Mainsheet December 2015

Mainsheet

Newsletter of Netley Cliff Sailing Club

Solent Division of the Civil Service Sailing Association

December 2015

Hello everybody.
Here we are and it’s nearly Christmas. It has been a lively couple of months at the club with
most of the cruisers now in the pound, the last of the dinghy races taking place, and two
great social evenings. We have had the AGM and a few committee member changes. The
December workday has just taken place and what a great turnout, a lot of jobs have been
either completed or well underway, and Gavin somehow managed to keep the rain away
again. Thank you to Frank and Pam for providing the sustenance to keep us going in the
afternoon. Well done to Lynda Yates who manned the gate on Sunday 4th October, the idea
being to let people who were going to the Boat Jumble in the park know that the general
public can join Netley Cliff too, I believe three or four new members were recruited that day.
I think that’s about it for this bit, I’ll hand you over to our new Commodore, Greg Dalrymple,
for a brief introduction

I nearly forgot, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. GB

Commodore’s Corner

Richard Randall has asked me to pen a few words to introduce myself.

My first sailing experience was aged about 5, falling off the deck of my
parents’ Bembridge One design in the old Netley Boatyard (next door
to the NCSC). Fortunately the ground was softer than my head and
this experience clearly did not put me off boats for life.

On moving to Netley in the early 1990s, I joined the NCSC with the 27’ gaff cutter I had just
built. This was sold to fund my boat building career and the establishment of Salterns
Boatbuilders. Over a hundred gaff rigged boats later, I am back with ‘Flugel’, a replica
Brightlingsea inshore fishing smack I have owned for 21 years.

As a stalwart member of the Old Gaffers’ Association for over 25 years (and a Committee
member for several of those), I have raced and rallied the Flugel at many of their events all
over the Solent.

I joined my local Hamble club the R.A.F.Y.C some 12 years ago and for 4 years I was a
Director and was also Rear Commodore Sailing during that time.

Now that I am semi-retired, I hope I can bring some of this varied experience to serve NCSC
as best I can as your new Commodore. With my very best wishes for the festive season,
Greg Dalrymple.

Committee Members

Here is the committee as voted in at the AGM, please give them your support.

Commodore: Greg Dalrymple. Vice Commodore: Darren Whitcher
Rear Commodore Dinghy: Stuart Beck Rear Commodore Cruiser: Tim Barlow

General Secretary: Basil Panakis Treasurer: Mick Butler

Membership Secretary: R Randall/Penny Shears Minutes Secretary: Rob Cooper

Sailing Secretary: Chris Clark Social Secretary: Lynda Yates

Boatswain Boats: Luke Goble Boatswain Shore: Gavin Noyce
Moorings Master: Dave Lemon Catering Officer: vacant
General Committee 1: Danny Mythen General Committee 2: Paul Davies

General Committee 3: Richard North General Committee 4: Amanda Bowens

Cruiser News

I’m going to start here with some information from Tim Barlow about various topics affecting
the cruiser scene.

Pink tools

A small quantity of tools have been purchased to be kept in the winch house. The tools have
been painted a girly pink, so if you see a pink tool anywhere on the site it belongs in the
winch house and should be returned to its home.

Trolley names

If you have a trolley in the pound please could you check to see that it has either your name
or your boat painted on it, if it doesn't please could you rectify this. This does not have to be
a smart job, written with a half inch paintbrush will do.

Trolley housekeeping

As per the rules, any items owned by you should be stacked on your trolley and not left in
various places within the site. However two or three of the trolleys (no names no pack drill)
are completely filled up with crap, one in particular looks like a tinkers back yard. Please

could you ensure that this does not happen, and if it has already 'happened' please could
you take the stuff home.

Old tyres

We seem to be acquiring worn out tyres. If you have to change a tyre, you must remove the
old tyre from site. There is a disposal charge for tires and it simply is not fair that the club
should have to pick this up, So if you have any old tyres please remove them from the club.

