March 2010 Newsletter

1. Commodore’s Log
2. Vice-Commodore’s Comment
3. Rear Commodore
4. Calendar
5. Sailing Committee News
6. Cruising Committee News
7. Regatta News
8. Club Notices/Events (includes an article concerning the key difference in the New Rules 2009-2012)
9. Club Clothing Club Clothing Order Form Excel Spreadsheet OR pdf file
10. Safety Officer
11. Bosun's Locker
12. The 2006/07 Adventures of Warren, Louise & Cadenza (archived - includes 2 new chapters)

Commodore’s Log

The major news at the weekend was the Tsunami which resulted in the Cruising race fleet departing Vivien Bay early to seek safety in deeper water.  The extra high tides also affected some areas which in my case was observed as we were entering the marina at approximately 4.00pm on Sunday.  I have never seen such a boil up of water exiting the marina at the entrance and although the tide was already very low the outgoing water reduced our GPS speed by 2 knots.

The Marsden Cove race was an exercise in patience and concentration plus trying to find some wind which varied from zero to 2 knots.  Even trying to fly a spinnaker resulted in no increase in speed and eventually being tired of the sails flapping the two entrants from the Kawau start decided to shorten the course but still had up to 3 hours motoring to get to Marsden Cove.  The Formula on entering the channel into Marsden Cove at 9.30pm managed to miss one of the markers and hit the mud but with a quick reverse manoeuvre got back into the channel.  After a good breakfast at the Marina the sail back to Kawau on Saturday was far more pleasant with a good breeze for the start with Euphoria pulling away from us in the earlier fresh conditions.  I will leave it to the sailing committee to give the story on the starters from Gulf Harbour.

The Club premises are in great demand at present with the Offshore Power Boats, weddings, birthdays and two fishing contests for Kalmar and Maverick coming soon.

The East Coast Bays Rotary race is also on in March and if you would like to participate please contact the office.

In the Restaurant the format is being changed slightly in that there will now be a salad bar with hot roasted potatoes available for you to help yourself.

As normal the club depends on volunteers to carry out many of the building and grounds maintenance that is required. If you think you can help for a few hours please contact Rodney Cowell on 428 1148.

Jim McElrea
Your Commodore

What a Summer!?

This summer must be one of the best for many a year for enjoying the boating life.... so why do so many boats never leave the marina?  Are their owners secretly operating mussel farming businesses under their hulls?

I understand that a few of our members had the "sea move beneath them" during the recent Tsunami... Ah well... not as exciting as the Earth moving I guess but, better than nothing!

Levity aside, we must sympathise with those suffering the after effects of the Earth moving in S America, Haiti, etc.  Just pray that a 'big one' doesn't strike Godzone anytime soon or, ever!

News from China... where Les and Sonia Shrubb are casting critical eyes over the construction of their new 'baby'.  "It's cold, grey and very polluted" (China that is!).  Apparently, the city of Ningbo, where their vessel is being built, has a population of over 23million!  Just think.... one city with a bigger population than Australia!

Friday evenings at the clubhouse... recent minor changes to presentation have made an enormous difference to the already delicious meals being served by Joe and her team.  Do come along and enjoy!

Finally... again... another plea to you all to support the club's sponsors whenever possible.  Without them, for example, race prizegivings would be very mundane affairs.

Now, get out there and enjoy your boat while the 'Golden Weather' lasts!

PS: ANOTHER REMINDER!!!!!... the Rotary Club of East Coast Bays is holding its Charity Regatta at Gulf Harbour this year on Friday 12 March.

This is a real fun event and this year is supporting Melanoma Foundation.  Participants enter their yachts at no cost and a crew is delegated to each yacht by the organisers.  Generous food and beverages are supplied to each boat for the inter race lunch break.  After the two fun races, entrants retire to the marquee for the prizegiving/auction followed by a sumptuous meal.  Believe me this really is a great day out and if any of you are interested in entering your yacht please contact me, or the organiser direct... Martin on 09 415 8134.

Howard Rowland
Vice Commodore

Club Clothing

Just a reminder that we have garments for all seasons.  Especially this one where Summer is at last upon us - Wah Hoo!!

You have probably seen our ‘clubbies’ wearing various items from the new range (and what about Mandy and Manfred?).  The feedback has been fantastic – well done, Karsten for the time and effort in sourcing the clothing!

We have some of the clothing in stock, the rest we order from our supplier (Canterbury) so allow 7-10 working days for delivery.

There is a full size range of each garment available at the club for you to try on for size.

