Brightlingsea One Design

The forecast is looking great for this Saturday’s Wivenhoe Regatta (9 July) with sunshine, 20 degrees and a great breeze.  The race upriver starts from Bateman’s at 13.30 and as always we can expect a fantastic welcome and thee usual beers and burgers when we get to Wivenhoe after the race upriver.  Click here to download the Sailing Instructions for the regatta here and please help the organisers by entering in advance if you possibly can.

Seven teams came to the line for the CYC Mini Series on Sunday 3 July for which Race Officer Nick Readings and his team ran three windward leeward races in the outer Colne.  Conditions were near perfect with warm sunshine and a lovely breeze in the low to mid teens

Storm Petrel stormed to victory in race one, crossing the line with a country mile lead over Egret and then Eider with Never Say Never in fourth.  Race two was more tricky as a major wind shift turned the race from windward leeward into a reaching affair.  Never Say Never made the best of the situation, leading Gelesma and Egret across the line. Egret found her form in the final race taking victory from Never Say Never and Eider.

With the points calculated Egret claimed overall victory from Never Say Never with Eider third and Storm Petrel fourth.

This weekend we have one of the CYC Multi Race series starting at 11.00 on Sunday 3 July for your delight and delectation.  Nick and Team Readings will be officiating from the usual CYC Committee Boat and he will update you on VHF regarding his position, etc, and will be running windward leeward courses this weekend.  He anticipates using one of the existing racing or navigation marks as your weather mark and will be laying a line with a mark and the committee boat.

Although you probably won’t need them this weekend, if anyone still needs a CYC Course Card Nick always has some in the committee boat. A contribution of £1 per card towards costs and class funds is requested (please give to Fi when you next see her).

Next weekend we have Wivenhoe Regatta on Saturday 9th July starting from Bateman’s at 13.00 and as always we can expect a fantastic when we get to Wivenhoe after the fun of the race upriver.  Click here to download the Sailing Instructions for the regatta here and please help the organisers by entering in advance if you can.

Looking ahead you can also now enter online for Pyefleet Week at www.pyefleetweek.com

One of our favourite events of the year is finally here in the shape of Rowhedge Regatta which looks forward to welcoming a strong BOD fleet this Saturday 25 June.  Here are the instructions (or download as a PDF):

ROWHEDGE REGATTA 2016

Saturday 25^th June, High water 1620

Brightlingsea One Designs

This year there will be the usual upriver race using the same courses as last year. There will also be a downriver race, for the Ian Brown Trophy, starting at around HW or shortly after; the exact time to be announced on the day

Upriver Race

Startline:       Batemans Tower.

Start:             1345 hrs. A sequence of a 10-minute gun and a 5-minute gun will be sounded.

Courses:      Signboards on Batemans Tower will indicate which course to use.

1. Creek Mouth buoy port, Big Buoy stbd, No.8 stbd, Mersea Wreck stbd to finish line.

2. 13 stbd, Mersea Wreck stbd to finish line.

3. 12 stbd to finish line.

Finish Line:   Flag pole on quayside outside ‘Ye Olde Albion’ PH, Pearsons Quay.

Once you have finished the race please come ashore for beer, food and fun! Beer vouchers for skippers/crew (to be used Regatta day only) will be available near the broadcast caravan situated outside Ye Olde Albion.

CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR  – This year we are reserving mooring for the BODs and WODS in the Ferry Hard (the bay between the two quays). You will be able to raft up to a grey plastic pontoon from which you can get ashore. This new position will make it easier for you to hear the PA announcing the downriver race, and easier to get to the line.

Downriver Race

Start Line – The Rowhedge Line (op. the Albion Pub)

Start time – around HW (1620) – to be advised by public address.

Course – From Rowhedge to BSC finish line.

Navigation marks DO NOT have to be observed.

