On a sad note, we lost Norman Whibley earlier this year. Reg Seal has written a few words later in this newsletter under the heading 'The Quiet Man'.
I hope you all have had a good year. We have had some excellent turnouts for the entire racing and cruising events, despite the weather.
Both Pyefleet weekends had to be detoured to Fambridge due to poor weather and forecast for the Sunday. On both events, Dick Sandwell sailed TRILOGY from her mooring at Maylansea in the Blackwater, to meet us at Pyefleet and on both occasions he was alone in Pyefleet while we sheltered at Fambridge.
Our apologies to Dick, who did make it to the Fambridge weekend where we had a record 12 boats and 21 crew eating at the Ferryboat. Nigel sailed MEMORY around in a weakening wind, but just made the moorings
We met STRAVAIG and PUDMUDDLE at the Branklet Spit on the Saturday morning. They had just completed the night passage from Breskins and crew was taking a well-earned nap prior to the trip to Fambridge. There is an account of the Holland trip in this newsletter 'Going Dutch'.We met STRAVAIG and PUDMUDDLE at the Branklet Spit on the Saturday morning. They had just completed the night passage from Breskins and crew was taking a well-earned nap prior to the trip to Fambridge. There is an account of the Holland trip in this newsletter 'Going Dutch'.
The boats that made the trip were MEMORY, HALLOWEEN, STRAVAIG, PUDMUDDLE, FRITH, JOSID, IMPUDENCE, LITTLE STINT, AQUA SULUS, LITTLE STINT, SWANTI and TRILOGY.
We all raced back the following day to the Branklet spit where Dick left us to take TRILOGY back round to the Blackwater and we made one of our regular trips to the George and Dragon on Foulness for lunch
The boats that made the trip were MEMORY, HALLOWEEN, STRAVAIG, PUDMUDDLE, FRITH, JOSID, IMPUDENCE, LITTLE STINT, AQUA SULUS, LITTLE STINT, SWANTI and TRILOGY.
We all raced back the following day to the Branklet spit where Dick left us to take TRILOGY back round to the Blackwater and we made one of our regular trips to the George and Dragon on Foulness for lunch
Changes at the yard
The boat yard has installed power points and water throughout the boatyard, Hopefully this will be a help when fitting out this winter.
There also has been work on the Quay where the west side closest to the shed has been rebuilt. Shortly the rill at the other side of the Quay will be dredged and the yard is installing a crane on the top of the key in order to winch boats out on a high tide from the quay side.
Secretary at Cowes
In a slight change from SWANTI, I had the opportunity to crew on an 80' Ocean racing yacht 'CRITERION NATURALLY' at Cowes. Quite an experience to cruise at 12 Knots. I have to say that although the experience was exhilarating, it cannot match the RSA races.
Dinghy Racks and RSA Dinghy
In the spring newsletter I asked for volunteers for helping assemble a dinghy rack, I have to thank the many members who offered to help, but in the event it became unclear where the rack was to be situated and as yet we have had no progress.
We fid have chance to renovate a 10' dinghy and please note that we now have two dinghies for RSA use. There is one in the yard, but this is only a one man dinghy, and the larger is on one of the Warren moorings. Please feel free to us it, especially if you are ferrying a large crew.
Both Dinghies take 3/8" rowlocks and a pair is stored in the shed shared by many members of the RSA, shed number 4. Contact Richard Bessey, Nigel or Paul Bishop, Jonathan Walmsley, Steve Dowding or myself.
Also note we have a selection of child buoyancy aids that RSA members can also borrow.
Committee Matters
We have had a change in the committee for 2000 of both Chairman and Race officer. At the moment Nigel Bishop is the acting chairman and the role of Race Officer has been taken by Jon Walmsley and Richard Bessey. We all would like to thank past Chairman Dai Williams and Race Officer Caroline Gibb, for their support in the past.
All current committee members will be due for election at the AGM in March 2001, so please consider if any of you would like to serve.
New Members
Please join me in welcoming the following two new members
Peter Brooks has bought the black ferro smack MOSS ROYLE and is keeping her on Ron Pipe's moorings at Paglesham. Peter is a University Lecturer and will often be seen with a student crew.
Peter Yerbury has joined us bringing his white Gaff Cutter IMPUDENCE from her moorings at Putney. Impudence is a 21' Finesse Mk 1. Peter is moored off the end of the hard at Paglesham. Peter is introducing his two young children to sailing in the Crouch area.
Visit the George and Dragon!
On many a balmy day this summer, members of the RSA have anchored off Quay Reach in the Roach and walked to the George and Dragon on Foulness. This is an excellent opportunity to see what the world was like in pre-war years as well as stretching your legs.
Anchor either side of the river, depending upon the prevailing wind but note the best holding is on the Wallasea side. If you anchor on the Foulness side beware that it is very steep and you could well anchor in poor holding and drag the anchor over a 'wall' that seems to be about 15' high. I have returned on a couple of occasions to find SWANTI on the opposite side of the Roach.
The landing on the steps is clean and leave wellies under the bench at the top of the step. The walk to the pub takes about 20 minutes but note that the pub closes at 2:30 prompt and that they do not open Mondays, not even Bank Holliday!
Fred and Relda Farenden, the landlord and his good lady, will make you very welcome and note that you can also have a bar meal. If there is a large party, best to call Fred first (01702 219460). Fred can also be persuaded to come and taxi you to the pub if you really felt lazy!