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Bar talk, comment, and discussion - YachtsandYachting.com newsletter

18/04/2023


Bar talk, comment, and discussion

Leaderboard brokerage

Leaderboard new launch 2023 Spring

Crews enjoy discussing their race at the daily prizegivings held on the lawn at Antigua Yacht Club - 2019 Antigua Sailing Week - photo © Paul Wyeth


Dear Recipient Name

A lot has changed in the online world in 20 years. Back then Friends Reunited was the go-to place for social media, Facebook was a year off from being founded, and Google was only five years old.

2003 was when I launched a discussion forum on YachtsandYachting.com using WebWiz software which, at the time, was the most suitable we could find for the job. Times have certainly changed, but on the whole our forum hasn't. It's an area of the website which is woefully out-of-date, and something we need to address.

 
Henri-Lloyd 2023 Freo Jacket - YY MPU   MPU brokerage
 

Prestart on Saturday during the YachtsandYachting.com Forum Members Open at Broxbourne - photo © x1testpilot
Prestart on Saturday during the YachtsandYachting.com Forum Members Open at Broxbourne - photo © x1testpilot

The forum has had its ups and downs over the years. High points include the running of the Forum Open Meeting, or FOM as it became known, held at Broxbourne Sailing Club in 2012. This brought together many of personalities on the forum for a great fun event, and indirectly lead to Dan Holman's Punk dinghy becoming the D-Zero class. Low points are what plagues all social media platforms: toxicity, insults and spam.

Comment and discussion is vital for our sport, whether that be in sailing club bars, dinghy parks, online via social media, Whatsapp or just about any other platform. While our forum is well past its heyday, there is a huge amount of discussion on social media about articles we post - when clubs, classes and individuals share them on their pages and profiles.

 
IC-M37E MPU 2019   Musto 2023 BR1 MPU 1
 

Post dinner drinks during the YachtsandYachting.com Forum Members Open at Broxbourne - photo © x1testpilot
Post dinner drinks during the YachtsandYachting.com Forum Members Open at Broxbourne - photo © x1testpilot

The question I've been asking myself is whether we need a central place for discussion on our website? Is there a way to bring these disparate discussions into one place, or is there even an appetite to? Is our website just the central repository for sailing news which spawns the discussions elsewhere?

It would definitely be easier to just close the forum and let the goliaths of social media handle the platforms for discussion. When the toxicity happens on a platform it needs to be addressed, which is immensely time consuming and stressful. We've had our fair share of problems to deal with over the years, some which we handled well and other we didn't. As we've seen constantly in the news, social media is always grappling with the problem.

I would like to have discussion forums across our entire network of websites, tied in with the articles themselves so that comments had anchor points, so discussion and news became seamless. We have Facebook comments on articles, but most browsers now block this as default, so an in-house solution is likely needed. The problem is the development time needed, and we'll have to monitor and moderate comments, which - unless we create a very efficient system - is extremely time-consuming.

 
Epoxycraft 2022 PRO-SET - MPU   Rooster 2020 - Impact BA - MPU
 

Despite the sophistication of the AC75 and shore simulators - sailing karate still is a basic performance conversation tool - Jimmy Spithill, Luna Rossa - photo © Carlo Borlenghi / Luna Rossa
Despite the sophistication of the AC75 and shore simulators - sailing karate still is a basic performance conversation tool - Jimmy Spithill, Luna Rossa - photo © Carlo Borlenghi / Luna Rossa

There are some great groups out there on social media, with some huge ones relating to the America's Cup and SailGP in particular. The problem though is a familiar one, where one or two posters tend to dominate conversations, and are often forceful in their views, while dismissing opposing views offhand. Managers of these groups often find the moderation too onerous and give up after a time.

There is no getting away from the fact that people act differently online than they do when face-to-face. A comment online would often be totally unacceptable if said directly to someone in a bar. It is also very tricky to get the context of a comment, often sarcasm and other dry humour can often be totally lost online, even when a;-) emoji is used, and a sentence can be digested in a completely different way than it was intended by the author.

 
RYA Membership - Pathway 2017   MPU April May June 2023
 

John Bertrand karate sails, while sleeping - photo © Dick Enersen / dickenersen.smugmug.com
John Bertrand karate sails, while sleeping - photo © Dick Enersen / dickenersen.smugmug.com

This is where sailing's network of clubs, open meetings, events, and shows are so important. They offer ways for sailors to get together to discuss things face-to-face. Ideas are shared, moments are relived, battles on the water are re-enacted with the infamous karate hands. They are the hubs for real discussion.

Can we emulate this online on YachtsandYachting.com and Sail-World.com? Can we provide a platform which lets conversations that started in the bar continue in an online space? I feel we need to, with a system which is fit for 2023 and beyond.

 
April May June MPU 2023   Selden 2020 - Furlex electric - MPU
 

Socialising is half the fun - Mosquito Catamaran Victorian State Titles 2022 - photo © Andrew Mitchell
Socialising is half the fun - Mosquito Catamaran Victorian State Titles 2022 - photo © Andrew Mitchell

We'd very much like your input on this. Please email me directly at mark@yachtsandyachting.com to give us your thoughts. We know how many of you read and appreciate the news on our websites, and if we could provide a way for you all to interact more with each other in a simple and polite way then it could be for the benefit of all of us in sailing.

