UK Cherub - people

Andy Lang

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Andy Lang

Andy is the Social person on the committee, which makes him incredibly handy. He bought AquaMarina (Paterson 7b 2681) at the nationals in 2005 and is studying at the University of Plymouth.

Andy or phone him on 07751 822050.

Ben Brown

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Ben Brown

Ben is the treasurer and fixtures person, and was the original owner and part builder of Loco Perro, and is a bin man, so don't mess with him!

Actually he is the Waste Management Team Leader at Maldon District Council.

Email Ben by using this form, or phone him on 01621 778251.

Calum Reid

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Calum Reid

I do not own or regularly sail a cherub at the moment but will be crewing for Ben Howett in Comfortably Numb at the 2006 Nationals at my home club Largo Bay Sailing Club.

I first took an intrest in cherub sailing when AquaMarina then sailed by Phil Alderson came screaming down wind on the way to the start of East Lothian Yacht Club's regatta. I then got chatting to a few of the students in the fleet and after a few email's to Will Lee I got the chance to crew for Phil Alderson in Primal Scream. I had one of the best days sailing I've ever had and was addicted.

I hope to own or atleast regularly sail a cherub at some point in the near future.

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Moved to Dave Chisholm (aka Carbonology Dave)

Carol Alderson

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Carol Alderson

I started sailing when my family moved to Largs. I sailed a variety of boats including teamracing in Laser IIs when at University where I met my future husband Phil Alderson who introduced me to Cherub sailing first in AquaMarina and then in Primal Scream that Phil built with my brother and we now sail it together.

Chris Forman

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Chris Forman

Multi nationals winner and great Cherub designer. His last design to to built was the Forman 8 Easy Tiger in 1984

Daryl Wilkinson

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Daryl Wilkinson

Daryl started sailing as a young lad with his Dad in Mirrors, and then Toppers. He left the sport to concentrate on his Athletics and after a long break began sailing again in the late 1980's. National 12's were the first boat of choice. After several seasons in N12's Daryl bought his first Cherub, “Flying Trifle” from John Lobb / Martin Harrison in 1994 . She was sailed for a season with his wife Louise and then sold as an opportunity to campaign a Buzz with Bridget Vialls ( old N12 chum ) was to good to miss out on. And quite frankly the Cherub scarred the life out his wife Louise! The years past and it wasn't until 2001 that Daryl ventured back to Cherubs. When he convinced another old N12 mate, Ben Brown to make a Cherub team. Daryl bought 'Little Fluffy Clouds'. Much was learnt from LFC but soon it was time to for a new boat. And so in 2004 the build of Loco Perro was started which was owned by Ben and part funded by Daryl. Around this time the class was in a period of flux, with low Nationals turn outs and low membership, so Daryl also took on the challenge of Cherub Publicity Officer. Loco was a radical wide boat looking more like a 12 foot skiff than a conventional Cherub. She was sailed to 2nd place by Ben and Daryl in the 2005 nationals.

After another period of none Cherub ownership where Daryl has concentrated on his sons sailing. Daryl started a new build of his own in 2008 working with NZ designer David Lee to develop a new boat. After long delays his boat 'Banshee Ambulance' looks like it will hit finally the water early 2010.

Daniel Kemble

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Daniel Kemble

Daryl Wilkinson

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Daryl Wilkinson

I've owned two Cherubs so far Flying Trifle and Little Fluffy Clouds, and part funded one Loco Perro. I Started sailing Cherubs back in 93' when I bought Flying Trifle from the Island. I sailed her for about a season after getting back into sailing after a long gap from sailing as a kid, in Mirrors and Toppers. We'd been sailing Laser 2's and the Cherub scared the life out of my, new to sailing, wife! These images help tell the story…

So she was sold to Neil Cardno (the boat not the wife). I then had a long gap from Cherubs and sailed various N12, Buzz, Moth, 29er and got back into Cherub's in 2000 / 2001 with LFC after convincing Ben Brown to buy my N12.(we'd sailed her to 4th place in the Admirals Cup at Burton Week so he knew she was fast).

I decided to go at the front end in our team as Ben had had no experience of trapezing and I had been campaigning a Buzz as crew with an ex N12 helm Bridget Kitchingman for the last 2 years with regular top fleet performances. This partnership worked well and we learnt a lot both about sailing and boat building.

At about this time I offered my services as Publicity Officer, as the class was struggling in that department, and well, the class seems to be doing fine now. Go here if you want find out more about what I do Clearthinking Creative

At this time Ben and myself also hatched a plan to build a new boat. This was also a period of great technical change for the class as it was evaluating twin wires. We had been extensively testing the concept and were getting along well but because some rules had not been adopted we decided to go for a WIDE style Cherub more akin to a 12 foot skiff in shape to hedge our bets. And so Loco Perro was born at the hands of Mike Cooke, Ben Brown and myself.

We were both very pleased with the results and after a season of tuning placed 2nd overall at the 2005 National Championships. Not bad for a couple of blokes that live about 100 miles apart and got to sail together about 10 times a year!

Dave Ching

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Dave Ching

The Shape of things to come?

This picture appeared with the heading in a artical in Y&Y, something like “Keeping up standards”. Surprisingly I was not held up as a good example! This is probably my proudest sailing moment so far. The sharp eyed will see Andy Paterson to windward of me.