The course maybe shortened to finish at Bateman’s in which case this will be indicated with flag S and there will be a finishing gun as you cross the line

Any queries please contact Nick Baker, Rowhedge Regatta Association

01206 728693 mob 07821 797284 e-mail NickVBaker@aol.com

Entering

We are pleased to say that owing to the generosity of our sponsors, there are no fees required this year.  But it is important that we have the following info –

• Your name, phone no. and email (if available)
• Boat name and sail number.
• Hull colour and spinnaker colour
• Confirm that you have current 3^rd party insurance by quoting the company and policy number.
• Any interesting information about the boat

Please send this information by email, letter or phone Loraine Baker  20 High St  Rowhedge  Colchester  CO5 7ES.

Any enquiries please phone 01206 728693, or email NickVBaker@aol.com

Late entries

This year you can enter on the day by reporting into the Entries Clerk, Julian, before the start. Please have the details listed above ready, and call before the 10 minute gun.

THE DEDICATED NUMBER FOR LATE ENTRIES –  07780 060605

For late entries please DO NOT call the OOD number or try to contact us on VHF Channel M1

Good Sailing

Nick Baker

The Aldeburgh Classic Boat Festival will take place on 3 and 4 September 2016 and it looks like the BODs will be well represented!  BODOA Secretary Fiona Brown is liaising with the organisers regarding the logistics and would appreciate confirmation from those who hope to attend to help her ensure plans are in place for us.  If you would like to do the event please can you go to http://goo.gl/forms/RDb6Ih0PhjC0TFxb2 and give Fi as much info about your plans and requirements as possible (no commitment required at this stage – just an indication that you hope to take part).

There is an option for camping and motorhomes free of charge on site plus there are a number of lovely hotels and B&Bs in Aldeburgh along with good self
catering accommodation.  This is the weekend immediately before the kids go back to school so property is available but its wise to book early to avoid disappointment.  If you would like any help with accommodation or want to book in your motorhome/caravan/tent for the free onsite spaces please let Fi know on the form above.  If you prefer to arrange things yourself a good starting p0int is www.thesuffolkcoast.co.uk

Launching is tidal with high tide being Friday at 14.20.  The club is working on logistics for this which is one of the key reasons Fi needs to know your plans asap (again give as much info as you can on the attached form).  Currently they plan to launch us on Friday afternoon but if there are too many they may put some in on Thursday.  Also getting all the boats out on Sunday may be a push to so again if you could wait until Monday please let Fi know

The rough plan is for the first race on Saturday to be at 13.00 with two races planned and on Sunday a single race starting at around 11.00.  If you haven’t raced at Aldeburgh before rest assured you will feel very much at home with marshes, tides and mudbanks.  Our photo shows the Aldeburgh Loch Long One Design fleet in action giving you a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Breakfast will be served in the club on both Saturday and Sunday and there will be an informal club supper on Saturday night followed by live music with The Random Blues Company.  Aldeburgh Yacht Club is right on the river with gorgeous views out across the river Alde and the marshes which are a nature reserve.

Aldeburgh is a fantastic place for friends and family too with lots to do, great shops, cafes and restaurants, a lovely beach, loads of options for walking and of course the nature reserve mentioned above. The world renowned Snap Maltings is only a short drive away with its independent shops specialising in unusual and unique gifts, furniture, cookware, home furnishings, children’s toys, books and stationery to name but a few, as well as a to die for food hall.

All in all Aldeburgh truly is the place to be on 3 and 4 September so please go to  http://goo.gl/forms/RDb6Ih0PhjC0TFxb2 and give Fi your details if you think you would like to come.

The first annual BOD Regatta, jointly hosted by Colne Yacht Club and Brightlingsea Sailing Club over the weekend of 4 and 5 June 2016, was declared a resounding success by all.

After a week of cold, wet and windy weather our prayers were answered and the skies cleared to give us two wonderful sunny warm days with light to moderate breezes.  Our race committee was led by RO Piers Lambert and ARO Nick Readings and they and their entire team did a fantastic job of providing 5 really close races in what were often very tricky and shifty conditions.