Also available:

I will be at the club most Friday nights or phone me on 09 424 1383 to arrange a time during Club opening hours to view the range.

The Club Clothing Order Form giving sizes and prices of the clothing range is available for download.  Click here for Excel spreadsheet version or here for a .pdf version.  Both are less than 20kb downloads (nice and small!).

Pam Bertenshaw (Mrs "Two Boats")

Sailing Committee News

February has been a busy month for your Sailing Committee with six events during the month.

The main event was the annual race to Marsden Cove with a small fleet of only six boats, four starting from Gulf Harbour and two from Kawau.  With 15 knots forecast from the east, competitors were expecting a pleasant sail up the coast, arriving at Marsden Cove in time for dinner at the local restaurant.  However, the breeze had other ideas resulting in Planet X finishing just before midnight (that’s 15 hours sailing compared with just over 6 last year), two boats pulling out and heading for Kawau, and the two Kawau entrants deciding to shorten their race after eight hours.

In contrast, the forecast for race 3 of the Firewatch Series and Brian Holgate Panelbeaters Two Handed Series was for 5 knots variable.  Fortunately, competitors were treated to reasonable conditions from Gulf Harbour to the Rakino Channel and from Rangitoto Light to Gulf Harbour, but the rest of the course proved very challenging with light winds and sailing against the tide.  However, most of the 13 competitors enjoyed their day out, although 3 retired.  Great to see so many boats out for this event. 

Results for these races were:

Warpaint Twilight series

Race 6 – 3rd February 2010

Race 7 – 17th February 2010

Series results after seven races (and one discard) has Planet X in first place with 15 points, followed by Scenario (23) and Narnia (29).  Whilst the first two boats have a reasonable lead, the competition is real hot for third place with only 1.5 points separating competitors in position 3 to 9.

Lingerie World and “Anita” Breast Care Ladies Twilight series

Race 7 – 10th February 2010

Race 8 – 24th February 2010

Series results after eight races (with one discard) has Guadalest in first place with 14 points, followed by Crazy Sexy Cool (19.5) and Euphoria (21).  Young Blood could upset the first three places with its consistency in fourth place.

Firewatch Gulf Series

Race 2 – 5th February 2010 (Marsden Cove)

Division One:

Division Two:

Race 3 – 21st February 2010

Brian Holgate Panelbeaters Two Handed Series

Race 3 – 21^st February 2010

March Racing Schedule:

Warpaint Twilight series – Race 8 - 3^rd March, Race 9 - 17^th March, Race 10 – 31^st March.

Lingerie World and Anita Breast Care Ladies Twilight series – Race 9 - 10^th March and Race 10 - 24^th March.

Firewatch Gulf Series and Brian Holgate Panelbeaters Two Handed series – Race 4 – 20^th March.  Note: this race is on Saturday 20^th (not Sunday as noted on page 21 of Year Book) starting at 0900 with the course rounding Gannet and Flat rocks.

See you on the water.

Graeme White
Sailing Committee

Cruising Committee News

Burnsco Summer Cruising Series Race # 7
Combined with Weiti Yacht Club around Rangitoto to port with a finish off Islington Bay.  The wind NW 15-20 knots which meant a fast reach to Rangitoto and then downwind to finish.

In division I, Outlaw led the race from start to finish.  Richard dominated the east side of the course, chased by Sunspree all the way.  On the west side of the course, Windcall lead the way covering Kastaway and Matinee battling it out close behind.  The blue “K class” from Weiti Club found itself sandwiched between Kastaway and Matinee at the jibe point which caused some excitement.  Kastaway was able to pull off the jibe and just stay ahead of Matinee to the finish line.  Windcall stayed clear and out of trouble, finishing just ahead of the two boats.  Young Blood was observed making head sail changes after the start, with the number 3 jib down and the number 1 up, ….nice work Mike in that wind and sea,  receiving applause from the Guadalest’s  who were most impressed. Great to see Nakoni out there, looking beautiful, with Jill and Richard aboard.

It was an excellent day for Sledgehammer.  She stayed with the front of the fleet all the way to Rangitoto to finish second in Division II.  Proposition normally sails in the middle of the fleet.  In this wind, she was not a threat as Brian could not get her up on a plane.  The three boats, The Formula, Guadalest and Euphoria have been closely competing throughout the season and today was no different.  It has been rumoured that there is a “Mark I go-slow” device attached to one of the boats.  In this race, Euphoria beat Guadalest, but The Formula took first place in Division II.  It was great to see Amokura II sailing in this race and placing 4^th in division II on corrected time.

