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Welcome

This site has been established to acquaint, or in some cases re-acquaint, you with the last of the big, unballasted centreboard dinghies racing in New Zealand - the Emmy, as the M-Class Yacht is affectionately known by her many admirers.

 

2011/2012 season

The race programme is out.

Start time changed to 2.30pm on Sunday 20th November due to the triathlon. Official information and from RAYC is that the road to the club, Tamaki Drive, should be open again at 12pm midday.

First race round up

Hi team
Well the season is off to a cracker start with perfect weather for the two races out to the east of Bean Rock.
10 to 12 Knots of Nor east breeze and a warm day was perfect for the five competing Ms . Racing was close during both races between Marksman, Motivator, Mach One, Matara and Maverick with final results often modified by the influences of the FF15s in the fleet. Plenty of close quarter crosses occurred between the boats and good kite work was essential in keeping up on the downwind legs. Notwithstanding, Mach One was too good in the conditions and took both guns with Matara second and Marksman and Motivator swapping thirds followed by “The Mav”.

Low tide on the ramp was at exactly the wrong time but the new surface has a sloping entry rather than abrupt drop so things have been improved somewhat. Of note, our new parking area is between the two light posts (not on the East side Hamish) and we are actively attempting to get a wire fixed to the top of the ramp for attaching the boats. Very sad to see Marquita sitting forlornly on the ramp on such a great day but ‘Neale no Mates’ couldn't raise a crew or get 44 sorted in time.

Back at the club the BBQ was in full swing with free burgers for all sailors and enough food to keep Tom happy for a week (well a short week anyway) There was even a variety of salads for accompaniment. A great spread and a good scene so things are really looking up at the RAYC. Hopefully everyone noticed the new M Class lounge in the club (formerly the Neptune Lounge) and it looks great after Neale's hard work and new signage . Speaking of spiffy things.... didn't the Matara boys look beautiful at the aftermatch?

Also new in the club is a new sailing manager who starts today to look into how we can make the racing better. She is keen on an M ride at some stage to to see what we have to offer so anyone looking for crew should contact her at the club. The club also has a couple of other names of people looking for a sail so if you are short of crew get on to it early and ring these people through the club before it gets too late.

Speaking of too late. Snapey you missed the first race!! When do we get your smiling face back on the ramp? I hear both you and Cooky are on the way soon so come on down and get some ‘low numbers’ back in the fleet. (Answer - when it stops raining and the varnish can dry)

All in all a great day, even tho’ yes ‘brian the bastard of Bastian point’ did beat marksman across the line... and I still think it was a great day...i must be getting soft.

Doubtless Pav will have the results flashed thru to you all presently and they’ll be put straight on the website by Pam.

Till next Sunday.

Ramp protocol

- 1 vehicle for the entire class AT ALL TIMES, for ease of identification we have agreed this to be the sign written van provided by Hyundai. It will be available to store or transport gear before, during & after racing.
- NO ALCOHOL on the ramp. Simple & clear. Pack up & head to club for a beer. Have a beer in the boat after the race but NOT ON THE RAMP.
- The grey footpath and area at top of ramp with the yellow criss cross lines are to be KEPT 100% CLEAR AT ALL TIMES for pedestrian and emergency vehicles access. If you want to rig up on flat then you need to go across to hard stand area.
- We are to park our boats between the 2 lamp posts we are parked between right now. When/if we get more boats have to ask.

Four simple rules to ensure we maintain our spot on the ramp AND PLAY OUR PART IN THE COMMUNITY THAT USES THIS AREA.

I am working with Scott (ramp manager) to get a wire for us to secure our boats to.

You will notice some changes in the RAYC, firstly the old Neptune lounge is now the Hyundai NZ M Class lounge, the are new staff and a dedicated water sports manager, a hugely improved academy for paddling & sailing, which will lead to a better experience all round for us all. Perhaps we should consider taking some academy sailors on our boats every now & then?