A total of fourteen teams took part in the regatta and whilst some were already battle hardened from early season racing, others were only just out of the blocks. Graham Bridle’s Blue Peter is looking fantastic after a major winter refit with Rob Maloney and it was great to see her back on the water, especially with Claire Bridle joining the team on Sunday and helping them to their best result of the regatta with a third in the final race.  Also fresh from a winter spruce up was Bob Richardson’s Panic whose timed run from winter storage to start line saw them still screwing on fittings on their way to the start line (including one cleat which accidentally got put on backwards causing a few exiting moments).  For their stupendous effort in making it out for the weekend Team Panic won one of the weekend’s special prizes of a set of Mylor Chandlery & Rigging sail ties.

Other special prize winners taking home Mylor Chandlery & Rigging sail tie sets during the weekend included Celia Charlton for making a perfect port end start; Geoff Gritton who tried out a new starting and mark rounding technique in Never Say Never which perhaps needs a little work unless hooking anchor lines was part of the plan, and Maddy Anderson who got rookie helm of the event for a very impressive performance in her first major BOD regatta.

From the opening race it was clear that BOD racing will be tighter than ever this season with constant place changing and only seconds separating the boats at the finish. Dan Willett, sailing C9 Bidi with Fraz and Ben Willett, claimed first blood with Jeremy Newman in C32 Avocet crewed by Ollie Newman and Ed Gibbons second, Maddy Anderson in C55 Windsprite crewed by Fin Anderson and Tom Ballantyne third, Geoff Gritton crewed in C56 Never Say Never by Derick Gentry and Chris Walker fourth and John Payne sailing c11 Grayling with Josh Hunt & Stuart Smith fifth.

From race two Jeremy Newman took control of the regatta and although he had to fight hard for it he ultimately went on to win the remaining four races and claim overall victory.  Behind him the battle for the other two podium places was a humdinger, eventually won by Dan Willett who finished five points behind Jeremy and four ahead of Maddy Anderson in third.  The battle for the leather medal was even tighter with John Payne only claiming fourth place on count back from Geoff Gritton. No less than three boats tied on points for 6th place with Celia Charlton just getting the edge on count back from Alan Hicks and then Graham Bridle.  In fact even 12th and 13th places were tied on points with Mark and Debbie Wilby and Phil Holding’s The Mike claiming the upper hand on count back from Panic.

Back ashore the apres sailing was equally fabulous with Marianne White and her team at BSC laying on a superb beach BBQ on Saturday night allowing everyone to wind down after an amazing day on the water with great food, cold drinks and convivial company as the sun set over Bateman’s Tower.  At the daily prize giving not only were the special sail tie awards given out but opening day leader Jeremy Newman was presented with an A Glaze polishing kit to make Avocet even more beautiful than she already is!

After racing on Sunday it was back to the deck at CYC for more socialising set against the delightful harbour backdrop and the final prize giving where the new BOD Regatta overall winners trophy The BOD Board (made for us by the exceptionally talented carpenter David Carrington) was presented to Team Avocet along with a £15 voucher from  Mylor Chandlery & Rigging.  Second placed Dan Willett and third placed Maddy Anderson also received  Mylor Chandlery & Rigging vouchers which can be spent in their online chandlery.

Thanks once again to everyone who came out to race and in particular to everyone who helped to run the regatta.  Thanks also to Kate Button and Chris Jordan for the photos!  We’ve already asked the clubs to find a date for the event in early June 2017 so watch out for news of this later in the year.

Click here for final results

The opening day of the regatta brought welcome sunshine and warmth but not a huge amount of breeze.  Fortunately the Race Committee led by RO Piers Lambert and ARO Nick Readings did a brilliant jobs of achieving three races in tricky conditions.  The opening two races were laid windward leeward courses and the final race was around the cans taking the fleet back to finish at Creekmouth.

