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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
 Posted - 17 March 2012 : 05:58:15 AM
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Last night saw a very nice north eastely breeze at Manly and as it was the last race of the twilighter series. We sailed with a crew of four up and decided to go for broke and sail with the big jib for this the last race. Unfortunatly they set the No.7 course which takes us down into Middle Harbour. In the North easterly breeze it is soldiers course with one tack out of middle harbour and reaching down to the bottom mark. I badly missed the start by almost two minutes becoming becalmed behind the start line at Manly wharf. However once we were out and into the breeze we spent the whole night passing yachts and were never passed. We came second over the line with the lead yacht about a minute in front of us. It was a pleasing result with over thirty starters and a close finish. We had nav lights on finishing and I do not know how the officials could get the results with so many yachts finishing closely in the dark.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 19 March 2012 : 03:14:52 AM
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Yesterday saw us on the harbour racing out of North Harbour SC and with special guest John Crawford of Dumeresq fame aboard as reserve helmsman.
It was an up and down Southerly breeze and we started with the biggest handicap given to a yacht at North Harbour. It was blowing up to 20+ knots at the start and by the first mark the breeze had dropped out and in the ensuing debate between Rod and the reserve skipper debating sail changes. At one stage I had three head sails on the deck. They went from sailing with the number three to number two, but then changed their minds and ordered number one until we copped and few big gusts and I nearly lost the number one off the deck. They then reversed the call and we re-stowed the number one below through the bow hatch and kept the number three up and put the number two back in the bag and below. We eventually switched to the number two as we rounded the Middle Harbour YA cans. After that we stormed off after the fleet and with the wind building to 20 plus knots again we took the last boat between Steel point and Rose Bay. The ride home was a poled out number two jib, with no need for a kite as we walked away from the second boat and no others in sight.
We won by a big margin and it was a quick race.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 30 March 2012 : 3:14:51 PM
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The Friday night twilighter races with Manly YC are now finished and we ended up coming 19th overall on handicap out of 47 starters. We missed a lot of the races mainly due to Rod & my own work commitments and carried seven DNS's.
There are two more Sunday races at North Harbour and will be racing this Sunday. Tomorrow we will be working on the Hagar to obtain a Cat4 racing saftey certificate and we are planing to race in either the Amateurs Sydney to Pittwater Race next Thursday or in the Manly Sydney to Pittwater offshore race on Good Friday.
There are just two minor things to alter on the Hagar, including the fixing of the stauchions as well as the latching of the cabin boards so that they may be opened from the inside.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 02 April 2012 : 03:48:27 AM
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Yesterday saw an evil breeze which came and went coming from all points east of the compass. We were heavily handicapped but with the boat well set up for the light and with the over-sized light blue and red kite we did well and finished about second over the line and winning our division.
With the sun out and very light conditions it was a magnet for just about every hoon with a power boat to churn up the harbour. We had one close encounter with a big navel ship exiting the harbour and were harassed by some bozo's with sirens and flashing lights who tried to run into our stern. Gillard's water Nazi guerrillas!
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 07 April 2012 : 8:08:50 PM
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This Thursday afternoon saw us race for the first time with the Sydney Ameteurs in a short offshore race from Sydney to Pittwater. We started at 2pm and it was a slow start out of the harbour with a big ground swell which reached up the harbour to just past the Sow and Pigs reef. We were second last out the heads with all the lightweights shooting off. We sailed out a mile or two before tacking onto a starboard course up the coast. The lightweights cleared out and we were left with one old timber ketch which we slowly pulled away from. The boat was not going quick and we averaged around 4.2 knots. We tacked around the Long Reef and as we closed on Bungan headland and the sun was setting the breeze increased and we picked up speed doing around 5.2 knots. As we rounded the Baranjoey light-headland the breeze dropped out and we set a kite in the dark and goasted down the harbour to finish right on the time limit of 8.30pm. It had been a long and slow raceand we picked up a bouy in the basin and went to bed early.
The next morning we had not heard from any of the other compeditors and with the stove out of fuel we steamed up to the Royal Motor Yacht Squadron and had breakfast there.
After brakfast we steamed up Pittwater and set the sails under Barenjoey and then sailed out to sea to set our single luff kite and in a better northeasterly than the day before we reached down the coast to arrive home at North Harbour around 3.30pm.
