FTRYC Forster Tuncurry Radio Yacht Club in Tuncurry, New South Wales | Community organisation

FTRYC Forster Tuncurry Radio Yacht Club

Locality: Tuncurry, New South Wales

Address: Tuncurry Race Course Lake, Chapmans Rd 2428 Tuncurry, NSW, Australia

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• Private members club

25.01.2022 DF95’s 17/11 Challenging breeze, next to no weed, great day!

23.01.2022 DF95 4/11 Hello sailors, Ten DF95s at the pond this morning (or strictly speaking 11, as Dennis L brought both hulls with him), including Hank and Paul. Clear sparkling conditions greeted the fleet yet again, with a 2-8 knot S breeze gyrating around SE, veering E and intensifying as sailing progressed. PRO was rotated with average points taken, and eight handicap races were sailed, if we don’t count the occasion where only two boats finished properly and the result was scr...ubbed. For the first 4 races the fleet sailed the largest possible triangle, from the pontoon line to S1, N1, N4, finishing at the pontoon, 2 laps. After a late-morning smoko, and as the breeze veered east, N1 was dropped and the wing mark was brought into play, 2 laps but with the final leg direct to the pontoon line from W, which led to the unusual situation where the fleet finished over the line in a direction which was opposite to its starting direction. The racing was close and friendly, including very "up-close-and-friendly" when the breeze slackened-off around S1 and log-jams developed. As the breeze finally set in and began to intensify from ESE for the last few races some weed began to break away from the home shore, and a few yachts were heavily affected. We sailed until a little after 1:00pm. Congratulations to Peter Coles who managed to trash his handicap (90 seconds) by taking first place overall with 18 points. Peter was always near the head of the fleet and his discard was a 6th place. Runners-up were yours truly (21 points off 80 seconds) and Bruce (22.1 points off 45 seconds). A great day, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s do it again on Saturday! Cheers, Ian V

23.01.2022 Hello sailors, The DF95s found themselves back in double figures today - 10 yachts, rotating PRO, 9 handicap starts in 5 - 20 knots of S-SE breeze which would build to ripping B-rig intensity for a few races and then tail off, only to swell again later in the morning. Mainly B-rigs today, with two C-rigs (for want of owning a B-rig) and, at the death, a couple of A’s which were seriously overpowered. The C’s were given an extra 20 seconds over their normal handicaps, which ...was enough for Margi to snag a 4th place overall, but the stand-out performer was Jim who stormed into first place on the podium, 1.5 points ahead of Dennis L, with Paul a close 3rd. A standard triangular S course was sailed for most of the morning, 2 laps starting from the pontoon line to S2, S1, N2. This was modified to S1, N2, W for the last couple of races, with a rather difficult work/tight reach on an angle back to the pontoon line, finishing in the same direction as the start. Jim has his 95 up for sale, and is considering concentrating on the IOMs now that he has blitzed the 95 fleet. His boat comes with A and B rigs, transmitter etc and he is looking for around $400.00, first in best dressed. Email me for contact details. The 95s will be doing it all again on Saturday morning. Cheers, Ian V

23.01.2022 DF95’s Hello sailors, Eight DF95s at the pond in fine bright conditions this morning, but with rotating PRO only 7 boats in the water at any one time. After waiting for the wind to make up its mind, a SE course was briefed, but things turned NE as soon as the countdown started, and for the rest of the morning a gyrating light-to-moderate NE breeze prevailed. The fleet started from the S1-S2 line, with the nice long work to N1, N2, S2, 2 laps plus the short work to the fini...sh at the regular pontoon line. 8 races, all handicap starts, with light-to-moderate weed drifting off the home shore during the later races. Dennis R sailing off 120 seconds won 3 of the 8 races, but at the end of the morning only 1.5 points separated the first four yachts and Dennis ended up fourth overall. The middle-of-the-fleeters dominated the podium. First was yours truly (16.3 points off 70 seconds), second on a count-back was Paul (16.3 points off 80 seconds) and filling out the placings was Andy (17.5 points off 75 seconds). Excellent competition across the course, with all races sailed in great spirit. Paul reports that his other club, Grahamstown, has not been on the water for some time due to problems with the sewage disposal system at the sailing site. Grahamstown dam is the source of Newcastle’s drinking water, and the site has been shut down for at least the time being. It is a reminder that we are so lucky with our own sailing venue and the encouragement which we receive from Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club. DF95 sailing will happen again this Tuesday morning 10:00am. Cheers, Ian V.