Rae results (I will reformat asap for ease of reading)

Race RAYC 1Date30 October 2011Start Time13:05

LineSail No.NameH/CapFinish timeElapsedCorrected New H/CapH/cap Place

146Mach One.98613:49:4244:4244:05.9961
247Matara.98313:52:0047:0046:13.9744
39Marksman.97613:52:5947:5946:50.9665
445Motivator.92413:53:3648:3644:54.9332
551Maverick.93313:54:2449:2446:07.9243


Race RAYC 2Date30 October 2011Start Time14:05

LineSail No.NameH/CapFinish timeElapsedCorrected New H/CapH/cap Place

146Mach One.99614:51:1046:1045:59.9873
247Matara.97414:51:2346:2345:10.9822
345Motivator.93314:52:0847:0843:59.9431
49Marksman.96614:52:4447:4446:07.9574
551Maverick.92414:55:1850:1846:29.9155
 

Newsletter

Dear All

Please find attached the first Newsletter of the new season from our esteemed leader. Please have a read for all the new happenings. 2011-2012 will bring some new and exciting developments for the M Class fleet.

We would like to keep in touch with as many of our members as possible. Please forward this to Emmy followers who might not have received this email. If you know of anyone who does not get email and would like a hard copy by snail mail, we can oblige with that too.

Membership is due from active members before the opening of the season. Membership still $50 per sailing member $25 per non sailing member. Criteria for entry to the special deal will be 4 paid members of a boat and boat ready to go on the ramp by start of the first race on Sunday 30th October. Please note the start time of that race is likely to be earlier at 12.30pm to comply with the Sail Akarana notice of race as RAYC has a weekend of racing. Payment of membership can be by internet banking – our bank account number is 12- 3024-0492760-00 – please use your name and the boat name in the code and reference details so it can be identified as you.

We encourage as many non sailing members to keep up their membership and contact with the class as possible. If you wish to add anything to the website, Pam’s details are included in the newsletter.

Text reminders - For those sailing members, I will be offering to text you to remind you of sailing times and dates if you can supply me with your email address and a cellphone number – that is through a website called teamer.net and hopefully you will receive a text and an email with the details.

Facebook – find us on Facebook as “Mclass Yachts” – hopefully I can add some photos this year now I have a camera that is allowed to swim.

Apologies from me if you receive this email more than once, you can always delete one copy.

Happy preparation for sailing see you all soon!!

Kind regards,
Megan

Megan Jenkins
Treasurer M Class Association Inc

Logan

http://www.oceangallery.co.nz

Some great shots at the link above. Look under M Class ALM and check out the flying maverick

M Class Logan Memorial 2011 Race Summary


After several years of light airs Arch Logan memorial races this year saw a return to a good honest slog as a 20kt Nor Easter bashed its way across an outgoing tide and the streamed intermittently from overcast skies.

As Hamish said his write up to crew.org...”Thank god this race was run on Saturday, as the body needed all of yesterday to recover. For those of you who don't know the M class, try sailing a 450 kg kauri clinker built with an oversize mainsail with only hiking straps to keep you up right! And then some smart old fellow decided to put raised gunnels just where your thighs are so that you cant walk the next day”..

Saturday dawned windy and wet, with the forecast for Northerlies 15 knots dropping to 10 knots later. The tide was high about the same time as the start so wind against current would be an issue later. I arrived down at the Okahu boat ramp about 10.30 surprised to see no one there sharpening swords or polishing wetted surfaces. A quick call, quickly allayed any fears of a postponement and soon the ramp was a hive of activity.

Fendall Haliburton was race officer for the day, and was quick to go over safety procedures for capsizes and general safe stuff at the briefing, he must have had a crystal ball as it turned out. A race course was finally picked, after much general discussion, four referrals to subcommittees, three motions and as it turned out, a good decision as it was a bloody cracker.

Eight Ms rigged up on the ramp with all bar one resplendent in the banners of Hyundai, our class sponsor, and for the first time in many a year it appeared that every boat was indeed capable of winning line honours and the trophy. A solid mixture of Reid and Davidson (old + new) designs, they were: Maverick M51, Motivator M45, Mach One M46, Matapan M2, Matara M47, Marksmen M9, Masquerade M6 and Marquita M44. On team Marquita, I had my wife Claire, her monster sized brother, Darren, for ballast and long standing sailing mate Angus. I was hoping for a breezy day as we had been dog tucker in the previous weeks light race.

The first drama of the day was when Howard drove the support boat out to meet his race crew only to find them upside down under M47. Howie was evidently having coffee on his overgrown drinks platform, hoping to stay dry until the last minute but he was quickly recovered to add to the required ballast on the centreplate and bring Matara upright in time for the start sequence.

