From the Quarterdeck — Blair Cliffe, Vice Commodore

A report from the Vice Commodore

Blair Cliffe

So, as Hugh prophesied last month, both our Icebreaker and the Coastal Classic have become victims to the ongoing situation. Advice from the government via YNZ was that there could be no events held. Sailing is allowed as an individual boat, in its own bubble, with no overnight stays.  We have therefore postponed our sailing calendar until further notice. As I write our PM is describing the latest changes to alert levels; we will keep in touch with YNZ; find out what Level 3.2 means for us; and let everyone know as soon as we are able to start our sailing programme.

On a more positive note we held our AGM via Zoom (a first for DYC) and I was impressed at how smoothly the meeting proceeded. All the standard issues were passed, with personnel being returned to their positions. The more contentious issue of doing away with the percentage of Associate Members allowed was postponed until everyone who wanted to was able to attend a meeting in person to discuss the matter. We are still looking for some more volunteers for the General Committee so if you are interested, please speak to one of the Flags and put your hand up.

Anyone fancy some dinghy racing?

During the lockdown I have been working on my John Welsford-designed sailing dinghy and she is almost ready to go into the water with just a few more bits to tidy up. I know a few years back Bill Rimmer organised some dinghy racing off Narrow Neck in two matched boats, which was great fun and well attended. After reading Bill Cole’s recollections about dinghies at the club, I wonder if there are any other small boat sailors out there who would be interested in a club dinghy event of some sort? It could be a race, a gathering, or a sail in company followed by a picnic lunch perhaps in McKenzie Bay behind Rangitoto Light?  Let me know if you are interested and once we have a clear way ahead we will see where we can fit it in.

Thanks to the haulage, year book, sponsorship, and boat register masterminds

Meanwhile at the club all is silent other than Haulage which has seen boat owners getting stuck back into the maintenance and now the number of boats on the hard are diminishing as the launching season arrives. Well done to the new Haulage master Paul Walter and his predecessor Nigel Wilson for all your efforts. Whilst I am giving out thanks…Thank you to our Commodore for all his efforts and time working on the Year Book again this year. I hope you will all agree it is looking very good. If you have not received your copy yet, plans are afoot to get them out to you all. Thank you to Libby Loseby for doing a sterling job collating sponsors and advertisers. She has managed to not only come up with new companies, but also to encourage a few to take out full page colour adverts.

I had been wanting to get the Boat Register up-to-date for some time and made a small start this year before heading off to the UK, meaning I left it in the hands of Emma. Sue and Allan Wetherell very kindly gave a great deal of their time and help to Emma ringing around and although there are still some errors, it is a lot more accurate than it used to be. We will aim for 100% correct next year! Emma has also collated a gallery of photos of club boat owners which will be on display in the club when we open up. Please let us know if you spot any errors or if you sell or change your boats.  Thank you for your time and effort.

Brushing the cobwebs from Hautere (or us?)

There might be no organised club sailing, but Emma and I brushed the cobwebs off Hautere and had a lovely, if chilly, sail around Rangitoto a few weeks back.  It was a motorsail to Rangi Light and then pretty much a sail to Rakino Channel.  All the bays on the South side of Rakino were full and it did not appear that many of them were planning on heading home that evening. I have heard of some big fines being handed out for not following the govt rules so it is definitely ‘buyer beware’ if you choose to ignore them. Anyway we headed home with a filling breeze finishing up with a lovely reach up the harbour. The boat speed has me hopeful that the hull is not too grubby but a snorkel to have a look is on the cards soon.

Anyway everyone, hopefully we will soon be able to start our season in earnest and I look forward to post race discussions around the barbeque.  

Take care everyone.  

Blair Cliffe