DF65 April 27^th Summer Round One

A lot of skippers away and after a an impressive IOM Nationals turnout was expected to be a little on the low side with many all sailed out.  However 5 skippers turned up on what has to be the best day of the year with bright sun and a wind at times to of A+.  I arrived early mainly to get out of emptying the dish washer and it was so pleasant to be at the lake just watching the wild life and listening to the Cuckoo.  Doctor who had obviously left as the Tardis was no longer there (that was the name of the extra porta loos for the nationals).  Every thing was laid out and we would be sailing straight down the east bank towards the club house.  As soon as Jen, Martyn, Sam and Adrian were there I jumped in the boat and had my first attempt at setting a course having watched Pete do it so effortlessly the previous week.  It was set so perfectly that we never had to adjust it although cut the course to one lap as it was on the long side.

I must admit I find the 65’s difficult partly due to this being the first rig I built and super glue finger prints are still visible on most of the joints with skin attached and most of the joints not in the right place….  The warm up went well and I was please with my boat speed compared to Martyn so one last adjustment was needed to really slow it down.  (lesson one not tinker).  The racing started the first three were all won by Martyn (who hadn’t tinkered) well not with his boat.  The banter was good and I bobbed around at the back with a very sick jib that only worked one way (lesson 2 check everything).  Martyn and Jen were having one battle, while Sam and Adrian had their own even threats of no dinner didn’t persuade Martyn to let Jen win I’m not sure if that’s a reflection of Martyn’s competitiveness or Jens cooking.  Race 4 saw Adrian get a growth spurt and have a really good win before returning to the back of the fleet in the next race and Martyn back at the front.  Coffee break was spent with an origami lesson from saw who after many years at Walkers Crisps can do a 101 things with a crisp packet.  Apparently Martyn also shares this passion.  After the break it was the Jen show with three straight wins….even I managed to beat Martyn in one race as his mind was still folding crisp packets.  The last 4 races were spread with everyone one taking a victory accept me which personally I don’t think was fair although we all mucked in and everything was put away quickly.

The day was as near perfect as you could get with lots of laughs some good sailing and apparently the first piece of weed collected by Martyn although to be honest it was so small we struggled to see it.  Thanks for everyone and we await the results although I know who came 5^th….but enjoyed himself and has now dismantled his rig and planning to use a crisp packet as a sail….are Quavers packets lighter sam?

Richard Jutsum