2021, that’s about it

December 6, 2021 Leave a comment

DeckHardware are sponsoring the Flying Eleven States and Nationals with the assistance of Allen Brothers and LIROS Ropes.  Last weekend (20/21 November) was held at Vaucluse Amateur 12″ Sailing Club.   While the 16′ Skiffs were up at Belmont for their states Mel went up to see how things were going, whilst I put the DeckHardware RIB in the water to go across the harbour. It’s the best part of an hours drive around, however in the RIB it was less than half that. Many of the Middle Harbour and Manly competitors were also towed across.  The result was quite a queue and raft up on the wharf.

And there’s more at the back of this pontoon

Weather wise, Saturday was pretty miserable for Summer with light drizzle and a  reasonable South Easter, good for the sailors, not so much the many spectators. Numbers were slightly down, partially due to the inclement weather and being the first regatta of their season, many of the new crews to the class decided against sailing.

Some of the Flying Eleven fleet

As always it was pretty good racing and a delight to watch some of the top crews efforts and boat handling.

That’s 4th and 5th about to round the top mark in the distance.

This weekend was another round of the 16’s this time out on The Sound. Mel and Locky went out Saturday and then I replaced Locky as the boat driver Sunday. Mel took some great photos that have been posted on the DeckHardware Facebook page. The conditions however were no different to the week before. Surely we’ll get a Summers Nor Easter soon., we haven’t had one yet.

Competition is tight in the 16′ skiff fleet, there’s three Olympic Gold medals and numerous National and World titles on this one boat.
Nathan Wilmot on the helm, Malcolm Page on the bow and hidden in this photo.

It was interesting tactics by the leaders on Sunday. In the East South Easterly.  The start was Washaway Beach (near Grotto Point Lighthouse)  I was surprised they didn’t start at the boat end and tack on to port to take advantage of the outgoing Middle Harbour tide before it hit the main bulk tide leaving the harbour.  Instead the top runners started down on the pin , holding on Starboard to Quarantine Head and  then one tack to the top mark across the tide. Those who went right or up the middle lost out, it appeared to be a speed race with no tacks. It worked however and next time there’s the same conditions, I’ll have to study a little more.  As they say , you learn something new each day out on the water.

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Back on the water

August 6, 2020 Leave a comment

It’s been quite some time since I’ve been out on the water, all due to the world-wide effects of the Coronavirus. I haven’t been driving any great distance either.  In fact, I think I’ve driven to the  local council tip more than any other place besides going to the office at DeckHardware.

 

It’s been interesting talking to some of our suppliers overseas and how they are coping.  I think we Aussies have had it quite good till the last couple of weeks.  Unfortunately due to the actions of only a few, the rest of the country is in lock down. No one can go interstate with out doing a fortnight in quarantine and Victorians can’t go any further than about 5km  from home, not even to work for many as retail and manufacturing shuts down.

 

I’ve been busy doing all sorts of jobs around the house, including some big clean ups, cutting down  a tree or two and having the odd lazy day of doing almost nothing.

Middle Harbour in Winter

Looking towards the heads

Last weekend however was the first time out on the harbour in several months.  As some may know , DeckHardware has for several seasons been supporting the 16′ Skiff class and  as there was some winter racing/training happening at Middle Harbour and it was a non winters day with a NorEaster, we went out to watch and take some photos. And what a great day it was too,  clear skies and 10knot  ‘summer seabreeze’ in Winter?  As the boat driver for the day and having two photographers taking care of that side, I just had time to watch whilst driving the DeckHardware RIB.

2020-08-01 15.38.51

Spit Bridge east

The only really cold feature was coming back in to the boat ramp to pull Cadence out of the water,  wee bit chilly on the ankles hooking up the retrieving  trailer winch wire.

2020-08-01 15.39.09

As we come into what used to be a busy time heading out on the road seeing customers, life has changed for us all. We just have to accept a different way of life till this virus has cleared up world-wide. Hopefully those of us who enjoy heading out on the water, have the opportunity to do so.

 

I certainly look forward to seeing everyone once we are able to do so. In the meantime, stay safe , stay home and stay Covid19 free.

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