Fendall had set a dam fine course of about 11nm: Orakei to Rough Rock, Bean Rock and back to Orakei; followed by a sausage to Rough Rock and Orakei; then a repeat of the first triangle and finally a smaller sausage to North Head with the finish off Orakei. It looked promising and had an element of hard yakka about it, but Housty in M45 was the only one persuaded to carry a tuck - and it probably had more to do with the appearance of the day rather than all out wind strength.

Race start was set for 1pm, however Fendall said he would wait for us if we thought conditions too trying. A steady onshore breeze was to ensure boat launching a trial, with each of the boats eyeing each other nervously to see who would go first. It was the class president, Crazy, who was first to kick the wheel chocks out and we all dutifully followed.

Snapey got the pick of the start at the pin as Matapan almost squeezed Marksman out of the pin end when the gun went but at the committee boat end, a now fired up Matara, shut Marquita into the second rank, and not to be left out M44 ensured that Motivator started in the third rank. The racing was close with several close called tacks and lead changes but those who headed under North head probably faired better than the Matapan group who chose a more easterly route upwind. At the first mark Maverick held a solid lead over Matara and Mach One, with Marksman trailed by Matapan, Masquerade and Motivator with Hamish DML (dead motherless last) as a result of his earlier indiscretions. Doubtless Claire would resolve the situation for him later.

Second leg antics were pretty much left to Vasco de Tom as he navigated Matara and the lead three to the wrong Bean Rock buoy and permitted the second bunch to close up. Very difficult it was, as class chairman, to give the perception of following the lads along while preserving a better track to the next mark. Positions stayed much the same, however, Hamish was able to pass the half clothed Motivator and claim 7th. A shocking gybe on M44 marked a change in bowmen, and when they came round the mark, the fleet were still well ahead. Matara was starting to get into her work now with Matapan and Maverick challenging, unfortunately Mavericks rudder was damaged about now and they were forced to withdraw, M44 to 6th would you believe. Marquita had a reasonable beat to be in touch with Masquerade and Mach One, who both had to gybe set once round the top mark, probably because their gear was still on that side, where as M44 were windward dropping and were able to launch immediately, making a small gain and to be on Masquerades tail by the bottom mark.

An excellent beat from M44 saw them overtake Masquerade and Mach One who were hurting in the stronger breeze (and eventually had to go on crew retrieval duty when one member decided to leave at North Head) The wind now was a solid 20knots, but the worst part was the seaway which was in ‘solid wind against tide’ mode making it hell for the mainsheet man every time we hit a "wall". Darren's hands were down to last coat of skin when they eventually got in but not once did he bleat, probably too scared of Hamish, not! Anyway M44 got to the mark into another great hoist and immediately hopped on the plane, catching some cool waves although Hamish did bury it completely down the mine, (“much to my wife's consternation or should I say F words”), and resulting in her doing a backward somersault into the rear of the boat to get the bow up!

She said she fell but it looked pretty good from where I was sitting. Anyhow, things were getting interesting up front, Matara was streaking away and Snapey on Matapan in a solid second with Marksman (on her first outing for the season) holding third. It must have been going through Snapeys mind that he was heading for his 7th bridesmaid title, as he seemed to decide to do a little dance on the back of Matapan and in the process, threw the tiller away, and lost control of M2 - first one way then the other netting a result of a capsized boat - no second prize this year Paul who maintains he slipped! He got his own back during the aftermatch where he had his kids beat up most of the other crews.

Both M9 and M44 couldn't believe their luck, a podium finish in sight with only Marksmen and Matara now in front of M44, and it was to get even better with a poor gybe by M9 and a well executed gybe at speed on M44 in good pressure saw M44 sail neatly over the top of ‘el presidento’ and claim second place at the bottom mark. Surely Matara couldn't have a whoopsy too!!??

