Another good day

[k4s]

Good luck Chris and Brian.....Sail fast have fun and smile lots...Go Team NZ.

[k4s]

9 Boats on the water today...Sun was out,got hot,summer must be here.
Wind was a late arrival so only a couple of races before lunch.Shifts every leg(more than one usually)meant for going from golden to s##t on the placings board for all.
Lunch was called and enjoyed by all.
Afternoon the wind had finally decided it would blow from only one direction with just enough lifts and knocks to keep everyone on their toes.
Wind speed slowly rose to a level that B rig was suggested,this of course had the obvious affect on the wind and it settled down to a nice steady upper A rig strength for the rest of an enjoyable afternoon by the lake.
Racing was generally close with wins being evenly spread around the fleet.
Mark roundings were nearly all group efforts with some lively,but light hearted rule disscussion and interpretation.Those that either took the long way round the outside or just got on with sailing their boat usually had the last laugh...good fun.
So all in all another good day.
All sailors where part of the Tauranga club....its just new...first time in a while there have been no visitors.Hope you all had as good a time on your local waters.

[k4s]

Tauranga started out with the question,A or B.After a bit of stalling and general chat we all decided B was the sensible choice.
Wind out of the SW and top of B and above most of the time.The odd lull but not enough to bother with A rig.
Roy arrived in the black coupe after a race over the Kaimais with a Mustang...got it in the corners apparently....is this a more mature version of Boy Racing?.Anyway he went for an A rig due to his B having had a mishap.The wind took exception to this and the resulting rig/car boot coming together resulted in a C rig for Roy.Man they even look little beside a B rig.
Bruce had the purple people eater flying around the course,even his regular pit stops to lighten the load of unwelcome water seemed hardly needed.In fact I think he was going too
 fast for the water to find anyway into his boat.
Gary found that his boat did in fact need a rudder to negotiate the course.Both boat and wayward appendage were recovered and with a replacement afixed he resumed his place in the leading bunch.
The Glow Worm(fastlane) of Alec was consistently out front although Ken and Graham nipped his heels most of the time and had a few wins to their names by mid afternoon.Perhaps Alec might start to hold back on some of his tuning secrets,I hope not as after the lunch break and a quick few pointers from Alec my boat started to actually do as I was telling it.Just started to get comfortable with the way it was going and the rudder decided to go on holidays...water and servos...GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Seems the level of competition has raised a few notches over the last little while,sailing twice a week must be good,as all boats are finishing pretty closely and the next race is starting so soon that it has become nessercary to call for a break to tweak.This means lots of races being got thru in an afternoon.So if your coming to Tauranga to race/sail charge those batteries well.
A running commentry of the racing was heard from the top level grandstand viewing position from a couple of Electron guys over from Papamoa.This was quite entertaining as their calls of positions at marks was somewhat more accurate than some of the actual sailors calls some of the time.
Tangles aplenty at some marks and the favoured starboard end of the startline was at times too small for the number of boats trying to get that perfect weather boat start.The fleet pretty much all(me included)will have to start taking a few of the rules a little more seriously now that the sailing is getting closer.Barging the line was fairly prevelent.This will be an easy fix however as the fleet are all here for fun .
So all in all...another good day...hope yours was too.

[k4s]