I started sailing with my dad in a Firefly. I do not know how old but I was one of those kids who got lifted in with a big orange buoyancy aid on - The ones that look like they stop any kind of movement.

Crewing was the thing for me at this time - and we had moved to a faster boat with kite! (GP14) I have spent a lot of time in GP's over the years.

I spent a year in a solo learning how to helm whilst crewing my own Fireball. In this year the two things that changed my sailing life happened. One, I went to a boat show and saw an Extravert (B14e) and decided that was the boat to have. Later I saw a Moth at the club. The reason I was taken by the Moth was I thought it would be the ideal stepping stone to an Extravert. I thought it would be a good place to learn how to helm properly. So far I have never sailied an Extravert!

Last year (2005) I bought a Cherub with Lara so that I could teach her how to sail and we did our first nationals. We were lucky buying such a great boat as Norwegian Blue. Now we have just bought (Summer 2006) another great boat, Shiny Beast. So we are back at the bottom of another steep learning curve.

As you can see my sailing is full of bad decisions that have worked well, which proves there is more than one way to learn.

This is the New comers trophy we won at the 2005 Nationals.

Dave Chisholm (aka Carbonology Dave)

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Dave Chisholm (aka Carbonology Dave)

Hi - Yup I'm Carbonology Dave!!! No prizes for guessing which website I run!

I've sailed most classes and had a bit of success in the Gul Team Laser 4000 in '98 (with Steve Cockerill) and '99 (with Rob Larke). I did a few years in big(ger) boats, sailed in Mumm 30 Nationals, Europeans and Worlds, Melges worlds, Farr 40' World's, + 1720's for fun with my mates - while all the time working at Green Marine in Southampton where we built Assa Abloy the volvo 60 then moved onto the rebuild of the Mills 50 'Mandrake' which went literally straight to the start line and won the Round the Island! I worked for 2 years as a carbon mast builder and amongst other projects we did 5 or 6 masts for the Ker 11.3 which was neat because the company owned the first one 'Cracker', so we did a load of regattas on the South and East coast plus the usual JOG and RORC races - she was quick (we clocked 21+kts in her for about 2 minutes on GPS!) I skippered her to Ireland for Cork week (from Ipswich - go look on a map!!!) did Cork week, and on the last day she got proper smashed up and that was really the end of her. During this time we (my girlfriend Kerry and I) rebuilt F888 'Desperado' in 2001, then sailed it at the last 5 nationals ending up 8th last year and just outside the top 10 this year (bad last day!) but there were 111 boats!

The business - http://www.carbonology.com supplies high grade carbon materials to retail and commercial customers. Customers who are fanatical about just about every sport that uses carbon fibre - from 12“ model yachts and micro cars to 70 footers and monster trucks - and when I say everything in between I mean EVERYTHING! We've been doing a little boat building to keep our hand in and have had rudders of ours win Nationals in Fireflys and Larks for the last 3 years on the bounce. Carbonology also owns and runs a 14 footer and now owns the B1c RONIN (ex GT60 Beatrix Kiddo).

Dave Roe

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Dave Roe

(aka “Davro”)

Designer, builder, sailor, engineer, iconoclast, visionaary, polymath, but not a dancer, Dave Roe was influential or pivotal in many developments in the Cherub class from about 1985 to 2002. Dave, although resting from sailing, is still involved in an advisory capacity to just about everyone in the class. Here is a list of som of his achievements:

National Champion: 1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1998,1999. Nine times!
Designer of Italian Bistro and Pasta Frenzy
Technical officer of the class association from ~1990-2004.
Pioneer of garage engineering of exotics.
Pioneer of home made carbon spars with Simon Roberts.
Pioneer of home made carbon and foam foils.

Digby Still

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Digby Still

he was quite possibly thrown in at the deep end…. the first boat he ever sailed was a cherub and 2 weeks later he competed in the nationals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! credit shud be given where credit is due….

Current boat is Cheese Before Bedtime(crew)

ellway hopefully on the way ;)

Gav Sims

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Gav Sims

Gavin holds the record for having built more of his boat than anyone else on record, having home built sails, spars foils and hull for Mango Jam. He's not allowed to say what he does for a living, suffice to say that it involves aspects of the design of large grey ships. Noted for liking plenty of wind (when sailing!).

Email Gav via gavin sims form.

Phone Gav on 07786861514

Ghislain Devouthon

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Ghislain Devouthon

I moved to skiffs in 2003 with an international 14.

It was quite a huge step from 470 !

At the LDS 2005 we decided with Laurent Thouvenin to step to Pastatoide formerly known as pistrix to be able to sail with our wives and with the idea of discovering Cherub to build one.

After a big refursbish during in 2006, Pastatoide is close to find its way back to its favorite element.

The UK class sent me in january 2006 the Slug mould. The limace project was to built a Cherub with racks base on that design. I began on the 1st of november 2006 and Natural Born Skiffeurs touched the water on the 1st of april 2007.

I've done the UK national in weymouth with her and succeed in the french national.

My goal is to develop the Cherub in France.

