Recent sailing events have seen decent support from yacht owners and skippers. However there are still a lot of yachts that do not venture out onto the water and a lot more that can be done to encourage others to try the sport, club members and non-members alike. Summer appears to be here, let’s get out onto the water!
Important Reminder
Reminder to all members who have not yet paid their club fees. Please contact Rodney Idris or Joan Barry to make arrangements for payment.
New Member Revised Rates
There is a sliding scale of membership fees for new members for the balance of the financial year, applicable from 01 December. When signing up new members, please check in the office or in the bar for the new rates.
Appeal from the NSRI
We have had an appeal from the NSRI to ask all our boat owners to donate their old smoke flares to the NSRI. They will be used for training purposes. Initially your old smoke flares can be handed in at the ABYC office but this may change in time. Regular collection by the NSRI will then be organised.
Upcoming Events
- Sunday 2nd December: Jonathan will be singing on the deck next Sunday
- Saturday 8th December: Further information for the Kiddies Christmas party at 11H30 at PEDSAC; Jumping castle, splash pool and braai fires (bring own meat). Party packs R40. Santa gifts under R50. Bookings essential before Friday 30 November. Phone Anna-Marie 041 5854058 or Denise 084 2841046.
- Tuesday 25th December: As published previously, Christmas lunch pricing has been finalized at R200 per head. Remember to book early for your Christmas lunch.
Sailing News
Next weeks Sailing:
- Sunday 2nd December: Medium Distance Race; Noordhoek. Start 09:00, wind and sea dependant. Time for Skippers will be announced during the week.
Sailing Results:
Wednesday 14th November race results
Seven boats competed in this in-port race in a 22 knot South East wind under Race Officer Ronnie Baer ably assisted by Carl and Charlie.
It is NOT true that frothy Fanta Browns had anything to do with the bridge confusing the P and the S flags at the start! The race was shortened at Mark 1 due to the fading light.
Results:
- Spirit of Sprite – Jim Foot
- Struan – Andrew Blain
- Watoo – John Tudehope
- Fling – Morgan Griffiths
- Odelisque – Roger Cady
- Malgas – Tony Baile – DNF
- Laser – DNF
Centenary Cup 2012 Overall Results (Sailed: 6, 1 Discard, Scoring System: Appendix A)
- Adamo – Stadt 34, Steve Arnold
- Struan – Stadt 34, Andrew Blain
- Watoo – Astove 31, John Tudehope
- Tikalox II – Muira, Rob Smith
- Malgas – L34, Tony Bailes
- Sea Mole – Sadler 32, Anton Hautmann
- Lady – Astove, Harry Lamprecht
Visit www.abyc.co.za for all race results, happenings and general Club info.
Social News
- Monday 31st December: Plans are afoot for the New Year’s Eve party. (yes the Editor is English – Old Year’s Eve to everyone else!). The theme will be Hawaiian and if you are interested in assisting in the organisation then please let Lee know.
View From the Deck
Your chance to voice your opinion and contribute to the Halyard. Obviously not everything can be published and your contributions may be edited for the sake of brevity!
Please email to hilarybirch[at]telkomsa.net
Chuckle
Some More Definitions;
Tack: A manoeuvre made by the skipper when telling the crew that they have screwed up, without getting them mad.
Sailing: The fine art of moving slowly at great expense
Boom: Laterally mounted pole to which a sail is fastened. Often used during gybing to shift crew members to a fixed horizontal position. Called a boom for the sound that is made when hitting the heads of crew whilst tacking.
On Topics Nautical ( A singular –perhaps courageous – view from the deck)
Knots Bends and Hitches. Part 1 – Knots:
- Definition – Defined as tied in one piece of rope and not relying on anything else for it’s mechanical integrity
- Most Useful Knot – In my opinion the Bowline. Can be used in mooring your yacht, in saving a person’s or even your own life, can be used to make an emergency bosun’s chair. Everyone should know how to tie it, especially around themselves.
- Least Useful Knot – in my opinion the Reef Knot. It has only one use – for reefing! It doesn’t hold very well and if tied incorrectly it can be down right dangerous. Most knotty books incorrectly state that it is for tying two ropes together of equal size. Well if it was it would be a Reef Bend!
- Least Understood knot – The sheep shank. I admit I have never used one in anger but it doesn’t help that all knotty books show it incorrectly constructed. The two half hitches are supposed to be close together, then it is much more stable. Even better is the Yankee Sheepshank, it is even more stable. I have still never used one though.
- Most Tied Knot – Probably the figure of eight. We tie it at least twice every time we go out sailing. You will have your own opinion on this.
- Most Underutilised and Least Known Knot – The Constrictor Knot. Essentially a clove hitch with a half hitch in the two ends which lies under the standing part of the knot. Indispensable as a temporary whipping, tied correctly you have to cut it off. So don’t tie it in anything but whipping twine or small stuff!
Bends and Hitches to follow later.
Have a great sailing week ahead, we look forward to seeing you at the club as often as possible.
The Editor
Hilary Birch