Spring Muster and Tarbert Race

What a superb sailing weekend to start off the 2012 Serpent programme.  Peter Jennett on Exody started the fleet off Kip with the Class 3 starters off first and Class 1 thereafter with Aquaholic and Guilty right on the line with spinnaker poles set for the downwind sail to Garroch Head.  The fleet set off down the Wemyss Bay shore with the exception of Troikka where they were too disorganised to do anything but head for the other side by which time the asymmetric was ready for a gybe-free ride. Troikka held the lead from Aquaholic and Guilty who were well ahead of the white sails bunch but a spectacularly protracted gybe at Garroch Head allowed the other two to catch up and then heading over to the Kintyre shore proved a mistake as the wind failed and Aquaholic and Guilty in close contention romped away to the finish with Aquaholic the winner on handicap. Sensing that they might be timed out and with a strong sense of Commodorial duty, Out of the Blue retired and arrived to welcome the latecomers.  With such a long sail there was little time for cockpit socialising before all repaired to the Starfish Restaurant where in most pleasant surroundings we had an excellent and convivial meal.  There was general agreement that this was a venue to which we would happily return. The photo below shows the members enjoying their meal.

During the meal, the crew of Camus Bosta who were without a lady helm for the Sunday Ladies' Race attempted to lure Troikka's lady helm with the offer of camels, cooked breakfasts and what not but fortunately Jill recognised that while a boat with one wheel was bad enough, one with two wheels was taking things much too far.  
Next day dawned sunny but with a fresh chilly wind from the south east.  Seamus and Peter Lalor on Emma Louise were the race officers and Troikka and Guilty both had perfectly judged starts and proceeded to cross tacks all the way down Loch Fyne.

The venerable Guilty an impressive sight as she powers upwind.  Below is Troikka's lady helm at her first attempt at wheel steering.

It was only when the wind eased and Guilty's crew took to sunning on the deck that Troikka was able to overtake.

Unfortunately the wind failed at Ardlamont and it was a real struggle to get to Kames within the time limit. Troikka managed with about 20 seconds to spare thus giving the fleet a 30 minute extension and managed this without flying two headsails unlike some others.....

Unfortunately the results are not to hand right now so the identity of the victorious lady helm on Guilty is not known to me. Also I regret that we have no pictures or accounts from Class 3 as they were just too far behind your writer! Whatever, it was an opening muster as good as they come and we look forward to the Portavadie event on the 16th June. Thanks to Catherine the Commodore for all her efforts.

A Message from the Commodore

I hope you have all had a Good Christmas and New Year. The last time we were together was for the Prize Giving Dinner in the Art Club which was a great night and a great celebration of an exciting year.

The AGM has been arranged for Monday 20th February in the Golden Jubilee Hospital at Clydebank. The crew of Tanit is speaking of their man overboard experience this summer and the lessons they learned from it. So please come along.

However please note that after many years of giving us the room and catering free, the Golden Jubilee Hospital has decided to charge us for the facility.

As we had not budgeted for this, the committee has taken the decision to reduce the catering to tea, coffee and biscuits to keep costs manageable, so the normal finger buffet will not be on offer.

I hope you will be able to attend and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Tom Barrie

Commodore

Round Shuna Race

Here is a short clip of "Troikka" and "Out of the Blue" crossing the finish line, taken by Iain Sinclair on the Committee boat "Black Pepper"

Portavadie Weekend & Ladies Race

Reports are not yet in on how the Pursuit Race from Kip to Portavadie went but Seamus and Stewart have provided, respectively, photos and an account of the Ladies Race which was fought with the usual intensity, tenacity and perseverance that we all associate with the Serpent lady members.

 Stewart Toy writes: The Ladies Race was a very exciting affair, flirting with the wind (or lack of it). On numerous occasions we contemplated taking the plug out the bottom of our most loved possession. When OOTB decided to move she seemed to prefer going north bringing Ardrishaig onto the horizon. For two hours suicide was just off the menu. Exody started the realisation that there was life after Portavadie. With a long hike home Marion graciously retired. On offering Jane the opportunity of sanity (abandon the race) she declined only because Camus Bosta was the only boat pointing in the right direction. But no--the idea of removing oneself from the dreich weather prevailed and Jane succumbed to the possibility of a hot bath--not in Loch Fyne--and retired. 

That left Kelpie and ourselves. Nail biting stuff. But hey-ho Kelpie had flown off to mid channel and, yes, there was --what was the word--- yes--wind--just a wee bit--but enough to point her in the right direction of the finish line.

On realising the outcome we graciously retired (not that we had a hope in hell of catching  Audrey) and headed off to be on station at the finish line at 90 degrees to Skeg Mor (long, long race). So with a toot on our hooter Audrey, deservedly, took line honours and won the Ladies Race 2011."

