South West Section
April 2008. Well the winter is over, the daffodils are fading, the primroses are surviving in spite of a dusting of snow and thanks to all of you we have had four very convivial, well attended winter meetings at the Royal Western Yacht Club.
Winter talksHaving the meetings at the RWYC with their members has certainly ensured that we had good attendances for our talks, which gives a better ambience for members and the speakers. We hope most of you who have been able to come to the talks would agree that we have been fortunate to have such good quality speakers this winter. Our first talk, in October was about Gypsy Moth 1V as she went around the world again, James Jermain of Yachting Monthly fame was one of the crew, and he gave us a real insight into living in close quarters with a very mixed bunch of people and the difficulties of sailing this very famous boat. In November we heard about Blondie Haslar’s Life and Achievements by Ewen Southby-Tailyour, a former senior marine and approved biographer of Blondie Haslar. Blondie’s life in the marines, his war time exploits and adventures and his lifelong enthusiasm for racing and designing yachts made for a fascinating evening.
Our January talk was Meteorology for Sailors by Andrew Eccleston, Andrew, a master marina, meteorologist and businessman is an authority on how yachtsmen can access weather information and gave a comprehensive insight into the many internet sites and their usefulness. Our last talk on March 18th was very well attended by members of the South West and Lyme Bay Section’s as well as RWYC members, some of whom were there because of an interest in Erkine Childers and the history of Irish independence. Drummond Challis, who produced the film ‘Riddle of the Sands’, had studied Childers the man in considerable depth, he gave his audience information about, and insights into this man of many talents. Drummond had researched his subject thoroughly and illustrated his talk with clips from the film, pictures from biographies of Childers and history’s of Irish independence. It was a masterly presentation on a fascinating subject.
We have been getting to know CA members who attend both the SW and Lyme Bay Sections over the winter and will be continuing to ask CA members to stick on a logo as they arrive with the aim of helping us recognise each other and perhaps chat together over the meal.
Liaison with Lyme BayOur close relationship with Lyme Bay continues and the committee members of both sections will be meeting over lunch later in April to confer over dates for meetings, ideas for speakers and other possible gatherings. By ensuring that our dates do not clash we hope to encourage members in reach of both sections to go to each others winter talks, rally’s and other events. The newsletters from each section will be sent to members of both sections so we can all be aware of the programme of events planned by each group and to which all members are welcome.
News from CA House.Jill Trew went to CA House for part of the annual meeting for Section Secretaries on March 8th, there was an air of optimism as several actions by the Council (Directors) that were elected in November have led to a far healthier financial situation. These include three members of staff being off the payroll from April, the decision to close the bar / restaurant for the whole of the summer and the letting of one floor of the building is being actively perused as this will be the best way to gain some income to redress the debts. Since November, members of the new council have asked members to give practical help, several people have responded to this including a group who have done the essential work on the building to bring it up to a minimal health and safety standard, two members who are advising the council on the viability of the bar/restaurant facility and a member who is advising on and coordinating the revision of the IT equipment. Jill and Frank spent many winter’s at Limehouse while living on their boat so it was with very real pleasure that Jill heard of the members who have come forward to help run the Association as they know most of them, not only as friends but also as people who are able to lift the CA out of it’s difficulties. So it was not all doom and gloom and the survival of the CA will be because of the commitment of its members.
One way those of us well away from London can support the work of those trying to turn the CA’s fortunes round is to participate in the CA Lottery, if you buy a ticket now you still have three chances to win as there are three draws left and the more tickets sold the larger the prizes. You can purchase a ticket via the CA web site or by ringing headquarters.
Communications.Thank you to all of you who have replied to our email and the letter asking you if we may send our newsletter and other communications by email. If you did not reply we will send the newsletter by email if we have an email address for you and by the post if we do not. From now on we will be sending out our newsletter ourselves; it will not be coming via CA House. We would be delighted to hear from you if you would like to change to having your news by email. Please let us know if your email address changes (as well as CA House)
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-----‘Snippets’This newly introduced part of our newsletter is the opportunity to share hard information, ideas, gadgets on-board etc. and to advertise your sales and wants. Please email any ‘snippet’ to Jill Trew. Currency.