You can contact me to have information about the French Cherub Class : devouthon@gmail.com or +33 6 03 97 17 03

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

I spent my early sailing years at Brightlingsea in Essex, after learning in Mirrors getting my first Cherub (Pretty Vacant no 2521, a Jennifer Julian) in 1978 and then upgraded to a Murray number 2602, Slip Kid.

After a brief stint in Moths i spent 8 years in International 14s as a crew and 3 years as front man of an 18 foot skiff campaign, finally resting a while when children came.

A return to sailing saw an Rs600 (no crew) and then an Rs400 that my wife was happy to crew for a few years, but as my 2nd son Eddie got into sailing and found the traditional Mirror route tedious our mids turned back to Cherubs in 2007. 2685 Therapy got us back into the class followed by a new Banshee 3204 currently being sailed.

I am passionate believer in the Cherub ethos, its history, its development and its reputation in the general sailing community.

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Hayley Trim
I learned to crew in a Cherub, the Flying Trifle, in 2006 when despite my bruising memories of a Fireball catapulting, Roland's water withdrawal symptoms became unbearable. So I gave in. Apart from said Fireball, I had never sailed before. We were corrupted by Drs Will and Lucy Lee when they demonstrated that even a 5 foot sub-50kg girl could lift the Atum Bom hull in their garage. However we definitely took the “red pill” on a ballistic day in Weymouth in the Trifle – after that there was absolutely no going back.

We bought Born Slippy, a slug, in 2007, converted her to 05 rules and lately put her back to 97 rules again, as well as giving her a tasty new paint job. In the meantime we built Exultant Jubilation - an E5 - in a church hall in Bethnal Green. We did the entire project ourselves – hull, spars, foils, sails. You get a bit attached to a boat when you’ve done that. Sailing EJ has proved a tricky business after the very well-behaved slug (and, well, you can’t compare anything to the Trifle, so I won’t) but we love trying. And we still have Born Slippy for those particularly fruity days when there is nothing like a T-foil-less flying lesson.

We are based in Bristol now and sail from Thornbury and Chew.

I'm always happy to chat on Cherub-related topics, so feel free to get in touch.

The Trifle, in Carnac.

EJ - Launch day

Iain Christie

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Iain Christie

I've sailed on and off for my whole life but only started racing dinghies in 2001. I'm a member of Draycote Water SC near my home in Rugby, and I sail two boats there. The first is a Fireball (GBR14612 Mad Scow) which is just great for club racing as we have a big fleet, and I've done quite a few opens as well as National and World Championships (2005). I started Cherub sailing in 2004 when I bought the venerable Team Ecocats 2539 (now Whaaam! and living in France) however I soon realised that I wanted to progress to bigger rigs and more trapezes! I sold Ecocats and rescued 2644 Suicide Blonde from a garden on the South Coast. A quick coat of paint and some tidying up had her sailing again, and a few months later she underwent a major rebuild and conversion to 2005 rules, documented elsewhere on this site.

I did the 2005 Nationals where she won the “Silver Phoenix” for the best restoration, and on to the high point of my sailing career in 2006, when re-badged as 12' Skiff “Team Practicus” we won the 2006 Bartercard 12' Skiff National Championships.

Cherub sailing is unlike any other sailing I have done, and if you like the design/technical aspect of sailing, mixed in with a bit of boat part recycling, plenty of epoxy resin and HUGE amounts of speed offwind, you will not be dissapointed!

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Name: Jamie Pearson

Rank: Secretary 2015/16 - 2016-17

Number: 07544 084297

First Cherub sailed: Cheese before bedtime

First Cherub nationals: 2013 nationals in 2645 - cheese before bedtime

First Cherub owned: 2676 - The Shiny Beast.

Sailing accomplishments:

2009/10: Gained a place in the RS Feva RYA zone squad. Noticeable points were 2010 nationals at HISC, 4th in silver fleet with 3 points separating 1st-4th.

2010: Worlds at Carnac. 3rd in Silver Fleet. Would have been 1st in silver if it weren't for discards.

2011/12: Was give the keys to a lowrider moth, Andy Patersons axeman 6, then was 1st crew for 3 49er helms.

2013: Was given the keys to Cheese in preparation for the Babbacome cherub nationals. Finished 11th overall first of the old boats.

2014: Bought an Int moth (with foils) Draycote open - 3rd overall was 1st over night with a 6 year old boat, as all the newer boats were too busy doing speed runs to realise the start had happened, recorded wind speed of 42knots. Didn't drop below 25 all day. Moth nationals and worlds at HISC, somewhere near the back of silver fleet.

Weston Cherub Nationals: Banshee ambulance. Can't remember where we finished. Came away buying the The Shiny Beast.

2015: Sheppey Open Cherub, 1st place

Weston open - 6th

Lord birkett - 1st Cherub

Mumbles nationals - 9th (probably have got 5-6th if we hadn't broken a rudder on the last day race 1. Oh well)

2016 Turbo foil made with the help of Mr Trim. new foil drive mechanism under trials.

Ended the year 3rd in the traveler series. points were: 4, 3, 4, (16), (16), 4. Showed speed at times also pointing after fitting new jib track with stopper pins. broke board at Weymouth over Xmas had upgraded board made with new slot.

What can we take from this information? I take, can sail, has hit and miss success, most probably down to tactics or lack of.