JUNE NEWSLETTER 2011

A Message from the Commodore
We have all been watching the recent weather with concern and dismay, as high winds wreck our hopes of relaxing sailing and it will come as no surprise to those not involved, that the Spring Muster was cancelled due to the high wind warnings.
We have, however, our next muster at Portavadie on June 18/19, and we have transferred the programme for the spring Tarbert weekend to this muster. We are therefore running the Saturday race from Kip to Portavadie, followed by the Ladies Race to Kames on the Sunday. This will be combined with a dinner at the Portavadie Marina on the Saturday evening. We would like, of course, to welcome as many members as possible to participate in this weekend, either racing, cruising or even coming by car.
By the law of averages, surely we must be in line for some improvement in the weather by then !
Tom Barrie, Commodore
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The decision to cancel the race was not because of the weather on Saturday, which was windy, but because of Sunday‟s weather which was much worse. A number of boats had already cancelled and we were concerned that if we continued, people might get stranded in Tarbert. The following is an extract from an e mail from Tom Clark whose boat Boxer was tied up behind Ernest on Saturday evening in Tarbert.
“Without doubt, cancelling was the correct call since size and experience were both needed as the wind strengthened. Ernest Bennie left Tarbert early on Sunday and had 40kts across the deck. We recorded 50kts and today ( Monday) at Largs, as I collected the cooked food left in the oven, we had a SEVERE GALE and the wind was 60 -70 mph and maybe more in the gusts. “

However, although the Muster was cancelled, some hardy Serpent members in Que Chica and Jomora had already reached Tarbert and were joined by Out of the Blue and Kelpie D who travelled there by car. They decided as they were there anyway, they would go along to try out the newly refurbished Anchor Hotel. Under new management, it has been transformed and is looking fabulous. The food is delicious.

Please note that the committee has decided that as the club cancelled the muster and the race, the club will absorb the Anchor Hotel‟s cancellation fee and all dinner payments and race fees will be refunded.

Clyde Get Together Portavadie – Saturday 18/19th June
As we have a number of cups which we normally give out to the winners of the Spring Muster races, we have decided to transfer these cups to the races being run on the Portavadie weekend.
Race instructions for the weekend are attached. These races follow the Spring muster format with the finish of Saturday‟s race being off Skate Island instead of at Tarbert.
Dinner has been organised upstairs in the Restaurant at Portavadie marina. Each boat crew is to pay the restaurant directly, choosing from a set two or three course menu.
Summer Muster – 23rd and 24th July – Craobh Haven
The format will be similar to last year, with a barbeque in the boat shed at Craobh Marina on Saturday evening followed by the Round Shuna Race on Sunday. See attached for further details.
Steve Pickles is organising this event, so if you are intending coming along please let him know , so he can estimate numbers for catering. Steve can be contacted on 01555 666348 or 07981443362. If no answer, leave a message or email him at stephen.pickles 'AT' btinternet.com
Autumn Muster 10/11th September
We are returning to Rothesay for this year‟s Autumn Muster. The restaurant at Mount Stewart has been booked and we are looking forward to a re- run of last year‟s enjoyable weekend.
We will be racing from Kip to Rothesay on Saturday with a pursuit race back to Kip on Sunday.
29th October Frostbite Race - Largs
A date to put in your diary-as usual this race will be starting at Largs and sailing round the Cumbraes.
Fri 9th December - Annual Dinner and Prize Giving
Another date to note in your diary. The Art Club has been booked again this year and new caterers have been engaged so we are looking forward to an enjoyable evening.

Photography Competition.
The annual photography competition has become part of the club‟s annual programme with judging taking place at the annual dinner. This year's competition is entitled “All At Sea”.
So get snapping

Log Competition
There is also a competition for best log. Jane Hinshalwood last year raised this to a new level and had a clear run. As there is a cup at stake, remember to write up your log on your summer voyages.  If they get the fingers tapping the iPads there could be an tense and exciting shoot-out between Dugald and Val Glen's account of their voyaging in Scandinavia and Robbie and Alyson Rodger's Mediterranean exploits.

Tanit on the RORC Cervantes race.

 

Tanit passes the Nab tower. Next stop France

Three Serpents looking skeely-ish but about to be overtaken.  Tanit ended up with a respectable placing in class. Photos by Roisin.

New season

At Kip, Aquaholic leads the splash-in race on 20th March. As of about the same date Tulla is in also and Troikka followed on by 2nd April. On that day also Stewart Toy abandoned the lambing and set to work on OOTB at long last. Don't be fooled by the wide angle shot. Aquaholic does not have a stumpy wee keel!