Winch operators

I would like to clear up the situation on who uses the winch. It seems that people who are not
trained think it's ok to operate the winch, this mustn't happen.

The only people who are to use the winch are those which are qualified and are familiar with
what they are doing. (See list below) As you know it's not rocket science, however it is tricky
and potentially very dangerous, If you are a winch operator and have not used the winch for
a couple of years, you must properly familiarise yourself before you use it.

In these days of the health and safety zealot, who has real power, we must get this right.

I say again NOT TRAINED! DON’T USE. This does not include working under the
supervision of a trained winch operator.

Trained Operators are:
 Tim Barlow
 Mick Butler
 Norman Francis
 Dave Lemon
 Danny Mythen
 Richard North
 Dave Poulter

I know that I must have left people off this list, this is due to the onset of old age, please
don't be offended just contact me and I will add you to the list.

Tim Barlow, Rear Commodore Cruisers.

In September the Autumn Shield took place, thank you to Dave Lemon for this account of
the day, unfortunately I don’t have any photographs to share with you.

AUTUMN SHIELD SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2015

A swift blast of wind and a sharp shower on leaving Dave Begg’s mooring on the Upper
Hamble was to give us a foretaste of what was to come. The course set by Tim Barlow and
was to include the navigation marks off the Club, between the Refinery and Dock Head.

The start at 10.30am was somewhat difficult to define, as the cross in front of the Club
flagpole to give the start transit, was not to be seen, nor were any boats in the immediate
vicinity, The 10.30am start came and went, I then managed to get Tim on the phone, who

explained a ten minute delay was in order to allow Len and Tony Simcock aboard Susine
time to compete, and also that the start transit was now the pink buoy in front of the club
flagpole “Should have read the latest emails” he said!!. Whilst taking on board this latest
info, the race to Cadland port channel mark had begun, leaving Meander a good 400yds to
catch up with Jacob, even further back. With a westerly wind gusting to 20kts we took after
Tim, Len and Brian, Meander was flying along, well heeled with one reef in, we were soon
up with the others.

On the chase up Southampton Water crossing the shipping lane we got 5 blasts from a huge
black freighter, that looked like the commercial equivalent of the “Black Pearl” NOT TO BE
MESSED WITH!! Of course we knew he was there, a blind dog would have known he was
there. We skipped out of his way, giving him plenty of room. At Deans Elbow Tim was
waiting to follow Brian over to Moorhead, I was surprised at this because the race
instructions listed Hythe Knock as the next mark, but not having a chart could not confirm
this. So we duly followed in their wake. Big mistake!! Could have gained an unassailable
lead had we followed the race instructions. (I know the feeling Dave, GB)

Tim phoned to say as we had already crossed the shipping lane to Moorhead, that if Hythe
Knock was taken next, then there would not be a penalty, as the three boats Lady Invicta,
Samara and Meander had taken a dog leg course, so increasing their distance sailed, and
would not be to our advantage, and to continue the race from Hythe Knock.

This faux pas gave Susine a chance to catch up, having being held up by the freighter. This
also gave us plenty of close sailing, with Susine looking a picture on a reach with her lovely
mitred genoa. With winds now of 25kts falling to 5kts gave all plenty to contend with and
most boats now shaking the reefs out of their mainsails, which proved really challenging,
gybing round Cadland in a full blast, very nearly taking out Susine on her approach as we
spun into a roundup, not once but twice!!

The finish was the usual parade of Brian’s Lady Invicta, Tim’s Samara followed by Meander,
Susine and concluding with newbie Jacob in his Island 24’ in just over 3 hours, for a course
of approximately 10 nautical miles. Fab sailing on all points of sail, but one has to say that
Lady Invicta’s continued domination of the silverware continues to be a worry for the rest of
us. Maybe a later start for Lady Invicta would give the opportunity of closer racing, and a
more favourable chance for other members to get a name on a trophy!!! (Just try harder
Dave!! GB)

Lastly, many thanks to Tim Barlow for again arranging a great day out on the water.

