and her willingness to help with selling
raffle tickets each club day.
Congratulations Maryion for an award
that is very well-deserved! (Piglet was the
name of Lloyd’s boat before his venture to
France, after which it became Le Petit
Cochon, French for Little Pig).
#
#
#
#
ONE offshoot of the training this year has
been the expression of interest from some
parents keen to have a go themselves.
Sebastian’s Engdahl’s parents, Lars and
Josephine, as well as Gregor and Yen,
parents of Leslie and Donal Wild, are
keen to become involved.
I can see the club Pacer getting some
work again next season.
Picture: KEN PATTERSON
M
OST of the club Mirrors are in
need of some TLC, mainly for a
paint job and replacement of
the shredding sidestays and forestays.
Anyone willing to lend a hand? If so,
please let me know.
There is also a need to have an
“advanced skills’’ coach to assist in taking our young sailors to higher levels of
competitiveness. We have some of our
Laser 4.7 and Mirror sailors showing
great promise.
The commitment could well mean no
more than running one or two coaching
clinics over the season.
Anyone interested?
JUNIORS
AHOY:
A Minnow
splits the
Mirrors
at Sunday
morning
training off
Bardon Park.
Picture:
LLOYD BLAKE
11
MEET THE MEMBERS
Vince Rogers
chance to bring friends and
prospective members to the
clubhouse to meet the friendly
Apprentice Master
crowd and talk about sailing,’’
Vince said.
“Events that encourage partners
ASER Radial Apprentice
to spend time at the club would
Master Vince Rogers is an exspread the word, too.”
ception to the general MYC
A newcomer to the sport,
demographic of seniors holding
Vince
learnt to sail in the MYC
sway.
training program in 2007. He
He is keen to encourage mem- bought an old Laser and gave
bership growth at the club and
the boat a major refit inside and
is puzzled why Try Sailing Day out. The finished boat is a credit
is no longer held at the club.
to his skills.
Questioned on strategies to
He says attracting sailors in
grow membership, Vince made the 25-45 age group is the way
simple yet sound suggestions.
forward. This requires promo-
L
He believes we should reintroduce Try Sailing Day,
advertise in local newspapers,
put MYC signs in local business
houses, on bulletin boards in
shopping centres and erect
MYC roadside signs on sailing
days.
We should tell prospective
sailors just how little it costs to
join our club. When prospective
members visit, give them a tour
of facilities, introduce them to
club executives and provide a
smart brochure describing
membership benefits, our training program, opportunities for
volunteer work and the fees.
“Some non-sailing social
events would give members a
tions to encourage past
yachties to make a comeback,
even if they haven’t been in a
boat since their teenage years.
They would probably be family
people happy to buy an inexpensive boat, particularly if they
have children keen to be introduced to sailing.
Vince points out that any expansion of the Learn-to-Sail
program would require a much
bigger volunteer force and more
club boats, so it was much easier to target young adults who
were former sailors.
Vince is a strong supporter of
modernisation of club facilities
and establishment of a riverfront
restaurant for the benefit of
members and the public.
with LLOYD BLAKE
Andrew Nicholls
Apprentice Master
in waiting
L
ASER Radial skipper Andrew Nicholls was the big
improver in the MYC summer
season.
Andrew takes a lesson from
every race and this friendly
young man disguises a very
competitive nature as he
heads towards Masters eligibility in the 2009-10 season.
A graph of his results (he
sailed every event this past
season) demonstrates how
he consistently fought back
and improved his performance.
In the first few weeks Andrew finished 5th, 6th and 7th,
then struck with a 1st. Holding
his score within the first three
places for almost a month, he
plummeted to 11th..
The following week Patches
’n’ Scratches took 2nd place. A
dip to 7th, then Andrew was
back into minor placings for a
few more weeks.
Keeping his score in single
figures in a potential fleet of
20 boats ensured a grip on
the Consistency trophy and
sailing every race allowed him
the luxury of dropping his
worst events.
Pressed for secrets of success, Andrew said he always
talks to the faster sailors who
readily share their knowledge,
he reads lots of sailing books
and on the water he tries to
sail close to a faster boat.
Importantly, Andrew practises
everything he learns.
House
He enjoys the friendly MYC
atmosphere and would like to
see more fun sailing, such as
the cruise to Matilda Bay.
Andrew learnt to sail in a
Mirror and was taught by his
father. He has watched the
growth in the number of families at the club and is another
member who supports a promotional campaign to bring
competent sailors out of retirement, along with their
young families.