22.01.2022 DF95’s 31/10 Hello sailors, The BOM forecast for Saturday morning was for galeforce winds and storms, but the 7 intrepid skippers who decided to brave the elements at the pond were met with a fine, sunny morning with a glorious NNE breeze 5-10 knots shifting regularly through about 15 degrees either side of the mean.... Eight handicap races today, with the first half of the program starting between S1 and S2, then N1-S2, 2 laps plus the half-work to the finish at the pontoon line, no PRO. With the limit boats having dominated the early races, and after a pleasant mid-morning coffee-break, the course was lengthened to 3 laps for the last four races, same track but starting and finishing on the pontoon line. Out wide seemed to be the order of the day, with those yachts taking advantage of the lift along the home-shore occasionally suffering less wind pressure there, as well as light to moderate weed. Despite the lengthening of the course, Margi again blitzed the fleet with a classy performance. Sailing off 95 seconds she was a model of consistency, finishing with net 16 points. Yours truly limped home in second with 18 hard-won points (off 90 seconds) and the ever-cunning and occasionally dangerous Bruce took third place on the podium with 21 points (off 50 seconds). Having won the first two races, laconic Dennis R came home in 4th on a countback with net 27 (off 120 seconds) despite him not contesting the last four races. We fully expect that he will suffer at the hands of the handicapper on average results for races actually sailed. The 95s wrapped up the morning's racing at 1:00pm and handed over to the 10Raters, who seemed keen to make the most of the ideal northerly conditions. DF95 sailing happens again on the pond from 10:00am this Tuesday. Cheers, Ian V

21.01.2022 Great day sailing DF95’s today

15.01.2022 Fluky conditions with some massive shifts made it interesting to find the right side of the windward leg.

15.01.2022 DF95 14/11 Hello Sailors, Eleven yachts at the pond on Saturday, another good roll-up including Peter Ross visiting from RSYS sailing off 50 seconds. If the local bowls presentations had not been happening then we would have had 13 boats.... Conditions were bright, clear and warm. Initially the breeze was light and vaguely SW but swinging all over the place, so a rectangular SW course was set, starting at the pontoon line to S2, S1, N1, N2, 2 laps finishing at the pontoon line. The ragged windflow gradually intensified to a gyrating 2-10 knots from the SE so we dropped N2 and brought N3 into play, but otherwise the course was as before. A total of 8 handicap heats were held with rotating PRO. Again the racing was closely contested in good spirit, with penalties willingly taken for the most part. In first place was Dennis R (net 20 points sailing off 120), followed by Bruce (22.2 points off 50 seconds) and Peter C (26.8 points off 75 seconds, well done lads. In the ideal conditions a single scratch race wound up the session, with Peter Ross coming out on top. Congratulations Peter, we look forward to seeing more of you. The DF95s race again on Tuesday at the pond. Some of our members are hatching plans for social-sailing novelty events, and possibly a DF95 invitation day (Grahamstown) to be held at the pond in the coming months, so stay tuned. Cheers, Ian V

14.01.2022 DF95 27/10 Hello sailors, Six hardy skippers showed up at the pond this morning, and were rewarded with an overcast morning and an inconsistent southerly breeze of 2-10 knots gyrating SW-SE, negligible weed. On the spur of the moment it was decided to run a scratch start format all day, with the pontoon-line start to S1-N1-N2, 2 laps including the work from N2 to the finish.... Being basically lazy we left the length of the pontoon start line unchanged, so when we all managed to hit the line at the same time things got a little squeezy, but hey, we’re still friends. Twelve races today, all results recorded, with two discards, no PRO. As might be expected Craig featured on the podium with six wins, with Bruce on four and Andy on two. In race 11 Margi demonstrated the advantage of actually starting on the gun by scooping an impressive second placing. Racing continued a little past 1.00pm, and as we were leaving the showers arrived. Another well-timed day of remote control yacht racing. DF95 handicap racing returns to the pond on Saturday 10.00am. Cheers, Ian V

12.01.2022 DF95’s Few of today’s pics around the pond.

12.01.2022 DF 95,s 17/11 Hello sailors, Nine skippers at the pond on Tuesday, many of them expecting to be changing down after a southerly gale overnight, but Huey usually has the last laugh in such matters and we were met with a patchy southerly about 0-5 knots, which firmed up during the morning to 2-12 knots SE but still patchy and swinging, sometimes wildly. Grey skies threatened rain but none came.... In those conditions we set the best course we could, which was always going to be a compromise:- start at the pontoon line, then S1, N1, N3 (the Mongrel), S1, N1, N2 then a short work to finish at the pontoon line, ten handicap starts, PRO rotating, negligible weed. Even before launching, Jim Whysall was an early retirement with winch problems, which left only seven boats on the water at any one time. Among those remaining, the racing was always fast but never furious, with penalties willingly taken. Phil Makins ended up stamping his authority on the morning’s events with 3 firsts, 2 seconds and 3 thirds, leaving him with net 18 points and his handicap of 115 seconds in tatters. This was only the second time Phil had sailed since his months of enforced dry dock, and his result was made all the more remarkable by his now-limited field of vision. Second was Ian W with net 23.6 off 80 seconds, and a close third placing was taken by Paul with net 24.7 off 75 seconds. A big shout out to members Hank and Paul who have been making the long haul from the Hunter region every week, and sometimes twice a week, just to sail with us. It’s a big effort and much appreciated by your fellow FTRYCers. Thank you also to Dennis L for colour-coding the buttons on the starting machine, and to Peter C for lubricating the axles on the starting trolley with his special military-grade silicone oil. The 95s will be going around the pond again on Saturday. Cheers, Ian V

