Ilfracombe Yacht Club

T HE Q UAY • I LFRACOMBE • D EVON • EX34 9EQ T EL : 01271 863969

Affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association A Member of The Bristol Channel Yachting Conference

CASC REGISTERED & SPONSORED BY NORTH DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL

Ilfracombe Yacht Club
THE QUAY • ILFRACOMBE • DEVON • EX34 9EQ TEL: 01271 863969
Affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association
A Member of The Bristol Channel Yachting Conference
CASC REGISTERED & SPONSORED BY NORTH DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL
NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2008
Page 1 of 2
FROM THE COMMODORE
By the time you read this the boats will be out of the water and we will all be settling into winter
routine which, I hope, means more time in the club enjoying the social life.
We held an open meeting on 20th October which was attended by the faithful, but for those of you
who could not make it I have included my introductory remarks and a brief summary of the
ensuing discussions.
“The sailing season is all but over and I think that I can safely say that it has been a
disappointment to everybody, the weather being chiefly to blame. Not only have we been
discouraged from taking our boats out but our usual visitors have stayed away in droves.
However, whilst our bar takings do reflect the absent visitors, we have had some very successful
functions and events. Notable amongst these were the Lundy Race, the Power Boat Weekend and
the Gig Club Launching Ceremony as well as a number of quizzes and barbecues.
On the financial side we have paid off the long standing loan from St Austell brewery and,
subsequently, we have been able to negotiate much more favourable terms with them. Also, they
have given us a new barbecue and a gazebo shelter for the patio. The Gig Club have got off to a
good start and have agreed to contribute £500 to the Club.
All in all we are in a far less parlous state than we were at this time last year but we must bear in
mind that we are entering the lean season. We will have to repeat the efforts made last winter.”
It was agreed that the Gig Club has got off to a very good start and that their contribution to our
finances is most welcome. It was felt that some Gig Club members are still a bit shy of us
yachties, please don’t be; we would love to see you at all of the social events held in the club and
at any other time for that matter.
There were a lot of suggestions made regarding activities over the winter period and the social
committee will be pulling things out of the hat over the next few months.
Although we have not set a date for the next Open Meeting I would be looking to have one early
in the New Year. We do have a date for the AGM; please make a note of the 21st of February.
The night after the Open Meeting was Trafalgar night and a truly splendid time was had by all.
Thank you to John and Sharon for a superb dinner, and to Maxine for your support on the night. It
was a shame that not more of you could make it, you missed a very convivial evening. I know
that weekdays are not the most convenient for going out so next year we will be considering
ignoring convention and holding the dinner at the weekend.
There are plenty of functions in the pipeline and I look forward to seeing you at many of them.
One not to miss is the Commodores Quiz on 15th November at 8pm. All questions set by me so
they are bound to be easy. See you then.
Chris Marman

A ROUND L UNDY R ACE

Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved in the organisation of the Around Lundy Race this year. The day proved once again to be a great success thanks to the dedicated members who put such much thought, time, planning and hard work into producing such a spectacular and enjoyable event.

I would very much like to congratulate and to thank everyone involved in the organisation of this year's race, without whom it would not have been possible for such an exhilarating day to have taken place. So much thought, time, planning, hard work and effort goes into putting on a spectacular and enjoyable event of this magnitude. From the planning and projection committee (which has already started on next years race), through getting sponsors, checking the legal side, insurance and rules, involving official bodies, getting trophies, certificates, a marquee and all the food prepared, timing the entrants, working out tides and handicaps, taking the entries, updating the web site, liaising with authority, advertising, getting relevant permissions, decorating the harbour, etc the list could go on and on and all this before a boat has even left the harbour. Everyone involved deserves a big thank you for giving (not just us sailors), but also the town in general a spectacular day to remember!

The day proved once again to be a great success (despite the foreboding weather forecasts), attracting entries from 62 boats from all over the Bristol Channel. Sizes ranged from the impressive Challenge 72 right down to the more modest 20 footers.

The web site shows it all, the smoking starting cannon; the jostling to be the first to get away; the heavy gusting winds that bared weighted keels right up out of the water; big boats; little boats; grey skies; mist; blinding squalls; tidal races; a flotilla of intensely bright coloured spinnakers contrasting dramatically against the severity of the “dark side” of Lundy; elegant goose wings; the home run across open sea with Bull Point firmly fixed in the distance and seemingly never getting any nearer; boats of all shapes and sizes skidding on their sides through the finish gate; the empty harbour with all the boats away; and the triumphant return of the happy but tired crews; food; drink;

relaxation and merriment after the long intense day; prizes; pride and relief; camaraderie; an immense feeling of being part of something special; something that you just have to do, that just has to be done, and once done, has to be done again.....and again.....and again. A fantastic day.

My only complaint?......that I have to wait until 8th August 2009 before I can do it all again!

Thank you all

Jane Gear

The Around Lundy race was held on Saturday 21st. This race has become what must be the most challenging and fun race in the whole Bristol Channel.

It is designed for enjoyment and can be taken as seriously or light heartedly as any crew wishes to make it. Although as with any race the aim is to win, with 45 miles, two tidal races, multiple back eddies, the far side of Lundy half way and if you don't make it in time, and the wind drops, there is no way you are going to get back against the tide in a cut off time of 11 hours. The real challenge for any team is can they finish the course on time and can they keep far enough away from the rocks with the wind and tide against them without turning the engine on!

This was the fourth race and every race has thrown up something different each year, from total becalming, to tacking on the out or home straight, to torrential rain, blazing sun, and much else.

However despite the terrible weather forecast, with the whole

country surrounded in red on the inshore map, and a Force 5 to 7, poor visibility and fog and rain all day predicted with rough seas apparently building, this year's race has to be way the best so far. Weather conditions could not have been bettered. The sight of boats battling their way up the West side of Lundy, all goose winging, or with colourful spinnakers or cruising chutes out was magic. A strong wind challenging every bit of strength you had not to broach, averaging force five to sixes with hardly anyone reefing, keels out of the water, seas no greater than moderate, and no rain till after the race, there was not one boat who did not have a fantastic days sailing. And wherever one was placed, even last, for a sail like that against boats coming from Cornwall, Wales, Bristol and all over the Bristol Channel it was so sad that no other boat from NDYC entered.

The work that goes into the organisation deserves supporting and for the fun and exhilaration it gives every boat and crew member, I would really urge more boats from the NDYC to go in for it. I have done every race to date and we have never had a bad one.

Niki Tait (North Devon Yacht Club)

I LFRACOMBE P ILOT G IG

The Gig Club has signed up its first members. As IYC members you are entitled to free membership of the Gig Club. If you are interested in flexing your muscles you can obtain a membership form from the Club House.

S OCIAL S IDE