Mike's Watch A Report from Commodore Mike Strong

Easter – how impressive it is to see a bay full of boats and then realise that 95% of those boats are DYC boats! There is nothing like commanding a bay. It was great to see so many out enjoying the quiet side of Ponui Island, apart from the lack of wind for us yachties you could not complain about the sunny and fine days with still and quiet nights, and let’s face it, there is nothing better than waking up to a clear still morning after the sun has risen and the water is flat calm, this is the time I like the most, especially being able to hear the birds in the trees. I know Harry enjoyed his little row around the bay one still morning.

It was great to see so many people helping with the transportation of food, refreshments, and BBQ. Without these wonderful people to carry in food and drink for an army all our boats would be that much heavier.

Water temperature was running around 21.5degs, excellent for cooling off, great for both the big and little kids (have you got your noodle yet?).

John and Richard with their team of able workers have made a cracker job on the sump pit traps. This has really tidied up the aprons of the eastern slipway and given the forklift access across the whole section. The lowering of the Eastern trolley is also complete and so everything is on track for the winter haulage period. Thanks to everyone who has come down and supported this project.

I wish Desiree, Keith and Bob the best of British luck for their trip down under – at least the English summer is no worse than our winter! Have a safe trip, we’re looking forward to seeing the photos and reading your logs.

You may not have seen Janet or Mike around the Club recently; reason being is that they were out with the world champs off Takapuna beach. This is a huge event with hundreds of people involved from all over the world. Well done to Greg Webster for coming 41st in the Laser Radial representing Devonport Yacht Club – Greg is now looking forward to getting back to the so called easier life of keel boats… where there is crew to do everything!

I will be heading away on Friday 11 April for a quick world trip, starting with Germany then around to Chicago with a quick stop at Boston before heading back home before the end of April.

Take care everyone and enjoy the last of the sailing season!

Mike Strong

 

The Vice Report A Report from David Stone

This has indeed been a summer to remember. Regrettably I have not had any where near as much sailing as I want. Somehow a whole host of things have intervened, like one of my crew being seriously injured in a bike accident (a fracture of the C2 vertebra but no spinal chord damage, he looks like the bionic man in his halo brace that is screwed to his head), my uncle’s 80th birthday celebrations over Easter and Harry’s sport on the weekends.

The birthday celebrations were in Hokitika where my mother grew up and where I spent most of my childhood holidays. I hadn’t been back to the Coast for 30 years so it was interesting to see how things have changed. From Hokitika we drove over the Haast to Wanaka and then on to Dunedin. A lovely harbour but you wouldn’t want to sail there. All of this meant no sailing. I plan to get away with the boys for a long weekend in a couple of weeks so hopefully there will still be some boat time to come.

Friday nights at the Club are slower than before Christmas but Gaye is still serving up to 90 meals an evening and the Bar is doing good business. It was great to be duty officer last Friday and do a burgee exchange with some Italian visitors who presented the burgee of one of the four sailing clubs in Venice. The duty flag arrangement with a member of the General Committee being rostered on each Friday night has allowed much closer scrutiny of who is coming into the Club and ensures that visitors are properly signed in. Members are also being very cooperative about producing their membership cards when asked which makes things easier for those on duty.

Work is progressing slowly on the fundraising efforts but we need to pick up the pace somewhat. Once again I appeal to any of you who wish to help to come forward and lend a hand. We seem to have no difficulty finding willing bodies to pour concrete or fix slip ways but fundraising does not seem to be on anybody’s list of favourite tasks but I could use some help. So if you can help, please get in touch.

Since I can’t think of anything else meaningful to say, I better keep it short and avoid rambling on. Enjoy what’s left of what seems like an endless summer. Alas it will end at some stage and no doubt winter will make its presence felt with a vengeance when it does arrive.

David Stone
Vice Commodore

Sailing Master A Report from Bill Jaques

Another mixed bag this month after too much wind last. Three cruising races started – and in only one did all starters manage to finish. All in classic la Niña soft easterly quarter winds. Nice on the beach but frustrating on the water.

