The International Canoe

Gents, do we need to bring an insurance certificate with us for entry?

Alistair,

You may be pleased to know I have your rudder profile now installed with my mechanism to allow it to slide into the boat. In the end I took Steve Clarks advice and fitted a stainless shaft - tried a carbon and various types of plastic shafts and they all twist like **** making steering somewhat random I suspect in a blow. Will let you know how it performs.

Charlie,

Better bring it just in case or your BCU card but they generally seem to have lost interest in this policy so you probably won't be asked.

Thanks Chums for being explicit on your plans. I quite understand the numerous things that stop people making it to opens. I have always said I am lucky living in the centre of the country as no coast is too far to get to for a weekend, but Llanddegfedd is still three hours drive and 180 miles from Draycote so this weekend I will not be packing up boats and then travelling, potentially to race against nobody else. It is such a shame there are not more of us still sailing ICs for there to be a sufficient core number able to make it to most opens. 'Billy No Mates' at Carsington in two weeks time takes on a new meaning! At least Phil Robin tells me he hopes also to be there and, being a handicap event, there will be ACs and boats from other classes to race against on PY. It will be interesting to see what Trial Number is used for the new rules IC now the RYA has recognised that 905 is the PY for the IC One Design.

Now that the focus of most of my IC sailing has, perforce, to be at handicap events, I remain anxious that the PY for the One Design is kept different from the lower PY needed for the new rules IC, 33.5 Kg lighter. My IC was out most weekends at Draycote through the winter, enough to win both the Autumn and Winter Fast Handicap series which involved about 44 other boats turning out at least once, but few as often as me. There is no way I would have wanted to have been sailing a more difficult to keep upright, new rules IC on the windy days! When it is too windy even for the One Design, I take out the Solution which also comes out in a drifter. With my wife still struggling with the side effects of the drugs she now has to live on, I have really ruled out any aspirations I might have to sail in the next Worlds when I would be nearly 69 anyway and I guess 'off the pace'. Domestically, Barbara needs me around and she is not into long journeys any more. The Solutions have mostly one day opens, some near home for me.

Good wishes to all. I hope the ACs have a good turn out and a good time. See you all at the Nationals, DV.

Colin

The guys who have responded have at least turned up in previous years but to everyone else - come on let's have some frigging support here!!

Albeit understanding everyones individual issues and commitments I think the fleet as a whole needs to be aware that if there is not turnout for these opens there will none organised in the future. It is difficult to get clubs to put on events for us as it is and no one turns up, the organisers get it in the neck and the clubs understandably will not run one next year - if you don't turn up boys you will not get one next year - the choice is yours.

I suggest therefore that for the remaining open there needs to be soul searching, some commitment to the fleet and better discussion or risk of having no events except handipcap racing within bigger regattas.

Pissed off of Llandegfedd - .... and yes we will be travelling to other events this year in case anyone asks.

Thanks for a great weekend to Dave and the team from the club, and also many thanks to Steve for your hospitality at "Chez Clarke". I learnt a lot and have now "modified" my top spreaders with a hacksaw

well the champagne was good...

Hope you all had a good time... spent today taking the trailer apart: on close inspection it needs welding:-((

Jet was duly launched and doused with Champagne - thanks Maurice - it was however a mistake drinking the whole bottle as it all got a bit woozy by the bottom mark.

By the time I got to the start, the snagging list was quite long but she felt really great, very light and responsive (-15kg must have an effect). Heated up onto a reach and climed on the seat and it works great - then the rudder fell off and the pole found a resting place in the side of a Laser 2000 - oops. It seems the stainless pin needs to be longer than I thought and the last minute change made used one about a foot too short. Never mind, at least she floats and felt good but some more work to do. May be try again next week with the first list complete.

Hi Steve
Great to hear that the boat has been launched, sorry about the rudder. Do you have any photos of the problem? if you need a new moulding let me know.
Alistair

It must be said for anyone yet to see Steves new toy, photos just don't do it justice. The hull, seat, foils, spars are all a work of art! Well done Steve/Alistair/Aardvark

Any sign of the pics that were taken?

Alistair,

Have no fear, that nice Mr Timson retrieved the rudder so I am reworking it. I originally fitted a carbon shaft as we only have 10mm to work with but after testing it was twisting like buggery. After consultng the forum I went for the stainless shaft instead except I ordered it far too short and in my haste to get on the water just stuck it in about 50mm which in hindsight was ridiculous. How have orderd one 430mm long and Maurice is machining it with a bend offering 50mm return to stop it turning.

I note that the standard seems to be a tube and not a solid bar but is a lot bigger diameter and would be interested to understand what the experience is here.

I think I need to get a spare rudder off you at some time as a backup and help to develop the design further, however for boats with a box we need to build in the pivot bar at assembly of the two halves. Maurice is making a spare which I can send you if you are up for it.

The rudder (whilst still connected) felt incredibly sensitive and must be very low drag given its small chord so I think it is a winner as long as it is strong enough to take a pivot and may need beefing up at the leading edge. Will advise after next test.

Inlands 2010 images now uploaded into a new album in the gallery.

Rob M and Ian McP - you can now upload any images you have into your gallerys as well - please give it a try.

Good pictures Steve!