REAR COMMODORE'S MESSAGE
Welcome to 2011-12
Your boat is designed to go on the water, not kill grass sitting on the lawn. Over the past 2 seasons we have had our "Force 10" campaign and got close to achieving it. This year we will up it by a small percentage. Let's go with the theme "Match The Season". In other words at least 11 or 12 starters per week. Get on the water and join in the fund. An increased interest in the "Off The Beach" classes will create the great sight of mixed class racing.
There are a number of people on the fringe of joining the club but are without a boat and need a crewing position. Please consider taking one of them onboard for the season.
This year due to the fortunate fall of the calendar, there are more heats scheduled for thre Post-Christmas series. There are 10 heats for the Pre-Christmas series with 12 Post-Christmas.
The Cambur Motors Challenge will be on November 6th and will be in the same format as last season, a windward/leeward course. Spread the word $10 entry to win either $500 or $100 (good odds)
The Carrum heat of the Longbeach Challenge will be on November 6th also. The twilight race at Mordilloc Motor Yacht Club will be on February 4th and the final heat will be on the morning of the 5th. Mordialloc won this trophy last season by a very small margin so we need to get it back where it belongs, at Carrum. The more starters we have for this series the better the chance of winning for results are based on a personal handicap system. You may be last on CBH but be number one here.
A number of members with trailerables will be cruising on the Gippsland lakes at New Year for a few days relaxation. If you have not done this before join in, other will assist and teach you what to do.
In February the Careel fleet will be attending National Titles on Lake Macquarie NSW. We wish them good luck and hope they enjoy themselves. Meanwhile back in Victoria I wish the other classes racing good luck with their chance, in the absence of the Careels, of a race win. During the year we will be again conducting the World Titles, (and mostlikely States, for the Bushranger 7's. I am sure the racing will be close.
The Marlay Point Overnight race will be held on the Labour Day weekend. Most trailerables will be entering and many of those who aren't will be crewing. Extra crews are needed for this event so if you have not experienced this event get on board one of the boats, it is well worth it. The night after the race the club have a get together BBQ where the experiences from the night before are told with varying degrees of accuracy.
It is unlikely that we have permanent duty crew this season (There is a possibilkity for 2012-13). We will therefore be required to roster members for duty each week. We attempt to have an experienced person in charge each week and encourage those in the know, rather than taking control themselves, to provide instructions to those not so experienced. This spreads the load and increases the base of knowledge.
There are two points to make regarding the sailing instructions and the racing rules. Firstly read and understand then read them again to ensure your understanding is correct
Thanks to all members for their continued efforts and I look forward to this season being very successful and enjoyable, do dont forget to have fun.
Chad Hair
You have invested your hard earned in your boat
Get some return from it