14 boats started the Owhanake race in very light winds and with a strong ebb tide - all but one boat crossed the start line backwards! First off the tidal stream assisted but as the day wore on as the expected sea breeze failed to show and the spring tide turned it was a struggle up Motuihe Channel to the finish line. Two A Division boats made it within the time limit and a third in the ½ hour extension - the double to Blondie. Finish boat Roaring Forties stayed on station to take Idle Hour’s time as she persevered gallantly under sail to cross at 1733. Thanks to Reg and Deidre – that’s the spirit Desirée and Bob. Thanks to our Boatbuilder sponsors club stalwarts Charlie and Kevin.

Easter Cruise to Ponui - using the shortened course - started in much the same fashion but at least most of the 16 starters were pointing in the right direction. But not for long. The gentle breeze softened further and it was very slow progress. Some of us got caught in the ebb down the Rangitoto Channel and recovered only with the assistance of the iron spinnaker. Finally 4 boats made it to the finish line – Touch of Gloss 2 minutes ahead of Azure and Masquerade took the silverware on corrected time finishing just 11 seconds ahead of Lambretta. BBQ on the beach in Te Kawau Bay, Ponui – got going a bit late because the boat carrying the grog didn’t get there even under power till late. Still a pleasant evening was had by all even if the results were read by (borrowed) torchlight. Sponsor Devonport Resene paint shop added colour with their sponsorship and all-day suckers.

Saturday’s Round the Islands race looked rather more hopeful for a very pleasant gentle race with a reasonably consistent little breeze – maybe 6 – 7 knots – a gale of wind compared to recent efforts. Only 10 boats turned out – 3 in B and 7 in A – no great excitement but fun tactical racing – Idle Hour took B Division and Lambretta A – though the latter only had a 4 second corrected time margin on Yasawa. (Good to see you back Morris & Sue.) Big turn-out at the BBQ – no wasted food tonight! – and thanks to Baileys Insurance Brokers for their support. There was a great turn-out of 28 DYC yachts or launches in Te Kawau Bay – perhaps others were intimidated and stayed away!

Then the final Shorthanded series race for the season on Saturday 29th. The single-handed race sailed in a decent and reasonably consistent breeze for once – north-easterly about 15 knots with only the occasional blip and a short sloppy sea once beyond the harbour. 14 starters and, for a change, 14 finishers! - including 3 Trackers from the Up to 26’ Club – welcome and also to David in Cetacea. The usual big range of boats in our mixed fleet from a racing 1020 at one end of the scale to a lovely Wollacott ketch at the other. Notwithstanding the mix most boats went round with company on the water and two pairs finished inside 10 seconds apart. (Cetacea and Azure at the front and Winoweh II and CBC at the other end.) On corrected time the spread was just over 20 minutes which suggests pretty good handicapping with such a mixed fleet. Lambretta took the silverware for the second time this month.

The single-handed race was kindly accompanied by our sponsor, Ken Sharp of the Floating Dock, in his launch Amethyst. Was great to have his elegant little ship in sight most of the way round – just in case. And he donated excellent vouchers to the place getters and T-shirts to all at the after match in the “Members’ Lounge”. Went very well and showed what a useful and pleasant venue the remodelled lounge will be.

This completes the Shorthanded series for 2007 – 8. The results are elsewhere in this newsletter but our congratulations go the Azure for taking the series quite convincingly for the second year in a row!

Only two one more race to end the season now. The final shorthanded series single handed race on Saturday 29th March and the last cruising series race to Waikalabubu on Saturday 5th April. In the cruising series we have completed the necessary 6 races to make a series. Waikalabubu will be the ninth and thus series entrants will be able to discard 1 worst score – so it’s worth coming even if you come last! The series results are looking especially interesting in B Division. Be there!
Hope to see lots of you – and very happy to be back again myself.
B J

Haulage Bill Cole

It is that time of year again. Get your haulage form with $100 deposit in by April 30th. We will have the universal cradle on this year as soon as all the boats are up.

The working bee is in on Saturday 3rd of May and Haulage will start on Sunday 4th May. You must be at the working bee to be able to slip. It is also where you find out when and where your boat will go. Be ready to slip on time. Don’t forget weekdays are best as there is less traffic on the harbour.

See you at the working bee.

John Mitchell

 

Club Captain

With autumn rapidly approaching I thought I’d take this opportunity to update members about forthcoming events around the clubhouse. Function wise we are currently fully booked at the weekends for the whole of April and May although we have managed to organise a new event for a Sunday afternoons entertainment.