Cruising abroad this year? - if you have been keeping in touch with the movement of the pound against other currencies you will be aware that it will cost you more this year, maybe 15-20% more! Internet access.
There has been a lot of discussion on MyCA forums recently about the best way of getting weather forecast, emails etc while abroad. Jill and Frank Trew are sailing in the Baltic this year and are trying out the 3G dongle on their laptop – said to operate in Sweden and Denmark without the need for roaming charges so charged at normal UK Tariff. We will let you know how they fare.
WiFi; is often available in marinas abroad but the snag was that many ISP’s allow download but will not send emails via WiFi for security reasons. To overcome this get a free address such as Yahoo as they do not have this difficulty. When using WiFi, especially the free sites in large marinas, one can often unknowingly be exposed to spyware that Norton antivirus does not spot. To combat this we downloaded free Spyware Doctor which has removed lots of trackers and adware, but also high risk threats like phishing sites. We were so pleased with the free one that we paid for the upgrade that does automatic scans and prevents many of the infections from getting into our computer at all. (Jill and Frank Trew)
Home Insurance. If you are away cruising for several weeks or months check that your insurance cover allows the householder to be away for over 30 or 60 days, friends or family coming to stay while you are away may not be seen as “occupation” within the policy’s small print. (Glenn Honey). PS. We (Jill and Frank Trew) checked with our insurer after hearing this. They are happy with family using the house but insist that they “vet” friends or they will not provide cover while they are there! News to us.
Red Diesel A number of derogations to the Energy Products Directive, which allowed the Government to charge a reduced rate of duty on fuels used in private pleasure boats and planes, and on waste oils, expired on 31 December 2006. The European Commission has to date declined to renew the majority of derogations for all member states, including the UK’s derogations for private boats and planes. It has yet to respond on waste oils. The Government will implement the changes required on 1 November 2008, after further consultation with industry about the best way to minimise the longer-term compliance burden on the sectors concerned. (MyCA Forum) It means that you can get red diesel this season – but be sure to have receipts if you go abroad as it will be harder to convince customs abroad that we are still using red diesel legally.
Water Hoses We have heard from one of our number that water hoses have to be removed from taps at yacht clubs and quays as water inspectors are insisting that legislation that prohibits hoses being supplied is enforced. Boat owners must use their own flat packed hose. (Glenn Honey) A member of RATS has been contacted about this as there does not appear to have been any comments in the yachting press.
New Sections. Have you noticed that we now have Sections in Jersey and Northern Ireland? If you are cruising there it may be worth checking whether they have any activities while you are there. CA Rallies are great fun! (MyCA)
Buy and Sell. We are very happy to include here any items that you have for sale or that are wanted, this part of the newsletter does not go on the CA public website so you should be able to safely include your email address or phone no. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Winter 2008 / 9 Programme
We have made plans for our winter season of four talks, they will include David Moody of Moody yachts who has written a history of the company and its boats which he will talk about, copies of his book will be available. Brian Hammett, CA Vice President, giving a talk on Arthur Ransome or one on the History of the CA. Richard Bowman talking about his sail to and from the Azores in his catamaran. The dates for the talks will probably be late October, Tuesday November 25th, Tuesday January 20th and Tuesday March 17th. We will be sending you confirmation of the dates and speakers in the next newsletter in September.
We still hope to have a Centenary Evening possibly with Sir Robin Knox-Johnson, this will be our November meeting but still has to be confirmed.