Welcome to Ono, a 60 foot ocean sailing ketch on her first race in the cruising division.  Starting last and quickly coming to the middle of the fleet, stayed to the west side of the course.  She finished respectably near the front.  Large ketches reach well in good wind.  Well done, Rick and Kitty.

Outlaw finished first with line honours and then quickly anchored to record finish times.  This turned out to be a very busy spot with the Classic Yachts and another race all rounding the Islington Bay buoy from all directions at the same time.  The entire cruising fleet thanks you for a sterling job.

Awards and the barbeque were held ashore in the lee of Rangitoto.  The combined Weiti and GHYC race was won by Sonic Boom of Weiti and line honours went to GH Outlaw.

Race results were as follows:

Line Honours - Outlaw

Handicap Division 1:

Division II:

Overall winner: Sunspree

Ralph Kast
Cruising Committee

Burnsco Summer Cruising Series Race 8 to Kawau via Motuora and Motutara
The stiff easterly breeze ensured a windward start and a beat to Navy buoy.  I am sure many boats got a good start but Nakoni was not one of them, due to a series of tactical errors we found ourselves at the very back of the fleet and not able to see much of the action.  The beautiful ketch Ono was the only boat behind us, but after Navy Buoy Ric headed off on his own course to Kawau and was not seen again.

We understand that Toyshop was using a new secret weapon DUCT TAPE.  Apparently, as it peels off the headsail, it not only gives you an excellent wind flow indication, but also the resulting holes in the sail create beneficial venturis!!  On the last board to Navy buoy we saw Euphoria and Proposition cross well in front of us but I was going to get to call starboard on the Commodore, the rest of the fleet were hull down.  As I opened my mouth to yell the magic word Jim tacked beneath us.  Fortunately for us we had enough speed to roll over him and continue the pursuit.  Round the mark, sheets eased to broad reach and life became much easier; there was even time for a cup of coffee.  By the time we got to Motuora we passed Proposition and Euphoria, and the rest of the fleet was noticeably closer.  Round Motutara we hardened up to the finish, try as we might we couldn’t make any further gains but still a very enjoyable race.

Results Div 1

Matinee, without the first mate who was at home on new grandchild watch, still managed 4^th.

Div 2

As always, many thanks to John and his team on Olympus at the start, and to Warren on Condrieu at the finish.  Unbeknown to John, Louise was in Tasmania and was a little startled to receive a call on her mobile asking about the race starters!

The BBQ was at Vivian bay, a beautiful sandy beach which we had to ourselves. It doesn’t get much better than that. The usual swapping of race stories ensued, complete with what might have been and wishful thinking. We then sang a tuneful(?) Happy Birthday to Brian Holgate.  We understand some celebrations took place later aboard Windcall, in blissful ignorance of the early wake up call to come. Text messages started to arrive at 4.30am and by 7.30am the siren at North Cove (where Nakoni and Young Blood were anchored) went off.  This was followed shortly by a visit from the First Response Jet Ski advising us of the impending Tsunami.  Adrienne also visited all boats in the anchorage. Permanently tuning to Coastguard radio we decided to follow their advice and head for deeper water.  When Coastguard considered it safe (with caution) we returned to Gulf Harbour.  As we approached our berth the depth alarm sounded and we barely scraped into our berth.  A few minutes after we had tied up, we noticed a big surge coming into the marina with bow waves on the piles.  The sounder recorded an increase of close to a metre in less than 15 minutes.

All in all a memorable weekend!

Richard Waite
Cruising Committee

Calendar (March 2010)

Rear Commodore

Nothing this month!!

Chris Biggs
Rear Commodore

Safety Officer’s Report

Nothing this month!!

John Briand
Club Safety Officer

Club Notices/Events

We all know how lucky we are to have Warren and Louise to officiate at the finish of our cruising races with Condrieu.  In the event of them being unavailable, is there anyone else out there who would be able to be our standby finish boat?  Please contact Adrienne Hilt, Cruising Committee Chairperson, if you can assist on 424 0825.

From the Engine Room

Greetings and welcome to our newest members.  Joining us as an associate member is Vi Marks, who is a friend of our champion Petanque player Colleen Brine.

Our fleet of Lotus 10.6’s has expanded with the addition of Rewi, owned by new members Charles and Mary Clark.

I see we still have five weeks of daylight saving left, so time enough for any ladies who are interested to join in the Ladies Petanque on Thursdays.  It is a lot of fun and only mildly competitive! We aim to start around 5.30pm.

