REDHOUSE YACHT CLUB
Newsletter

Hello all

What a week! The exams are over, Algoa FM is in the Garden Route, those of you who have far too much time on your hands are busy finishing the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race Game, the global markets have made a brief recovery and the silly season has officially begun.

Special Trophy Series race 3 and 4 Last Sunday the conditions on the river duplicated scenes from 'Brigadoon' with misty rainy conditions with the odd cloud-burst and yet a perfectly weird south east of 20 - 25 knots that got surprisingly more people on the water that I expected.

The rigging of the boats was an arduous affair with much of the prospective participants looking more like drowned rats huddling around in battle weary groups hoping that some kind and loving Godmother from the bridge would come down from her 'lofty' heights with hot chocolate and then send us all home. (Even more so the poor guys on rescue)

Frank, Tim and I on Lasers, Big Andrew and Patrick on a Gypsy, the ever present Sonnet with Nicky and Colin (this was after a failed attempt by Nicky to try and bribe Patrick into taking her spot on the gunwale), and young Justin on his Tera. Frank destroyed us in the first race, what with Tim breaking, losing, jamming or dislodging every piece of equipment on his boat and then realising halfway up the beat that he had forgotten to put in his bung(!!!), and I with a piece of string as a toe strap which had to be replaced twice before the first start, much to the disapproval of the finger shaking Fair-weather Pam. The second race was a vast improvement with Tim getting the win beating Frank on handicap. Well done to Frank who still took the series.

Big Andrew took line honours in both races only to be taken on handicap by the Benadie troop in the first race and Justin in the second, giving the Sonnet the overall Open B fleet win in the series. Well worth the wet ride, Nicky.

Christmas Series race 1 and 2

This Sunday sees us sailing the first two races of the Christmas series on a rising tide in a predicted 20 - 25 knots of south-south west. There is an early start of 12:00. The series continues next week with races 3 and 4 and will be the last event of the year.

Sailing School

The kids all arrived in the rain much to my surprise and were on the water in a flash, Barend brought a friend who got a 30 second course on all aspects of keeping ones dignity on the water and then proceeded to sail very well with two well executed capsize and recovery moves. Little Lucy(6) and her sister went with me on a Tera and learnt all about the concept of hiking accompanied by the customary whoops and squeals of delight. Thanks to Steve Arnold for his on the water coaching in his bright yellow rubber ducky. This Sunday will be the last lesson for the year starting again at 10:00 but ending a bit early for the start of the afternoon activities.

House and Grounds

I have been informed by various parties including my wife that if I have a bring and share on the 18th I will be the only one there, so it is now next week the 11th after racing. Please do join us for this and bring a plate of snacks along.

The repairs on the building is slowly reaching completion, the paving is stable which allows us to park back on the old stomping grounds, the perimeter fence is back up as well as a new gate in front of the ZRC, and the kitchen is finally taking shape. Thanks so much to Robin for the many hours he has put into this and keeping the standards of the workmanship in check. He is every contractors best friend!!

Thanks also to Steve who although no longer on the committee felt that because he was still on watch when the flood occurred has remained on the case so to speak.

ABYC Invitation

ABYC has given us an open invitation to all who want to join them on their Wednesday evening fun sailing events. Your are welcome to take your boats as well and sail them in the harbour or with a bit of a warning they can get you on one of the yachts as crew. If you are interested give me a call and I’ll will warn them of the impending invasion.

Nautical Terms

Splice the Main Brace- A sailing ship's rigging was a favourite target during sea battles, since destroying the opponent's ability to manoeuvre or get away would put you at obvious advantage. Therefore, one of first the things tended to after a battle was the repair of broken gear, and the repair of the sheets (lines - not "ropes" - that adjust the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind) and braces (lines passing through blocks and holding up sails). The main brace was the principal fore-and-aft support of the ship's masts. The main brace, being one of the heaviest pieces of running rigging in the ship, was probably seldom spliced if damaged, but probably renewed in total instead. Splicing this line would have been among the most difficult chores aboard ship, and one on which the ship's safety depended. This operation was one of such rarity and difficulty in the days of sail, as to warrant the issue of an additional amount of rum to the Ship's Company. For Sailors today, the term is used to congratulate the company of a ship. In common usage, the phrase refers to an invitation to have a drink after a hard day (or not so hard day).
- Many thanks to Cdr Adams.

Propeller- A metal thing that looks like a fan and is attached to your motor. Propellers generally do not have the same amount of blades they came with, The propeller is a duel purpose item. It both propels your boat through the water and catches stray jetty mooring and rigging lines before they can harm wildlife.

Nautical Quote of the week

"Of all the things that man has made, none is so full of interest and charm, none possess so distinct a life and character of its own, as a ship." - Henry Van Dyke.

That’s all for now Friends and Family, see you on the water.

Kindest Regards
Andrew Butler.