On the 13 April at 4pm we will be having a ‘Latin American’ afternoon which will comprise of approximately two hours of classic Latin music along with Tapas and a selection of wine at Club prices. The band we are employing for this event is a highly accomplished band called ‘Voxvova’. The cost of the event is $15 per person plus food and drinks. See the poster on page 12.

On the subject of club utilisation if any members do wish to hire the place for private events please give me a fair bit of notice and remember that member prices are literally half the civilian rate which is a huge discount. For $300 club members may hire the facilities on Saturdays for parties/weddings etc. This cost includes bar staff/cleaning which when you consider the place offers seating for around 120 guests and a new sound system it represents very good value. Bar prices are of course at the reduced rate for members!

Regards
Carl and Helen

 

Camera Clips

 

Notice Board

 

THE DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB INCORPORATED ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING At the Clubhouse Tuesday 15th July 2008 1930hrs Members are reminded that any Member desiring to bring a motion before the meeting, such motion shall be reduced to writing and lodged with the secretary six days before the meeting.   This is the Formal Notice of the Annual General Meeting for The Devonport Yacht Club Incorporated.  Notice 1 Members that have paid their fees for the year and have not yet received a Membership card please call Anne on 445-5492. Notice 2 Please remember to bring along your membership card when attending the Clubrooms and also ensure all guests are signed in. This is a requirement for our liquor license and is a way for us to ensure that our existing member’s benefits are protected. Notice 3 Over the Easter Cruise there were a few new Boats amongst our Members for which I got the updated details at various time over the weekend. If any members has changed / sold or their details are incorrect in the Yearbook can you please let me know so I can update the records. CR Leech ED* Past Commodore eMail : dds@kcbbs.gen.nz RAFFLE UPDATE Many thanks to all those who buy tickets on Fridays and to Trish who supports the social committee by selling the tickets and providing the chocolates for second prize. Profits have so far been used towards the children’s Christmas party, the club picnic and a new fridge for the members lounge. Congratulations to our recent winners: 22 Feb Alec Hill, 28 Feb Desiree, 7 March Grahame Petterson, 14 March Daniel Cook and 28 March John Mitchell. Social Committee The book, Devonport Yacht Club ... A Centennial History, is currently available from the Yacht Club by using the Order Form or from only these three outlets:    Bookmark (Mark Owen) - Book Shop, Takapuna. Paradox Books, - Devonport, and Boatbooks - Westhaven     Boat Books Ltd would like to offer Devonport Yacht Club members the service of delivery of prepaid orders to the club. Orders can be phoned or faxed through and payment made via credit card, or made via our secure website www.boatbooks.co.nz. If wanting club delivery when ordering off our website, please fill in “Devonport Yacht Club” in the “Gift Details” section under “Street Address” on the check-out page. We can have it waiting for them at the Yacht Club on Thursday or Friday after 18:00 hrs, depending on when the order is placed. We thought people might be interested in such items as charts (paper or electronic), recreational guides, boat maintenance books, sailing and racing guides, but our range is of course not limited to these. Our contact details are in our advertisement on the back of the Club yearbook. MISSING   Have you seen this Trophy ?? Click Image to Enlarge The Wishwynne Cup has been misplaced, so if you have seen it, or know its whereabouts, please contact Chris Leech. Telephone: (09) 445 5487 christopher.leech@nzdf.mil.nz

 

Book Review

ESCAPE FROM HERMIT ISLAND
By Joy Smith. Pbk, NZ$40.00

The true story of two women stranded on remote Hermit Island atoll after their sailboat strikes a reef and sinks. At the mercy of the indigenous people, they are forced to live with the locals while they devise a plan to refloat their boat and sail to civilization. With careful planning and the help of the island men, they manage to save their boat from the reef only to find it immediately embroiled in a “cargo cult” salvage rights dilemma. Subjected to the arcane tradtions of the locals, they struggle to keep control of their boat while they repair it in preparation for the dangerous trip to the mainland. It’s a unique look into the primitive culture of one of Papua New Guinea’s most isolated civilizations.

Best regards

Marianne Bosman
Boat Books Ltd
22 Westhaven Drive
Westhaven, Auckland
New Zealand
Ph: 64 9 358 5691
Fax: 64 9 358 5817
Email: crew@boatbooks.co.nz