28.11.09
The Lakes
Tauranga.
             Wind was from the northern quarter today making for a difficult course setting decision by Mike,the race officer for the day.
             With the wind blowing across the lake it was hard to get a decent length beat so after much pondering,pointing,arm waving and disscussion a rather unusual course was decided on.This comprised a down wind start to the first mark.In all there was 3 downwind legs,3 windward legs,a long reach leg,then a final upwind to the finish.
             Imagine a zig-zag line and your close to what we sailed.
             This turned out to be a huge amount of fun and is strongly recommended as something different to break up the usual windward/leewards of standard fare.Multiple lead and position changes through out the day.First to last was not an uncommon occurance,the adage,it aint over til....sure proved to be correct.
             The course used up the full width of the lake for the windward legs with one of the top marks only metres from our sailing poisition.With the elevation at Tauranga a great view down onto the mark was had.This resulted in very tight roundings by groups of boats with virtually no coming togethers.If only we had such great viewing angles on all the marks.
             Most started the day with B rigs with John the exception on an A,because that was what he had rigged at home.Wind strength was a bit up and down so all fared well.
.Lunch came and with it a rigging frenzy as B's were changed up to A's,except john,who just to be different went from A to B.He got the prize for most rig changes as he was soon back to A as the wind dropped to below B levels.
             Downwind starts are interesting animals as most of the line is evenly favoured so the fleet is spread right across it.This meant nearly every start had all boats hitting the line at speed on the gun.All going pretty much the same speed towards the same mark.That first mark rounding became quite an interestng spot as 12 boats all converged on it from both high and low courses.It took a few races for everyone to get it sorted,what with overlaps and bouy room appearing form what is an unusual angle from normal upwind marks.Chaos for a while ,but it soon became good clean racing as people steered to avoid conflict rather than close out the opposition...score one for fair play and sportsmanship.This is a good crowd of sailors,lots of laughs and rule explanations being heard.
          Another couple of new boats on the course,Brett had his new BIG RED fresh from the Fox factory going real quick for a boat that has only been wet twice.Brian had another fox special,looks cool in metalic gold.If the rumours are true a brand new REGGAE is not far away,the first hull is off the mold and being set up with maybe another 3 to come from this same mold in the near future.We may have to apply to the developers for a bigger lake if the fleet keeps growing like this.
          Sailing in Tauranga is now every Wednesday night from 4 until whenever and every Saturday from 11 till your eyes say enough is enough or your batteries run dry.All are welcome to turn up and toss there boat in the ring.See you there one day soon.

[k4s]

5.12.09
      Well as the year is fast coming to its end things are heating up in Tauranga with regard to IOM sailing.
       New boats are appearing in various stages of completion and a few oldies are being bought out of retirement.Alf sailed his older yellow hull this week.Kinda looks "wigety",very narrow compared to most on the lake.As the wind was on the light side it appeared to be the right choice as he was right in there during the racing.Showed that the newest designs are not the only competitive ones out there.
       The racing was interesting with a wind that decided to blow from every compass direction and never really settled all day.It was not uncommon to have an upward leg become a downwind leg during the race.In fact at one stage boats not more than a couple of metres apart could be both beating and running on the same leg.Character building to say the least".First to last in one easy lesson", was heard on more than one occasion.
       Keeping your mind in the game was difficult at times due to the fact that every start was from a new start line and around the course(also new and nominated by Gary,our officer of the day)in a different direction.Rather than spending all day shifting marks races started from the existing start line,but often in the opposite direction from the last.Both port and starboard courses were called.In more than one race the lead boat was seen to be rounding the first mark the wrong way.Usually the skipper was notified of this by the second boat,but only once the leader had to give up there position and the second boat claimed the front.Swearing...you bet..Laughter ..even more so.
       Leads changed often due to picking the right windshifts(absolutely NO luck involved...all just pure skill...)resulting in everyone having a lead then having to either protect it with tight covering or fighting their way back up through the fleet after a less than favourable shift(this was of course due to bad luck and nothing to do with skill...tee hee)
        Enough races were got thru during the day for more than one set of batteries to cry enough.Some sets of eyes were crying enough(I know mine were)by the end of the day.
         As the day drew to a close and the fleet dwindled through exhaustion(eyes,batteries,you name it)the wind decided to stop fooling with us and blew from one direction and picked up to top of A rig strength.The stayers amongst the fleet enjoyed a couple more races before calling it a day around 5 ish.So a good 6 or 7 hours of sailing fun.
         One funny story heard was of a new boat in the mold(John has new project coming out of Factory Fox)that was screwed down in the jig for some reinforcing patches(screwed through the centre case slot)Apparently if you remove said screw and forget to plug the hole the new hull becomes quite attached to the jig when the patches are resined in.Hope it all works out!!!!
         Remember sailing in Tauranga is Wednesdays from 4pm and Saturdays from 11 am,no invitations needed,just turn up for the fun.If your in town but dont have a boat there is often a spare and if not you will get to sail a few different boats as the crew are more than willing to hand over the controls for a race or two.
See ya there.

[k4s]

http://www.ohope.co.nz/iom/index.html
Visit this site,thanks to Greame,for photos of Tauranga sailing

[k4s]

Sailing in Tauranga this Saturday.All welcome.
Looks like the weather might be on the damp side so bring your wetgear incase.
See ya there.

