Wayfarer Class Review
The Wayfarer Fleet at HISC is the largest fleet at the club and has averaged in the order of fifty boats for the last few years, the cruising portion of the fleet being in the majority. The fleet covers all range of skills from the beginner to international class racers. Most of the variants of the Wayfarer are sailed and cover early woodies up to the latest Worlds.
Club racing is supported by a few stalwarts, but it is the intention to encourage more members to take part and new members are always welcome.
HISC Wayfarer Cruising Activities 2008
The class set out to run a programme of events throughout the season with the aim of having fun and developing some fleet comradeship. The weather was not kind and some events had to be postponed and some were run under difficult conditions. However support was good and feedback was encouraging. As a result a programme is being developed for 2009 which it is hoped will attract even more support.
In early May a training and novices' day was held. A number of experienced sailors were on hand to advise on boat set up. This was followed by some fun racing under the eye of Bill Ingram and Ted Gadd in a rib – The weather was perfect, and four races were held by popular request as we were all enjoying it.
In mid July the Peters Potter event took place under rather wild conditions. The objective of the race is to reach as many predetermined fixed points in the harbour in less than 90 minutes. Ten boats took part. To some it was an achievement just to stay afloat. Two sails were lost and one boat suffered several capsizes. However it was universally agreed to have been a fun event, particularly enjoyed by the younger family members despite the spray soaking them all!
There were plans to sail To Bembridge IOW in early August. Two boats were rigged and ready to go when the weather deteriorated so much that it was necessary to cancel.
Early September saw a Wayfarer race day based on Le Mans type starts from the beach with
handicaps allocated. Five boats took part and there were some excellent performances and much fun was had. Richard Gray, sailing single handed showed how to do it, with good use of the tide he was a clear winner.
Weather conditions at last became good enough on the last Sunday in September to attempt the circumnavigation of Hayling Island. Ten boats set off for Langstone accompanied by a rib carrying a trolley needed to get the boats across the road. The morning was almost dead calm but everyone managed to reach Langstone by lunch time. Time was running out so it was decided that the four most experienced boats would carry on round while the rest returned the way that they had come The wind came up and both parties experienced a superb sail.
This was probably the highlight of the cruising season and there were a number of requests to repeat the event in 09.
Contacts and Other Information
If you are a member of Hayling Island Sailing Club and sail a Wayfarer, you can apply to join our Group to receive notification of events and other information by email. Visit our group site at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HISC_Wayfarers
Other contacts can be made via Hayling Island Sailing Club
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