Dave Lemon, Moorings Master

Dinghy News

Because of our holiday we missed the last few races of the season, which was a shame as I
understand it was perfect Kestrel conditions i.e. very little wind. Well done to Luke and
Kirsty, picking up their second trophy of the year by winning the Drysuit series. Not a lot else
to say here I’m afraid. GB

RIB duties

I know a few of you have a Powerboat certificate and are not on the RIB duty list. Could I ask
that you contact Stuart Beck ([email protected],uk) and lend a hand with the rib duties. The more
people available to help with these the better. This will take a bit of pressure from the team
of regular RIB drivers. Thank you, GB

Social Scene

Our Club has had a busy few weeks with various social activities. We began with a quiz
night on Saturday 10 October. There were four teams of five or six people. Congratulations
go to Frank & Pam Candy, Reg and Mary Candy, Basil & Jackie Panakis who won a
selection of wine. Thank you to our quizmaster Darren Whitcher who set us an excellent
group of testing questions!

The Laying Up Supper on 21 November was a very enjoyable evening with 33 diners. Our
caterer Karen Higham cooked a superb meal:- prawn cocktail or leek and potato soup, roast
lamb or roast chicken or nut roast followed by profiteroles or apple pie. Greg Dalrymple (the
new Commodore) said a few words including thanking Karen and her waitresses for a
wonderful meal and service. We then surprised Tim Barlow (Rear Commodore Cruisers)
with a birthday cake as he was going to celebrate his birthday the following day!

On most Wednesday evenings since September a few of us have been meeting for a drink.
But accidentally a sewing club has formed! Amanda had been given a sewing machine to do
her sail repairs on but needed help. Mick Butler came along with his sewing machines and
showed Amanda, Alan, Luke and Kirsty how to do sail repairs and Luke “I’m all over it”
Goble has been demonstrating his splicing skills with Dyneema cored ropes. Penny and I
have benefitted and new continuous line system to try out on the Kestrel next season,
thanks Luke.

If members would like a series of talks, say on Friday evenings, on a variety of subjects eg.
VHF radio, specialist work on cruisers or dinghies, rigging for different types of sailing please
let me know and I will try and arrange them.

There is also the Annual Prize Giving Evening, which is to be held on Saturday 27th February
2016 at 19.30. I haven’t a cost for this yet, more details will follow.

A “Start of the Season” dinner with menu to be decided will be on Saturday 23rd April at
19.30.

Both the above evenings to be held in the clubhouse, please could you let Lynda know if you
would like to attend [email protected]

Something else to think about is the CSSA Dinghy Championships to be held at Netley Cliff
over the weekend of June 11-12th 2016, please put this date in your diary as the club cannot
host this event without your time and help. Thank you.

Come and help me (Lynda) prepare for my 50th Birthday on 13 June by coming along on the
evening of Saturday 11 June to enjoy good food, music, company and the views.

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. Best Wishes, Lynda

Quiz Night

Pop quiz: what is the deck height of the highest bridge in the world?

It was lucky that everyone at the NCSC Quiz Night on Saturday 10th October had been in
training for months. Such trifles held no fear for them. They also coped admirably with the
difference between the highest bridge and the tallest bridge, and the height of Salisbury
Cathedral spire. These and other architectural conundrums were just the first round in an
evening of brain-taxing, thought-provoking, head-scratching mental gymnastics.

21 brave souls arranged themselves in four teams to tackle a series of fiendish questions
from the heated imaginings of quiz master Darren.

The evening included traditional rounds such as naming the movies that famous quotes
came from. [Abi Bowens was excited to spot a quote from ‘The Terminator’, a movie that is
extremely inappropriate for someone her age. I blame the parents.]

Appropriately, there were also a couple of more nautical rounds. One challenged contestants
to name the famous ships associated with historical figures. [No cheating: what was the
name of Jacques Cousteau’s ship?]. The picture round asked participants to identify knots.
This was a pleasant change from the pub quiz standard of trying to name an array of Z-list
celebrities. Although this particular round led to some lively debate, as it turns out some
knots have more than one name!

