Yachting World Dayboat Open at Avon Sailing Club

YW Dayboat Open at Avon Sailing Club © ASC

YW Dayboat Open at Avon Sailing Club © ASC

A Yachting World Dayboat (YWDB) open meeting was held on the 14th May 2022 at Avon Sailing Club (ASC) on the river Severn near Tewkesbury, featuring a new YWDB trophy.

In the 1949 details were published of the 14ft YWDB. A round bilge sailing boat which could be easily built and of robust construction. It was to be suitable for "family sailing and generally knocking about in open waters, estuaries and rivers". On show at the ASC open were boats ranging from a traditional wooden clinker boat "Avocet" built in 1975, to the current helm's original specification, up to and including the recently completed GRP clinker boat "Groovie" which was built by the crew of the day Steven Creasey with assistance from helm Michael Hewitt. The robust construction, family ethos and river sailing envisaged over 70 years ago were all clearly on display.

Visitors and members were greeted with traditional ASC hospitality, a beautiful sunny morning and absolutely not a breath of wind! A total of 7 YWDB's attended the event with 5 visitors and 2 from the home club. After bacon butties and a briefing from Race Officer and Club Commodore Peter Keighley, a course was set, more in hope than expectation. Happily, the forecast was wide of the mark and a reasonable south westerly breeze set in! Two back-to-back races were held in the morning and two more after lunch, with 3 out of 4 results to count. A sizeable contingent of Youth crews joined the event with some experiencing their first competitive racing.

Race 1 saw Michael Hewitt (RYA) get off to a good start closely followed by Peter Hewitt (PYC) and they stretched out a sizeable lead over the rest of the fleet. Simon Bullingham (ASC) coming in 3rd finishing just ahead of James Hewitt (BSC).

YW Dayboat Open at Avon Sailing Club - photo © ASC

By the end of Race 2 Peter Hewitt and crew Colin Blewett (PYC) had finally managed to get ahead of Michael Hewitt, despite several changes of lead between them during the race. There were many other place changes throughout the race and Simon Bullingham and Cora Straker (HRSC) narrowly edged ahead of Matthew Straker (HRSC) just before the finish line, to get 3rd place.

Over the lunch break the breeze strengthened and the course was extended for races 3 & 4.

Race 3 saw first and second place change a number of times. Michael Hewitt ended up with the win, Peter Hewitt in Second and Andrew Hewitt 3rd holding off a relentless challenge from Simon Bullingham. The final result therefore being a Hewitt 1-2-3.

Throughout Race 4, the wind started to reduce and the course was shortened. Despite a good start from Michael Hewitt and Peter Hewitt, the final result was a change at the top, with Andrew Hewitt managing an excellent win with inexperienced crew. Michael Hewitt in 2nd and Matthew Straker advancing from 6th on the first lap to finish 3rd.

YW Dayboat Open at Avon Sailing Club - photo © ASC

A superb day's competitive sailing in the sunshine with barbecue and camping, was enjoyed by all and the merriment continued well into the evening. Congratulations to Michael Hewitt and Steven Creasey on winning the inaugural event (together with the constructor's championship!) and to the Junior crew of Stanley, Henry and William Hewitt on achieving 3rd place overall in their first competitive event.

Next Up for the YWDB's is the Bosham open meeting 21st & 22nd May, followed by the Poole open meeting 18th & 19th June and the National Championships in Brixham 23rd to 28th July.

Overall Results: