Jibsheet - January 2012

From the Commodore’s Cabin

We start the year on a sad note with the recent death of our dear colleague Norman Millar. Norman had been a stalwart supporter of the Club who had given many years’ tireless and cheerful service. He will be sorely missed in the starting hut on race nights and his hard work in helping to maintain our grounds will be hard to replace. He always had a cheerful word of encouragement for members and was a welcoming figure in the Clubhouse. Our deepest sympathy goes to Maureen and the family circle.

In my piece this time last year I thanked the membership for electing me as Commodore, and I do the same now for re-electing me for another year. I will do my best to repay the trust shown in me. We have a new Committee, listed elsewhere in Jib Sheet, but I’d particularly like to thank Deborah Hetherington for undertaking the role of Captain, and convenor of the Social Sub-Committee, Alan Montgomery for undertaking the role of Honorary Treasurer, and Mandy Rodgers for convening the House and Grounds Sub-Committee. We now have a very good sub-committee structure and I anticipate good progress on issues this year. In welcoming new members we must, of course, thank those who have made a great contribution and are now stepping down. Fred Bell who has served as Hon Treasurer for nine years, Gary McFarland who has led on our Social Sub-Committee, and Conor Brown who took over the House & Grounds sub-committee. Dan Kennedy has also stepped down and Jim Shields has completed his one year on Committee as Past Commodore.

Already we have established a great calendar of events for the coming year. The social events programme started with the Burns Supper in January and St Valentine’s night dinner in February. In March we have the Commodore’s Dinner. For the first time we’ll also be holding a May Ball. Since April 15th marks the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic we will be holding our commemorative event on that day – although our Spring Series will have started, there will not be a race on that Sunday. The Sailing Committee has put forward a great series of cruising events throughout the season, including a Copeland’s barbeque, a Portpatrick trip and a Strangford trip. Racing, of course, will including spring and autumn Sunday series and Tuesday and Thursday points racing in the summer. I’d especially encourage people to support the regattas this summer. We had a memorable event at our Club last August and I think there is a great deal of enjoyment to be had at these events. Junior sailing will be a strong focus of the Club’s provision, with both training and racing events arranged. Our collaboration with the Active Communities Scheme should lead to much greater participation this year.

Of course, problems still remain. We very much need to increase membership of the Club. It is not easy to sustain our present scale of operation on the membership numbers we currently have. With our enhanced emphasis on cruising and fun on the water days, it would be good to see more boat owners in the marina joining us – I’m sure we have much to offer to help them get more out of their boating. Finance remains a significant problem. Prompt payment of membership and boat park fees helps with this.

The Clubhouse is much more fully used these days, with all our rooms in use on some midweek evenings. We must, of course try to increase our income from this usage, even in terms of bar takings. Our catering facilities are excellent and, if you haven’t yet done so, I’d urge everyone to try the weekend restaurant or bar meals.

I look forward to a very active year in the Club: a year in which we will see one of our members, Ryan Seaton, representing his county in the Olympic Games. This is a real honour for the Club. I wish everyone a great season’s sailing.

Roger Woodward

Commodore

Cruising

Firstly, thank you to everyone who attended the cruising meeting in December and assisted in putting together a calendar of cruising dates for 2012. I look forward to seeing you all at future meetings where we can help to further the cruising activities of the club.

Please put the following dates into your calendar.

Sunday 15th April Titanic Commemoration Event
Saturday 19th May Glenarm Barbeque
Sunday 3rd June Family Fun Day (Classic Sail Weekend)
Saturday 23rd June Copelands Barbeque
Saturday 30th June Cruise/Race to Rathlin Island
Saturday 4th August Cruise in Company to Strangford
Saturday 18th August Cruise to Portpatrick
Saturday 1st September Cutter’s Wharf

The Boxing Day Cruise (27th December 2011)

Although the weather forecast was uncertain we were fortunate in having a brief lull in the winds on the Tuesday morning and the event was well attended with some 15 boats and 80 hardy souls making their way to the Abercorn Basin pontoons and onward to the Duke of York where we enjoyed the delicious soup and sandwiches kindly arranged by Andrea Martin.

Speakers Nights

Thank you for your continuing support for these popular nights.
Coming up soon:
Wednesday 22nd February Lyndsay Buckley “Sea Survival Equipment”
Wednesday 21st March Denis & Jill Wilson “Peking to Paris in a 1927 Rolls Royce”
Wednesday 18th April Susan Anthony “Sea Shepherd Conservation Society”

Training News

Everyone is looking forward to getting back on the water this year and our juniors are certainly keen to get back into their wetsuits and get sailing!

In November we ran some topper coaching for a few weeks and we plan to do the same again in March. This will enable our CSC junior sailors to develop their skills and prepare them for competition at topper travellers and regattas.

Once again we will be running some junior sailing courses commencing in July. We have two definite dates for RYA YSS Stages 1 & 2 for junior sailors aged 8-16. These are week commencing Monday the 2nd July and week commencing Monday 23rd July. If you would like to book a place for your child or you know of any juniors who would be interested in learning to sail please email training@carrickfergussc.org

We also plan to run some RYA adult sailing courses in the Bahias. These courses will hopefully begin in May and will take place over a weekend. For more information and to arrange a suitable date please email training@carrickfergussc.org

As always to help us develop our junior sailing we need volunteers to help us out both on and off the water. If you could spare some time please email rorymmoore@hotmail.com and we can add your name to the volunteer list. It would be greatly appreciated by us and by the junior sailors!

Management Committee

The Club has completed its registration with Companies House and is now a Company Limited by Guarantee. The Management Committee are members of the Board with their associated responsibilities. The Memorandum of Understanding and Articles of Association can be viewed at the club house or on the web site.

New Members

This quarter we have six new members and would like to welcome them into the Club. They are David Davison and family, Ronald Bishop, Tony Walker, Thomas Townsley, Sudhir Tardon, and Colin de Vrieze. We look forward to seeing you around the club in weeks and months to come.

Carrickfergus Ruffian Affair

Carrickfergus has a long association with the Ruffian Class of boats. The Ruffian 23 is a 23 foot keelboat which was designed and built by brothers Dickie and Billy Brown at Portaferry, County Down, 35 years ago. The Ruffian 23 is a one design racing yacht, but is also an extremely family friendly cruiser for its size and has been cruised in the waters around Ireland, the UK and further afield. Around 200 Ruffians were built and many are still raced regularly in Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow, Skerries, Baltimore, Carrickfergus, Strangford Lough, around the Clyde, Isle of Man and even in Hong Kong and Uruguay.

The original Ruffian was a 33 foot ocean racer designed by Billy and Dickie Brown in 1969/70. It was so successful that the brothers set up “Weatherly Yachts” and went into production with a smaller 23 foot model. There are over 70 of these boats in Ireland which were built during the 70’s and early 80’s.

The first Ruffians started to appear in the club in the late 70’s. These were a mixture of the 23 foot model and the larger 8.5 metre version. The first 23 foot boat was Mellow Yellow sailed by Robin Fielden. The early 8.5s were Grousebeater (Alan Beggs), Rum Rouge (Henry Wilson and Maurice Kane), Moonraker (Ian McMurray), Polyanna (P. Scott) and Ruffun (Sam Burnside).

The next 23 footer into the Club was Hot Orange owned by Hamish Barbour. These boats were bought as a hull and deck and then finished and fitted out by their owners. Hamish reflects with passion the early racing on Hot Orange particularly against Cordon Bleu sailed by Alan Richmond. He also recalls the Tomatin in May 1982 when Grousebeater and Hot Orange represented the Club. The overnight feeder race from Bangor to Tarbert was particularly memorable. On advice from Terry Windsor, they tacked immediately for Whitehead and then north up the County Antrim coast. All other yachts sailed due east. The Carrick boats managed to stay in light winds all night while the others were becalmed. Grousebeater was first on the water and won her Class by sixteen hours on corrected time and Hot Orange won her Class by eleven hours corrected time.

The next three years were also successful for them and in 1984 in the feeder race Grousebeater was first, Rum Rouge second and Hot Orange third. They also raced in the Nationals in Dublin Bay in very testing conditions and had a record speed of 14.2 knots. Hamish says there was no noise from the crew as the rudder trembled while Sam Montgomery gybed the spinnaker.

These successes encouraged others in the club to buy Ruffians. Walter Ewing bought Bloodhound in 1988. This boat was built in 1977 and originally was from Strangford and then Dun Laoghaire. Alec Kirkpatrick also bought Carageen around that time and he has shown a clean pair of heels ever since. He and his experienced crew provide the standard everyone in Carrick has to beat. Last season Carageen was second in the National Championships in Dun Laoghaire and won the Corrin Trophy as the best boat from outside Dublin Bay.

Originally Ruffians were raced in IRC Class and Walter has documentation of the boat weights when they were weighed at Kelly’s coal yard at the harbour. Their weights varied little between 1.82 and 1.92 tonnes.

These boats change hands regularly and there are currently twelve in the club most of which take part in the one design club racing. The current regulars on the start line are:

Carageen – Alec Kirkpatrick
Bloodhound – Walter Ewing
Hot Orange – Cyril Noble
Riki Tiki Tavi – Alan Harpur and Simon Toland
Coyote – Lisa and James Waugh
Daisy – Wendy Grant
Roosky – Charlie Hilditch

Ruffians are well made boats and have stood the test of time. They are very forgiving and have given their owners lots of joy over the years. They also add a touch of colour on the water. Their vibrant colours brighten any race and the starts can be likened to a fireworks display, sometimes in more ways than one.

We hope the Ruffian tradition in Carrick continues for many years to come.

A colourful Ruffian start line

Ryan and Matt qualify for the 2012 Olympics

Carrickfergus sailor Ryan Seaton and his team mate Matt McGovern have officially qualified Ireland for the 2012 Olympics in the 49er sailing discipline. It will be the first time since Athens 2004 that Ireland has been represented in the 49er Class.

A very intensive training programme is planned for the boys in the run up to the event. Congratulations and best wishes. We will all be rooting for you.

Sailing News

The Spring Series starts on Sunday 25th March so get the scrubbers and antifouling out. It runs until 29th April although there will be no racing on 15th April due to the Titanic Centenary Weekend.

Titanic Commeration Event

On April 15th 2012 it is one hundred years since the sinking of the Titanic. The Club will be holding a special event to mark this tragedy. The event will include boats mustering at No. 11 channel buoy (off Holywood) at 1045 hrs and then proceeding down Belfast Lough to No. 1 fairway buoy (off Gray’s Point) to mark the passage of the Titanic down Belfast Lough on 2nd April 1912. The boats will then assemble in a semi-circle at the front of the club house. There will be a short service ashore at 1300 hrs and a brass band will play hymns and a wreath will be laid on the water. A junior member of the club will also lay a wreath in remembrance of the 52 children that were lost. The service will be followed by a reception in the club house at 1430 hrs.

2012 Regatta Dates

Sat 9th June Royal Ulster Yacht Club
Sat 23rd June Ballyholme Yacht Club
Sat 7th July Holywood Yacht Club
Sat 21st July East Antrim Boat Club
Sat 28th July County Antrim Yacht Club
Sat 4th August Cockle Island Boat Club
Sat 11th August Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
Sat 18th August Donaghadee Sailing Club
Sat 25th August Carrickfergus Sailing Club

Could all boat owners please notify the Sailing Secretary of any boat changes during 2011 so that the Lough Conference records can be updated.

Alternatively send details of changes to info@CarrickfergusSC.org

Please Note: All racing crew taking part in the Club’s Points Series must have either full membership or be a junior, student or sailing associate. members of the Club.

Social Scene

A full Social Programme has been prepared for the year. These events include:

11th Feb Valentines Night (Sit down meal + entertainment)
10th March Commodore’s Dinner
17th March St Patrick’s Night ( food + entertainment)
21st April Small Boat Auction (entertainment in club)
22nd April Irish Boat Jumble
5th May May Ball
1/2 May Classic Sail Weekend
25th Aug CSC Regatta
12th Oct Prize Giving Dinner
27th Oct Halloween Party
22nd Dec Christmas Dinner
23rd Dec Children’s Party + Carols in the Club
31st Dec New Year’s Eve Formal Dinner

TICKET SALES FOR SOCIAL EVENTS

Ascertaining total numbers for social events has always been fraught with difficulty, due to last minute sale of tickets, making it difficult for the caterer to estimate the number of meals required, waitresses to employ etc.   For all future events tickets will be sold at the advertised price up to 3 days prior to the event.  Any tickets ordered or sold after that date will have a £5 surcharge per ticket.

PAYING FOR TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased by PayPal on the club website, or with cash, credit card or cheque at the bar or event organiser.  Money for tickets will only be accepted at the bar up to 12 noon on the day of the event.  Any money outstanding after that should be paid to the event organiser, usually the Social Secretary.

CLUB CARD DISCOUNT

10% discount on bar sales when using your Membership Card is to continue.  A minimum of £20 should be credited to your card to get discount, all cash sales will be at full bar prices.  This is to reduce money transactions at the bar, to ensure the proper use of Membership Cards, and ultimately to speed up service at the bar at busy times.  It will be implemented on 1st March 2012.

The 10% discount will continue to apply when purchasing meals from the caterer.

Your co-operation in these matters is greatly appreciated

Port O’ Call Restaurant & Bistro

Proprietor - Jim Mooney Tel:     07790 870 759

Bar Meals & Snacks on the Upper Deck

Dining Room Service on the Lower Deck

Friday & Saturday 12 noon, last orders 9 pm

Sunday 12 noon, last orders 7.30 pm

Booking recommended.

Carrickfergus Sailing Club
Rodger’s Quay, Carrickfergus
Co. Antrim. BT38 8BE

+44 2893 351402
Fax : +44 2893 359302
info@CarrickfergusSC.org

Printing kindly sponsored by Texam Ltd

Editor : Jim Shields (jibsheet@carrickfergussc.org)

Jibsheet - November 2011

From the Commodore’s Cabin

It’s happened after several years of trying – we are now a limited company and no longer reliant on a the bank to act as trustees for us. The Articles of Association of our company will shortly be available on the Club’s website (www.carrickfergussc.org) and written copies will be available from the Hon Secretary. Categories of membership are somewhat changed and details of these will be included on the membership renewal notices, shortly to be sent out.

The Regatta was as successful as ever, with 90 boats crossing the line. The weather was great and the Club looked splendid. Many thanks to all those who worked so hard to make the event such a success: the Sailing Committee, the rescue boat team, the starting hut team and all the volunteers who helped with the catering and domestic arrangements.

As the Summer Points Racing came to a close, increasing numbers of boats answered the gun. It would be good to see numbers of competitors building up for the next season. At the time of writing the autumn series has finished and the late series is about to start. On the subject of racing, a particular word of thanks is due to Rory Moore and his team who have organised junior racing on Wednesday evenings, and at weekends throughout the summer and on into the autumn. I’ll have the privilege of giving prizes to the junior competitors on 23^rd October.

On the cruising front we had a very successful treasure hunt on 27^th August. In September we had a great trip into Belfast and on up the Lagan for Lunch at Cutters Wharf. Forty four members joined the trip. Club and Sailability boats were used to for ferrying up the Lagan. I think you can see from this that the Club offers great activities in boating – both racing and cruising.

Another big development since our last Jibsheet is the appointment of a new caterer. Regrettably, Liberty Catering left us at the end of August, and Port o’ Call Catering were appointed shortly afterwards. We did some extensive renovations to the kitchen. I’d like to thank Wendy Grant and Conor Brown for the enormous effort they put in to get it ready for the new caterer.  I think all who have used the new service are greatly impressed and I’d urge everyone to give Port o’ Call their support.

Membership continues to be a priority. As I’ve said before, membership fees are our biggest single income stream and I’d urge everyone to respond promptly when membership renewal invitations arrive. It’s also important to ensure that everyone who’s using Club resources is a member: it’s up to everyone to help with this.

We’ve much to look forward to in the coming weeks. The annual dinner and prize giving will be a great evening, and the following weekend we have a naming ceremony for our Bahia dinghies. The AGM follows on 23^rd November. At Christmas we’ll have the Christmas dinner and a number of other events. In the new year look forward to a special event just before the Irish Boat Jumble. On a more sombre note, 2012 marks the 100^th anniversary of the Titanic tragedy and we will be holding a special event to mark this. Over the winter the cruising section has arranged a series of interesting talks and on Thursdays we have our popular quiz nights.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the events we have planned for the autumn and winter.

Roger Woodward

Commodore

Cruising

We had 2 events late in the summer programme.  The Family Fun Day and Cruise to Cutters Wharf, they were both well attended and enjoyable for all involved.  As the cruising season comes to a close we now look forward to our programme of speakers for the winter season. Guest speaker nights are planned for the third Wednesday evening of every month until April (Excluding December).  We plan to continue with the format of light supper afterwards.

Details of speakers will be posted on the club notice board, also on the club website and you will also receive an email reminder.  If you are not currently receiving emails from secretary please advise me of your email address and I will have it included in the database.   mcgregor836@btinternet.com.  The traditional Boxing Day Cruise will take place on 27^th December.  Berthing at the Odyssey and drinks in the City.  More details will be available closer to the time.

Photo & Log Competition

Could I remind everyone to submit photo and log entries at mcgregror836@btinternet.com  by 30^th November?  Prizes will be awarded at the Club prize-giving Dinner 2012.  Categories for photos are; Wildlife, Landscape, Action and Humorous.  All the entries from last season are featured on the club website and also on the screen in the bar.

Photos from the Glenarm barbeque are also on the Club website.

And finally a big thank you to everyone who supported the various cruising events throughout the year.

Brian McGregor

Winter Events at CSC

Mondays from  31^st October : The Picture Club (Price TBA)

Do you enjoy painting or want to give it a try?  Could you improve your Photography techniques - some tips from an expert.

Tuesdays : Line Dancing. 7.45pm                  Beginners,  8.30pm Intermediate and Improvers. Price £3 per lesson. Newcomers welcome.

Wednesdays from 26^th October (except Speakers Nights)    

Scottish Country Dancing (Price TBA).  12 classes, the final evening being a "ceilidh dance".

Thursdays : Quiz Night.  Table quiz starting at 8.30 each week. (£1 per person, maximum 6 per table)

Friday from 28^th October :The Final Friday Club

An evening of home-grown craic in the Club - bring along an instrument, a story, tale, poem or joke.  Join in on last Friday of every month at 8pm.

To participate in any of the above or for further information contact the Hon Secretary, Wendy Grant 07752 664 505 email wendy.grant@carrickfergussc.org

Speakers Nights

Wed 16th Nov Film Night with Brian McGregor - “St Kilda” and “Maxi Racing”

Wed 18th Jan Iain McAllister - “My Life with Classic Yachts”

Wed 22nd Feb Lindsay Buckley “Lifejackets and Liferafts”

Wed 21st Mar Denis and Jill Wilson “Sailing the Gobi Desert in a 1927 Rolls Royce”

Wed 18th Apr Sea Shepherds - details to follow

Other Winter Events               

Wednesday 23^rd November Annual General Meeting 7.30 pm

Saturday 17^th December Christmas Dinner Dance 7.30 for 8pm

Sunday 18^th December Carols in the Club - time to be confirmed.

The Sailing Penny’s

When Sam Penney joined C.S.C. in 1953 he could proudly boast of his two ‘willies’ already in the Trophy Cabinet. One was his great, great, great uncle Willie Penney whose name is inscribed on the Workman Rowing Cup 1884. The other was Willie Skelton, his Grandfather whose name is inscribed on the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup, 1911 for his win in ‘Factory Girl’ an 18 foot Open Boat.   With this pedigree it is hardly surprising that Sam (with the help of his brother Bill) started his nearly 60-year connection with this club with a bang, by winning the Lipton Cup in 1954 in the Snipe Mistral.

In the early 1970s the then CSC Committee decided to push for juniors in the Club and to this end they not only encouraged some dads to build or buy Mirror Dinghies, but also bought two kits to build themselves. The kits in those days cost the princely sum of £69.  Kevin McLaverty, CSC Member and competitor in the 1968 Olympic Games sailing a Finn, started the kit building, but soon after went to work for Donegal Fisheries.  Sam finished his own kit and then completed the two for CSC. The Mirror Dinghy fleet built up over the next few years and over a dozen were racing regularly.     The standard of the fleet increased too as quite a few travelled to weekend events and championships.  During his Mirror days Sam served for more years than he can recall on the C.S.C. Committee. Many a happy year was spent ensuring the old clubhouse didn’t fall into the tide and later helping with the construction of the new one. A stickler for following the rules correctly and with an engineer’s knowledge of plans and measurements, Sam put himself to good use measuring boats and sails. With a strong commitment both to encouraging younger sailors and to raising everyone’s game, when the RYA set up a Coaching & Training committee Sam served on it for six years.

The two people most in receipt of Sam’s ‘training’ are his son Stephen and daughter Samantha. When Stephen was the tender age of eight, crewing for his dad, they won the Irish Mirror Championships. In that year 1976 over fifty members from CSC travelled and camped at Greystones.  But this happy partnership was not to last. At eleven Stephen kicked his dad out of ‘Allegro’ accusing him of being too fat!  Another Mirror Dinghy had then to be built (the tenth one) for daughter Samantha, aptly named ‘Penney Black’.

From this point on Sam was relegated to assisting his wife Shirley in her role as logistics chief and trolley puller-upper! After 4 years as Northern Rep and 5 years as Chairman of the Irish Mirror Dinghy Class Sam moved into the Ruffian 23 fleet where he raced for 19 years in Cordon Bleu and then on to his present boat, the Maxi 8.4 ‘Nirvana’. He is also currently Commodore of Carrickfergus Model Boat Club. He says that this is much cheaper and you can put up a brolly when it rains!        

Son Stephen has given his Dad a run for his money in the medal stakes. Eight years after his first, Stephen won his second Irish Gold Medal when he helmed ‘Allegro’ at Sligo in 1984, he then crewed in the Flying Fifteen class and won another Irish Gold with John Miller in 1988.  Marriage to Gillian led to a new generation of  Penney’s and Stephen found himself with a 5 year old crew called Chris and  ‘Penney Black’ was bought back from a careful owner.  But by this time Toppers were more numerous and Chris discovered that little bumps or scratches didn’t show, so the long tradition of Mirror Dinghies came to an end. Chris followed in his father and grandfather’s steps by winning Gold, in the Toppers before moving into Laser Radials where he won Gold and the Irish Junior Helmsman’s Championship.   At present Chris is sailing a Laser full rig on an Irish Select Team and has been competing abroad at numerous events as far away as New Zealand. His younger brother Andrew, also racing a Topper in an Irish Select team, this year they won the RYA Junior Team Event for N.I in the English Lake District. Father, son and grandson have 6 Irish Championship Gold medals between them and believe it or not recently Sam was told, on the water,” to go away and learn to sail”!! At 73 Sam is still learning.  But perhaps we should spare a thought for the wives. Shirley reckons that she and Gillian should get Gold Medals for pulling up dinghy trolleys over the years, but like all good sailors wives, they just have to look devoted and smile!

Written by, Dr.Michael Russ, Dean of Huddersfield University

Port O’ Call Restaurant & Bistro

Proprietor - Jim Mooney      Tel:     07790 870 759

Bar Meals & Snacks on the Upper Deck 

Dining Room Service on the Lower Deck

Friday & Saturday 12 noon, last orders 9 pm

Sunday 12 noon, last orders 7.30 pm

Booking recommended.

Club Regalia!

Buy one get one free on all club regalia.

Contact Andrea Windsor with your orders. 

07775 595 884

Ruff Racing for the Ruffians!

The end of July this year saw three Carrick boats taking part in the Irish Ruffian Championships held at the National Yacht Club in Dublin.  They were Carageen helmed by Trevor Kirkpatrick, Brian Courtney’s Scorpio and Wendy Grant’s Daisy.  Wendy being a new Ruffian owner was ready for any challenge.  Her first challenge was to get the boat there and then compete with what she was told was a “take no prisoners” hard racing fleet.  Trevor took the easier option by trailer whilst Wendy and Brian sailed down in company.

With an early morning start two hours before LW to make full use of the south going tide Wendy and Brian reached Ardglass eight hours later.  Trying to get dinner in Ardglass was a bit of a problem as the recommended bar/restaurant was not selling food and the local chippy had no fish (Yes, that’s right – Ardglass without fish).  They were extremely thankful for the Chinese.

The second leg to Dun Laoghaire was uneventful and on arrival everyone was greeted by Larry Powers, local Ruffian owner and past commodore and then on to a barbecue and some excellent guinness. The racing lived up to its reputation, with twenty boats jockeying for position at the start line and interesting roundings of the leeward mark with eight or nine boats all screaming some nautical expletives.  Not language to be heard by Wendy’s all female crew Geraldine, Gillian, Kirsty and Mary.

Trevor had a hot young crew Colin, Steve, Conor and Gary and his father Alec as shore manager.  The championship was a seven race series with one discard.  The first race saw Carageen having a good start with the lead changing throughout the race.  Carageen came back at the finish to get second behind Siamsa.  With the wind dropping for the second race Carageen was thirty seconds late for the start but clawed back from sixteenth to sixth at the finish.  At the end of day one they were second overall behind Siamsa.

Little wind on day two saw Carageen having “issues” with Diana 2 on the start line.  Having to do penalty turns put Carageen at the back of the fleet but a 180 degree wind shift and new breeze benefited them and they sneaked a fourth place.  Race four saw a twenty knot sea breeze, in which Carageen was to revel, leading easily from start to finish.  Race five was sailed in a similar breeze but Carageen had to work hard to clock up another win.  Carageen now had a two point lead overall going into the final day.

Race six on the final day saw a shifty force three coming off the shore.  Although Carageen did not have a good start they were in the lead with four boats close behind on the last lap.  With a beat and a run to go three of the boats behind headed for the shore whilst Diana went on a split tack and headed for the starboard side of the beat.  Carageen failed to cover Diana, a mistake which cost them the race with Diana first and Carageen second.

Going into the last race Carageen was one point ahead of Diana overall.  Another terrible start in the last race gave them everything to do.  Despite a meteoric comeback Diana finished first two boat lengths ahead of Carageen.

The points were equal but Diana was to win the tie-break on a results count back.

Carageen won the Carman Trophy for the best non Dublin boat.  It was also the best any boat from the North has done in the history of the championships.

Brian and Wendy also had a good weekend’s racing.  Brian and the Scorpio crew, which included his wife Lorna, Fiona, Mandy and Denis were third overall in the Silver fleet and achieved seventh in the third race.

Everyone returned home by land and sea elated but exhausted.  Wendy took no chances about getting fish and chips and got her brother-in-law to bring them from Downpatrick to Ardglass.

Roll on next year!

Training News

CSC junior sailors have had a busy summer this year with topper travellers, training courses, regattas and the RYA NI Volvo Youth Championships.  A few new sailors joined us after successfully completing the YSS stage 1&2 sailing courses and our more intermediate sailors gained their stages 3&4 on our new laser Bahia’s.  See them in action on the 29^th October at the special Bahia naming day event!  A few of our junior sailors travelled to Larne for the Youth Championships and performed very well in a topper fleet of approx 60 boats and an overall fleet of 115 dinghies.  It was a great experience for them to be involved in.  We also put nine adult sailors through their RYA National Sailing Scheme Levels 1&2 in the laser Bahia’s.  This was an enjoyable couple of days for the adults and hopefully their interest will continue next year.

In July we ran an RYA club race coach course. All our students passed giving the club four qualified dinghy coaches.  In August we held a first aid course for 10 people including the club bar staff and some of Sailability’s volunteers. The course was ran by Alan Grundie who very kindly gave up his time to give all who attended, a fun, and informative day.

All in all, junior sailing and training at CSC has been full of activity, and we look forward to welcoming some new sailors to the club next year and to continue with our ongoing progress!

Slippi Jin goes to Scotland

West Highland Yachting Week is as much a holiday as it is a race.  It is a series of passage races and round the cans racing.  We have now competed in this series four times on Slippi Jin and twice on our previous boat Maximeyes.  In 2008 we won our Class but on returning in 2009 we were 4^th under much heavier wind conditions.  We decided to return this year to try to recover the trophy.

There are two fleets, a spinnaker fleet which does windward/leeward and triangle courses and a white sail fleet which races round marks which could be several miles apart.  These fleets are then divided into Classes depending on Clyde Handicaps.  We race white sail as it is less onerous on the crew, but it is just as competitive as the spinnaker classes.  One big bonus with the white sail courses is that you see magnificent scenery (when you get time to look round).   This year we had the benefit of a mothership to provide additional accommodation. Alan Grundy brought his boat “Aquarius” with its lavish accommodation.

We met up with Alan and his crew in Gigha, as he had left a day earlier. Gigha is the start of the feeder race from the south up to Craobh Haven.  Having taken on emergency rations in Gigha (the price of cases of beer in Gigha is fierce) we started the feeder race with very light winds.  Throughout the day light breezes filled and died. We baked in the sunshine and Trevor was even seen to be drinking water.  After a nine hour slog we finished 7^th in the feeder race.  This race is a combination of all Classes and spinnakers are permitted.  These results are however not included in the points series as it is regarded as a separate race.

At Craobh Haven the engine wouldn’t start so, with such an experienced crew on board, we sailed into the marina and managed to pick up a space on the fuel berth, as other sailors dashed to assist.  This was the fastest we had gone all day and it was quite spectacular being in such close quarters with other boats.  The next day the passage race from Craobh to Oban started with high winds.  Most boats were reefed for the beat to the first mark but we started with full sail and after a great start got to the weather mark first.  On the long reach and downwind sections Glenafton, a 56ft ketch and our main rival in these conditions, got away.  We finished 2^nd behind Glenafton.

The next day’s racing was very uneventful with very little wind.  Again we finished 2^nd behind Glenafton.  The next two days of races i.e. the second day’s racing round the cans in the Firth of Lorne and the Oban to Tobermory passage race were cancelled due to lack of wind.  This is virtually unheard of in this series.  Our disappointment was however well compensated for by the social scene and the spit roast pig at Dunstaffnage Marina. 

The Sound of Mull races above Tobermory were held in very light conditions.  We crept up the shore and managed to get away from the fleet and finished 1^st.  The Series was now down to the last passage race from Tobermory to Oban.  We were one point ahead of Glenafton so therefore had to finish ahead of him to win the series.  A good start was crucial so there was a lot of pushing and shoving at the start line.  Glenafton barged in and forced us over the line and we had to go back.  We protested Glenafton and managed to catch him as he executed his penalty turns in the Sound of Mull.  With the wind behind us we were able to stay ahead just covering his every move two hundred metres behind us.  Passing Loch Aline we picked up a bit more tide and opened up a bit of a gap but as we crossed over to Lismore Light the wind shifted to a reach and he came charging back.

The beat up to the finish was hectic with many boats in all classes finishing together.  We managed to keep in clear air and hung on to just long enough to get finished ahead of Glenafton.  You can imagine the rest; cheers and celebrations.  The West Highland Yachting Week Series is a good mix of racing, socialising and holidaying.  I would encourage more Carrick boats to participate.

Jim Shields

Carrickfergus Sailing Club

Rodger’s Quay, Carrickfergus

Co. Antrim.  BT38 8BE

+44 2893 351402

Fax : +44 2893 359302

info@CarrickfergusSC.org

Printing kindly sponsored by Texam Ltd

Editors : Ian McNamara (imcnamara@hotmail.co.uk) & Denise Shields (jibsheet@carrickfergussc.org)

Jibsheet - July 2011

Jibsheet - April 2011

Jibsheet - February 2011

From the Commodore’s Cabin

I should start by thanking the club members for electing me as Commodore.  It is indeed a great honour and I’ll do my best to repay the trust shown in me.

Just to introduce myself, for those of you who don’t know me, I’ve been a family member of the club since 1975. I sailed a flying fifteen, and then moved onto a small cruiser racer, a Puppeteer 22, which my wife, daughter and I raced for ten years. For the last few years I’ve raced my Sadler 26 “Dragon Lady” in the PY class. In addition we’ve done quite a bit of cruising up the Western Isles, and sometimes I’ve sailed a bit further afield.  I served for a spell on the Club Committee in the 1980’s and last year came on the Board as Hon. Treasurer.

We have a new Board and members are introduced elsewhere in Jibsheet.  I very much look forward to working with them.  As we look forward, it is right to look back and offer thanks to the outgoing Board who have served the club so well and steered our ship through some very difficult times.  Jim Shields, our outgoing Commodore took over in very difficult circumstances and gave the Club outstanding leadership for two and a half years. The Club is much indebted to Jim for his dedication and professionalism.  He will be a very hard act to follow!  I’d like to particularly thank those who have left the Board after extensive service. Robert Logan has served as Hon Secretary for many years as has Gillian McAdam, as Membership Secretary.  We also say thanks to Drew McClenaghan- Marketing and Fundraising and Alan Weir, our outgoing Vice Commodore.  The Club owes them all a huge debt of gratitude. The Club has several committees that look after the effective running of our act. I’d encourage any member of the club who feels able to contribute to their work to offer their services. Our Club is run by voluntary effort, so help and support is greatly valued.

Training will be a key feature of the Club’s work this year. We have been very successful in gaining grant support for the purchase of three dinghies. This will afford training opportunities for adults and for family groups, in addition to the resources we have for training youngsters. But for this to work we need support.  Please volunteer to help if you’re able to make a contribution. We are currently seeking grant aid for redevelopment of the slipway. This will be very useful, if not essential, for the development of our dinghy sailing.

As we all look forward to a new year and a new sailing season, I really want to feel that all members will want to become very much involved with the club, both participating in its activities and contributing to its running. As well as sailing events we have a good programme of talks on maritime  topics and a good programme of social activities, and we have great facilities for a meal and a quiet drink for occasions when that’s wanted.  As I said, most of my sailing at CSC has been as a family racing team and I often reflect that small cruiser racing is a great sport that the whole family can join in. Our new training boats will be a superb asset for family training. So let’s all anticipate a great season, a club where everyone feels valued and everyone feels happy to contribute to the life of the club in whatever way they can.

Roger Woodward

Commodore

Cruising

Jibsheet - October 2010

From the Commodore’s Cabin

We are now well into the second half of the season with the Autumn Series nearing a close.  There is a nip in the air and with the clocks going back we will be well and truly into the winter.  But don’t despair, the sailing season goes on until 12th December with the Frosty Series racing every Sunday.  Quite often sailing conditions are better then than during the summer, albeit a bit colder.  So come on, all you hardy sailors, get out and maximise the use of your boats.

To compliment the winter racing a good social programme has been arranged.  It is proposed to hold a social evening every 3rd Wednesday during the winter, so keep this free and watch the website for details.  I am particularly looking forward to the talk by Maud Hamill on Geneology in April “Who Do You Think You Are?”.  Last year I traced and visited the grave of a great uncle who was killed in France in 1915 in the First World War.  This year I returned and, having obtained excerpts from the Seaforth Highlanders War Diaries, was able to trace where he was a fatally injured to within a few hundred metres.  I also visited the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium and found the name of another relative who was lost in action on the western front whilst serving with the Argyll & Southerland Highlanders.
A “Geneology Club” within the club may be a possibility if anyone is interested.  Let me know if you are.
Thank you to everyone who responded to the ballot request in the last Jib Sheet.  Nearly a quarter of the membership responded, raising over £1500 for the club.  Anyone who hasn’t returned their ballot, I would encourage you to do so as the club needs all the funding that can get at present.
The Social Committee and the Caterer have put a lot of effort into organising social events recently. Unfortunately attendance at the last two events was disappointing.  I would encourage you to support club events as the income generated helps to boost club funds and allows us to keep membership fees at a reasonable level. 
The AGM this year is on Friday 3rd December 2010.  I would encourage you to attend and give your input to the proceedings.  After the meeting there will be a light supper and some music.
Best regards and I hope you enjoy the rest of the season.
Jim Shields Commodore

Cruising

Winter Speakers

Boat Park

Membership

Ladies Race 31 August 2010

Sailing Underway

Our Neighbours - Carrick Sea Cadets

Rough Time at Portpatrick

Belfast Lough Sailability (BLS)

Liberty Catering at CSC

Blue Water News

Christmas Dinner/Dances  £22
Fri 10, Sat 11, Fri 17 and Sat 18 Dec

Jibsheet - July 2010

From the Commodore’s Cabin

It is good to see the increase in activity around the club now that summer is here.  Not only has the sailing reinvigorated members but there is a buzz around the place including the restaurant and bar.

It is good to see the increase in activity around the club now that summer is here.  Not only has the sailing reinvigorated members but there is a buzz around the place including the restaurant and bar.
The Marketing & Fundraising Committee has been very active and has produced a Sponsorship Pack which will be used to attract future sponsors.  There are many benefits listed in the pack for sponsors, so let us know of any companies which may be willing to sponsor the club and we will make contact with them.  The best way of getting sponsorship is through members of the club.  Please contact Roy Totten or email us details of possible sponsors on info@carrickfergussc.org.We are hoping to improve the external appearance of the club.  This is a photo of the proposed front façade and entrance.  We would be happy to hear your comments and would be glad of assistance from any members to do the work.  Have we got any members that could assist with the joinery work, landscaping, painting etc.   Again let us know if you would be able to help by contacting Alan Harpur or email info@carrickfergussc.org.Finally, you will find a book of tickets with this Jib Sheet for the ballot for the dinghy (value £550) and other excellent prizes.  The dinghy is on display in the lobby of the clubhouse.  This is a fund raising exercise for the Club so could I ask that you either buy the book or sell the tickets to friends and relatives.  It will help raise funds for the club during this period of recession.  Please leave the completed stubs and the money at the bar or post it to the address on the back of this Jib Sheet.
Best wishes and I hope you enjoy the summer season and use the Club to its full potential.
Jim ShieldsCommodore

Club Success at Cork Week 2010!!

Jibsheet - February 2009

Message from the Commodore

Elsie and I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year and hope that we will meet all of you during the course of this year.

The Club as a Company

2009 will be an exciting and challenging year for the Club. In 2008, we embarked on some big changes for the Club constitutionally which are on-going. These are in the interests of members and to improve your representation in the Club. Members voted at the Special General Meeting (SGM) on 10th September 2008 for the Club to become a Company limited by guarantee. This was necessary as the Northern Bank indicated that it no longer wanted to act as Trustees for the Club, in line with its general policy.

Clubs under Trustee status cannot hold assets, such as property, as they are not legal entities. The assets are held by the Trustees on behalf of the Club and they cover all liabilities. With the withdrawal of our Trustees, we took legal advice and considered the various options open to the Club. The Club, now being a limited company, will be able to hold assets such as buildings and equipment. Additionally, there are other benefits particularly when it comes to seeking funding for projects. Further information can be obtained from the Hon Secretary on robert.logan@carrickfergussc.org

There will be a further SGM prior to applying for company registration to present the Articles of Association to the membership for approval. The Company Articles of Association reflect the existing Club rules.

New Management Structure

At the SGM on 3rd December 2008 the Club established a new management structure. Previously there were 18 members on the Management Committee which was proving cumbersome and somewhat inefficient. The new Management Board (10 voting members) will oversee the management of the Club and will be responsible for the strategic direction, setting targets, monitoring performance etc.

The new structure will be more effective as it devolves more powers to the working committees – this means that the membership will be able to influence decisions at Board level. We would encourage members to participate in any of the following working Committees - Sailing; Cruising; House and Grounds; Social; Marketing or Fundraising – particularly if you have a special interest or relevant skill. Please contact the Hon. Secretary on robert.logan@carrickfergussc.org

New Facilities

One other exciting initiative that is on-going is the Club’s application for funding under Sport Northern Ireland’s Elite Facilities Programme. This programme was designed to improve facilities for NI Olympic Sports prior to the 2012 Games and to provide a legacy to encourage top class national and international competition and facilities which can be used and enjoyed by the wider community. This is a three stage process and the Club made its Stage 2 submission (business case) at the end of November.

The concept plans are displayed in the Club should you wish to view them. They include a new Clubhouse, training facilities, offices, boat storage, new slipway and a single point crane for launching high performance keel boats. They will also be fully accessible for persons with a disability. If the Club is successful at Stage 2 we will bring a further report to an SGM prior to progression to Stage 3.

Slippi Jin

In Conclusion

Well, as I said this will be an exciting year. The Sailing Programme is full with something for everyone and I hope this will encourage many of you to participate in and enjoy the 2009 sailing season. This, coupled with an exciting social programme, will keep the Club moving forward and provide an attractive range of events that you will support.

Good luck and fair sailing during 2009.

Jim Shields
Commodore

Club Regalia

Club Regalia

WEAR YOUR CLUB WITH PRIDE

POLO SHIRTS Adults £15.00 Youths £13.00 in Navy, Sky Blue, Turquoise, Black, Emerald, Bottle Green

SWEAT SHIRTS Adults £18.00 Youths £15.00 in Navy, Sky Blue, Black, Emerald, Bottle Green

MICRO FLEECE Adults £20.00 Youths £16.00 in Navy, Black, Bottle Green, Grey

All above available in Sizes: 2 years to XXL

LADIES MICRO FLEECE £20.00 in Navy, Sky Blue, Lilac, Black Sizes 6 - 24

The above prices include CSC embroidered LOGO. Additional embroidery charged at approx.£5.00 per logo or name.

To place an order, contact Andrea Windsor: 07775 595 884

Racing 2009

The end of March is only weeks away and our season will start with a pre-race ‘Shake Down’ sail on Sunday 22nd March, an opportunity to make sure everything on board is ready for racing, starting with the Spring Series,

SUNDAY 29th MARCH.

The format of the Spring Series will be morning racing for Flying 15s, SB3, and Dinghies from a committee boat start, followed by the Cruiser racing in the afternoon from the club fixed starting line. Watch club website and notice boards for further information.

The Belfast Lough Yacht Conference has announced the dates of the 2009 regattas as follows: -

• 20th June RUYC
• 27th June CIBC
• 25th July HYC
• 1st August BYC
• 8th August EABC
• 15th August RNIYC
• 22nd August CSC
• 29th August CAYC
• 5th Sept DSC

Two important factors emerge form the BLYC meeting which effect C.S.C members.

1. There is no Ruffian 23 Class start this year. The ruffians will be racing in PY class.

2. No Regatta race inserts will be printed. Members will be able to download inserts direct from C.S.C. club website, or from Belfast Lough Yacht Conference website.

All skippers should check boat details from last year’s club list found on club website, using Boat details link or from last years regatta booklet. Any changes should be made through the Boat details link on club website, www.carrickfergussc.org

Trevor Kirkpatrick, Sailing Secretary

Frosty Series

The Social Scene

Looking Forward (and back!)

Thank you to Iris, Nigel, Julie, Maron, Trevor and Gary McFarland, my 2008 Social Committee, for their support and help throughout the year. They will all serve for another year, giving us continuity, but I am pleased to announce “New blood to generate new ideas for 2009” (and many hands make light work!).

Welcome to Maria Duggan as Social Secretary, with additional committee members Fiona Mitchell, Kate Harland and Joan Miller. There is room for a few more if anyone is interested! And any reasonable suggestions for events will be taken on board. For example, how about ‘Saturday Cinema for Kids’ ?

So far this year we have enjoyed two evening parties. In January we celebrated the 250th aniversary of Robert Burns’ birthday with a dinner, highland dancing and all the ceremony such an occasion requires.

Scottish Dancing Haggis

Then Valentine’s Night on 14th February was immensely enjoyble, good food, good company and good music.

Regular events:

• Tuesday Salsa Classes and Music Sessions
• Wednesday Ballroom Dancing with Lindon and Amy
• Thursday Belly Dancing Classes and CLUB QUIZ
• Friday ‘IN-IT-TO-WIN-IT’ Prize Draw

SOME FUTURE DATES FOR 2009

• Friday 20th Feb Music by George Hewitt
• Friday 27th Feb Poems & Pints
• Friday 13th March Cruising Evening - RNLI Safety Talk
• Friday 20th March Music by George Hewitt
• Friday 27st March Commodore’s Fitting Out Dinner
• Sun 5th April Irish Boat Jumble
• Sat 16th April Easter Bonnets Parade (provisional)
• Sat 27th June Midsummer Ball (provisional)
• Sat 22nd August CSC REGATTA
• Sun 23rd August Castle Cup and Craft Fair

Keep checking the club notice board and web site for updates and new events. All the up-to-date news is sent out to members via email, so if you don’t already receive these from the Hon Sec, Robert Logan, email: robert.logan@carickfergussc.org to be added to the list.

Looking forward to a busy and eventful year at CSC,
Wendy Grant, Chair of Social. Tel: 07752 664 505
email: wendy@carrickmarina.com

House & Grounds

With the sailing season fast approaching House & Grounds are making every effort to ensure CSC and the boat park are clean, tidy, respectable and operational. Work party days are held on a regular basis to complete the numerous jobs which require attention. Volunteers are always welcome as there are jobs for all abilities and more importantly the craic’s great. The website and emails will keep you informed when the next work party day is planned.

Cruising in 2009

Cutters Wharf, April 2008

An outline plan

Looking back on 2008, bad weather spoiled only one of our events, Easter, which was so early in March I wonder we even thought of going to sea. Encouraged by the success of what we did achieve last year, plans for 2009 are slightly more ambitious. . . READ ON!

EASTER 11th - 14th April

Depending on weather, any 2 of Mill Bay, Glenarm, Rathlin, Stranraer

MAY BANK HOLIDAY W/E

B.B.Q on the Copeland Island, Sunday 3rd May

WHIT W/E 29th May - 1ST June

A Friday afternoon/early evening departure for Portpatrick.

MIDSUMMER B.B.Q Sunday 21st June

Venue will depend on wind direction.

LAGAN CRUISE - TBA

If repairs to Lagan Weir permit.

SUMMER CRUISE – July fortnight.

Irish Sea cruise. Possible ports of call, Strangford Lough, Ardglass, Isle of Man, Anglesey, N Wales, Liverpool, Isle of Whithorn, all as weather allows.

TALL SHIPS 13th to 16th August

REGATTA DAY Saturday 22nd August

Details of these and any other day sails/weekends we plan will be published on the web site www.CarrickfergusSC.org and advertised on the club notice boards, or for any further information, contact:

Norman Grant, Cruising Secretary
Tel: 07843 787861
Email: norman@carrickmarina.com

Unpaid Subsciptions for 2009

I would remind Members that Subscriptions are due on 1st January annually. Running costs and bank charges are a continual strain on the Club’s budget, so the income from subscriptions is vital.

Members whose Subscriptions are still unpaid after 17th March 2009 will incur a £25 late payment fee.

Gillian McAdam, Membership Secretary

Boat Park

1. Since Sam Penney retired from the post, we currently have no one managing our boat park. If anyone should be interested in taking on this role or even giving a hand please contact me on 07720 837598 (mobile) or fred.bell@btinternet.com. I (reluctantly!) took over sending out the bills last year and would be prepared to continue to do this if that would encourage someone to come forward to do the other work required.

2. A large number of trailers have NO identification on them. It is a rule of the boat park that some form of identification IS on trailers. So - as I am not psychic ! PLEASE PLEASE take 5 minutes and paint your name or your boat name on the trailers. I have it in mind to ask the committee to introduce a reward of an amount off annual bill for named trailers - and a fine of an additional amount if we find out who unnamed ones belong to!

The boat park is an important revenue earner for the club and I would be grateful for your support in this matter.

3. Members can also go a long way in helping the smooth running of the boat park by “booking” your boat in with as much warning as possible, also please let us know how long you intend to stay out for. In the long term this means the least amount of boat juggling for everyone.

One last request, PLEASE, when you have finished working on your boat, tidy up any waste materials or other rubbish that may have accumulated. It makes for a safer and more pleasant working environment for everyone.