When M44 rounded the bottom mark Fendall was bleating his eternal horn, obviously indicating that he had had enough of our histrionics and wanted to end our fun there and then. We and most of the fleet decided otherwise, (if we had any spare capacity to hear the horn over the kite and the mark and the wind and the yelling etc) We were thinking we could catch the horizon job Matara was doing and somehow have some more fun. El presidento on Marksmen had a dingdong battle to pass the purple pirates on M6 on the “last” downwind which resulted in one of Neales crew diplomatically getting off as they approached the final stages of the leg. In the ensuring mêlée the obvious thing for the pres to do was to drop his kite then gybe and cruise to the line. This was done and then M9 promptly fell over 25 m short of the finish line, (much to the delight of Ms 6, 46, and 45. as they cruised passed. As a follow on from this effort, a rather too prompt lowering of the nose ensured a perfect handstand for M9 and she disappeared down the mine for yet another swim ...and another 647 buckets of water were required to be bailed out. Rumours abound that ‘dear leader’ wanted to test the safety procedures or perhaps get his hands on Hamish’s coveted trophy this year; read: upside down trophy??

Anyway a great day had by all, some of the best M class racing had for some time. Hamish will be back next year and will resist the lure of plastic two wheelers, hopefully campaigning a brand new M.

Top marks to Howie Spencer. A slick boat, with an even slicker crew. They showed why they are the boat to beat at the moment and why they had full bragging rights in the RAYC clubhouse afterwards … and very full rum glasses. He too will be back to menace the fleet and defend his trophy. As for the pres... well perhaps a practice race or three could be in order next season, and as soon as he can walk properly he’ll probably be working toward it.


Special thanks to Fendall and his team for some superb race management, and to the RAYC for hosting a great event. We had near on 70 people at the post match prizegiving and the RAYC bar area was pretty full. Thanks to our clip-winged hereto unnamed legal person who did another great job in organising our aftermatch (she is evidently not the unnamed legal person defending his/her name); to Brian for his M class race management and to both Neale and Snapey for ensuring Howies two-meter- too big sails were not allowed to be used. Gotta love those North Sails tape measures! Thanks also to Musho for the words. I’ll get a link to all the pics as soon as I can organise it all.

Best wishes over winter and I hope to see more of you on the ramp at the end of the year.

Cheers

Bruce





The numbers don’t lie!!!

LineSail No.NameH/CapFinish timeElapsedCorrected H/cap Place

1M47Matara.96715:17:421:47:42104:113
2M44Marquita.92815:21:491:51:49103:452
3M9Marksman.99615:21:591:51:59111:325
4M6Masquerade.91815:22:151:52:15103:061
5M46Mach One.99615:23:031:53:03112:366
6M45Motivator.92515:30:162:00:16111:184
7M2Matapan.96715:30:502:00:50116:517
DNFM51Maverick.924 DNF

 

Pre Christmas Race results

Sail Number	Boat Name	RAYC 1	RAYC 2	RAYC 3	RAYC 4	RAYC 5	RAYC 6	RAYC 7	RAYC 8	RNZYS 1	RNZYS 2	Vahry Cup 1	Vahry Cup 2	ASC 1	ASC 2	Total	Place
		31/10	31/10	07/11	07/11	14/11	14/11	21/11	21/11	28/11	28/12	05/12	05/12	12/12	12/12
Handicap
2	Matapan	3	DNF	4	5	DNS	DNS	Not Sailed	Not Sailed	1	Not Sailed	5	3	4	Not Sailed	39	3
6	Masquerade	4	DNS	1	1	1	1			4		1	1	3		23	1
44	Marquita	DNS	DNS	3	2	DNS	DNS			DNS		2	4	1		42	4
45	Motivator	1	DNS	2	4	DNS	DNS			3		4	DNF	DNS		43	5
47	Matara	2	1	5	3	2	2			2		3	2	2		24	2
Line
2	Matapan	2	DNF	3	3	DNS	DNS			2		5	2	4		35	3
6	Masquarade	4	DNS	2	4	2	2			4		2	3	3		32	2
44	Marquita	DNS	DNS	4	5	DNS	DNS			DNS		3	4	2		48	5
45	Motivator	3	DNS	1	2	DNS	DNS			3		4	DNF	DNS		42	4
47	Matara	1	1	5	1	1	1			1		1	1	1		14	1

 

Roy Skinner

Neale has put together the attachment as his musings on the subject of the passing of our late life member, Roy Skinner. Click here

Racing Starts! (or should have)

Happy New Year to you all. Our sailing commences again this Sunday 23 January with RNZYS, part of the series but entries can be done for individual races – contact the Squadron for entry forms or use their website.