While we did not do well on handicap, we believe that we were badly handicapped, the race was good for us and the Hagar now has Cat 4 and we will be looking to do some more offshore in the coming year.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 16 April 2012 : 4:10:22 PM
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Yesterday's race at North Harbour was the last for this season past. It was a slow and sad affair with drifter conditions seeing most of the fleet retiring. This included ourselves. The finish line was in sight and we could have finished second but decided that at around 3pm the BBQ & Beers were more important as we had already wrapped up the Club Championship a few weeks earlier.
It has been a "light" year and while the winds were very light, our numbers have grown with 12 registered yachts and with a fleet of seven partisipaing yesterday.
Dumeresq were non starters since the Gosford States, but they did do it again in W.A.
We are looking at growing our fleet again next season.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 24 September 2012 : 03:46:25 AM
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Well yesterday, Sunday the 23rd saw a good roll out of yachts at North Harbour for the Clubs opening race of the season. There were two divisions racing with a total of six yachts, however most sailed in Division one and there were also one late starters and three watchers yachts form our club also out on the water.
There was one new starter, the Bennelong, an Endeavour 24 sailed by two couples and were the final winners overall on handicap.
We aboard the Hagar were sailing two up with Old Pete away in the bush for three weeks and he was sorely missed. Rod and I did it tough and were slow through the corners, but we still managed to carry the single luff kite down the main run. We had a good race with John Crawford in his J24 who pipped us on the finish line. However both Johnno and ourselves were handicapped out of the race and gave the first boats up to an hours start.
We had a good breeze and sailing conditions with the next race to be held on the 14th of October.
We are very short on crews and anyone is welcome to jump aboard their choice of yachts. Contact me on: 0416 108639.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 01 October 2012 : 7:18:57 PM
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Last Sunday while racing the Hagar two-up we were running downwind and sailed past the Eastern Channel Marker and then successfully jybed the single luff kite onto the starboard tack towards Taylors Bay. We had a good angle and the Hagar was going well. As we passed two boats from Division 2 going upwind, suddenly Rod had a rush of blood and asked me to bring up the number one jib and repalce the number two which was on the deck.
I do not know who he expected to trim the kite as he had the tiller and main-sheet~!?.
I looked the other way and ignored the persistent brass band!
We finally made to the mark, I hoisted the number two jib and then dropped the kite and rounded the mark with sheets everwhere. Meanwhile that damed brass band was again playing in the background. We finally tacked away from the threatening bricks and I got to and cleaned up the sheets and halliards. We sailed well with the number two which was the correct sail with the number of hands available.
The moral of the story is to ignor Bass Bands, dontyouknow?
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 08 October 2012 : 1:19:57 PM
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Yesterday saw the Hagar racing with a crew of four and with more lined up as reserves for the future. It's just amazing how Rod can wear them out, dontweknow!?
The breeze started off with a modest 12 knot south westerly but had all the signs of building so we went for the number two headsail and it proved to be a winner as the wind gradually built up in force. We finished with gusts of up to 24 knots from the south east around Shark Island. While the wind was mainly around 16 knots it was the sea state in the Sound which was most challenging. The Dobroyd bombora was working and the waves breaking on the North Head entrance were huge. Needless to say the two runs downwind across the Sound were great as we surfed down waves with the old number three kite set.
There were only three starters with a combination of daylight saving and the very cold conditions keeping most ashore.
Manly YC were also racing and there was one yacht which retired with a fold-up mast.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 05 November 2012 : 7:00:34 PM
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Last Sunday's race at North Harbour was the annual Islands Day Race which saw the fleet, Division one going down to Drummoyne and around the group of islands down there. Out Division 2 boats went around Goat Island and then home.
We had four yachts in Division 1 and after John Crawford cleared out in his J24 it was a three way tussle between Dumeresq, Cavalier and Hagar.
We had a huge wine glass as we passed under the Harbour bridge and could not shake it out and it was not until we had passed Goat island that we got it down and replaced it with the over-sized number one kite.
It was a Division two yacht which was first home and we finished closely behind Dumeresq after a huge catch-up.
There were eight starters which is the largest fleet this season and we are growing.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 12 November 2012 : 01:32:19 AM
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This past weekends Friday night race from Manly YC was scheduled to be a light wind. It was a special memorial race to remember an old skipper who passed away recently and his widow donated the old mans hoard of rum as the trophy. So I pulled out our lightweight racing sails and with only two mates who were guests aboard we sallied forth.
