From the Commodore’s Log Book, April News
Windermere 17s no longer to be called Yachts
Following threats of legal action and Representations to the RYA regretfully after 122 years of calling Windermere 17s Yachts they are going to have to change their name.
Quoting the standard definition of a Yacht “A boat (Sailing or Motor) with a cabin normally a Toilet and Cooking Facilities used for Cruising or Racing” RWYC Cruiser Secretary Pail Longly said “We want our name back”.
They can either install a Cabin & Toilets (a bucket and chuck it is no longer acceptable on Lake Windermere according to local bylaws) or change their name “Extra Large Keel Boats equipped with enormous sails that go jolly fast” has been suggested
Richard Jennings Commodore said “I have always been a bit confused, when I charter a Yacht in Greece it has a fridge for my beer, toilets & showers and comfortable beds, but on the few occasions I have been lucky enough to go out on the magnificent Windermere 17s I could not find them”
Some older members of the Windermere 17 fleet however did welcome the idea of installing toilets saying “Those Double Race Days are rather long for a chap of my age without a comfort brake”
What Happened in March
Tidy Up Day
About 40 members, turned up at the club on the 7th to tidy up ready for the season. Much chopping, trimming, and sweeping was done and soon a skip filled to the brim. Ribs and Fevas were jet washed and Bahia`s rigged ready for the season. All followed by Bacon Buns in the bar Many thanks to all who came.
Trig Points
On the 12 our new Operations Secretary (or elect as he was then) gave a fascinating talk on the history & use of Trig Points. While no longer in use they are all still out there so look out for them when you are on the fells and remember they are part of network that stretched from the South Coast and carries on to the Highlands
AGM
Held on the 14th, it was attended by about 50 in the Club and another 50 online. Apologies my address when on a bit long, it was under half an hour when I practiced. It concluded with the a summary of the, the terrace project
An appeal for donations was made and sent to all members, we need members pledges of £35k to proceed with the full project. If you can help, please mail me on [email protected] with your pledge. I spoke about 140 people giving £250 but anything from £1 – £20,000 very welcome
This is where we are today
St Patricks day, just a few days late
Another mini event arranged by our Steward Zoe saw the bar full on the evening of the 20th with Guiness at £4 a pint, it`s amazing how many people suddenly got a taste for it. This was followed by some Irish Specials on the menu in the restaurant, my Beef in Guiness and Baileys Bread and Butter pudding were excellent. Do watch out for Zoes Wednesday mails, that detail these mini events & from now the Thursday Night menu for after sailing, You do not have to sail to come to the club and enjoy the Thursday supper.
The Raising of Mystery – This story is with the permission of John Wattling her owner
On the 21st I was helping with this job in one of our ribs, to provide logistics and keep other boats on the lake away. In very misty conditions a team of about 12 assembled including Divers, Jetties and Moorings Team, James Nield & John. I was very impressed with the detailed planning they had all made, but it was needed as it was a dangerous operation for many reasons.
The salvage was in three stages.
First Attach a Chain to the top shrouds and then lift as much as possible until about 6 feet of mast was above the water.
This went very well and was achieved quite quickly
Once Mystery was in this position the divers went down again and attached 4 x 500k flotation bags to strops under the hull, these were inflated from a compressor on the barge. When they had lifted all, they could Mystery`s decks were still about a foot under water. She now had to be towed into shallower water for the final stage.
Connected to a crane with more strops she finally surfaced bow first, a large diver standing on the bow soon levelled her out and some big pumps emptied her quite quickly for her journey home, towed by James ready to go to his Yacht Hospital for some TLC.
First inspections say she is in reasonable condition considering her Winter under water. Much to my disappointment neither a large Pike or Bownessie were in her when emptied, just a lot of silt.
I have great admiration for all involved and especially for John who despite many setbacks was determined to get Mystery back.
Hopefully John and the Divers will give us a talk in the Autum on how it was done and the challenges of working at the depths they had to
Safety Boat Briefing
Rather aptly the next Day we had briefing from Marcus Knaggs, before he heads South to become a grownup. He was able to use the loss of Mystery as an example of how 99 times out of a 100, the Safety boats will patrol, maybe tow some people in or help right a Dinghy, but on that 100th time lives can be at stake. If you were unable to make it, please look on our website under News where there is a recording of the whole presentation.
What`s Happening in April
WE GO SAILING
Thursday, Saturday & Sunday sailing as the programme
25 & 26th April Flying 15 open meeting
However, we will not be going sailing unless more people volunteer to be Race Officers and Safety Boat Drivers or Crew, please sign up on the website.
Save the Date and Prizes Needed
Saturday June the 20th is the date for our Charity Ball to raise some funds for The RWYC Academy to support youth sailing on the Lake, The RNLI & Blackwell Sailing. More details and ticket applications to follow. I also need donations of Prizes large and small for a big raffle to go with it. So far, I have a £100 Voucher for an Outdoor Shop, A Tree & A Chocolate Hamper if you can help please let me know [email protected]
Best Wishes
Richard
PS. The Elephant is curtesy of Banksy, I can highly recommend The Mystery of Banksy exhibition currently on in Manchester until the end of June
PPS. APRIL FOOL!