Great to see a couple more boats on the ramp now, we realise pre Christmas is a busy time for all – the great sailing had by those there already should be encouragement for more to turn up.

Anniversary Weekend is next weekend so sailing on the Monday and details of our race will be emailed out as soon as possible. Another meeting will be coming up shortly, we invite everyone to come along for a social evening as well as a discussion on our progress.

Email me if you need a copy of the programme for the rest of the season – Highlight of course is the Logan on 26 March 2011.

Look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Race	Vahry Cup 1	Date	5 December 2010		Start Time	13:45
Line	Sail No.	Name	H/Cap	Finish time	Elapsed	Corrected	New H/Cap	H/cap
1	47	Matara	.979	14:48:40	1:03:40	62:21	.983	3
2	6	Masquerade	.935	14:49:06	1:04:06	59:54	.944	1
3	44	Marquita	.947	14:49:30	1:04:30	61:04	.956	2
4	45	Motivator	.960	14:50:22	1:05:22	62:44	.957	4
5	2	Matapan	.970	14:53:53	1:08:53	66:49	.960	5
Race	Vahry Cup 2	Date	5 December 2010		Start Time	15:10
Line	Sail No.	Name	H/Cap	Finish time	Elapsed	Corrected	New H/Cap	H/cap
1	47	Matara	.983	16:06:13	0:56:13	55:15	.987	2
2	2	Matapan	.960	16:07:53	0:57:53	55:35	.959	3
3	6	Masquerade	.944	16:08:20	0:58:20	55:04	.951	1
4	44	Marquita	.956	16:08:38	0:58:38	56:04	.947	4
DNF	45	Motivator	.957	DNF			.957	DNF

Race results

 Race Vahry Cup 1 Date 5 December 2010 Start Time 13:45

Line Sail No. Name H/Cap Finish time Elapsed Corrected New H/Cap H/cap
1 47 Matara .979 14:48:40 1:03:40 62:21 .983 3
2 6 Masquerade .935 14:49:06 1:04:06 59:54 .944 1
3 44 Marquita .947 14:49:30 1:04:30 61:04 .956 2
4 45 Motivator .960 14:50:22 1:05:22 62:44 .957 4
5 2 Matapan .970 14:53:53 1:08:53 66:49 .960 5

Race Vahry Cup 2 Date 5 December 2010 Start Time 15:10
Line Sail No. Name H/Cap Finish time Elapsed Corrected New H/Cap H/cap
1 47 Matara .983 16:06:13 56:13 55:15 .987 2
2 2 Matapan .960 16:07:53 57:53 55:35 .959 3
3 6 Masquerade .944 16:08:20 58:20 55:04 .951 1
4 44 Marquita .956 16:08:38 58:38 56:04 .947 4
DNF 45 Motivator .957 DNF .957 DNF

Information from the Lord Admiral on the new Season (slightly edited for general consumption)

Its time again for summer, will somebody please fix my boat.

Ramp Issues
We have had a very positive meeting with Commodore RAYC, Graham Jones, about our tenancy on the ramp.   RAYC is the effective leaseholder of the area on which we park our boats and we ask that each boats owner is a member of the RAYC as a condition of occupying a position on the ramp.  After our discussion Graham drafted a protocol for our tenancy on the ramp and he has forwarded this to Scott Fickling (manager of The Landing).  In this Graham asks for access to the boats for two vehicles (designated as M Class support) that will be used for the storage of our equipment and for retrieving of the boats post race.  He asks for a dedicated parking area for these two vehicles.  Scott initially refused all vehicular access to the area so I await his response to Grahams request but Graham is adamant that we need a reasonable compromise solution.Graham is very understanding of our position and is very supportive of the M Class and of our growth within the RAYC.   
 

This season we will designate one crew per race to ensure that the area is spick and span before we vacate each day.  More incentive not to finish last I guess.

The access system to the ramp area will soon be changed to a swipe card system but in the interim we can get your boat to the area through the gate by asking around for the access number.  I believe Brian has the code but most people in the area will be able to let you in to park the boats.