[k4s]

12.12.09
          Tauranga sailing was on in weather that was threatening to begin with.This may have detered some from taking part as numbers were down a bit...8 boats on the water.
           Arriving late I found boats still in the rigging stage  with only one already on the water.Much deciding of rig size going on,stalling until somebody bit the bullet and made a call.A rig became the choice..as it turned out not the right one.
           Everyone got into the start box and racing commenced.Big bullets coming thru and rain seen to be approaching down the valley,dark grey clouds and gusty,although quite steady winds direction wise.
            Rain,not overly heavy,quite warm,coats donned and transmitters covered.Plastic bags at a premium.
            So everyone is wrapped up and waterproof,rain goes away..doesnt that always happen:)Showers and gusts so lunch is called with B Rig calls being made.
             After lunch B rigs look like the correct choice,I stayed on A and quickly found it was not a good call,although Gary,also on A seemed to be handling things ok,only being a submarine on a few bullets.Something to do with batteries sliding forward in the hull pushing the nose down.Comments in regard to movable ballast and its use heard.
             I conceded and changed down to B and the racing became better with close mark roundings and several boats crossing the finish line in less than a boat length.Some too close to call.Races within races kept peoples attention skipping between their own boat and who ever was having a close duel.Even when sailing a race this is a spectator sport.
             Something I noticed was the blanketing affect an A rig has on a B rig when on the downwind leg.A trailing B rig needs to be close to the lead boat to start covering the wind,A rig however starts to have an effect much earlier,Gary was quite enjoying running up to the B rigs in front and sitting in their wind as he passed close to weather.Made for some really interesting courses taken to the bottom mark as protection of place ,rather than outright speed became more common.
              As the day progressed more and more B rigs were changed back up to A until only the lazy amongst the fleet(ME) were sailing the B.
              Now this was hard sailing .Amazingly up wind the B could hold its own as long as all the right tactical calls were made,one mistake and see ya later,as A rigs sped on by.Downwind was fun as I tried to protect and A rigs gleefully attacked...Here I come hehehe.
I may have used up the next ten years of favours from the wind gods as I pleaded for wind,wind and more of it around the course.
              Berndt had an odd occurance where on an upwind leg his boat decided to just sail on when he was trying to go around a mark.He followed along beside it up the lake,I dont speak german but the air was quite blue around his location.His boat aimed its self at the bridge and looked like it would sail on to the end of the lake,however even if he had tried I doubt he could have hit the bridge as centred as the boat did.This of course made the boat start to obey commands.The walk back downwind was made with many shakes of the head.From then on his boat remained in command.Mystery.
               So that was sailing in Tauranga.
               Hope there was sailing elsewhere,it would be good to have info from around the country:)...or is Tauranga the only place that sails...
             

[k4s]

Well it was sunny
       it was windy
       it was fun
             Yep we sailed in Tauranga

[IanHB]

A great turnout in Wellington today. Great B rig breeze with enough shifts to make it interesting.
A number of newcomers to boost the fleet. A great day.

[k4s]

http://www.ohope.co.nz/iom/091218.html

Link to Tauranga 19.12.09 pics

[k4s]

Well,
     First day back on the water in Tauranga for me since before Xmas.
     Sun was out with a vengence...hot,you betcha!!!
     On arrival at the lake Andrew,a brand new IOM owner,weeks not months,was the lone rigger.He is also into RC choppers and had a nice one in the car if the wind dropped.
     Oh yeah,as well as sun there was wind.
      Top of A rig by about 11.30.Weird how when the wind is warm it doesnt feel as strong.You guessed it we all stayed with A's.Right choice as the day went on.Fully powered up all the time,only when a gust hit did it all become too much and rapid and sudden course changes became a popular menu item:).
      Lunch time was pretty short as skippers returned to sailing quicker than usual,conditions must have been good eh?
      An afternoon of rapid fire racing ensued.Little to no tinkering time between races finishing and the 1minute to start message was heard.If you really had to tinker(I did:) , a lot) a front of the fleet finish was needed.If you missed the start,just join onto the back of the fleet and your racing.
     Batteries are confirmed to have died!!
     Around 3 pm the constant racing,sun,wind was starting to win the battle and skippers slowly drifted away.They were all smiling I noticed.
      As the fleet dwindled to 4 or 5 boats shorter courses were called for and gratefully accepted.We moved the start box down to the jetty,designed ourselves a start line between the corner post of the jetty and an existing buoy.Windward leewards.Start.top mark,bottom mark ,finish up wind.Now the real rapid fire racing started.1 minute to start,6minutes(approx) around the course.Every one finishing within 3 or 4 boat lengths,1 minute to start...and repeat
       These races were sailed from seated positions on the dock upstands,kinda looked like shags,or sitting on the jetty with your feet in the water.Port end of the start line was cm's away.
        Good news on the jetty front,The developer,Grasshopper,have come to the party with permission to add another 6 metres by 1.5 metre extension.They are even supplying all the materials.Big Thanks to them.
         A working bee will be needed to erect this in the near future.For those that have been down that way;the extension will run from the existing jetty,along the shore line towards the bridge.
         Along with a new boat in the fleet rumour has it a brand new boat is only days away,with a few more to follow.Should also mention faces and boats from the past are starting to make appearances.Last week a visitor from Bombay sailed,wednesday night fleet I think,with the intention of going back for the nationals weekend.There seems to be a Buzz down Tauranga way...anyone else have that on their pieces of water?
          So,around 5.30 ish,sailed out,sun beaten,wind blown and happy ,
another good day
       

