RS Elite Keelboat at HISC

The RS Elite keelboat has become firmly established at Hayling Island with around 10 currently at the club, and good turnouts for the main racing events.

They sail extremely well to windward with a tight tacking angle and upwind speed of up to 7 knots or so. Downwind, the boats are designed not to plane, but surf easily and some have exceeded 20 knots on breezy days! Overall, they are great fun to sail and are well mannered and easy to sail in windy or light conditions, in the harbour or out in the bay.

An important side product is that many of the Elites are now grouped together on buoys near the club, creating a good fleet feel for repartee before and after racing!

We have focused the 2011 racing agenda on a "significant" event every two weeks. These are either the club pennant weekends - involving typically a race on Saturday and two on Sunday, plus on shore entertainment laid on by the club - and a "special" in the intervening period.

Most of the specials consist of 4 or 5 short "sprint" races. This creates very close competition and extremely tight finishes; plus of course everyone gets a lot of sailing in, within the day.

There are currently three competitively priced boats for sale at the club and moorings could be possible made available for new or existing members. If you are interested in trying a boat then contact the owner on the club web site under boats for sail or Graham Hughes.

In 2012 the Nationals are being held at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes at the end of August and we should have a really good turnout, with 35 boats attending the 2010 Nationals in Lymington.

Graham Hughes, Class Captain 07824 543210

2012 Racing timetable - TBA

Links:

Report on the 2012 RS Elite Nationals at RYS

RS Elite class association

Images from the 2007 RS Elite Nationals at HISC