I know it's a huge task, but it's one we'd like to tackle!

Mark Jardine
Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com Managing Editor

 
MPU New launch Spring 2023   Zhik 2022 Choice of Champions MPU
 


Lowrider Moths at Nantwich & Border Counties Sailing Club
One of the exciting aspects of the UK dinghy scene is its diversity, yet the Moths seem to celebrate this with an even wider range of boats that spread from what are in effect 'little' versions of bigger classes.

Streaker P&B Northern Paddle Series at Ripon Sailing Club
Four visitors and ten home sailors competed in the Streaker Open Meeting at Ripon Sailing Club on Saturday 15th April with cloudy skies and a very light NNE breeze.

Dovestone Sailing Club 'Discover Sailing 2023' Day
Dovestone Sailing Club is hosting a Discover Sailing Day at the club on 29 April. This is part of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) national Discover Sailing initiative.

 
March April May June MPU 2023   Noble Marine 2022 YY - MPU
 
Challenger Coaching Weekend at Rutland Sailing Club
The weekend 15-16 April saw a new venture for the Challenger Class Association with two days of dedicated coaching available to members who had some racing experience.

World's leading offshore racing class heads for the Rolex Fastnet Race
An extraordinary phenomenon of modern day yacht racing, especially considering their cost and complexity: 40 IMOCAs are due to compete in the next Vendée Globe in 2024.

2000 class Millennium Series event 1 at Weir Wood Sailing Club
An excellent turnout of 30 boats arrived at Weir Wood Sailing Club for the first Millennium Series Event of the year. We were met by an overcast sky but the clouds soon cleared, leaving sunshine and a light and variable wind.

 
Ocean Safety 2021 - MPU   April 2023 MPU
 
Investwise Irish Sailing Youth National Championships
occo Wright won the ILCA 6 Youth National Champion title at the Investwise Irish Sailing Youth National Championships on Sunday, hosted by Howth Yacht Club.

SORC Inshore Series Races 1 & 2 - Cowes to Poole and back
Fabulous sailing conditions on the Saturday outward leg to Poole gave a nice warm up to the SORC 2023 season, followed by no wind and an abandoned homeward race on the Sunday. 16 skippers entered the event including 2 rookies.

Salcombe Yacht Club Sailing Club Series - Race 1
The forecast was for a WNW 8 knts backing to a WSW sea breeze by start time. As the fleet ran out of Batson the transition zone for the two winds could clearly be seen.

 
TMS 2022 - BONOMI MPU   MPU E6 question mark animated
 
Les Voiles de St. Barth Richard Mille at Saint Barth Yacht Club - Day 1
In classic Saint Barthélemy fashion, Les Voiles de St. Barth Richard Mille kicked off its 12th edition with a civilized noon start.

Merlin Rocket South West Series at Salcombe Yacht Club
The Merlin Rocket fleet were welcomed on Saturday 15th April morning to yet another perfectly sunny day in Salcombe for the South West Series spring open - they only seem to serve one type of weather in this perfect corner of Devon.

Winners crowned after a windy Youth Nationals week
The 2023 RYA Youth National Championships returned to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy over the Easter break (10-14 April) with almost 280 of the UK's young sailing and foiling talents battling through testing conditions.

 
MPU from May 9 2022   GJW Direct 2020 MPU
 
First ISORA 2023 Welsh Coastal Race at Pwllheli Sailing Club
This weekend saw the first of three consecutive coastal race weekends in Pwllheli. Although still chilly in the shade, blue skies greeted the fleet with 5-6kts from the northwest.

UK Wayfarer Association Craftinsure Travellers Open at Datchet Water Sailing Club
The Craftinsure Wayfarer National Circuit Series resumed on the weekend of the 15-16 April at Datchet Water Sailing Club.

Broads Area Champion of Champions Sailing Event at Beccles Amateur Sailing Club
With first-places in different heats both Sam Woodcock (Norwich Frostbites Sailing Club) and Chris Bunn (Lady Yacht Club) opened their challenges for the Ramuz "Champion-of-Champions" inter-club sailing event of The Broads area.

 
Sailingfast 2018 600x500   Hyde Sails 2022 One Design SALE MPU
 
Henri-Lloyd O-RACE | Offshore protection you can trust
Born from a wealth of knowledge in sailing-wear protection since 1963, the light yet incredibly durable O-RACE Jacket 3L DRI-PRO offers maximum protection without compromise to performance.

2023 Ficker Cup Regatta at Long Beach Yacht Club - Overall
In a stunning upset Chris Weis (USA) ousted Jeffrey Petersen (USA) in the Ficker Cup semifinals today, and advanced to the finals against Megan Thomson (NZL): going on to capture his first Ficker Cup title.

Techno 293 European Championships in Torbole - Overall
It was a joy to see so many young people (270 from 16 nations) competing, despite the absence of the Nordic nations, who declined to attend because they were unable to train during the winter.