“They just need to know
MYC exists and how reasonable the cost of sailing can be
at a good family club,’’ he
said.
With Rear
Commodore
BOB
JACKSON
THE next busy bee is scheduled for the weekend of
September 20-21.
A list is being prepared for the busy bee, so if anyone
sees a job that needs doing, please send a note to:
bobjackson@include.com.au
so that we can use the time on the days most efficiently.
New hand-dryers have been bought for the men's and
women's toilets and should be installed by the time you
read this.
The dryers are the automatic high-speed variety and
should be much more efficient than the old ones and lift
the quality of the toilets for those hiring the venue.
12
Starboard!
But to avoid a Mac attack you’ll
have to shout out
O
So there's this pirate with a parrot. And
this parrot swears like a sailor; I mean
he's a pistol.
He can swear for five minutes straight
without repeating himself. Trouble is,
the pirate who owns him is a quiet, conservative type, and this bird's foul
mouth is driving him crazy.
One day, it gets to be too much, so the
guy grabs the bird by the throat, shakes
him really hard, and yells, "QUIT IT!’’
But this just makes the bird mad and he
swears more than ever.
Then the pirate gets really mad and
locks the bird in a cabinet. This really
aggravates the bird and he claws and
scratches, and when the guy finally lets
him out, the bird cuts loose with a
stream of invective that would make a
veteran pirate blush.
At that point, the pirate is so mad that
he throws the parrot into a freezer. For
the first few seconds there is a terrible
din. The bird kicks and claws and
thrashes. Then it suddenly gets very
quiet.
At first the guy just waits, but then he
starts to think that the bird may be hurt.
After a couple of minutes of silence,
he's so worried that he opens the freezer
door.
The bird calmly climbs on to the man's
outstretched arm and says, "Awfully
sorry about the trouble I gave you. I'll
do my best to improve my vocabulary
from now on. By the way, what did the
chicken do?"
UR only Laser Great Grand
Master sailor, Terry
McCartney, admits to being at the
centre of several near-miss incidents afloat.
Partially hearing-impaired, Terry
finds himself very busy keeping
his Laser on track and often does
not see or hear another boat
nearby. He requests loud shouts
of “Starboard!’’
Sailing at SoPYC and PDSC,
Terry has been in keel boats,
Signets, Sharpies and GP14s.
Experiencing the difference between helming and crewing in a
boat, Terry found adapting to the
Laser a tall order.
As crew there is time to observe
other boats, plan tactics and suggest strategies.
Terry said: “As skipper I tend to
just concentrate on boat speed. It
was hard for me adapting to a
Laser, where you have to do
everything!”
A member of MYC in 1968,
Terry built and sailed a Signet
dinghy when club membership
strength was based in crewed
fleets of GP14s, Herons and
Signets.
Supporting MYC ashore, Terry
served as secretary, and later, as
Rear Commodore House.
While he claims to have no accent(!) Terry confesses to being a
British migrant and says his early
introduction to sailing was on the
English Norfolk Broads, racing
Hornets on reservoirs and sailing
a 7m cruiser in the English Channel.
Terry is very supportive of training programs which may not necessarily be on the water. There
are sailing experts available via YWA who received ashore and afloat, Terry is
are keen to visit the club, presenting spe- happy if the call is simply: “Get out of the
cial topics.
way!”
— LLOYD BLAKE
Always grateful for any sailing advice
2008-09 Opening Day Oct 12
13
Here comes the judge!
By ALAN BENN
T
HIS is a description of the first
protest seen at MYC in a long
time. Do we all sail that well and
inside the rules or do we just tend to not
bother with protests? Or does everyone
take their penalties when required?
The incident happened at the finish of
one of the morning 4.7 Laser races.
rules: If there is any doubt, the overlap
situation is regarded as staying the same.
In this situation the panel initially had
some concern regarding the overlap because boat L said that “boat W came in
very quickly on a gust”.
If there was no overlap at, say, three
boat lengths and boat L had called this
(early and often), then he may have had
some defence in denying boat W room, if
in fact he did get an overlap very late and
of some doubt.
THE VERDICT
BOAT L was disqualified for not giving the
required room.
Boat L also at no time did any circles to
allow exoneration. Boat W was allowed
redress for hitting the finish mark due to
L’s actions.
THE PROTEST
JACK Clark-Massera (W) protested Matthew Clark-Massera for not giving him
room at the finish line.
