Category Archives: social

rowing a skiff

Here is a video of some of us rowing a visiting skiff, want to find out more? Come and see us this Sunday (19-06) when there are more skiffs to see. Coffee and tea will be available, with a piece of cake or a biscuit.

A visiting skiff with members of the sailing and water sports club having a go.

Last race of the season

The last race of the season has taken place almost a month later than previous years to allow for some late sailing. With the reduced options we have had this year, and the memory of the previous year giving us some glorious days we increased the calendar.
Unfortunately, we did not get as much sailing the last month but Sunday the22nd the weather was great and we had 6 boats on the water. Becci set the course and took care of the timing, starting with F to D, back to G and K.

The first race was a close finish with 2 lasers, 2 solo’s and a streaker rounding G almost ‘en masse’, up to K where Erwin had to bail out due to equipment failure.
The rest finished close together, with the results being Mark, Tony, Helen, Connor, Bill and then Erwin after the handicap was applied.

The second race started with only 5 boats, as Erwin was trying to fix his issues. He was able to get on the water, but with more than5 minutes to make up there was no change in getting any result. As the light was already getting less, the race was kept short. This was no problem for Helen, as she had a great start and made some solid choices that gave her a lead that none could make up. Results for the race after the handicap: Connor, Helen, Tony, Mark, Bill and Erwin

Boats away

Thanks all for any help with making sure that boats are tidied up and moved into the tattie shed again, safe for the winter. if there is anyone else that is looking for a safe space to keep a boat, let us know and we will let you know if there is space and when we can access the shed.

Sailing for the rest of this year

No more sailing on the calendar for this year, but we are planning some virtual sailing again. When we have some more details we will let you all know. If you have any ideas for club activities, please let us know.



Bosun’s report

Mirror (boat) seen on right side of a mirror deck between the sails on the Forfar loch
More photo’s are in our mailshot. Here are the 2 boats seen on the Loch.
See the photo’s and mailshot here

Last Saturday saw a return to sailing on Forfar loch, by Tony Walker and myself in a safe and socially distant manner. The conditions were almost ideal, it being both sunny and adequately windy. With the southerly wind blowing directly on to the pontoons it did necessitate a beach launch from the north side of the inch. The two that boats ventured out were my own Mirror and the newest addition to the club’s fleet, a Mirror called Snout.

Snout was donated to the club by Irene Bruce, a former member of the RTYC. We were a bit sceptical about the boat as when Mirrors are given away it’s usually for a good reason. However, this one turned out to be in excellent condition. The boat had been built by Irene’s father, and as she had now retired from sailing, she didn’t want to see the boat rot away in her garage. Snout is currently getting a few improvements, mostly to the running rigging, and will be available to all club members. Perhaps there may be some challenges for the Mirror Trophy.

(Conor Hyland)

From the commodore

I hope that you are well. I am sure that like me, you were all eager to hear what, if any, changes would be announced at the end of last week. Unfortunately, whilst England are taking the first steps in lifting restrictions, here in Scotland there has been no change.

As we wait for further announcements, we are continuing to monitor government advice and guidance from RYA Scotland. We are putting together a plan to restart sailing activity in a considerate and conservative way so that we are ready to return to sailing when it is permitted. Our primary consideration will be the health and safety of our members.

Meanwhile, we continue to do what we can and a number of you have been joining in with our virtual racing series. This has proved to be a pleasant distraction once a week, although I suspect that this lockdown will have to continue for some while yet before I consider that I have got the hang of it! Fortunately, some of our members have taken to it rather well and the radio sailors have demonstrated their skills very ably. My thanks to Erwin and Becci Oosterhoorn for setting up and running the sessions each week and also to Tony Walker, who has graciously kept me from finishing last! Plans to host an online quiz are also progressing and we hope to run that soon.

As you will understand, maintenance work at the Clubhouse has been unable to progress over recent weeks. However, with the dry weather that we have had over the last couple of months, the loch is at a very low level and it is an ideal time to carry out some necessary repairs to the pontoons. We have therefore ordered the required materials and plan to carry this work out in a few weeks’ time.

As the restrictions continue, we are all missing our usual activities and look forward to a return to sailing in some form in the near future. Meanwhile, we would love to hear your lockdown news, boat-related or otherwise, or any suggestions for online activities or training.

Stay safe and I hope to be able to see you soon.

Helen Brown
FSC Commodore

The Topper Ladder

The club’s topper ladder is intended to be a fun competition that anyone and everyone can participate in.
It is separate from all other cups and competitions so even if you don’t want to commit to a points series you can still join in the ladder and sail as little or as often as you like. 
The ladder will created by drawing the names of those interested out of a hat. Those not  interested at this time may join the bottom of the ladder whenever  the fancy takes them.
Once on the ladder you may challenge anyone up to three places above you. They have ten days to agree a match. If they can’t commit you swop places.
If you win you swop places. There is no penalty for losing ( and trying) you just both remain in your positions.
The ladder was dreamed up to encourage friendly competition and to take the place of the Thursday pursuit racing although you can obviously sail whenever it suits both parties. 
Please be aware that although this is a fun event normal basic racing rules apply i.e. no collisions. 
The decision to sail and the safety aspect is the responsibility of the participants. 
Cadets must be accompanied by a responsible adult who obviously will make the appropriate decisions
It might be that both participants agree to race in a different boat , lasers for example, although the Topper should be given priority. 
There will be a ladder at the club and possibly on line ( to be decided )
That will be the only admin required

Please come along to the General meeting on the 24th March at 14:30, both to support the club and to pass comment on this venture.
Tony Cook