Character; A fond cider drinker. Usually found with a Bulmers in hand. Questionable dress sense. Was brought up as an engineer, improved his future by becoming a designer instead. Currently a CAD technician. Likes talking through ideas before getting on to making them. Happy to talk through other people's ideas too.

Any questions, please ask.

Forum ID: jp233

Jim Champ

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Jim Champ

Jim Champ has contributed to the Cherub Class over the years in a number of ways including serving on the committee, culminating as President for the years 2001/2, 2002/3 and 2003/4.

The really exceptional part though is this website. He created it in summer 1995 when websites were a rarity and email was exotic. It was completely hand built (Jim is an IT professional) and served the class as newsletter and, over time, increasingly as archive and text book too. Jim worked tirelessly to record the history of the class and make it available to all.

The website is still (2006) justly well-known as the place to find out how to design, build and sail your own high-performance sailing boat easily and cheaply in your garage. The continuing popularity of the website shows that in the age of the internet, size and investment can be matched by some talent and committment. Thanks to Jim we are up to date and remaining true to John Spencers vision in 1951.

Jim maintained the website until 2005. He continues to help the rookies that came after him, offering advice on improving presentation and writing, and contributing ancient archive pieces too.

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

John Hackett is a student at Plymouth Univeristy studying Marine and Composite Technology, and crews Squid Pro Quo.

john hamilton

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

john hamilton

well yeh i like sailing as fast as possible whilst having as much fun as possible, on ridiculously short boats….nuff sed ham4sand@yahoo.co.uk is my email :)

current boat is the awesome Cheese Before Bedtime

ellway possibly on the way :)

John Spencer

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

John Spencer

John Spencer, designer and founder of the Cherub Class, died in March 1996 aged 65

He was born in Melbourne, and brought up in Wellington and Tauranga. He trained as an Architect, and worked for 4 years in the profession, during which time he designed the first Cherub. He then set up as a boatbuilder, and through the 1950s was designing and building many dinghies, and then in 1956 his first keelboat, the Adrienne class. At the same time he was also designing many home built power runabouts, and I've seen it claimed that over half the boats at the 1961 Auckland Boat show were his designs, both Sail and Power! Through the 50s came other dinghy classes, mostly restricted classes, not One designs, including the Flying Ant and the N.Z. Javelin. By the 1960s he was designing and building Cherubs, Javelins, and a good many 12 footers. In 1964/5 came Infidel, and then many more serious racing boats. Infidel was the big boat that really caused a stir though. A 60 odd footer, it seems she won just about everything around New Zealand/Australia except the Sydney/Hobart race, which she was banned from by a hasty rule change. Six years later came Buccaneer, which wasn't excluded from the Sydney Hobart, and did win it. Meanwhile Infidel had been sold on to America, and renamed Ragtime, and promptly won line honours in the Transpac two years in succession. In 2001 this hard chine “black box” finished the Transpac for a record 12th time, and is arguably the single most influential offshore racer of the last thirty years Later on in his career he designed the highly popular 'Firebug' build-it-yourself plywood sailing dinghy, and was heavily involved with 1m radio controlled yachts, acting as Technical Officer for the class.

The more that one researches John's achievements and work, the more one appreciates just how great his influence on modern sailboat design has been. Perhaps no-one else since Uffa Fox has had quite such a wide ranging influence. His Cherubs, Flying Ants and Javelins were very influential in the 50s/60s sailing boom in NZ/Australia. Because the Antipodeans were primarily sailing in restricted development classes they were much more keyed into the possibilities of designing boats to go faster. Because their boats went faster Australia won the America's Cup in 1983, and New Zealand in 1995. In Johns yard in Browns Bay back in the 1950s a couple of local kids would come and sweep the workshop, then draw boats in the sand with him. These kids were Mark Bethwaite and Ron Holland. Mark's father Frank took some of John's designs with them when they moved to Sydney, and the first NS14s used a Javelin hull. Later Mark designed a radical NS14, which led directly to the Tasar. At the same time his younger siblings were winning their first World Championship in a Cherub, using the same lines of development as the family NS14s. Frank's youngest son, Julian, went on from Cherub World Champion to 18ft skiff World Champion, to invent the asymmetric spinnaker, and is currently the best known dinghy designer in the World. In the meantime John's influence had spread to keelboats, again very much with the aim of designing boats that the ordinary bloke could build and have fun sailing. His boats were always light and always quick. Other New Zealand designers followed this trend - Ron Holland naturally acknowledges Spencer's influence, and Bruce Farr was also influenced By Spencer in the early years of his not-insignificant career… Then, above all, there was Infidel. Her performance in the Transpac so impressed American designer Bill Lee that he built what was almost a round bilged version, Merlin, and promptly founded the whole ULDB sled concept…

John was a champion of the restricted class concept, and supported the U.K. decision to relax the Class Rules in 1984. He was, by all accounts, an innovator and free thinker, never overly concerned by the possibility of upsetting the current yachting establishment, thoroughly committed to light, fast, fun and inexpensive boats, and fond of the occasional drink or two. I'd like to think that the sailors of the class he founded will continue to keep all those ideals in mind.

