Yachting Club

Club life - and solo sailing

We tend to forget that ResQ, our trusty Surveillance boat, is as much a part of Club life as those mere unmotored boats everyone is so keen on, so here is a nice picture of ResQ in action taken by Makiko Takayama during the most recent Match Racing. The crew look a bit cold and windswept despite August sun, so all our thanks for doing a necessary - but always fun - job. We have recruited several new Q-boat skippers this season but more are needed: it is no secret that we periodically have difficulty in manning her 5 - 6 times a week. If you have a Permis Moteur or aspire to it, please let the Committee know.

Most sailors will know (and if not, you should be checking our website Blogs more often!) that YCC was represented in the Translémanique solo regatta this year as well as last year, by Thierry and Andrea respectively - both of whom did very well. Our website gives you links to their Blogs too. The question resulted however, how come they were allowed to sail a Club Surprise solo? Well, it was after quite a lot of discussion by the Committee, not merely around the principle, but also the competence of the candidates, plus the fact that we thereby blocked a major Club boat to a single person, for a whole weekend in prime sailing season. We decided that flying the flag elsewhere was also important, plus inspiring others to tackle new regattas. No decision for a future event is taken, but let us know if you have a new idea in your mind.

But we do take this opportunity to remind everyone that there are only four Club boats which you may sail solo, without specific Committee permission - and this does not include the Surprises. No, if you want to go out alone, you have the Lasers: both 1 (only one crew anyway) and 2 (designed and legal for two crew, but an interesting experience solo - if you can handle the fairly heavy launching trolley!) Do not think of taking any other boat out alone, even if your crew "failed to show up": sanctions will follow.

par Yachting Club