Gareth Martel
Hi all,
Quiet on the forum these days, hopefully that is just the off season!
So, what is everyones thoughts on Scottish series this year? I know numbers were down last year but surely this is one we do not want to give up on? Great racing, get to meet up with other classes, the social scene is excellent, it’s definitely up there with the nationals as our favourite events of the year. Add in to that it’s over a bank holiday this year, and entry fee has been reduced.
So.., is sitting in the driveway over here in Northern Ireland (still waiting for her promised paint job!) so it’s a bit of effort for us to get there but we have had a chat as a team and if there’s commitment from others to go, we will be there!
So come on guys, who is going to join us??
Gareth
Peter Booth
Hi Gareth & Mark,
Mark I don,t know what could have happened to your enquiry to HSC but if it was addressed to sonata@helensburghsailingclub it should have come to me.
Regarding Scottish Series I am not sure if any of our boats are planning to go I think Peshwa might be as long as it is repaired in time but she was quite badly damaged during the Januart storm. Fiddlesticks also had a tree fall across the boat and he had to get another new mast. I have not heard if they and Scrupples and perhaps Jazz might be intending to go but I will try to find out as soon as possible. Firebird and I suspect Frank will definitely not be there. We are down to 7 boats sailing East Patch this year as Random and Wicked Wookie are not intending going in the water this year. I will let you know as soon as I have more information good or bad.
Peter
Chris Tait
Scruples definitely going to Scottish Series, great weekend and although there were only few Sonatas last year great racing and great weekend and a Sonata also won the overall handicap class against Sonars/sportboats last year , so still a reason to go even if we don’t get our own start ?!
Gareth Martel
Great news, well that makes a minimum of three of us, and hopefully more! Is there not an argument (for next year perhaps) of including this as the Scottish champs? I see the SB3 are doing this, and would certainly raise the profile, perhaps encouraging more to travel!
We are just finalising our preparations, boat is off tomorrow morning to receive her makeover, and we are really looking forward to getting to Tarbert. Any sign of anyone else jointing us?
Gareth Martel
That’s our entry done and dusted, now just have to get the boat back from getting her new look and try to work out what we broke at the Northerns last November!
Mark are you still looking good to enter? Deadline is this Friday I think
Mark Taylor
Still planning to go even if we have ended up racing with the 707s, Trapper 28, First 32s5, Swan 36s and even a Moody 38……………….will need to find my GPS for the round the loch races and work out what chanegs are required in safety equipment, flags etc.
Mark Taylor
Saraband now entered, although still missing a fourth person…………..just need to remember GPS, sleeping bag and to pay my association subs to Catherine!!!
Chris Tait
Extract from email received around min equipment regulations for Scot Series 2012. Suggest the 3 Sonatas use the inspection form on the Scot Series website and inspect each other regarding this for the event to ensure a pragmatic and realistic outcome on inspection form i.e. Sonata Class min equipmqent rules plus ISAF Cat 5 compliance (with self cert exemptions from Cat 4 elements on inspection form) ?
From: CCC Office [mailto:office@clyde.org]
Sent: 28 May 2012 12:50
To: ‘CCC Office’
Subject: FW: Minimum equipment regulations
We have received a number of enquiries about minimum equipment. Perhaps I could answer this by saying that yachts racing in One Design classes are required by NoR 5.6 to comply with Cat 5. This year, unless there are some more entries, this applies only to the SB20 class. (For the avoidance of doubt Sigma OD class rules require Cat 4).
Boats racing in CYCA and IRC classes are subject to NoR 5.4, ie Cat 4.
Under SI 17.2, yachts may seek exemptions from the parts of Cat 4 that they are unable to comply with, or it is unreasonable to comply with. eg, if you do not have a cooker, we will not expect a fire blanket! As a minimum, any One Design style boat asking for exemption we would expect to comply with their class rules, Cat 5 and recommended equipment 5.01.2.b and 5.01.2.c (life jacket crutch straps, which are also requirements for Cat 4).
The way the inspection system works is that you have to be inspected by a fellow member of your class and the form is set up that you have to persuade him/her that you comply with Cat 4. So you need to be armed with a copy of any dispensation and with what ever documentation you think you will need to convince your inspector that you comply with Cat 5. Appendix J is not long, and the list of equipment is not long so I suggest you arm yourself with a printed copy, and a copy of your OD class certificate and class equipment rules so you can demonstrate to the the inspector that you comply.