Acknowledgements to Peter Tait, Firebug HQ, NZ (who holds John Spencer's archive material),Craig Simons of the Australian Cherub Association, Mike Hardcastle from NZ, who is restoring Andante , a John Spencer designed keelboat, from whom I got the photograph, and Nel Bethwaite from Australia, all of whom supplied biographical material which I plundered to assemble this page.

Words: Jim Champ

Picture: Bruce Laybourn

Lara Gonzalez-Ruiz

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Lara Gonzalez-Ruiz

This is the article I wrote just after my first Nationals, sailing with Dave in Norwegian Blue:

Learning to Sail in a Cherub? I wanted to learn how to sail because I had seen how much fun my boyfriend got from sailing so Dave agreed to buy a boat with me and start to teach me how to sail. My experience so far had been one trip out in a boat called a GP14. I was expecting sunshine, bikini, sunglasses and relaxing. Instead I got to hang my feet under a strap and hang over the side (“that’s hard work”, I thought). Next I got a trip in Dave’s dad Avon scow, and that time was much easier. We had to choose a type of boat to sail. Not knowing anything about boats Dave decided we should go for a Cherub. I was told this was based on 2 important factors, how much we could afford and Dave’s boredom tolerance level (both of which where on the low side). Dave showed me few photos from the internet and his explanation was: “a Cherub is cheap and fast”. So we went to the dinghy show to see the different type of boats. After seeing many different boats we went to the Cherub stand where I met someone who seemed genuinely excited to talk about her experience with Cherubs. Having nothing else to go on I decided to settle for a Cherub. It was a year to the day that we finally got to buy a boat. One trip to London to see an orange boat called Norwegian Blue? Owned by Lucy the very person who had help convince me that is was fun at the dinghy show, and Will, all happy to explain how wonderful his light carbon rudder was, whatever that was. The next Saturday was our first trip out. I stood and watched how a boat was put together. What had I done? There was a whole new language to learn and to understand. The lucky thing of that first day was there was hardly any wind so everything was like the time I “crew” the GP. I had my first go at trapeezing and it wasn’t as easy as I though. “Clip on, step out” …I understand these words, but how? Push out, oops! loose balance…and repeat. Down wind was easy, pull 2 ropes, hand another to Dave and that’s it. Then he told me the big sail at the front will be my job one day. The rudder came off and I knew that was not good when we capsized for the first time. I didn’t find it so funny! what’s funny about being freezing cold and with the boat upside down?!! The following times we went out there was a little more wind and I felt so unfit! No strength at all in my arms and my legs were aching. But trapeezing started to become easier and I felt less scared to be out on the wire. Regarding the spinnaker I found it to be hard work taking it out, I had to stop few times while pulling the halliard but I was ready for a fly, and I found it amazingly cool! The feeling of being on the edges of the boat, out of control, trying to keep my equilibrium, while the boat is going faster and faster and being all water splashed was very exciting, scary and funny at the same time. After more practice we went to Castle Cove on the weekend for our first blast. We found a bunch of friendly people and there was lots of wind, so we went out but without trying the kite, that would have been too much! Sunday luckily for me the wind was milder :O) so we decided to participate in my first race and Dave’s first Cherub race. We took a look at the race from the distance, I was all excited and ready to trapeeze, clipped on stepped out…. ooops! fell in the water…uhm…“clip on would had been good…bye bye race”…at least I had a slight feeling of what racing was? After Castle Cove, we went out sailing as much as we could. Dave joined me on trapeeze and we tried upwind, down wind again and again with more wind, more speed and it was so cool, what a fantastic feeling. Even our first pitch pole capsize was fun!?!! Am I getting loopy? ;O) Just in our first open meeting in Weston I felt adrenaline all over my body, I felt so competitive! I enjoyed having other Cherubs around doing the same things, i.e. racing, trapeeizing, capsizing, up again and keep going, that’s great, I love it! more wind please, more wind! Then The Nationals in Wales, what a holiday we had! lovely weather, meeting new people and sailing for 3 days! wish there was more wind though. Best new comers, what more can I ask for? More wind! It feels great to have the opportunity of learning what sailing is, what to be a crew is and the best of all to do it in a Cherub. I can’t wait for more nationals, open meetings or anything…just can’t wait for more flying! Mind you, very often while I trapeze and we blast and blast, still comes to my mind, what? Is that real?

This is the New comers trophy we won at the 2005 Nationals and maybe one of you will win this comming Nationals in Largo Bay, Scotland!

Laurence Trim

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Laurence Trim

Laurence is the brother of Roland Trim and is a Bough Beech SC person.

Laurence completed the restoration of Huckle (The Maori Hunter) in 2006 and enjoys sailing with his daughters Harriet and Isla.

Roland and Laurence fancied cherubs from afar for year before taking the plunge in 2006.

Lucy Lee

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Lucy Lee

I am the President of the Cherub Class Association. This means that the buck stops with me for the year 2006-7.

Top tips for Cherub Sailing:

Don’t Panic: it is supposed to be going that fast
The sensation of not being fully attached to the water is a good one
Grippy Gloves are the business. me about them as they are best bought in bulk.
Footloops are utterly essential. These are my current favourite http://www.sh-ock.com

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Hi there,

I've been sailing for a while (well since I was 10) and that means an increaslingly long time these days. Joined the Navy and perhaps counter-intuitively stopped sailing for a few years.