Description:
Two Lasers were approaching the finish
line from St Annes in to an easterly
breeze, both on port tack. At position a,
the windward (W) boat had an overlap
and maintained this all the way up to the
line. Boat W hailed: “How am I going to
get across the line?” Leeward boat L
replied: “You’re not!” and luffed up to prevent W getting inside the mark.
The incident was caused by boat L confusing the finish line with conditions at a
starting line – which is often marked out
by the same marks.
At a starting line, where the end of the
line is “indicated by a mark surrounded by
clear water”, you do not have to give room
to an inside boat. As Kim Stephens demonstrates very well on most starts, he
won’t let you get inside and above him
and will force you inside the mark so you
have to go around and try again.
At the finish line, though, the situation is
different. The mark at the end of the line
is treated just like another mark of the
course – a mark that you are required to
pass on a particular side – and, as such,
you are entitled to room to pass this mark.
As usual, getting room is dependent on
the inside boat having an overlap at the
two-boat-length circle. In this case the
call from the windward/inside boat should
be for “room” – not as was called in this
case.
Everyone strongly recommends that
ARTWORK: Mr Squiggle
these calls should be like voting for the
Bayswater mayor _ made early and often!
Make sure you both understand that there
is an overlap even before the circle and it
is maintained at the circle.
ACK and Matthew’s Minnow (JAMM) sold via The Mudlark’s Classifieds in the
autumn issue. The Clark-Massera boys now sail Laser 4.7s. The new owner of
Don’t try to claim that the overlap situaJAMM is Andrew Carter on behalf of his daughters Jennifer and Maryion. So,
tion suddenly changes right at the circle
no name change was necessary. JAMM is now Jennifer and Mary’s Minnow!
as this is specifically mentioned in the
Wb
Lb
Wa
La
J
AGM: Monday, June 9 (SEE PAGE 4)
14
With Rear
Commodore
JOHN
WALLACE
Laser Radials
THE 2007-08 season has ended with the
Radial fleet averaging more than 10 boats
a race.
A new formula was adopted by the
committee for the season which provided
trophies according to the fleet size.
This allowed trophies to be awarded
down to 5th place in all competitions for
Radials.
Congratulations to all the trophy winners.
For those who missed out there’s always
the Winter Series or next summer. The
major trophy winners were:
Club Champion
Kim Stephens
Consistency Series
Andrew Nicholls
Short-Course Champion Kim Stephens
Short-Course Consistency
Jerome
Toonen
Most Fastest Times
Kim Stephens
The Club Championship was a clear-cut
win to Kim – not quite a perfect score as
he had to carry a second place.
Ray Martin was a clear second with the
other results well spread.
Andrew won the Consistency by five
points, with Jerome second, then half a
point back to yours truly and another half
a point to Alan Benn.
It is quite incredible that placings can be
determined by such small margins after
23 races with four drops.
The half-point was caused by a dead
heat in one race.
If you want to check your placings, full
results can be found by following the link
on the MYC website.
#
#
#
#
THE breezes during the second half of
the season were lighter which makes for
testing days at Maylands – trying to find
the puffs and pick the wind shifts.
The racing was always close throughout
the season with any mistakes causing
places to be lost.
#
#
#
#
THE summer sailing didn’t finish with the
end of the Maylands program as the
State titles were held in Busselton at
Geographe Bay Yacht Club over the
Anzac long weekend.
The venue was great with lots of space
for rigging and an excellent body of water
to sail on.
The conditions varied from a drifter on
Laser Full Rigs
I HAVE read, researched and collected
comment on Laser sailing by sailors in
several countries. Condensing a range
of comment on downwind sailing and
eliminating repetitive and complementary views, this collective gives a
broad overview of what a host of Laser
sailors have said in many forums over
several years on sail-by-the-lee.
SAILING dead downwind, your wind indicator will point along the centreline of your
hull. To sail by the lee, bear away until the
wind indicator will begin pointing almost in
line with your boom.
Keep bearing further away from dead
downwind to a by-the-lee course until you
see the wind indicator start to rotate
wildly; this heading is the edge of your
by-the-lee course for that wind and that
boom angle.
Tell tails help detect by-the-lee airflow on
the sail. Most important: always have
flow on the back (leeward side) of the sail.
Sailing by-the-lee is not only fast, it provides increased boat stability.
You are on a broad reach with the boom
on the “wrong’’ (windward) side. Let your
boom out past 90 degrees to the centreline of the boat.
the Friday afternoon, with big shifts, to
consistent breezes on Saturday and Sunday, ranging up to 17 knots.
Trapezoid courses were used with the
windward mark in the vicinity of the jetty.
