Racing improves the breed - or is it the other way round?

[marisca]

Over on TOP several denizens of this forum have been waxing lyrical about the shortcomings of the Scottish yat racing scene. While masticating my muesli in solitude this morning, "she" being away at the Chelsea flower extravaganza, I got to feeling all benevolent towards my fellow sailors to the extent of actually considering volunteering to do something.

If yous-yins will commit to taking part, I will undertake to organise a "cruise-in-company" ('cos insurance companies don't like the word "race") with a start, course, finish, handicap system (probably nicked from CYCA) and open only to posters to this forum and their verified acquaintances. Any boat that cannot sleep, feed and water it's whole crew, has sails that are made of any "technical" material, doesn't carry a dinghy, or otherwise looks or behaves like a "racer" will be heavily penalised. Sailing will be under IRPCS - not the RRS - and anyone breaking them or behaving in an discourteous manner to any other water user will be disqualified. I thought latish August or early September with a "there" sail on the Saturday and a "back" sail on the Sunday and location either mid Clyde or Obanish depending on the majority of the participants.

The main difference I see from the CC is the competitive aspect - if the pictures are anything to go by, you lot just drifted round Mull under jibs - and I may even present a cup to the winner. Other rules for participation are welcome e.g. at least one crew member >60 and/or <18, mandatory mixed gender crews (not confused gender, that would only allow a few of you), no green spinnakers. But 1st you have to show a little enthusiasm.

Interested? Then let the forum know. I will probably require a returnable-if-you-turn-up deposit, i.e. no-shows pay for the lubrication of those that do.

[Telo]

The main difference I see from the CC is the competitive aspect.....

Yes, but then, it was quite nice "cruising in company", which is why I guess Avilion was under jib alone in the vid - she'd have left the two smaller boats well behind if she'd used her main as well. We left Bunessan later, and had to make up one or two miles to catch the pack, which we did with full sail. However we had to roll away the genny to slow down sufficiently to take the pics.....

We carry three anchors, 50m plus God knows how much other chain, and about three or four carloads of other paraphernalia for a season's cruising, so we're not exactly racing material (plus we've never raced), but it could be quite good fun. In principle , "Yes". I don't mind losing....

[marisca]

In principle , "Yes". I don't mind losing....

Then hit the button in the poll, please.

[Booby Trapper]

Interested if it's on the Clyde, I can't get any more holidays this year to venture out West.

[Gardenshed]

"Sailing will be under IRPCS - not the RRS"

I applaud the spirit and the idea that entrants don't get too aggressive and "racy" but I think you'll find the IRPCS inadequate when a group of boats get together and try to go the same way at the same time, particuarly at a timed start or if 3-4 boats try roudning a mark sinutaneously.

A competitors briefing on the evening before to agree on acceptable behaviour and penalties (liquid) to be applied post race for those that have sinned may be a better compromise.

[Arghiro]

Ignore my NO poll Beside being a life long non-racer - I live 200 miles away. Sorry, I should have simply ignored it really!

[marisca]

"Sailing will be under IRPCS - not the RRS"
I applaud the spirit and the idea that entrants don't get too aggressive and "racy" but I think you'll find the IRPCS inadequate when a group of boats get together and try to go the same way at the same time, particuarly at a timed start or if 3-4 boats try roudning a mark sinutaneously.

Possibly, but I thought about this and, leaving out mark rounding for a mo, everything is covered by port/starboard, windward/leeward and overtaking boat. Who is give way and who is stand on and required to hold course is clear. Marks are a wee bit more problematic but as the most we are likely to get are 7 boats (by today's poll count) and I was thinking of legs of several miles long there shouldn't be much opportunity for conflict. OTOH, if the RRS were invoked it might be difficult to persuade an insurance company that you weren't racing - with the IRPCS it is only a timed cruise.

The sailing instructions, if this ever gets that far, will discourage anything pushy or boorish with swinging penalties and the sailing committee's (that's just me so far) decision will be final.

[MrMcP]

I think this should positively encourage the adornment of craft in non-racing appendages and fixings. We have davits attached to Ogun, and enjoy watching the real racers wince whenever they pass us. Ditto the teak decks. I do feel somewhat let down by having to replace our main halyard with dyneema after the normal rope & wire job packed in a few hours before the start of the SIPR and Owens only had dyneema available in time. While rummaging through the cockpit lockers searching for anything that might do as a replacement in the event they couldn't supply, we found that we are not exactly slimmed down to fighting weight....

i) 3 cans of fuel. We think might be for the outboard that we don't own.
ii) 4 anti-midge candles, in buckets
iii) 4 toolboxes, complete with impressive collections of 'bits'
iv) 2 crates of Tennents. Presumably at some point we'd run out of locker space in the saloon.
v) 11 - count 'em - mooring warps
vi) A spare anchor and chain. To save any debate, I won't name the type.
vii) Spinnaker sheet and guy
viii) Spare spinnaker sheet and guy
ix) Spare spare spinnaker sheet and guy (and we've still only used the sail maybe 5 times..)
x) Enormous jerry can of water
etc etc

On this basis, I may reapply to CYCA for our handicap rating to be altered, except I can't find the bit on the form where you ask them to take account of a skipper that hordes everything ever to make it on board.

[Fingal]

I quite like the idea. This weekend past I joined a 'race for cruisers', enjoyed myself and was not last.... We agreed various rules such as a requirement that a kettle should be on at the time of the start, and that additional handicap allowances would be applied to boats serving tea or coffee on downwind legs, and so on. As to Marisca's proposal I'm not sure that taking BM through to the West is on the cards but I'd happily make tea/pack spinnakers/trim sails etc as required on someone else's vessel if available and invited.

[Aja]

On this basis, I may reapply to CYCA for our handicap rating to be altered, except I can't find the bit on the form where you ask them to take account of a skipper that hordes everything ever to make it on board.

You could try CYCA

...though don't laugh as I have successfully applied for and got an extra rating for the R/F drum height above deck.... roll on Tobermory Race this year!

Regards
Donald