Sailing Today
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The RS300 associations e-Newsletter		July/August 2006 edition
RS300 Breaking News... The RS Ball 2006 dates are now set! The 2006 RS300 UK GUL National Championships in Looe  is only 2 months away! Less than 1 month to Garda! Next Fat Face event is Filey SC on the 8th and 9th July!
Welcome Welcome to the first addition of RS300 Sailing Today, the new planned regular e-newsletter from the RS association. We plan to bring you the latest news, views and technical articles and anything else that maybe of interest to the RS300 sailor! To make this happen though we need your help with providing the material. So don't delay - Get writing and email me with your RS300 articles and don't forget those pictures! In this issue we have: GUL RS Racing Sprint Champs and RS Ball Report from Milton Keynes Lee-on-Solent Burghfield RS300 Fat Face Circuit 2006 An article on General Sail care from Hyde Sails With the Fat Face Circuit now over half way the next stop  is Filey on the 8th & 9th July. Have a great Nationals at Looe and enjoy Garda!! Enjoy the read! Duncan Ellis duncan.ellis@progressivetechnology.co.uk
GUL RS Racing Sprint Champs and RS Ball, 2006 For 2006 ....   A brand new event for the RS fleets!   And a date for the 2006 RS Ball for those of you worrying that you'd heard nothing to date. Saturday November 4th - Rutland Sailing Club & Barnsdale Lodge Hotel The Sprint Champs will be a series of short (15-20 minute) races in flights of 10 boats in separate fleets, with a complicated scoring system, finishing off with flight finals.   Something very different, excellent racing and spectating, and great prizes, courtesy of GUL. The RS Racing  Ball will be held 3 miles from Rutland SC at the Barnsdale Lodge, a beautiful 18th century privately owned hotel.    There will be the normal revelry of band, disco, 4 course dinner, bar extension, and maybe even a few fireworks ...   Dress will be black tie. The Sprint Champs will cost approximately £10/boat in advance, and will double for entries received after 14th October.   The RS Ball is £25 per person, tickets must be booked by 14th October via the RS Office at East Hayes, Grove Road, Lymington, SO41 3RN.   There is lovely, plush accommodation at the Barnsdale Lodge from £40/person., and dormitories at Rutland SC from £12/person, and lots in between.  See the RS website under events for more details.   Put it in your diary now!   And don't forget to book in ...   Milton Keynes SC - 1st/2nd April What to expect for the first race in an open meeting held on April Fools day? Well wind and plenty off it! A south westerly, blowing 4-7 during race 1, 2, race 3, 4, and 5, and then for the few to brave race 6… more of the same, with occasional peaks of 8½ measured on the clubhouse roof!  Thirteen lucky contestants stood up to the mark, a home team of seven from Milton Keynes, and six visitors from around the UK. Other Milton Keynes sailors are beginning to believe that RS300s seem to breed like rabbits when their backs are turned. Paul Barker (MKSC) appeared clutching a thumb straight out of a cartoon accident – claimed he had cut himself badly in the week, and was therefore unable to compete. However he ran an effective training session for those willing and able. Others looked on, nodding sagely, as they thrashed about before the first race – oblivious that they were wearing themselves out!Quite a few reefs were in evidence from some of the players. In the first race, Chris Morrissey, from Milton Keynes, blasted away ahead of the pack, with Cliff Shaw, from Stokes Bay SC, in pursuit, then Barry Steel, another visitor from Aldenham SC, in third. However by lap two, John Carron had passed them from an unusual fifth. Close on his heels was Mark Russell, also from MKSC. Phil Underwood (Cotswold SC) recovered from a slow start, working his way up the fleet, however unable to catch John Carron. The final