Vane 'A' Boat Jack Roberts Trophy at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club
by Tony Wilson 31 Oct 2016 06:23 GMT
29 October 2016
For those that don't fancy the thought of controlling a yacht with the complication of radio gear, servos and winches, vane sailing might just be the answer.
This weekend, according to the Fleetwood website and calendar, was the date for the Marblehead vane sailing. Unfortunately because of the weed situation, it was too much of a risk to take because of the length of fins on the Marblehead class boat.
As a way of compromise, and to the rescue, came the A boat option with its short stubby keel the would surely skim over the low lying growth.
Four skippers took part including Damian Akroyd whom had travelled in from Huddersfield and David Bell from North Wales. David had brought along his high tech cross weave carbon hull and sails, but had unfortunately forgotten his masts. Being also a friendly Fleetwood member, Derek P. kindly lent him his own boat for the day.
Light winds were the order of the day, sometimes not a bad thing when you have to jog after your boat. Also occasional drizzle that just could't be helped although it wasn't on the daily forecast.
With each boat normally needing a couple of guys to man, a few of the locals kindly offered to fend off with a pole. Tony although only passing to learn about the technical side of these vintage age vessels, was soon given a stick and it wasn't for warding off the seagulls.
In case you were unaware on how these boats operate, it's all done by witchcraft. No the basics are a high fin like vane (called a feather) that's in the open air, and is attached to the rudder by gear and keeps the boat on course by adjusting the steering as the wind fluctuates. The witchcraft or mystery comes in to when the arc shaped wire with the spring (the guy) when in operation pings over on a jibe. Try like me and take that into your head when it's explained to you.
Points awarded are 3 for upwind if you win that leg and 2 for the downwind run. Zero for second. All boats race each other per round.
After 6 heats which was 12 races per boat it was David from Llandudno and his Mother Margarette that had won the 1950's Trophy.
Second place went to our cross Pennine traveller Damian Akroyd.
Jack Roberts Trophy Results:
1. David Bell, 21pts
2. Damian Akroyd, 15pts
3. Peter Whiteside, 14pts
4. Eddie Greenwood, 6pts