[ec12nz]

Jealousy abounds - the last 3 scheduled days we have had here in Kapiti have been abandoned due to the over abundant rain and wind dances being done elsewhere. Hoepeully this Saturday we will get to go sailing - anyone down this way give me a call as all welcome anytime from 1pm - check www.kryc.wellington.net.nz for directions to pond.

[k4s]

16 01 10
      Sailing in Tauranga was a bit different this week.
       Firstly a big thank you to Roy Granich.He made the trip down from Auckland on Friday to attend the Tauranga Nationals commitee meeting.He spent some time outlining pros and cons from the organisational side of previous contests.Also he ran thru the HMS(heat management system) as most in Tauranga had never been involved with this type of racing.After staying the night he ran the HMS at the lake on Saturday.
        Thanks again Roy,he didnt even bring a boat.Much to my dismay,as I felt sorry for him and handed over my controls,he showed for a couple of races how my boat is meant to be sailed.
        A good contingent from up north were in attendance for the day,or part of it anyway.For the first time in ages it rained.
        Thanks to all who made the effort,I hope you enjoyed the sailing,the venue and the new faces.All comment I heard from the Tga crew was positive and they are looking forward to the next time.Even a little buzz about going north for the odd meeting.
        To the Gulf Harbour guys,I know how long that trip is,especially if there is traffic.
         The fleet was around 20 strong with retirees and additions during the day.Not really sure how many races were started but it seemed like quite a few.With the HMS running along quite smoothly.boats coming out and entering the water seemed to happen without to many hitches.With the promotion relegation going on possible problems with venue layout and access were noticed,discussed and addressed.Already possible solutions are planned and will be in place next weekend on a trial basis.The identification of these issues possibly would not have happened without the visiting sailors,so a positive result from Tga's end.
          The racing intensity was up a level or two from usual as was expected.Mostly close racing with the odd runaway win but in general fleets were pretty well matched.The balance of front of fleet finishers and back of fleet was noted.The Northern crew was generally the front bit.Look for this to change!!!!!!:)
           A rigs were the order of the day,and not the upper end of these rigs either.With the rain thinning the fleet, a return to continuous racing was the order of the day.The sun even poked thru the clouds at one stage.
           Mike from up north gets the stayer prize for visitors.He sailed right thru to around 4.30 before starting the trek home.Over heard that the trade off for a days sailing in TGA was a full day of family commitment on Sunday.so he was going to make it worth it.Hope it was.Pretty sure he commented about another visit in the future.
           Something I'm amazed at is the continuing appearence of new boats on a regular basis.This was my first siting of the Dibley2 and the Impact.There was also a home built Reggae out for its virgin sail.The class must be doing something right.
            The impossible also occurred.........2.4 ghz clash.Two sets of Spektrum controls seemed to cross over and control problems were experienced.Once it was identified the solution was straight forward.Both boats were pulled from the water,everything was shut down and then restarted,one at a time....no more problems for the rest of the day.
            Graham and I started the measuring process Sunday morning with 2 boats going thru the process.We then decided to go sailing as it was a great sunny day.Ended up with 5 boats on the water for a pure fun sail.Only did one race,kind of.Most of the sailing was staying in a tightly packed group going windward leeward.This was a great little tuning session.
             Andrew,new to the sport a couple of weeks ago was there and at the end of the session he pulled his RC helicopter out and gave us an amazing display of flying.This led to a camera being straped to the chopper and a reasonable video being attained.Look for improvements to the duct tape mounting system and some  video of boats racing from the air.
             So the sailing was fun and an open invitation to all is in place.
              Hope to see more from around the country in Tga soon.

[Vision]

Thanks guys,

We had a great day and really enjoyed ourselves. A big thanks to Roy for runnig the racing .
Will be back down in the near future for another session .

Cheers
Rob
IOM 727