result after much swimming and changing of positions: first - John Carron, second - Phil Underwood, third - Chris Morrissey. A wind eased very slightly in the second, but the fleet had been reduced to seven. Again John Carron held everybody at bay, with another second from Phil Underwood, Cliff Shaw, from Stokes Bay SC, claiming the third. A tricky start for Phil Underwood, in the third – meant he was squeezed off the line, pushing him back down the fleet. Again John Carron took the race – with Chris Morrissey holding second – and Cliff Shaw third. It was time to put the boats away for the night. After an entertaining evening’s social at a curry house in Fenny Stratford, racing began again promptly at ten. John Carron seemed unassailable, pun intended, with another first - Chris Morrissey, second and Ian Smith, Craven SC, third.Then in the fifth – Cliff Shaw managed to keep ahead of the Carron machine, with a fine win. Chris Morrissey came in third. Everybody looked exhausted at lunchtime. Conversations revolved around – should we do another? – haven’t we done enough? But four rose to the challenge. Cliff Shaw took the lead – which he never lost – Chris Morrissey held a second, and Phil Underwood, and Mark Tuffnell (MKSC) took turns at third. It was a trying, but rewarding weekends sailing. Thanks to all at Milton Keynes Sailing Club – Howard Astley- Jones for running the races with his team – the rescue boat crews – who never had a dull moment, and the Galley team – providing calories that we immediately ‘burnt off’     Sailor Sail No. Club race1  race2 race3 race4 race5 race6 Points Final Position Mark Tuffnel 427 MKSC 5 4 6 7 5 3 23 5 Mark Ball 326 MKSC rtd rtd rtd dns dns dns 70 13 Dan Barret 378 MKSC rtd dns 9 9 dnf dns 60 9 Phil Underwood 313 MKSC 2 2 8 5 6 4 19 4 Ian Smith 347 Craven SC 7 dns 4 3 dnf dns 42 8 Stuart Leonard 480 MKSC 9 dns dns rtd dnf dns 65 10 Mark Russel 434 MKSC 8 dns 7 6 4 dns 39 6 John Carron 420 MKSC 1 1 1 1 2 dns 6 1 Richard Eperon 353 Bough Beech rtd dns dns 10 dnf dns 66 11 Barry Steel 366 Aldenham SC 6 6 5 8 dnf dns 39 7 Cliff Shaw 478 Stokes Bay  4 3 3 4 1 1 12 2 Chris Morrissey 430 MKSC 3 5 2 2 3 2 12 3 Sarah Barker 395 Falmouth Marine School dns dns dns 11 dnf dns 67 12   Lee -on-Solent SC - 6th/7th May A lack of wind and an excess of rain greeted the competitors at the Fat Face-sponsored RS300 open meeting at Lee-on-Solent over the weekend of 6/7 May. The sacrifice of some rather nice cups of tea to the weather gods worked wonders, however, and racing got underway with the wind very nearly reaching force 2 at times, full hiking conditions in a 300. In race 1, the fleet got away evenly on a well-set line. Steve Cook from Stokes Bay, making a welcome return to the circuit, led at the top mark but Steve Bolland from Bristol Corinthian managed to wriggle by downwind. Cliff Shaw, also from Stokes Bay, finished 3rd. Race 2 and Steve Cook again managed to get away cleanly and led from start to finish. Alastair Wood from Bough Beech showed that an A rig can be competitive in all conditions in the right hands and sailed exceptionally well to hold off a late charge by Bolland on the final run. In a dying wind in race 3, Bolland, Shaw and Cook were all in close contention until the former two managed to find some extra wind on the final beat to pull clear to finish in that order. Barry Steel had a storming last beat to overtake Cook who had to fight hard on the run to the finish to regain 3rd. Day 2 and there was even less wind than day 1, but the sun was out at least. The light conditions didnt deter Alastair Wood who looked fresh having rested his gammy knee overnight and made the best of a heavily port-biased line in race 4. Barry Steel was also looking good initially, looking to capitalise on his overnight 4,4,4 score line. Approaching the top mark, however, the fleet was called back as the wind went really funny. Race 4 was restarted in not much more wind, about 3 