Fred Bell
Honorary Treasurer fred.bell@btinternet.com

Junior Sailing

Junior Sailing

Topper Dinghies Racing Practice

rory@carrickmarina.com

Saturdays 10am - 12.30pm starting after Easter 

Ages 8 years +

Norfolkline Discount for Members

Robert Logan has negotiated a special deal for CSC Members

20% off all Brochure Fares

Daylight Sailing - £60 Single/£100 Return Car + 4

Available 4 Jan - 31 Dec 09 (*£50 supp. Easter, July, August)

Call 0844 499 0007 to book. Offer Code: Carrick

Extracts from the winning log of MotorYacht ‘Ilmatar II’

Ilmatar

They Kept A Welcome In The Hillside ~ When I Went Home Again To Wales

The title of our 2008 cruise to Wales (can be sung if you wish)

Motor Yacht “Ilmatar II” with crew Howard & Maria and Norman & Wendy.

This was my dream of going to Cardiff by our own boat rather than Silver wings shining in the sunlight, however I hadn’t planned on rain, high winds and mutinous crew.

Monday 9th June

Arrived at the boat with a mountain of booze and some food. A night cap with friends and crew and early to bed to be ready for a 10.00am start next day to catch the tide.

Tuesday 10th June

Departed on time and I felt like Bob Harper must of felt when he departed for around the world. Passed Billy in “Charlotte Jane” going to Strangford where I live and just for a short moment thought that common sense should prevail and go there instead, but not known for being sensible we kept her lit. Dolphins and porpoises, calm seas and sunshine, and an uneventful night passage down the Irish Sea heading for Milford Haven.

Wednesday 11th June

All excited we sail into a small bay at Skomer Island to be welcomed by thousands of nesting puffins. The bay was only accessible by sea. Anchor down and lunch was served. Then round to Dale Bay for an overnight on the pontoon in the middle of the bay. Dinghy ashore and we were away to the Griffin Inn to be wined and dined.

Back on the pontoon and time for a night cap when 2 gents from another yacht came and said what a lovely boat we had, this is as you know this is code for ‘can we come aboard for a drink’. That put paid to our early night. p.s. I must get Maria a smaller drinks measure.

Thursday 12th June

7.30am start and we’re off to Swansea. 53nm and 5.50hrs later we arrive and lock in. Sardines in a tin came to mind, severely aggravated by strong wind.The marina is in the old dock with a tram museum, maritime museum and other shops. An evening meal at the sailing club and all agreed that Swansea was a place that we would come back to.

Friday 13th June

0730 and we’re waiting to lock out, thankfully the wind had dropped. Cardiff the next stop or more accurately Penarth Marina. Arriving by sea at the Cardiff Bay barrage was nothing short of spectacular. Quickly into the berth with Champagne corks popping, Maria asks if I’m alright and I tell a little white lie and say “I’ve something in my eye” Full of emotion I had fulfilled my ambition. The best drink of Champagne I’ve ever had.

A boat trip around Cardiff Bay and ashore to visit the continental market in the new hub of Cardiff City. Staying 2 nights in Cardiff enabled the Duggan Clan to descend on “Ilmatar II”. I said to Wendy that she must have found it hard going especially with the Welsh accent, when she reminded me that she done her medical training in Cardiff and was probably more Welsh than I was Irish.

Sunday 15th June

A walk along the sea front and a drink in the Penarth Yacht Club then back on board to depart for Bristol. 38nm later and we’re sailing up the River Avon and the Avon Gorge under Brunel’s suspension bridge, through a lock and swinging bridge and into Bristol Dock, berthing on a pontoon outside one of the many pubs. Yet again it’s time to go out for a meal. Norman had earlier been out sussing out suitable places and had discovered a Tapas bar and restaurant. The ambience and food were great made all the more exciting by the Flamenco music and dancers. When we came to pay the bill there was good news and bad news, the good news was the table next to us had paid our bill, the bad news is we were given their bill for 14 persons. It’s amazing when with a few bottles of wine and a level of frustration just how quickly you can communicate without speaking a word of Spanish. Eventually sorted and by way of an apology we were given a voucher for a meal for 2. Anyone going to Bristol let me know and the meals on me.

Monday 16th June

Another 48 hours in Bristol was scheduled, but a bad weather forecast forced a change of plan, we wanted to be in Milford Haven for Sea Week so left on the tide next afternoon. Got there 12 hours ahead of the gale, many other boats didn’t and the Round Britain Race speed boats came by road!

Sea Week was memorable (a story in itself) and our journey back to Carrickfergus was accomplished in 28 hours with calm, pleasant conditions.

Howard Duggan

2008 News Round-Up

As you will remember, the club was dealt a devastating blow with the death in March of our Commodore, Joe McEvoy. But ‘The King is dead, long live the King’, and life goes on. We were fortunate to have Jim, our new Commodore, to stand in for the year.

On the water, the Sailing Committee organised a comprehensive racing programme, but conceded to public opinion and cancelled racing one Sunday so everyone could join in the Lagan Cruise; 32 vessels and 176 people took part.

Topper Nationals

While the majority of us are doing very ordinary things like racing round the buoys, regattas, cruising and socialising, some others were out there making a name for themselves.

Andrew Penney, First overall in the 4.2 Topper Rig at the 2008 Irish National Championships in Carrickfergus in August. 

Ryan Wilson First Under 16 in the Topper Irish Nationals and 2nd Overall in Topper Travellers

Amanda Mitchell, Gold Medal in Toppers at the Sea Cadets National Regatta in Carrickfergus, September 2008

Chris Penney was 13th in the Laser Radial Worlds in New Zealand and 1st overall in the laser Connaught championships. He is the current Laser Radial Junior Champion.

Ryan Seaton, now studying at the Sports Institute for Nothern Ireland at Jordanstown, is also training there with the Pre-Olympic squad. His first sailing event this year is the Princess Sophia Challenge in Palma, Majorca in April, sailing Laser Radial and we wish him every success in that. He is about to become helm on a 49’er for future events.

Ian Moore who is navigator on the irish entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, Green Dragon.

Four Carrickfergus Juniors were chosen for the 2008 RYA Youth Championships, Ryan Wilson in Toppers, Andrew Penney in 4.2 Toppers (1st in Class), Chris Penney and James Waugh in Laser Radials (2nd and 3rd respectively)

Green Dragon

Volvo Ocean 70 ‘GREEN DRAGON’ at the start of Leg 1 in Alicante. All the VO.70’s will be in Galway from 23rd May, with the In Port race on 30th May and start of Leg 8 on 6th June. For further details: www.galwayvolvooceanrace.com

Millar’s

Catering in the Club for Members and their Guests Bar Snacks, Sunday Lunch & a la carte

Friday Night Special ~ Dinner for Two £25

Starters

Smoked Salmon

Ribbons of smoked salmon set on a bed of homemade potato salad and topped with creme fresh and horseradish drizzle

Soup du jour

Homemade soup of the day with crusty bread

Battered garlic mushrooms

Button mushrooms dipped in a light golden batter served with salad, coleslaw and garlic mayonnaise

Main Course

Chicken supreme

Poached Chicken fillet masked in a mushroom and thyme sauce

Salmon hush puppies

Chunks of fresh salmon fillet lightly battered and drizzled with honey and wholegrain mustard

Gammon

Pan fried gammon steak topped with caramelised apricots.

Selection of Desserts

Our Friday Special Menu will be changed regularly

Booking is recommended. Telephone 07871 844 787