 
RS Sailing 2021 - MPU   Barton Marine 2019 600x500
 
Dragon HM King Juan Carlos Trophy at Clube Naval de Cascais
After three days and a full program, with seven sailed races, the Australian Yeahnah team took the HM King Juan Carlos Trophy today, with 11 points.

Sam Goodchild unveils new IMOCA: For The Planet
One month on from the launch in Lorient of Thomas Ruyant's new boat, FOR PEOPLE, today it's the turn of British sailor Sam Goodchild to unveil his new steed FOR THE PLANET (Ex LinkedOut).

Seldén Mast expands range of Roller Bearing Blocks (RBB)
The low resistance, high dynamic load block range will now include larger single and single/stand ups in 100mm and 130mm diameter blocks, ideal for backstays, main sheet arrangements and sheets for downwind sails on yachts of various sizes.

 
April May June MPU Q2 2023   Marine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso MPU
 
Commodore's Cup and Cook Salver race to St Malo 2023 at Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club
Fair conditions greeted the nine-strong Commodore's Cup fleet that turned out for the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club's annual Good Friday race from Jersey to St Malo. There was a serious lack of breeze in St Aubin's Bay for the start.

Helly Hansen Introduces New Fully Featured Newport Coastal Jacket
Helly Hansen Introduces New Newport Coastal Jacket with a Retro Inspired Design

Time to enter Spring open meetings at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club
We are expecting a busy but exciting Spring at Bassenthwaite Sailing Club with several open meetings scheduled, both of which you can now enter!

 
Allen 2022 - TiiTAN MPU   Allspars December 2019 MPU
 
World Sailing issues statement about individual Russian or Belarusian athletes and support personnel
World Sailing welcomes the new guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board, recommending the Conditions of Participation for individual athletes and support personnel with a Russian or Belarusian passport.

Dart 18 Grand Prix Round 1 at Dee Sailing Club
Dee Sailing Club based at Thurstaston on the Wirral peninsula hosted the first Dart 18 GP of the season over the Easter weekend. Despite the rather uncertain forecast 31 boats entered, with 17 travellers from all corners of the UK and 14 locals.

Cadets at the Waldringfield Sailing Club Easter Egg 2023
Nine Cadets arrived at Waldringfield on Easter Sunday for the annual Easter Egg open. Day one of racing started off with very little wind despite the forecast, so in an attempt to get all three races completed race 1 was started.

 
Craftinsure 2018 Retina MPU   J Composites 2022 - J99 MPU
 
Registration opens for 505 World Championships 2023 at St. Francis Yacht Club
Registration is open for the 5O5 World Championship and North Americans, to be held September 21 to October 1 at St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California.

Marine Resources latest jobs: it's not just the flowers that are opening up
With Easter just around the corner, it's not just the flowers that are opening up. It's time to give your career a new lease of life too! Apply for one of these exciting openings below to brighten up your 9-5.

Allen Contender open meeting at Oxford Sailing Club
The second round of the contender traveller series took place on the first weekend of April at Farmoor Reservoir, hosted by the ever welcoming Oxford Sailing club, who had arranged sponsorship from Sailing Chandlery.

 
Upffront 2020 Foredeck Club MPU   Stoneways Marine 2021 - MPU
 
Ram Blocks - Allen's "Big Boy" Range Grows
The ram block range is now available in 150, 85 & 50mm sheave sizes. You might be shocked to see those sheave diameters, but yes you did read correctly. And you shouldn't be surprised.

THE boat park brand…
The brand is Vaikobi, and the big V just continues to be the darling of the OTB gang, and for very good reason.

GWA Wingfoil World World Cup Leucate 2023 - Overall
Despite the crew and athletes remaining on standby, the wind did not materialise for the final day of competition in Leucate.

 
Harken UK 2021 - NEBO 1 MPU   Vaikobi 2021 Boots - MPU
 
Limited time left to enter very high calibre 2023 OK Dinghy World Championship in Lyme Regis, UK
With an entry deadline of 28 April, there is limited time left to secure a place at the 2023 OK Dinghy World Championship, jointly sponsored by PRO-SET® epoxy and Ovington Boats.

Get Ready to Kedge - Anchoring for Race Yachts
The practice of kedging has been used for hundreds of years as a method of manoeuvring or orienting a sailing vessel against tide and wind. A kedge anchor is typically smaller and lighter than the primary anchor, making it easier to handle.

GP14 Venetian Trophy at Welsh Harp Sailing Club
Starting the 2023 season with a bang the GP14 Southern Travellers held their second Open meeting in seven days with 22 crews turning out in London to compete for the magnificent Venetian Trophy.

Easter Regatta at Parkstone Yacht Club
67 boats entered the Easter Series at Parkstone Yacht Club across all classes with Flying Fifteens, ILCAs, Merlin Rockets, Dart 18s, RS200s, RS400s and RS Fevas entered.

Epoxycraft 2022 PRO-SET - FOOTER

Selden 2020 - FOOTER

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