knots, and Bolland drifted to the windward mark first, a lead he held to the finish. Cook finished 2nd and Graham Cooper from Bristol Corinthian showed his light wind prowess by crossing in 3rd. A brief delay while the wind sorted itself out was worth the wait and the last 2 races were run in a steady force 1 and a half. Some close racing saw Bolland win both races with Cook and Shaw getting a 2nd each. Wood showed excellent consistency by finishing 3rd in both races. Then it was in for some more rather nice tea and cakes. Overall, a good meeting that was enjoyable and hard work despite the predominantly light winds. Thanks to Lee-on-Solent for hosting the event well both on and off the water and particular thanks to the race officer and his team who did exceptionally well to fit in the full schedule of races in trying conditions.   Rank Class Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Nett Fleet 2 Fleet  -  Sailed: 6  Discards: 1  Ratings: PY 1st RS 300 411 Steve Bolland BCYC 1 3 1 1 1 1 5 2nd RS 300 479 Steve Cook Stokes Bay SC 2 1 3 2 4 2 10 3rd RS 300 478 Cliff Shaw Stokes Bay SC 3 7 2 7 2 4 18 4th RS 300 422 Alastair Wood Bough Beech SC 7 2 dnf 4 3 3 19 5th RS 300 366 Barry Steel Aldenham SC 4 4 4 6 5 6 23 6th RS 300 456 Graham Cooper BCYC 6 6 6 3 6 5 26 7th RS 300 443 Andy/Richard Gould Cotswold SC DNC 5 5 5 ocs 7 31 8th RS 300 313 Phil Underwood Cotswold SC 5 8 7 DNC DNC DNC 38     Burghfield - 10th June An excellent forecast, summer weather (at last!) and great winds encouraged a bumper turnout for the Fat Face sponsored RS300 open meeting at Burghfield SC on June 10th. Luckily, a clash with the England/Paraguay World Cup game did not seem to put anyone off (although I note that no Scots were competing…). A firm force 4 with sizeable gusts and shifts welcomed the fleet for race 1. Matt Sargeant in his new machine made the best of a good start on the port-biased line to lead for the first couple of laps. He was initially followed by Steve Cook and Cliff Shaw and then Steve Bolland who pulled though on the downwind legs. Bolland did his normal capsizing routine and Sargeant seemed to have the race wrapped up until an incident with Cook forced a 720. Bolland then made the best of a private gust to pull up on Cook who he harried for the next lap before moving into the lead. Bolland and Cook finished in that order with Sargeant in 3rd after Shaw had broken his gooseneck on the final lap. 4th was Chris Hart. A course adjustment for race 2 made the course (in the words of Barry Steel) even more like the Tour de France with seemingly every buoy used at least once. This time it was Cook who got away cleanly followed by Tim Keen and Mark Russell. Bolland pulled through to second place as the wind piped up downwind and took the lead at half distance. Keen and Russell were still close although being closed down by Sargeant and Hart who were moving through. Bolland extended his lead with another private gust and Cook was secure in second place until being caught on the wrong side of an outrageous shift and then getting caught up with a couple of Vareos at the penultimate windward mark. Sargeant made the most of it and managed to pull through to second in the last half lap. Hart showed his consistency with another 4th. Bolland sat out the last race to watch the England match. Sargeant had a comfortable lead at the first mark which he held to the finish. The race for 2nd place was close though with Cook and Hart in close combat for much of the race, Cook shading it at the finish. 4th place went to Barry Steel rounding off an excellent meeting and showing many a younger sailor the way round in trying conditions. An excellent and exhausting meeting which was enjoyed by all with a refreshing number of new faces making an appearance. The race officer set interesting and challenging courses and the beachmaster ensured we all got in safely. Thanks to all who helped and to Fat Face for the sponsorship.