The Race Committee only gets involved if you fail to produce that inspection report in terms of SI 17.1 (and I can assure you we have no wish to get involved and hope that competitors will sort it out without us having to get involved).
If I may make a couple of suggestions. You will see that Cat 5 is firmly focused on safety equipment, and safety is the priority here. So in terms of compliance with your class rules, I am not fussed about all the rules relating to length of foot or spinnaker pole etc; these are not issues of safety although some would argue that failing to comply with those sort of rules is cheating on your handicap, but that is not the purpose of the inspection. The Round Inch’ Race on Sunday takes you into quite exposed waters off Lamont Shelf and down towards Kibrannon Sound and it is for this reason that we wish lifejackets to have crutch straps etc.. There can be a big sea in that area. Cat 5 (and all the other Cats) start off with reminding skippers of their responsibilities. Finally, these Min. Equip regs cause a lot of argument with some people taking them more seriously than others -and all that kit is expensive. In Cat 4 there is a new requirement this year to carry a fire blanket – previously it was Cat 3 and above – and I know of one competitor who will not sign off an inspection report unless the fire blanket is present.
I hope my suggestions are helpful.
Regards John Readman 01786821328
Chairman BDSS Organising Committee
Mark Taylor
Chris / Garteth,
For information I have spoken with Neil McLure (that traitorous being that left Snottys for the 707………….but who now faces the same issue we have re Minimum Equipment) and have subsequently sent the following email to John Readman as Chairman of the Scottish Series organising committee. I’ll let you know via this forum if we have any reaction, assuming he doesn’t contact competitors directly!
Regards
John,
Thanks for your email below which clarifies your thinking regarding treatment of the One Design classes (eg 707 and Sonata) that now find themselves in CYCA 7 due to shortfall of entries in their own classes.
I attach a comparison of the Sonata rules compared with Cat 5 and Cat 4 requirements so that you can understand the financial impact of the requirements of meeting Cat 4 compared with the Cat 5 we had previously expected………assuming no dispensations by the race committee we are potentially facing a £750 delta over that we normally race with, leaving aside the practicalities of getting the required kit together over the next 2 days!!! I expect the delta for the 707 will be similar to that for the Sonata.
Given the above I would like to apply for a class wide dispensation for all of the Sonata and 707s entered in Scottish Series so that we can race in compliance with an agreed common standard and hopefully all boats currently entered will attend. For the avoidance of doubt I would like Sonata and 707 to be required to meet Notice of Race 5.6 (Category 5 + VHF radio)
I hope you can consider our request favourably
Regards
Mark Taylor
Sonata Saraband 8314
0797 1114461
Requirement Sonata Cat 5 (Part 
Cat 4 Comment Fire Extinguisher 1 1 2 £20 Fire Blanket – – 1 £10 Bucket 1 1 2 £5 Anchor & Rope Anchor 6kg 1 1 Chain 2m x 4.5mm – – Rope 20m x 10mm – – Bilge Pump 1 1 1 Marine Compass 1 1 1 Berth Cushions Y – Y Toilet 1 – 1 Cooker 1 – ? Outboard Engine 1 – – Hatch Lock – operable above/below deck – 1 1 Lifebuoy with drogue or lifesling without drogue – 1 – Common Sense Lifebuoy with drogue AND light / lifesling AND light – – 1 £60 Heaving Line 15-25m long – 1 1 Common Sense Navigation Lights – – min 10w £100 Spare bulb(s) for navigation lights – – Y £8 Handheld VHF – – 1 Required by NoR Radio receiver capable of receiving weather forecasts – – 1 £5 Portable sail numbers – – 1 £10 Soft wood plugs for every through hull opening – – 1 £2 Watertight high powered searchlight (inc spare bulb & batts) – – 1 £10 Watertight flashlight (inc spare bulb & batts) – – 1 £3 First Aid Kit – – 1 Common Sense First Aid Manual – – 1 £5 At least one person trained in First Aid – – 1 Time to train??? Foghorn – – 1 £10 Radar Reflector – – 1 £30 Charts, light list & navigational equipment – – Y £20 Safety Equipment Location Chart – – 1 Minimal Echo Sounder or Lead line – – 1 £100 Tools & spare parts including means of cutting rigging – – Y Common Sense Flares – – 4 x Red / 2 x Orange £80 Sharp Knife – – 1 Common Sense Storm Jib – – 1 £300 Lifejackets with crotch straps – – No of crew Required by NoR …….if after Jan 2012 will have spray hood and harness – – No of crew Required by NoR Circa £750
Gareth Martel
Good job Mark, was thinking of sending something similiar. I will drop them an email also to lend support to yours. Certainly seems daft for them to expect one design boats to go out and buy a load of kit they dont need, particularly since these are the people who are supporting the event!
