Thorpe Bay Yacht Club

Tel: 01702 587 563

Last weekend saw tough sailing conditions at the Canvey Hurricane Open, with gusts reaching 25 + kts and confused seas.

On the Friday, three TBYC boats were hoping to do 7 mile delivery trip to the Island SC but common sense prevailed as the Southerly gusting F6 winds battered the shoreline. Instead Pete, Wayne and myself decided it was perfect to take my old day boat out for a sail on the R. Crouch. With a ton of lead in her long keel, we blasted up wind with water everywhere, what fun.

Saturday morning in better sailing conditions, four Hurricanes left TBYC to race in the Open meeting at Canvey, first start @ 12.30pm. We left the beach in a SW, F4-5 and within 25 minutes arrived safely at Canvey. For those who don’t really know the Island Yacht Club, it’s based at the East end of Canvey on a mud flat, I mention this as I had forgot to raise my rudders and dagger boards on the way in to the slipway. It was when Wayne, my crew said that the sailors coming out to meet us were only up to their ankles (F**k**G Sh*t) It was mention later that nobody had seen a Hurricane do12 kts land yachting for a while. Continue Reading »

Sounds like a WW2 call-up to save “Blighty”. Have you noticed that all these fast boats have names resembling aircraft form the War, F18, Spitfire, Tornado, Hurricane etc. Makes you proud to sail one, if the dart 15s where named Mosquito, we would have a squadron. Any way I digress, I have been asked recently to find crews for fast cats recently, so if anybody fancies a sail on a quick boat, please get in touch or put your name and contact details on the Cat notice board. Many thanks Struan.

In 2008, the Sprint 15 una-rig National Championships are being held at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club, in the warm waters of sunny Southend-on-Sea. It is a special year for the Sprints because 2008 is the 30th anniversary of the boat and it is also the 60th anniversary of Thorpe Bay Yacht Club.

We have every reason to celebrate. Not only do we have a versatile boat, we continue to have strength in numbers. Being such a significant anniversary, a big entry is in prospect. This is a fitting tribute to all those that have contributed to our growth over thirty years.

It is also fitting that Thorpe Bay is hosting these Nationals. TBYC has a fleet of 24 boats and has become a major club for Sprints. It is good to be recognised in this way, especially as there is going to be a high local entry.

A special programme of events has been planned, as you will see below. We are celebrating our 30th anniversary and encouraging the younger sailors to take part by offering free entry to Sprint 15 Association members who are under 23 and in full-time education provided they pre-enter. Continue Reading »

Last weekend on the Saturday, three Hurricanes from the club turned up for a blast at Stone SC. Pete Sherwin lent his boat, to help out an Irish crew who flew in specially for the open. Just shows how dedicated some sailors are for a good pint and a fleet of 22 boats to race against. Chris Hull and Mark narrowly beat Pete and myself in the second race by crossing the finish line upside down while we limped home with no Tramp to speak off after a capsize. The weather was the usual, high winds with gusts up to 30 odd kts and lots of damage to the fleet. Andy Webb was rubbing his hands with glee but has offered to come to the club for a training weekend, to again show how it should be done and give tips to all cat sailors, further on that later. I hadn’t realized how bad it was till hitting the beach when we were greeted with half the fleet already home sorting out and repairing boats. the last race off the day was canceled. Continue Reading »

Three boats from TBYC attended Stokes Bay Cat Open and the Hurricane Nationals, last Bank Holiday weekend. I said attended because it was more like a demolition derby on Saturday with the race officer assuring it was only 19knts from the NE. Yer right! more like 30-35knts once on the water. David White on his new F18 Narca Infusion had the sense to turn back with out any damage. Nick & Kyle, on the F20 Narca went blasting around untill a capsize ripped out their new main before the race. While Wayne and I on the Hurricane SX, zoomed off down a wave on the way to the start line, water spraying every where and promptly got dumped big time, ripping the jib for good measure. Back to the bar for many of us, out of 29 Hurricanes only 6 finished. One F18 crew mentioned that they got around the course by capsizing at every mark. The race officer then canned the rest off the day. Sensible man!

Next day after a few beers and a Disco (Why do they do that! it’s mainly blokes) in the YC, Racing was planned to start at 10am but after a short delay was postponed. Wayne did well swimming the boat to shore and got in first. We finally got racing after 2pm in very light winds which suited the F20 & F18 fleet on an inshore course but for the Hurricane fleet on a different 4x rounds, up wind/down wind course, fighting the strong Solent tides, wasn’t much fun especially when after 3 races, we were well down the fleet and finished racing at 6.30pm.

The Hurricane 2008 AGM was held later that night but nothing new to report. Possible 16/1 down haul system and the square top main still in development. Next years 2009 Nationals to be held at Stone SC. Ended celebrating Andy Webb’s 40th, God! more beer and a cold Chinese to finish the day.

Bank holiday Monday, say no more. Racing binned as avg. wind speed 35knts in Solent, all of us then packed up in the P***ing rain and join the traffic home. Mmmm! what can I say about the British weather. Now to spend some time sailing at the club and get the Fast cats on the water. Happy summer sailing when it happens.

Dear Boys and girls of the fast cats section. Now I have your attention, I’m looking to Kick start the racing again at the club and would value your opinions. Please can I get all your email address so I can send out reminders and also find out if you are needing crew. We have a thriving club at TBYC , lets use it.

Any sailors, old or young who fancy a go on a high flying projectile. please get in touch for the ride of your life, Sorry Barry, we saw two Sandhoppers trying to replicate at Cat, not fast but very funny.

Open meetings for fast or slow cats are a great way of improving both racing and social skills, if anybody fancies going to a meeting, please let me know as we can help with de-rigging etc. and possible transport to the event. On the last Bank holiday this Month, there is the “Hurricane Nationals” at Stokes bay on the south coast and also a Cat open. Several boats from TBYC are planning to be there, the more the merrier with a great social atmosphere. See you soon. Email: [email protected]

Three boats from TBYC attended Raid de Carnac 2008, Ian and Simon Keam-George, who managed to break their mast on the way to the event but organise another just in time to start racing, finishing mid fleet just above David White & Jon Sweet, both teams on their new F18 Cats. David had a few of his own problems, one of which was just trying to get over the channel with out his passport. On Davids first race in the 125 strong F18 fleet, he managed to break his rudder stock which ended in a capsize in the middle of this lot, Sh**! and had to retire till the next day. Wayne and my self on the Hurricane 5.9sx had a great first day with a position of 16 out of a 41 boats, sailing in a F5 but that was the end of the wind. The following 3 days had dying or no wind, resulting in less races being run than usual. Our long distance race of 40 nm ended being timed out after 6.5 hours on the water and 100 yds from the finishing line, We could almost smell the beer! Carnac is set in the Gulf of Morbihan which is just in the bay of Biscay, Lovely place with sunny beaches etc. but! this was my first visit to Carnac YC and this event, the French club just couldn’t organise a pi??-up in a brewery. All this, makes you thankful to the hard work put into running TBYC and the sailing program. Our races! 99% are run on time! and all with members support. Well done! Cheers from your fast cat capt.

Are there any cat sailer’s wanting a lift to Carnac 2008, unfortunately Pete Sherwin has family commitments and has had to bail out. Even if you just want a jolly there’s room in the camper with Wayne and myself. Regards Struan.

Hobie FX1 sail number 154, launching trolley. Sport Wings Storage Box. Yellow main sail plus 2 spinnakers (white and yellow)

£3500 for quick sale.

Contact Ernie on 07825 027106