Sailed:3, Discards:1, To count:2, Ratings:None, Entries:12, Scoring system:My scoring system Rank Class SailNo Helm Club R1 R2 R3 Total Nett 1 RS 300 411 Steve Bolland Bristol Corinthian YC 1 1 (13 DNF) 15 2 2 RS 300 506 Matt Sargent Bowmoor SC/Royal Artillery YC (3) 2 1 6 3 3 RS 300 479 Steve Cook Stokes Bay 2 (3) 2 7 4 4 RS 300 475 Chris Hart - (4) 4 3 11 7 5 RS 300 366 Barry Steel Aldenham SC 5 (6) 4 15 9 6 RS 300 328 Tim Keen Sheffield viking SC 6 5 (13 DNF) 24 11 7 RS 300 434 Mark Russell Milton Keynes (7) 7 5 19 12 8 RS 300 454 John Hibberd BCYC 8 8 (13 DNF) 29 16 9 RS 300 456 Graham Cooper BCYC 9 (13 DNF) 13 DNF 35 22 10 RS 300 326 Mark Ball Milton Keynes SC (13 DNF) 13 DNF 13 DNF 39 26 10 RS 300 509 Cliff Shaw Stokes Bay (13 DNF) 13 DNF 13 DNF 39 26 10 RS 300 335 Graeme Tumber Priory SC (13 DNF) 13 DNF 13 DNF 39 26
RS300 Fat Face Circuit 2006
Date	Venue	No of Entries	Results
1-2 April	Milton Keynes SC	12	1st John Carron 2nd Cliff Shaw 3rd Chris Morrissey
6-7 May	Lee-on-Solent SC	8	1st Steve Bolland 2nd Steve Cook 3rd Cliff Shaw
10th June	Burghfield SC	12	1st Steve Bolland 2nd Matt Sargent 3rd Steve Cook
8-9 July	Filey SC
12-13 August	Glossop SC
General Sail Care Although this article is not specific to RS300 sailors you may find some points of interest. With Thanks to Hyde Sails for allowing the RS Association to re use this article During the Season At the end of any sail, may it be a three week cruise or a round the cans race, you have to decide how to store your sails until the next time. We are lucky that modern materials are resistant to moisture and salt crystals, and they can be left on the boat for the duration of the season without incurring unnecessary wear and tear. But if you do have the opportunity to rinse them in this period you should always take it. Salt holds moisture into the cloth, and the crystals will chafe the fibres. Also, glued sails degrade quickly when left wet in the bottom of the boat. Sails made from any cloth are best rolled, as this does less damage to the cloth finish than the creasing that is inevitably involved in folding or flaking sails. Roller furler systems have this advantage, although it does mean the sail is left to the battering of the elements while it is up there, particularly sunlight. That's the importance of the sunstrip. If you leave the sail on the furler make sure you ease the halyard tension, otherwise you can permanently stretch the sail. You should never leave a sail on the furler unless it has a sunstrip fitted, even for one night. If you take your sails off the spars, roll them if at all possible, and get bags big enough that they don't need any further folding. If they are stored down below, politely ask your crew and guests to avoid sitting or standing on them as much as possible! The one sailcloth material that is badly affected by moisture is nylon; it loses strength and changes shape when wet. Because sails take longer to dry when salty, the best treatment for a nylon spinnaker is to take it home each time and rinse it on the drive or lawn. Alternatively, leaving the sail loose out of the bag in the forepeak is the next best thing. Don't hang sails in the rigging to dry them, unless it is completely calm - the flogging does more damage than leaving them wet! Incidentally, none of the materials like excessive heat, so avoid leaving them in a car in the middle of the summer. At the end of the year Although sails can mostly be left to their own devices during the summer season, it is well worth storing them properly for the winter lay-up, as even hard wearing modern materials will not take kindly to being left damp, salty, dirty and creased for six months. The main rules are to rinse and dry the sails, then leave them loosely rolled. Wash them if possible - some dirt, like rust, can be corrosive. Once clean store them somewhere dry, cool and out of the sun. Hyde Sails offer a winter valet service that will take these jobs off your hands. In addition they will check for routine maintenance, which is outlined in the following section, and do any necessary repairs. Maintenance At the end of any season's sailing you should have a good look at your sails to see if there are any areas that need work. And it's a good idea to do the same check before a period of extended cruising or race regatta, particularly if you will be some distance from the services of a sailmaker. The luff, foot tapes and bolt ropes are a good place to start. Chafing is the biggest problem, particularly if it has worn right through the cloth to the rope. It can then catch in the groove as the sail is hoisted and tear badly. If you have slides, hanks or cars, have a good look at each of them to see if there is any cracking or signs of fatigue failure (discoloration or roughening of the surface). The attachment of any hardware to the sail is a potential problem area, because of the fastening of soft sailcloth to harder metal and plastic. The headboard, batten pockets and battens, cunningham and outhaul rings are all worth careful inspection for chafe and broken stitching. In fact all the seams are worth scanning to see if they are showing signs of wear.
email:rs300@progressivetechnology.co.uk