Last year Allan (my brother and other half pair of us currently looking after Little Fluffy Clouds) gave me kick up the bum and pointed out that it'd been far too long and we really ought to get out there.

I'd sailed a couple of cherubs a couple of times before I left school, and after a bit of thinking and the Cherub video for Christmas we got in touch and came under the influence of the Will Lee Enthusiasm Engine. As there's no escape whatsoever from that… we bought Little Fluffy Clouds and finally got out on the water at the 2007 nationals.

Our Cherubbing resolution is to try to break Fluffy less and get out on the water more. Babies, business and trying to do too many sports at once are meaning a slow return, but we are getting there.

Have a look at Fluffy (Little Fluffy Clouds) as she's brilliant.

And in terms of a business plug (as we need to find the money to buy carbon and parts to keep making her lovely somehow) follow this link for our company website. If you know anyone who needs Education Software or Internet/Computer Security products and services then send them our way: www.bluebeamsecurity.com

Give me a shout if I can help, more.

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Well my dads as obsessed with sailing as I am and so the first time I went on a boat was when I was 6 months old in his Swift Catamaran. Since then I got my first boat at about 7 which was a Blue Peter, followed by a topper. It was at this point that the bite for speed got me and I followed the topper with a Dart 15.

When i got to uni I decided I wanted my own boat and it was at this point that I discovered the Cherub and was tempted to get one although my limited funds wouldn't have got me the monster that I was after so instead I opted for a 505. Post uni and with a bit of cash I again contacted the class and went to Bala to have a look as a few boats raced in the Whit Regatta.

That was it i wanted one and around a month later I bought Sweet Dreams from Stu Hopson. After a summer of swimming (my records so far is 15 capsizes in a single race, in a very gusty F5) and a sailing I still think they're an awesome boat, just want more speed so with a bit of luck will try and find myself an '05 rules rig, in the words of Jeremy Clarkson “Power, power, more power”.

Matthew Kiddle

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 19:01:36 +0000

Matthew Kiddle

I started sailing Cherubs when i was 13, in 2004, jumping straight from sailing a Mirror with my brother Tom Kiddle

Our first cherub was Kokopelli

This photo is of Tom and I sailing 'Kokopelli' 2622 at the 2004 nationals in Weymouth.

We upgraded to The Flying Kipper in early 2005. Despite a cherub being small in size, the bucket of water proved too small for our first launch attempt.

I now sail with Tom in Dangerous Beans

I am also the owner of the famous boot from the Caption Competition

Mike Cooke

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Mike Cooke

http://www.aardvarkracing.co.uk

Neal Gibson

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Neal Gibson

Well here we my first update on the cherub website.

Well i've been sailing pretty much since I was born.

I've had quite a list of dinghies sailed in my time I started in toppers the choice of the professional of course, after a couple years in toppers I was ready for a laser this was an older laser but i learnt good gel coat repair techniques. After the laser became boring I moved into fireballs for a bit more performance for a brief spell before I took the step of buying a Laser 4000 (Yes - I had saved up that much money). After a couple of seasons in the 4 tonner I know why there are called that now. After a bout of gladnula fever I decided that was enough for sailing and to give it up for good!

This lasted 5 months. I rescued a sorry looking fireball and after spending some quality time in the living room she was ready to sail so i sold her and bought a newer fireball. I Did the 2005 fireball worlds (who didnt?) and decided that wood was not fast so bought a Winder Fireball and had much fun in her. After several knocks on the head off a hard aluminium boom and some very tiring hiking I decidded it was time to lie back and relax from the wire. Suicide Blonde came up for sale and here I am. I sail at Sunderland Yacht Club up north.

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Neil has been sailing Cherubs for 16 years and is currently based at Tynemouth Sailing Club near Newcastle. He sails a Slug design Cherub to the latest specification. Notable achievements include the Splash'n'Swim Trophy for most spectacular wipe-out at the World Championships in 1996 and credit for TSC Dismasting of the Year 2001. He is happy to chat to you about any aspect of Cherub sailing. Contact Neil on 077899 52835.

Patrick Cunningham

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Patrick Cunningham

Paul Croote

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Paul Croote

Aviator, joiner, husband, father and Cherub sailor, Paul Croote is the rennaisance man of the cherub fleet.

He has Cheese Before Bedtime.

paul_croote

Paul Smith

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Paul Smith

It is a long time since I have done any proper sailing and much longer since I last owned a Cherub. I sold my Forman 8 Nazgul 2547 (where are you now?) in 1983 at the tender age of 18. I stopped sailing on the Laser open/international circuit in 1989 just before getting married. I havent had the time or permission to sail since. This year I have managed to get my children hooked which gives me a licence to go sailing at least once a week.

Earlier in the year I acquired a 1976 plywood Forman 4 hull for nothing which was built and left in a barn for 30 years. It has never seen a fitting let alone water. The idea was to fit it out and start to train the teenagers in it. Second thoughts leant towards asymmetric conversion to 91 rules for easier children friendly kite handling. As that was going to take longer than my patience I bought a foam sandwich Fartpants (2638) off ebay and after a make over and refit should be on the water by the second week of August 2006.