Our first speakers in October will be ‘Daundering through Dalmatia’ by Bill and Rona Musker. They were born by the sea; Bill in Southampton, where his parents had a house with tidal Itchen river-side frontage, and Rona in Helensburgh on the banks of the Clyde. Bill’s early boating was with the Sea Scouts, soon after WW2, in a variety of battered, leaky and user-hostile craft ranging from dinghies, to 27 ft Montagu Whalers later he enjoyed sailing a little Galion 22 in South Coast waters. Rona learnt boating in dinghies on the Clyde and Loch Lomond, progressed up to cruising whilst in the BBC Sailing Club.After various sail-charter holidays, they bought “DAWN BIRD” – a Coaster 33 centre-wheelhouse ketch. They have cruised round the Baltic, sailed down the Atlantic coasts of France, Spain, Portugal; through the Straits of Gibraltar and round the Western Mediterranean then the Adriatic to Venice, and Slovenia. Her home port is Chichester harbour. DAWN BIRD is presently in Cork, Ireland and they plan to cruise the West Coasts of Ireland and Scotland this season and visit the Hebrides.“Dawndering through Dalmatia” describes Bill and Rona’s cruise in DAWN BIRD up the Adriatic from South to North Croatia, along the delightful and historic Dalmatian coast. The area is a yachtsman’s and a photographer’s dream, but sailing is not always of the “Cream Puff” variety; as both the feared Bora (NE) and the hot Sirocco (S) winds command respect! NB To “Dawnder” is a Lowlands Scots word describing a speed between a dawdle and a saunter. Bill and Rona aim at 20 miles per day with plenty of inland excursions between passages to fully savour the locality.
Our winter season of meetings / talks will take place at The Royal Western Yacht Club, Queen Anne’s Battery, Plymouth. The talks will begin at 7.30 and the bar and restaurant will be open, with food available from 6.30pm. There is now a charge for parking in the MDL owned RWYC car park if one is in it for over two hours (£3.00 for up to 4hrs) but there is plenty of free parking available in the streets near the entrance to Q.A.B
Autumn 2008 Rally
The Royal Western Yacht Club, are hoping to organise a rally in Falmouth to coincide with the Falmouth Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta, the date are September 10th – 13th. Sue Evans is organising it and is aiming to make it a joint CA and RWYC event, berths have yet to be confirmed but are likely to be either in Mylor Yacht Harbour or on the pontoon off Trelissick House. We will send more information as it becomes available, Sue would welcome expressions of interest by email or phone if you would like to go along.
Summer Rally in Brittany
Essex Section has sent us information about a Centenary rally that they are having at Port Haliguen, Brittany from July 17th to 19th, they are welcoming all CA boats and crews to join them. As many of us based in the south west regularly cruise south it may well be of interest to some. The details are at the end of this newsletter.
News of Section Members
John GaleWe are very sad to report that we have just heard that John has recently died while away with his wife for a few days. He will be remembered by many SW Section members for his stewardship of the Section from its beginnings to the laying of the foundations for its development into the future. We have sent condolences to Catherine on behalf of the Section membership, he will be missed. We have no more information at present, Glenn Honey will have further details soon, so do contact him. We have not heard of most peoples plans for this summer but of the committee members one of your Section Sec’s, is returning to our boat that has over wintered in the Baltic for more cruising in Denmark, Sweden and Baltic Germany and one of our committee is going up to the West Coast of Scotland. As we have mentioned in past newsletters we would welcome SW Section members sending us their plans for the coming cruising season or summaries of their cruises, for sharing, via the news letter and on our web page for the benefit and enjoyment of us all. We would also welcome ideas for speakers, events or rallies and would be delighted if any members would like to be involved with helping to organise things with us. We will be keeping the SW Section pages on the web- site up to date with our newsletters that we hope can include members cruising accounts and plans as well as the current programme of talks and news of recent events. Sue and Jill can be contacted by post, email or phone as above.
CA Merchandise
We now have a small selection available at the meetings for people to look at, with order forms if you would like to purchase anything. The CA has many resources for cruising sailors including the very useful cruising guides to many sailing areas, the almanac / handbook, copies of members cruising logs for the area you plan to cruise and the regional files in the library.
As many of you will know CA House has the best marine library for passage planning with charts and pilots covering sailing areas world-wide. If you are in London do visit the library to see what is available, and of course the cabins are available for an overnight stay. Also Imray charts and other publications can be purchased through the CA at a 10 per cent discount.
We hope you all have a very good summer on and off the water and look forward to hearing from you or seeing as many of you as possible at our winter events. We have plenty of room for guests so why not bring a friend. Best wishes. Jill Trew and Sue Evans