There was a short chop which was running at about 45 degrees to the wind
which meant that the starboard tack was
very bumpy and the port much more enjoyable.
The Sunday morning races were a little
stronger and made for some good rides –
gybing while surfing on a wave is almost
effortless.
There were 23 boats in the Radial fleet
with Maylands represented by Alan,
Jerome, Ray and myself. Alan had the
highest placing with a third in one of the
heats on Saturday which caused a lot of
cheering at the pennant presentation that
night, as all the other pennants went to
those fresh-faced youngsters!
The weekend was most enjoyable, the
venue excellent and the race organisation
very efficient.
#
#
#
#
SEE you during winter or next season and
don’t forget to work on the fitness level.
With
LLOYD
BLAKE
BREAKFAST OF
CHAMPS:
While some of
the hot shots
are sailing
by-the-lee,
others prefer
to occasionally
sail by-theshiraz, including your
columnist
Lloyd Blake
and Steve Fox.
In light air, go out to 35-40 degrees past
it. In stronger air, just 20 degrees past it,
and in heavy air, no more than five degrees.
For the entry point of the wind to the sail
to be the leech and the exit point to be the
luff (defines “sailing by the lee’’), you need
to always head considerably lower than
dead downwind.
On the leeward leg of any course, supposing the leg is set correctly — that is,
the direction of the leg is in line with the
median true wind direction with wind direction and the leg direction matched —
sailing by the lee means you will not be
heading towards the leeward mark.
On starboard tack, (by the lee) you will
be heading much more to the left of the
leeward mark. On port tack (by the lee),
you will be heading much more to the
right of the mark.
You will sail a longer (but faster) distance to the mark. Being more stable,
surfing waves becomes easier, too. Sit on
the rails inside with one knee on the bottom of the cockpit. The vang needs to be
tensioned correctly.
Have a tell tail on the top batten; it
should fly parallel to the batten. If it goes
up, vang too loose; if it hides behind the
sail, vang too tight. Same rule applies for
vang tension on reaches.
15
Classifieds
FOR SALE
GOLDEN OLDIES: I have a 1928 Dodge Brothers tourer
that needs full restoration for sale at $2250. It has wooden
spoke wheels with a big side-valve six, three-speed gearbox
and brakes on all wheels! Body is disassembled for storage
and moving. A complete car with lots of spares. I also have a
1927 Chev truck needing full restoration for sale at $550.
Wood spokes, four-cylinder, three or four-speed gearbox,
brakes on rear wheels. Disassembled. Lots of spares, including rear steel spoke wheels. None of the timber tray or 'C' cab.
Want to know more? Contact Ed Bart at:
ewbart@bigpond.com.au or call 9295 1664 or 0401 900 120.
HERON: Sugar Baby. Very competitive, timber hull.
Rigging & spars in good condition. Sails are average.
$1500 negotiable. Contact John Gaunt on 9445 2448 or
0407 101 217. Boat is stored in Doubleview.
Maylands Yacht Club (Inc)
Cnr East Street and Fourth Avenue East
Maylands WA 6051
(Postal)
PO Box 5
Maylands WA 6931
Clubhouse: 9271 7332 (race days only)
Secretary: Alan Benn 08 9271 1232 or
0429 101 703
Email: myc@iinet.net.au
Website: www.members.iinet.net.au/~myc
Thank you to
our sponsors
Aylesbury’s Framing (Kim Stephens)
Andrew Nicholls
Bruce Lee
BW Truck Parts
Brian Kent
Brian Plumb
Carter’s Armature
Rewinds (Ossie
Carter)
Emergency Computers (Andrew
Carter)
Healthway
Ida and Jim Bennett
Include Pty Ltd
(Bob Jackson)
Jerome Toonen
John Gaunt and
Anne Christie
John Wallace
Ken and Sandy
Patterson
Kelvin Davis
Leisure Pools
Lloyd Blake
Max Albury
Max Moore
Milbold Pty Ltd
(Alan Benn)
Northern Districts
Chiropractic Centre
(David Ponton)
Paul Borrett
Peter Kerrigan
Rob Hermans
Sail Power Marine
(Grant Alderson)
Steve Fox
Terry Gaunt
Terry McCartney
Vectis Digital Graphics (Ian Pavey)
Vince Rogers
Wally and Joy Davis
The next issue of The Mudlark is the Spring Edition
and is scheduled for September 1, 2008.
Contributors and advertisers are asked to forward
all submissions to editor Steve Fox at
thefoxfamily@optusnet.com.au
16