Rod had just been discharged from hospital having donated his prostrate to science. We are hoping that the girly side of him may now come forth.
Anyway it was a very slow race and with the light sails we went well down the first run passing all the slow boats and were in second position when the wind shut down leaving the fleet becalmed in the sound. We eventually drifted around the Sow & Pigs with the big boats coming over the top of us. We were back to about 7th and the light breeze picked up again and we held our own and actually kept up with many of the big yachts and in the dark with five minutes until the time ran out we were off reef beach and going well. However we then pulled out as we were not going to finish. There was only one finisher and the rest of the fleet DNF'ed.
Rod should be back on the water in about four weeks.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 19 November 2012 : 02:04:09 AM
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Yesterday saw Andy Eaton at the helm of the Hagar as well as a new chum on the foredeck with me. We went really well but with an altercation with our resident Club Bully who tried to run us off the coarse.
However we gave him the slip coming out of Middle Harbour on the work to Manly and we had a good kite run down the harbour jibing at the eastern channel mark. Half way down the next run there was a loud bang and the kite came down about a meter. When it came time to drop the kite the halliard would not move so we jibed away from the lee shore of Taylor's Bay and ducked around the back of Bradly's headland into the lee. Pete, being the lightest went up in the bosuns chair and released the kite head fitting from the halliard.
With all the sails secured we motored home.
It was a shame because we were catching the two leading yachts and had good boat speed upwind and would have most like have caught the two yachts in front of us. During the run into the lee of Bradly's we lost a kite sheet with a whitchard snap fitting.
Back at the marina Pete went up the mast again and we removed the jammed kite halliard. It was jammed in the top exit home in the mast and had striped the outer casing of the rope. It seemed that a U-bolt at the mast head had sheared off. All the shackles had come away with the kite and then the kite sheet had jammed in the exit hole.
It is now decision time. Do we simply replace the U-bolt or do we put her in and replace the complete wire rig with the mast out and have a proper stainless exit hole installed as well as a new extended crane made for the mast head. The rig is now about eight years old and should be replaced in the next year or two. We have always had a problem dropping the kite on the starboard side due to the halliard rubbing on the fore-stay. A new crane would stop this chafing and make life easier on the kite drops.
It was a really good breeze and we had her up to 10.5 knots off the breeze with the old big kite up.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 24 November 2012 : 07:35:58 AM
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Last night we sailed again at Manly with the trainee crew aboard and not much of a breeze which was in the east, north east. To make life interesting there was a mother and calf Humpback pair of whales in North Harbour. They seemed to have an interest in our race and decided to bask about in the start area. What was also a hindrance was a helicopter which bussed us while we were up in North Harbour.
We sailed well but in the light conditions off Dobroyd we were becalmed for a time and lost several positions seeing yachts sailing around us on both sides! We pulled a recovery on the upwind beat back to Manly from the Obelisk and passed a number of 34's and 36's. It was unfortunately a soldiers race and we finished about 11th across the line.
After finishing we were re-visited by the whales with one yacht which was stationery pulling down her sails received some unsolicited attention with Mrs Humpback rubbing against the bottom of the yacht hull.
This afternoon we will be working on the Hagar alongside the marina.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 01 December 2012 : 03:58:35 AM
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Last night saw Old Pete back on board the Hagar, while Rod is still convalescing after his man operation. It was a flukey race with the wind swinging about the compass in the north and varying greatly in strength. While we went conservative with the number two jib and at two stages in the race I contemplated replacing it with the number one. However when we had sailed out of the southern part of the Harbour and were back up into the Sound the breeze kicked in and at times was around 20 knots. The old girl laid over and we had up to 6.1 knots of boat speed a times.
However the number two jib needs some attention as it is sagging badly in the big gusts about the middle of the luff and has either stretched or is just too full.
We finished a close third over the line holding back a flock of 34 to 38 footers. Manly YC sailors are remarkably short on tactical ability and can be relied upon the go the wrong way upwind and follow each other.
Today Pete and I will be racing offshore in the Marloo and again on Sunday aboard the Hagar. Too bad about the lawns at home,
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 18 December 2012 : 02:33:32 AM
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The past two Friday nights has been sad because I could not procure enough crew to man the Hagar in the twilighter races. However Rod should know today from his Doctors if he can come out and sail again.
On Sunday Andy steered the Hagar but with the conditions very mixed we did not perform well and finished third across the line in a small and disappointing fleet of four yachts starting.