A clash of boat names at my Club Brightlingsea, necessitates a name change to Prodigal Son an approprate name for someone returning to a class that brought me so much fun, albeit over two stones in weight and over two decades ago.

This old fart will provide the Brightlingsea yoof an opportunity to get into Cherubs with the aim of once again getting 5 boats on the water regularly each weekend.

Phil Alderson

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Phil Alderson

Phil Alderson is the Technical Officer and runs the website and forums, builder of Primal Scream and AquaMarina. He now owns The Flying Kipper and Pocket Rocket, lives in Largs and can't wait for the 2010 Cherub Nationals to be held at Largo Bay!

I first got into Cherub sailing when Will Lee asked me to crew for him at the 1995 Plymouth nationals in 2522 a beautiful looking Hot Dog design that had just finished being repainted and re varnished. The first time out in the boat a week before the nationals we put too much rig tension on and split the boat, realised that the rudder was far too small, and that none of the systems worked. A frantic week of rebuilding and redesigning the systems and we thought we were ready for anything, except possibly Plymouth. A stunning week of blasting at un-feasable speeds, breaking every part of the boat possible and I was hooked. I borrowed 2522 again in 1997 for a light wind nationals in Babbacombe and after helping Will to convert 2642 Little Fluffy Clouds to 97 rules went to New Quay for the 1998 nationals.

At this point I realised that I had to get my own boat but not wanting a conversion project I dived in at the deep end and decided to build one. I started by buying the shell for AquaMarina from Andy Patterson as it would save on building a jig and I knew that at least part of the boat would be properly built. I then spent a few years putting it together before taking it on a 500 mile journey to finish building it at the side of the road in Weymouth, I got sailing for the last race of the 2001 Nationals and realised quite what a beast I had built especialy when using a rather heavy ex int 14 aluminium mast.

After several years sailing and modifying AquaMarina it was time to trade up to a new boat and got together with Dave Low from DL Boats to design and build Primal Scream. After sailing Primal Scream, with my wife for a couple of years, we decided on a change and bought The Flying Kipper for some high wind fun, we then sold Primal and added Pocket Rocket to our fleet.

Phone Phil on: 0794 3869739

Or using email

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Phil Kirk

Phil, a naval architect from Bristol, likes anything connected with sailing and has raced lasers and Enterprises, Offshore yachts in the past. In dinghies his credentials include winning a race at the 2004 Enterprise world championships, many local open meetings and twice been club champion at his home club Frampton-on-Severn. Offshore, Phil has sailed 3 Fastnet races and 2 Sydney to Hobarts with both Hobart races being in yachts less than 31 feet long. He also co skippered in the 2006 double handed Round Britain and Ireland Race winning Class 3 with line honors and on handicap.

While looking for a new challenge in late 2006 he came across the Cherub class and was hooked by the ideals of the class. After attending the inspirational sticky weekend in January and meeting some of the other sailors Phil bought Slippery When Wet with girlfriend Sarah Gregson. Slippery came as a part finished 1990-1997 rules upgrade and is now being finished for sailing and hopefully the 2007 nationals.

Ray Jones

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Ray Jones

On retiring from the RAF in 2005, I decided to try boatbuilding as a second career. This entailed a move to Lowestoft ( with my partner and sharp-ender Hayley Parks ) and taking a year out to do a full time course. It also meant we no longer had access to the RAF fleet - so we had to buy our own!

We decided to move up to a trapeze boat to stretch ourselves. We didn't realise that getting into the cockpit of a 12 footer would mean shrinking ourselves would be a better option

So, we bought 2622 from Tom Kiddle - and a lovely example of a wooden construction she is.

We now sail at Great Yarmouth & Gorleston SC http://www.gygsc.btinternet.co.uk/ where we are trying to get to grips with sailing a highly stressed coffee table. (Looks brilliant, turns heads at the club - and even a coffee table will fly - if you have the necessary skill )

Richard Taylor

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Richard Taylor

I've been sailing Cherubs on and of since 1982, my first boat being a Webb Mk1 2333. I returned to the class with 2655 one of the last Italian Bistro's and then 2664 a modified Pasta Frenzy.

Why do I sail Cherubs?

Well, since 82 and the pole kite days I've really enjoyed the challenge of sailing a small over canvassed dinghy and the ability of the Cherub to punch above its weight off-wind is really a bonus.

The arrival of the modern rigs has made a huge difference and the performance of a modern boat 3 sails up in strong wind is truely astonishing. You think to your self that this really must be terminal velocity, then you crest the next wave and it's off like a super-sonic greased weezely thing.

One of the things I know:

Sailing this class of boat is the second best fun you'll ever have in a rubber suit.

One of the things I don't know:

Is the class president talking to me in his professional capacity?

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Robert Kennaugh is a student at Plymouth Univeristy and helms Squid Pro Quo.

Robin Russell

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Robin Russell

Robin is a longstanding member of the class. He has owned Taking Liberties and Dangerous Beans. He has built Dangerous Beans, Born Slippy and Nautilus Pompilius.

He won the nationals in 2001.

Roland Trim

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Roland Trim

Roland is an engineer working for Arup. He was the Project Manager of the Arup Skiff attempt to gain seleciton for a One Design “Open source” Cherub derivative for the Women's Olympic Sailing dinghy from 2016 onwards (a competition won by the 49er FX).