It would be entirely fair to say it was a day of snakes and ladders with most boats getting a taste of the front, back and middle of the fleet at some stage.  By the end of the day however, the cream had as usual risen to the top and the overnight leader, and winner of a A Glaze polishing kit and a very smart set of Mylor Chandlery & Rigging sail-ties, was Jeremy Newman sailing Avocet with Ollie Newman and Ed Gibbons.  Hard on Jeremy’s heels with only a single point separating them is Dan Willett sailing Bidi with Fraz and Ben Willett, whilst in third place it’s Maddy Anderson helming Windsprite crewed by Fin Anderson & Tom Ballantine.

The forecast for today’s concluding races looks fantastic with warm sun and a lovely breeze in the mid to upper teens – true champagne sailing.  Rumours abound that Egret and Dulcet may be joining us today to bring the fleet up to 15 and racing gets underway at 14.00. Competitors are reminded to listen out on Ch M1/37 for details of the race committee’s location and friends and family are welcome to join us in the Yacht Club for the final prize giving after sailing (watch Facebook for an update on our return ashore and estimated prize giving time).

Click here for day 1 results

We’re all set for tomorrow and the weather gods are shining on us with a lovely breeze and warmer temperatures at last!

The Race Office will open at Noon at Park & Ride tomorrow where you will be able to:

1. Pay your entry fee and for any additional BBQ tickets
2. Pick up your Sailing Instructions & Course Card
3. Pick up your BBQ Tickets
4. Pick up Amendments to Sailing Instruction No 1 & 2 – which give the Race Officer the option to use existing racing or navigation marks as part of a windward/leeward course if necessary and correct an error in the Pyefleet Week Course card.

If you haven’t already entered please make Fi’s life easier by doing so now online HERE

The great BOD Regatta weekend on 4 and 5 June is almost here and at last the wind is finally going to drop and we look all set for two brilliant days of racing.

You can now download the Notice Of Race and Sailing Instructions and please would everyone make their Entry Online in advance right away to help us avoid paperwork on the day and so we know how many bangers and burgers Marianne needs to buy for the BBQ!

Your entry fee of £35 per boat includes 3 BBQ tickets and additional guest tickets should be booked using the online entry form for £7.50 each.

The schedule for the Regatta is as follows:

The Committee Boat will be Nick Readings’ big black RIB and we will also have Nick’s second RIB plus one of the BSC RIBs with us.  Race Officer will be Piers Lambert with Nick as Assistant Race Officer.  As always the Readings family will be out in force to help us plus we have Graham Chasney, John Paxman, Colin & Pam Willett, Matt and various others very kindly giving up their weekend to help us.

The race area will be out in the Estuary and Piers/Nick will broadcast their location to you on VHF Channel M1/37.  You must you have your radios with you and well charged for this weekend as you will be required to sign on and report retirements by VHF and the Race Officer has the option to provide you with additional general information by VHF during the day. Failure to sign on by VHF will be penalised by a £10 penalty payable to BODOA funds!

The broad plan, weather permitting, is to do two short windward leeward races followed by a Pyefleet Week course race on Saturday.  On Sunday we will try for the same, but unless we are very lucky with the wind it may be that we only have time to do one windward leeward followed by a Pyefleet Week course. Laminated Course Cards will be available at Registration. Please read the SIs carefully for all the information on how course information will be displayed, etc.

The 2016 BOD Regatta Weekend will take place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June and will be jointly hosted by Brightlingsea Sailing Club and the Colne Yacht Club.  The event will feature two days of racing, a Fleet BBQ on Saturday immediately after racing at BSC and a Prize Giving on Sunday immediately after racing at CYC.

Racing will commence at 2pm on both days with Committee Boat starts and a combination of short windward leeward and round the cans courses.  A special Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions will be issued shortly.

The entry fee for the weekend will be £35 which includes three tickets to the BBQ on Saturday night.  Additional guest tickets for the BBQ can be ordered at £7.50 each.

Click here to submit your entries.  Please note that entries will close at 5pm on Friday 3 June 2016.

We already have 15 teams who have confirmed their intention to take part in this event so it’s going to be a great weekend.  If anyone wants to race but needs crew or other help to make it happen please contact Class Secretary Fiona Brown on 07711 718470 or fiona.brown@fionabrown.com who will do her best to help.