Bit different

I spent Saturday down at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, but this time instead of going out on the water with the Sydney Short Offshore Racing Series, I was ashore with the Cadet dinghies.

I’m running their National Championships in a months time and this was an opportunity to meet some of the parents and sailors locally. The day was put aside to measure all the local boats and give the local parents a heads up as to what’s happening soon. The national measurer was also in town from Melbourne, answering all the questions that are often asked. It was a great opportunity too for all to have a closer look at their boats and fix what’s required now rather than later. Nothing worse than breaking something halfway or sooner through a big regatta. Something I’m more than familiar with. Boat prep, boat prep, boat prep.

In the foreground is the alloy jig for measuring the spars and on the table behind is the template for the sails. One lesson learned, use three templates so that a set can be done together. More helpers are needed but there’s a lot of boats to be checked off.

Sunday I headed to Woolwich Dock hoping that I may catch up with the guys from Perth on Indian. Instead they were just off ‘Humbug’ hoisting and checking the mainsail reefing system before heading off for the first sail since the boat arrived by road.

What was there and unknown to most was Wild OatsXI. Only arriving hours earlier from major surgery at the boat builders. I did have the chance to have a quick chat with both Sandy Oatley and Mark Richards [owner and skipper] and was given a quick update. They hope to be sailing this Saturday, so those in Sydney will have the first look prior to this years Rolex Sydney Hobart race. http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com. It’s well known that they cut off the bow and replaced with another pre fabricated one by McConaghys Mona Vale. Only the keen eye will spot anything different.

Boxing Day isn’t that far away.