Roland Trim is the husband of hayley_trim and brother of Laurence Trim. Currently owning EVO and Born Slippy. He and Hayley built Exultant Jubilation and is the ex keeper of The Flying Trifle.

Feel free to contact Roland to be invited to try sailing a cherub or to talk about boat structure, home building carbon boats, spars or sails.

“Sailing a Cherub in enough wind to be not entirely in control of one's destiny is for most of us why we do it.” Bill Deeley

Sandy Allan

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Sandy Allan

First “sailed”/sunk a cherub in 1987:

Bought 746 on a trailer for £80, sailed it twice, partner in crime decided to try and knock a third of the weight out, using new style balsa and epoxy space frame, funnily enough it exploded at Bala in a force 0!

Since then I've had 1720, which I single handed and joyrode my kids in, and just over a year ago I purchased Flat Stanley (2705).

However the arrival of our third child means Stanley is still upside down in the garage awaiting completion oof winter work, whilst Meg (9) and Ben (7) hassle me to get them on the wire. Hope to be ready for the 2006 Nationals.

PS they were still skiing on the mountain above the loch last week 23/06/2006!

Simon jones

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Simon jones

My first Cherub was Loco Perro bought after spending 8 years sailing 29ers. My first nationals was in 2008 in south wales, then 2009 in Babbacoombe.

At the end of 2009 my helm and I decided it was time to upgrade and now own 3208 Eleanor, this took a while longer than anticipated, but at the end of 2010 we are really looking forward to 2011.

Simon Roberts

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Simon Roberts

Simon Roberts has been responsible for designing the Dog, the Platypus and the Slug, and was one of the pioneers of home built carbon spars in the UK. By profession he's a noise and vibration engineer in the motor industry.

Telephone Number: 01926 633648

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Stuart Hopson, known as Stu or Hoppy in the fleet, is the 2007/8 social officer ( he probably takes the drinking a touch too seriously).

Hoppy started sailing Cherubs, in 2005 when he was invited to sail Whaam, at the nationals in Newquay. It wasn't the easiest event to get to either, the story behind it is a fairly long one, but a brief summary would be something like this. 3 days before the nationals start, Hoppy gets a phone call inviting him to sail. 2 days before the nationals, Hoppy spent a good 3 hours convincing the 'rents' to allow him to sail. 1 day to go, he finds out he can't get the time of work, hmmm… what should he do… yes you guessed it he quit his job and jumped on the train to Newquay!!

Since then he has sailed in 3 national championships 2005, 2006 in largo bay where he somehow finished 3rd in Sweet Dreams, and 2007 at Weymouth, where he finnished 5th in Subtle Knife (very kindly loaned from Richard Taylor).

Hoppy has owned 3 cherubs, Eggbert the Nasty, Sweet Dreams and he know owns Atum Bom

Tim Noyce

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Tim Noyce

Tim is generally perceived as 'One of the most hansome, intelligent and humorous members of the class'.¹⁾

Since owning Taking Liberties which is an Italian Bistro for 2 years, Tim hit the Jackpot when he started his new job at Hartley Laminates in early 2007. Some people get a company car… Tim got a company boat. Tim now sails Cherub Dæmon 'Badgers Nadgers'. This is quite a step up from the Bistro in hull shape, sail size and has the added excitement of a t-foil so expect to be sailing past him at many events this year!

He is also the fixtures officer for the class association so the man to talk to if you want to organise an event.

Photos

¹⁾

Quote. Tim Noyce 2006

Tom Gruitt

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Tom Gruitt

Tom got into Cherub sailing after talking to Will Lee at the dinghy show 2004 and seeing them sail at the Final Fling in Plymouth that year.

Tom's is first sails of a Cherub were in AquaMarina at Weymouth with Will Lee and Mango Jam with Gav Sims. By the look on his face when he got out and went for a shower he was slightly scared! He soon realised that Cherubs were the only way to sail!

Tom now crews AquaMarina with Andy Lang. He also crewed the 05' Nationals with Andy Paterson in Shiny Beast and won. Tom is a photography student at Plymouth and also works for Fotoboat

Tom Kiddle

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 19:21:59 +0000

Tom Kiddle

This photo is of me and my brother Matthew sailing 'Kokopelli' 2622 at the 2004 nationals in Weymouth.

I am the Class Measurement Officer and am studying 'Yacht and Power craft design' at Southampton Solent University (aka The Institute), where I hope to learn how to make Cherubs go even faster!

My first Cherub was Kokopelli

My second boat was The Flying Kipper

My current boat is Dangerous Beans

Ring me on: 07886 984 412

Don't like phones? then try here →

Will Lee

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 21:22:52 +0000

Will Lee

It all started in 1992: At the Weston Grand Slam Will saw a pink Cherub (now known to be 2640) blasting about between the races - It really got his heart racing, and the rest is history!

Will has competed in eleven Cherub nationals (1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007), won three (2001 as crew with Robin Russell and 2006-7 as helm with Lucy Lee) in a total of seven boats (2522, 2660, 2642×2 , 2673×3, 2637, 2681, 2688×2).

There is absolutely nothing like Cherub sailing.

Contact Will via telephone on 0797 491 8359.