This Friday should see us with a crew however as it is the last race this side of the New Year.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 18 December 2012 : 3:29:56 PM
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The Wangi Nationals have been canned and hopefully will be re-scheduled to a later date in the year. In the meanwhile skipper Childs has reported that his body has been given the all clear by his medicos to resume sailing and general body abuse but without the replacement of essential bodily fluids.
He has organized for the Hagar and the Dumeresq to compete in a combined vintage regatta to be held at Pittwater over the weekend of the 6th & 7th of January 2013. The other classes will include the Folkboats & Clansmen classes and most likely others. We are hoping to see some E26's to fill up our representation.
Contact Rod for the details.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 22 December 2012 : 06:01:07 AM
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Last night saw a disappointing light easterly and the twilighter race at Manly turned into a soldiers course. Rod was on the helm for the first time in about two months and is recovering from his prostate op.
We sailed two up and I was pulling all the strings. Considering the light conditions and light crew we did well and kept the old girl moving through the water. At one stage we sailed through the front end of the fleet and were coming fourth, however as the breeze faded in the end the big boats have through and we finished about 9th over the line but surprisingly cleaned up a lot of bigger lightweights on scratch.
Racing is now finished until the new year.
A happy and safe Christmas to all.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 06 January 2013 : 3:12:20 PM
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This past weekend saw the Hagar boys up at Pittwater doing a guest appearance with the Clansmen Class Regatta. The Clansmen class have a similar problem to our Endeavours inasmuch as they have all the boats still afloat but with little interest from an aging population of skippers and crews. They had only three starters but with us as well as a Folkboat a Bluebird and a Halverson. In all there were only seven starters.
We sailed up on Friday afternoon in a good northeasterly taking three digs out to sea and eventually taking a bit over four hours from head to head. We had four on board going up and with two jumping off and two new crew aboard for the Saturday race. As per normal Rod and I slept aboard on the two nights.
The racing on Pittwater was nothing if not challenging with a northeaster which build to over twenty knots at times. It was a non-spinnaker event, but was made up for with the strong breeze. We had a good start in the middle and with the number two jib cleared away from the Clansmen with the rest behind them. While I think that most of the other craft were in their number one jibs we had the Hagar standing up well and pointing higher. After clearing the first headland it became a parade and we last a lot of ground thereafter looking for marks which are not like the YA marks used on Sydney Harbour and were small and difficult to spot in the chop. In the final reach to the finish line we won with two of the Clansman fighting for second.
Rod and I sailed home this morning and after giving one of the Clansmen one and a half hours start we pasted him this side of Bungan Head. Once out to sea we hoisted the single luff kite, sheeted it down and reached home via North Head in the light east north easterly.
The good thing about sailing in this regatta is that it opens doors to sail in more of these mixed Class events. There is a two weekend regatta in late March.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 26 January 2013 : 05:05:44 AM
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Last night again saw the Hagar do-its-thing at Manly in the twilighter race there. It was a good 12 to 15 knot north easterly with heavier gusts at times. There were thirty seven starters in the handicap start event. The race was their long course to Nelson Park and return to Manly which was a poor selection and with no true work.
We got away well in our big gear which was on the limit but with a full crew of five. We finished 5th over the line which is an excellent result as there is no time penalty. Their handicap system stinks, heavily penalizing the top four yachts and rewarding the middle and tail-enders. While we cannot win the overall event, due to too many missed races it is good practice for new crews and gear.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 04 February 2013 : 1:20:37 PM
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Friday night saw myself in Darwin on business and not returning until Saturday night. A very quick trip. Good flights but delayed on the ground in Sydney before take off by just over an hour on Friday morning.
Rod and the boys saw the Manly Twi-lighter race abandoned due to strong winds and big seas.
On Sunday we raced the Hagar in the North Harbour race with just two starters. It was blowing around twenty five knots but with stronger gusts and light patches.
We sailed with a full main and a number three jib. It was not the wind strength that was the problem but the huge seas coming through the heads. With strains of "victory at sea", we sailed into the big seas upwind with the wind almost due south but with a touch of west.
Downwind the first run we just poled out and could not see our adversary who was thirty minutes in front at the start. On the second run the wind and seas moderated somewhat and we carried the small kite which saw us surfing waves at 8.5 knots. The boat and crew behaved well and we had her under control the whole race and finished one minute behind the winner.
Chris.
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SAILING REPORTS ON '30's