 Alcohol (not yet compulsory)
As you are probably aware we had several complaints laid against the M Class Association about our behaviour on the ramp.  Not a single event was able to be qualified, however, we have been asked, and moreover, given an assurance that we will not consume alcohol on the ramp.   Graham has been more liberal in his drafted protocol but I believe we should play on the conservative side and have no alcohol on the ramp.  By all means carry and consume a few drinks after the race (4 doz quart bottles {in the crate} to be carried in Mach One) but please do not drink about the area of the boats. 

 Car Parking General
The area of the landing has become very congested and is now to serve a broader area of society than just people sailing or working on their boats.  As such all vehicles (other than the two designated M Clas support vehicles) are now to be parked in the designated parking area near the road or behind the RAYC.  Even the president doesn’t get his own carpark in this mans universe.

Membership

Megan is setting about updating our membership data and moving us into the age of IT.  No doubt you have seen her latest request for info (included along with your subs request – oh yep…don’t forget to pay these before Sunday) so please take the time to respond to her with your details.  We want to have a more interactive website and to be able to send you txt reminders of racing etc so you can better plan your racing.  Megan has also set up some kind of facemypagebook thingy for you to bollocks on about how good you were to each other.

RAYC Support

As I said earlier Graham was very supportive of the Ms and we look to enhance our relationship with the Club.  As such we will aim to adjourn to the club as soon as possible after each race.  We will continue to have a BBQ each race day and aim to have a mini prizegiving after each day this season.

 New Ms

Early in the season two new boats will be launched.  It would be great if we could launch both on the same day but I’ve yet to get any details off the owners.   Suffice to say it will be cause for an M Class ale so when the details are through I’ll let you know.   

Sponsorship

As you are aware Hyundai have agreed to sponsor us through the season and will be carrying Hyundai banners on our mainsails.  I’ve yet to hear how the logistics of this is to be arranged but will inform you, and ask for your mains as soon as I have any more information.

 Measurement.

 Paul Snape remains the chief of all that is right and will soon embark on the project of getting our two new boats weighed and counted.  If you would like your boat reweighed/measured please let Paul know so he can book you in.

 Website

 Pam remains our website coordinator and it is our intention to get this site up a smoking this year. I hope to have all race results immediately available on the site and Pav is working on this with Pam.  We will also include up to date info on what’s coming up.  If you can assist in this area please let me know.

 Crewing

 I hold one request for a crew seeking a position for this weekend.  Please contact me if you need crew or if you have crew to spare.

 Racing

 We have a full program planned for this year and have planned a heavier emphasis on Harbour racing rather than ‘round the cans’ courses - as this reflected in our post season wash-up earlier in the year.  We would like to focus on using the water nearer the breakwater in preference to tracking to the other end of East bejesus and have conveyed this to the RAYC race management personnel.  We will again look to have two 5 – 6 mile races per day rather than a single longer event. Click on link

 First Race

 Once again we have sponsorship arranged to cover ramp costs for the season.  The Association will pay ramp fees for every boat that makes the start of the first race for the season but we ask that you have four paid- up Association members on board. 

 See you Sunday for a 1300hrs start

 70th LOGAN
Nine boats took to the water for a race that fulfilled all the epectations we have of yacht racing with a great test of crew skills, knowledge of the winds and tides, courage and luck. The result was a race decided in the last hundred or so meters and a winning margin of only 13 seconds.

Mach One was the worthy winner with Matapan second and Matara third. Hard luck award goes to Marquita for a capsize at the finish that undoubtably cost them a handicap win. The many various versions of the race were told at the prizegiving so I'll just post the results. If you want the colourful versions ask the winning or losing helmsmen, there'll be several versions of the truth.

Race Arch Logan Start Time13:00
Memorial
Line PlaceSail No.NameH/CapFinish timeElapsedCorrected H/cap Place

146Mach One.98615:07:432:07:43125:583
22Matapan.97515:07:562:07:56124:431
347Matara.97915:09:162:09:16126:354
49Marksman.98115:12:012:12:01129:336
56Masquerade.93515:14:292:14:29125:432
645Motivator.94815:15:222:15:22128:205
711Mystery.98615:19:022:19:02137:057
851Maverick.98615:24:002:24:00141:598
44Marquita.928DNF DNF

 

 

Nov 29 race 2

First race

Photos of our first race on Nov 1. Click here