If any artististic members would like to display some of their work at the club, please contact the office. The aim is to use one wall in the dining room and the pictures will be on show for a period of two weeks at a time. They will need to have the artist’s name and contact details and a price if they are for sale. The club will not charge a fee, but of course donations are always gladly accepted!  We still have several pictures to re-hang in the club now that the re-painting is completed and hopefully this will be done at Rodney’s working bee.

The water cooler that has appeared in the club is on loan for a few weeks so won’t be staying, so enjoy it while it is there.

Gill

From the House Committee Chair

At the start of the season, Blue Sapphire was looking bright and shiny and as the summer  is beginning to fade, so is the polish on the hull and the list of ongoing repairs is growing.

What is true for the yacht is equally true for the Club.  With the end of summer not too far around the corner the Clubhouse and the gardens and hedges are beginning to lose the battle to the elements. We have been able to keep up with a number of minor issues and some not so minor (like the failure of the refrigeration system right on the holiday period) but the time is right to do a tidy up around the property and so we are asking for your help.

We have chosen 2 mornings in March with a working bee planned for the 20th (with the 27th held in reserve in case of bad weather).

Here are some of the projects that we have in mind.

Will you help?  If you have hedge cutting equipment, secateurs, experience as a carpenter, a cleaning cloth or are just willing to help, come to the club from 8.30am on the 20th until midday and let’s see if we can put the sparkle back into our property.  If we as club members don’t, nobody else will!

I’d also like to take this opportunity to raise another issue; we need some more people on the house committee.  This is not an onerous task, but very necessary, so if you are willing to help in caring from the property with contact primarily through email and meetings say quarterly, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks

Rodney Cowell
Chair
House Committee

Club For Hire
The club is available for hire by members for private functions.  Phone Dawne on 428 0664 for details.

Key difference in the New Rules 2009 - 2012

By John Doerr, IJ GBR (and abridged by YD) Courtesy YNZ

The most significant changes in the new version of the Rules of Racing are to the mark and obstruction rounding rules.  In total, there are well over 100 changes to the rulebook.  These are the ones that really have an impact on how we go racing.

Passing Marks - The Zone
The most obvious change is the size of the zone around marks increasing from two hull lengths to three, still of the boat nearest the mark.  However, beware!  Rule 86.1(b) now permits the sailing instructions to change the zone back to two lengths, or even increase it to four lengths!

Passing Marks - Mark Room
A new definition of 'mark room' has been added.  It reads as: 'Room for a boat to sail to the mark, and then room to sail her proper course while at the mark.  However, mark-room does not include room to tack unless the boat is overlapped to windward and on the inside of the boat required to give mark-room.'

Now, it no longer matters if you are the right-of-way or give-way boat inside at a mark.  Whenever you are entitled to room you can take the room needed to make a proper course rounding.

Passing Marks - Clear Ahead at the Zone
A boat that arrived at the zone clear ahead instantly became the right-of-way boat under old rule 18.2(c) even if she was on port tack and her opponent on starboard, and of course, the right-of-way could well reverse again once the boats had completed their rounding.  Those changes of right-of-way are history.  Instead of changing the right-of-way, the new rule 18.2(b) simply requires the boat astern to give the boat ahead 'mark-room'.  In many senses this change has no real effect, but is a good deal simpler to understand.

Passing Marks - The Windward Mark
In practice, not a great deal changes at the windward mark, but it is just a bit harder for a boat to pull off a port tack approach and tack within the zone.

The 'zone' around the mark is now three hull lengths of the boat nearer to it, but rule 18.3 now 'turns on' when the tacking boat passes head-to-wind rather than completes her tack.  So, the overall effect is to increase the scope of the rule about an extra half boat length, a critical distance if you tack just below the layline outside the zone with the hope of shooting the mark.

Passing Obstructions
Passing obstructions now has it own rule, new rule 19.  In concept, there is no 'zone' around obstructions but that would cause a problem when the obstruction is also a mark.

Rule 19 applies between boats at an obstruction except when the obstruction is also mark the boats are required to leave on the same side, however, at a continuing obstruction, rule 19 always applies and rule 18 does not.

An outside boat must give room to an inside boat, if at the time the overlap began she is able to do so.  If the obstruction is a continuing one the rule has not changed.  The outside boat only has to give room if, at the moment the overlap was established, there is room for the boat that was clear astern to pass in safety.