Think Chris has the right idea, we can inspect each other and it will all be fine.
Also thought I would mention in my email that I am a bit dissapointed they have dropped us to 2 races for saturday, when all others are doing three.
Heres hoping the wind forcast comes up or the pasage races on fri + sunday are going to be awfully long for us at the slower end of the handicap!
Gareth
(also will ask around Mark, see if I know anyone who might be able to crew for you)
Peter Booth
Hi Guys,
I understand Tim Tindal is entering in Jazz as Peshwa repairs are not yet finished. You might wish to get him involved his phone number is 01436671421. Have a great weekend and make sure you take the first 3 places.
Peter
Chris Tait
Guys after phone call discussion with John and my own exchange of emails with Scottish Series race office requesting dispensation from Cat 4 for Sonatas and similar yachts, delighted they have seen pragmatic solution following negotiations by us all on this, see email below –
From: CCC Office [mailto:office@clyde.org]
Sent: 30 May 2012 10:53
To: ‘CCC Office’
Subject: FW: Sonata and Hunter 707s Minimum Equipment
All the Sonatas and Hunter 707s are granted dispensation under SI 17.2 from complying with Cat 4, but as a minimum will comply with their class rules, Cat 5 and recommended equipment 5.01.2.b and 5.01.2.c, and a VHF radio.
The way the inspection system works is that you have to be inspected by a fellow member of your class and the form is set up that you have to persuade him/her that you comply with Cat 4. So you need to be armed with a copy of this dispensation and with what ever documentation you think you will need to convince your inspector that you comply with Cat 5. Appendix J is not long, and the list of equipment is not long so I suggest you arm yourself with a printed copy, and a copy of your OD class certificate and class equipment rules so you can demonstrate to the the inspector that you comply.
The Race Committee only gets involved if you fail to produce that inspection report in terms of SI 17.1 (and I can assure you we have no wish to get involved and hope that competitors will sort it out without us having to get involved).
If I may make a couple of suggestions. You will see that Cat 5 is firmly focused on safety equipment, and safety is the priority here. So in terms of compliance with your class rules, I am not fussed about all the rules relating to length of foot or spinnaker pole etc; these are not issues of safety although some would argue that failing to comply with those sort of rules is cheating on your handicap, but that is not the purpose of the inspection. The Round Inch’ Race on Sunday takes you into quite exposed waters off Lamont Shelf and down towards Kibrannon Sound and it is for this reason that we wish lifejackets to have crutch straps etc.. There can be a big sea in that area. Cat 5 (and all the other Cats) start off with reminding skippers of their responsibilities.
Regards John Readman 01786821328
Chairman BDSS Organising Committee
Mark Taylor
Saraband planning on going and I see that they have re-established the marquee so the dancing and drinking is closer to the boat, which is good news as I sleep aboard at Tarbert…….although just realised that the new position for the tent means that when I leave it i will have to walk back to the fish & chip shop before re-tracing my steps back to my boat, so just shows that not all improvements are actually progress!!
B&B booked for the foredeck crew but as yet still short on two crew, but B&B already booked for them so will see what happens!!!
Only slight cloud on the horizon is that our factory is up for sale and the new buyer might want me to be around, but hopefully he will respect the bank holiday??!!
For information I sent an email to try and encourage some of the Helensburgh Sonata fleet to attend Tarbert, using their club email contact address and got no reply, but hopefully some of them will turn up?
regards
Mark
Saraband 8314N