12.01.2022 Hello sailors, Only 7 DF95s at the pond on Saturday. The forecast was hot, but in fact the seven skippers lucky enough to be able to attend enjoyed a warm sunny morning with a 5-10 knot NE breeze washing across the track, building to 10-15 knots towards the end of the morning’s program. Ten scratch starts were sailed from the pontoon line to S1, N1, N2, 2 laps finishing at the pontoon line, no PRO. Although temperatures were mild, the racing was hotly contested, with firs...t placings across the ten race program spread between four skippers. At the end of the morning the consistent Bruce came first overall with net 18 points, closely followed by Peter C. on 22 and Geoff on 23. Well done boys, and again a special mention for Peter C. who is really excelling as a novice sailor. The 95s will be going around again on Tuesday morning. Before the commencement of racing we will be doing a quick tidy-up of the sailing area, so all sailors who have whipper-snippers please bring them along. With sufficient people on the job it should take only 5 minutes, after which we will be able to turn our attention to the sailing. Cheers, Ian V

07.01.2022 DF95’s 21/11 Hello sailors, 7 DF95s at the pond this morning in listless conditions which slowly resolved into a 0-5 knot breeze gyrating around SSW and eventually building to 0-10 knots gyrating around SE, occasionally glassing out close in. Cloudy at first but clearing by the end of the morning. Negligible weed.... 9 handicap starts, no rostered PRO. For the first 3 races we sailed the triangle from the pontoon start line to S1-N1-W (x2) finishing at the pontoon line, and then for the balance of the program it was the rectangle from the pontoon start line to S2-S1-N1-N2 (x2) again finishing at the pontoon line. Hot racing all morning, with some interesting pile-ups around some of the marks. Andrew was the clear winner on the morning with 21 points off 60 seconds, followed by Bruce on 25 off 40 seconds, and yours truly with 27 off 70 seconds. Andrew sailed really consistently, and his discard result was a DNF for race 8 when, apparently, he lost the cunningham from his main tack cringle. (Dictionary time, sailors!) DF95 racing on the pond again on Tuesday 10:00am. Cheers, Ian V.

05.01.2022 Hello sailors, Tuesday 24/11/2020 saw 10 DF95s at the pond in shifty S-SE conditions which gradually built from light to top of A-rig by noon. A few sailors changed down to B-rig during the noon break but of course the breeze then began to fall away again. The S rectangular course was set for the first three heats: start on the pontoon line to S2, S1, N1, N2, 2 laps finishing at the pontoon line. The remaining 8 heats were sailed from the pontoon line to S2, S1, N2, the Mon...grel (N3), 2 laps to finish at the pontoon line. So, a total of 11 heats, all handicap starts, rotating PRO. For the first time in a while the two-lap format appeared to favour the longer-handicap boats, with the top places being filled by Dennis L (21.11 points off 105 seconds), Margi (24.44 off 105 seconds) and Jim (38.88 points off 130 seconds). Congratulations all! Peter C was only able to sail the early heats, but his average points were sufficient to see his handicap cut by 5 seconds. For a sailor with very little previous experience, Peter is setting the course on fire. Saturday will see the DF95s doing it all again at the Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club regatta grounds, aka the pond. The forecast is for warm conditions, so we could be in for a nor-easter. Cheers, Ian V

01.01.2022 Hello sailors, Saturday greeted 5 DF95s to the pond with a 5-10 knot noreaster which built to 10-15 knots as the morning progressed. It was decided to try a novel hybrid scratch/handicap program, with Bruce sailing off scratch and the Rest of the World starting on 30 seconds for the first of ten races and then on 40 seconds for the subsequent races. It was an interesting variation, and the fact that the club does not award any trophies makes this sort of experimentation pos...sible. For the whole of the morning the NE course was sailed, starting at the pontoon line to N2 (later N1) then S2, S1, 2 laps to finish at the pontoon line. The competition in the middle of the fleet was fierce, with Ian V and Paul swapping positions throughout most of the heats. These two skippers currently sail off the same handicap of 70 seconds. In the lighter early lighter heats Ian prevailed, but as the breeze filled out it was Paul who improved. At the end of the day they were separated by only 1 point, with Ian taking out the morning. Bruce rounded out the podium places some ten points in arrears, with Margi a single point behind him, and with Dennis R rounding out the placings. Margi and Dennis performed well and mixed it with the other skippers a number of times, including on one memorable close reach between S2 and S1 where the entire fleet came together and all boats were closing fast on the same mark. DF95 racing returns to the pond on Tuesday around 10:00am Cheers, Ian V