Passing Racing Boats
Racing boats can still be obstructions - and are when; other boats are required to keep clear of her, give room to her or avoid her - but they can no longer be 'continuing obstructions'.  It is important to read this in conjunction with the change that removes the potential switch of right-of-way when a boat clear ahead enters the zone.  Also, remember that there is no 'zone' around obstructions.

Proper Course
Rule 17.2 has been deleted.  It prohibited a boat from sailing below a proper course when another boat was steering a course to pass to leeward of her.  So, it used to be that you could protect yourself, by luffing, from a boat trying to pass to windward but you had to accept a faster boat overtaking to leeward.  Now, if you see her coming and provided you can keep clear as you do so, you can bear away across her bow so forcing her to sail even lower or risk going to windward and being luffed.

Outside Help
Now, if you receive help from any source, even when in danger, you break rule 41.

Race Management
A few things that had become common in sailing instructions have found there way into the rulebook.  Hopefully, sailing instructions will now be shorter as a result.

The use of gates has increased dramatically and they are now included in rule 28, Sailing the Course.  A boat must always pass between the marks of a gate from the direction of the previous mark.

A shortened course must now be signalled before the first boat has crossed the finishing line.  It was never recommended practice to do otherwise, but it was not an improper action to do so.  Presumably this will make it easier for boats to be given redress if the race committee does shorten the course too late.

The pretty pages with all the race signals in colour now include the full set of options (green triangle, red rectangle, plus and minus signs) for changing the next leg of the course.  The words in rule 33 have been changed from 'lengthened' and 'shortened' to 'increased' and 'decreased'.

Burnsco Marine and Leisure, who have kindly sponsored our cruising series for several years, have chosen Gulf Harbour Yacht Club to be one of the clubs to benefit from another generous sponsorship scheme.  A lot of you are probably already Burnsco cardholders and enjoy the discounts this affords.  Now, in addition to those discounts, every time you shop at any one of the Burnsco stores or online at www.burnsco.co.nz the club will earn sponsorship dollars in the form of a monthly rebate.  In order for this to work, I need to let Burnsco know the names and cardholder numbers of people who are members of GHYC.  I would appreciate it if you could let the office have these details.  If you are not happy to give your cardholder number, your address will suffice.  In these straitened times we need to support our sponsors where we can.

Gillian Waite
Treasurer

Gulf Group Marine Brokers Ltd now has 10 branches with the opening of new offices in Picton and Tauranga.

We are brokers for PIC Marine insurance and Marac finance.  We can quote on your boat insurance with PIC.  GHYC already uses PIC for all their insurance needs (see below).

Call Nigel or Howard on 09 424 1633 for a quote, and if you accept the quote, the club will benefit in the form of a cash grant at the end of the year.

Ring Gill Waite on 09 424 2118 to learn more about this deal or call Nigel and Howard direct.

Gulf Group Marine Brokers with branches at Whangarei, Tutakaka, Gulf Harbour, Westhaven, Pine Harbour, Westpark, Tauranga, Wellington, Picton, Fiji.

Nigel             021 242 4448

Howard         021 242 4446

PIC Insurance Brokers Winter Series
Well the Winter sailing is about to start again!  Please note that with it is our renewed sponsorship of the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club for another year.  This year we are also giving a percentage of Insurance Premiums back to the club on top of our usual Sponsorship. This is to fund projects each year to help develop and strengthen your club.

We are also offering substantial discounts on House, Contents and Vehicle covers to all members of the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club.  This is an exclusive benefit and is only available to Yacht Club members and their families.  We will make the transition from your existing insurer easy.  In most cases we will not require new proposal forms and documents.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us, on 09 478 8495, to see how we can help.

Kind Regards

Daniel Garner
PIC Insurance

Racing Rules
The PIC Winter Series will be governed by the new Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012.  The website www.ukhalsey.com/RulesQuiz/quiz_list.asp is worth checking out to follow examples of incidents and the correct interpretation of the rules.

Regatta News

Nothing this month!

Bosun's Locker

10.5m Marina Berth for Sale
Gulf Harbour marina for sale on J pier on the left (GOOD) side.  No need to back in to face the prevailing weather and the price is just $30,000.

Contact David or Tricia on (09) 424 3327

Marina Berth for Hire
We have a locked and secure canal Marina berth that will take a boat up to 50 foot with easy access complete with power and water supplied  for only $100 per week o.n.o.

Contact David or Tricia on (09) 424 3327

For Sale: Curtains from the clubrooms.  Make an offer.  Call Gill at the Club.  GO ON!!