Thrown in for good measure was a round on Darren’s favourite subject: autoerotica. That’s
right, he has an abiding passion for all things automotive. This particular member has exactly
zero knowledge of such things, but it turned out that 'McLaren' or 'Lewis Hamilton' were
generally the right answers.

The final scores reflected a surprisingly well-distributed level of ignorance in the club. Team
‘Khaleesi’ were in last place with 84 points. The ‘Flounder’ and ‘Becks Beer’ teams tied in
second place with 84.5 points. But the clear winners were PUP with 91 points. [Frank says
‘PUP’ stands for ‘Play Up Pompey’. Amanda insists it actually means ‘Perpetually Under-
performing Portsmouth'. You pays your money and takes your choice.]

Overall, everyone enjoyed a lively and entertaining evening. Many thanks to Darren for his
work writing and hosting the quiz, this takes a lot of time and effort and it was much
appreciated.

Alan Bowens.

Above. Everybody thinking hard!!! By kind permission of Alan Bowens

Magic evening

Magic and balloon hats arrived at the sailing club on a windy Saturday 5 December! Collin
showed us some clever tricks which had the children in stitches! There were rope tricks with
knots disappearing, £20 note with a piece missing which miraculously became whole when
unfolded! The most popular item were all the balloon hats Collin could make. There was the
bicycle helmet made with 1 balloon, swords were made, some fancy hats made with 3
balloons twisted around each other. As Linda Lemon was unable to attend due to illness I
asked Collin to make a flower balloon but he made a bunch of flowers out of balloons! A big
thanks to Dave Lemon for manning the bar on the evening. Lynda Yates

Our new cruiser member Colin put on a highly amusing and professional show, which also
included a karaoke session, which went down well with young people. Also, many thanks to
all who were involved in the preparation of an excellent buffet. Well done Danny for keeping
the bar so well stocked!!! Dave Lemon

Collin’s magic Show in full swing. By kind permission of Lynda Yates.

Events coming up

There has traditionally over the years been an informal get together of “lost souls” on Boxing
Day and New Years Day with the idea of getting out on the water. It’s not just about the
sailing there’s usually some mulled wine, mince pies and leftovers to eat. High water on
Boxing Day is around lunchtime so weather permitting the opportunity for a sail is good, this
may not be the case on New Year’s Day.
Workday Sunday 17th January 2016. Plenty still to do to get things operational for the new
season.
Workday Sunday 21st February 2016.
Workday Sunday 20th March. Galley will be closed for a thorough clean so no hot food on
the day, tea and coffee as usual.
Don’t forget all Members are expected to attend 2 work days

A request

I am a PhD student at the Centre for Marine and Coastal Policy Research at Plymouth
University and I am writing to ask if you could help me with my research by taking part in a
short online survey and forwarding this invitation to the members of the Netley Cliff Sailing
Club. In my project, I am exploring different approaches to improve the engagement of
stakeholders in marine management decisions. As an active user of the marine environment
and key stakeholder in any potential marine management decision, your views are
invaluable for my study.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes and is completely confidential. Your
information will remain anonymous and only aggregated results will be analysed and
presented. Please follow the link below to take part in the survey:

http://tinyurl.com/marine-stakeholder-engagement

The findings will form an important part of my PhD thesis, at the end of which I hope to
come up with recommendations on how to improve the dialogue between marine policy
makers, managers and stakeholders so that stakeholder views are integrated more
effectively into marine management decisions. If you have any questions about this survey
or my research, please do not hesitate to contact me ([email protected]).

I want to thank you very much in advance for supporting my research.

Kindest regards, Laura

And finally

I think that’s everything this time around, if you would like to see anything in Mainsheet
please let me know. Either [email protected] or 02380 234021

I’ll wish you all a Happy Christmas and good sailing for 2016. GB