Bough Beech Vintage Boat event? 2626 and Older?

[JimC]

IThe Classic/Vintage Dinghy Racing Association http://www.cvrda.org/
 have an event this year at Bough Beech in Kent. http://bbsc.weather-focus.co.uk/index.asp This is a more Cherub sized reservoir than most of their venues in this part of the country.  The CVDRA is a loose group to encourage sailing and racing in older boats. I try to get Queenie SJB, my Farr Cherub out to their events that aren't too far from me, but there do seem to be a few more older Cherubs about, so I wondered if any others might be interested. Basically under their rule - 25 years or older - any UK boat up to I think 2626 plus Flat Stanley would qualify, although obviously boats which still have pole kites and are reasonably close to 1984 or earlier rules fit the spirit of the thing much better. Their events are suitably casual and low key - at least as far as I am concerned when I take Queenie along... I was thinking it might be nice to see some of the older boats like Spencer 7s and especially Jennifer Julians out. What do folk think?  There's a little more on their forum here. http://www.cvrda.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1839. No doubt if we got a reasonable number of Cherubs out we could organise some kind of Class prize.

[roland_trim]

Aggro (2603) is still in the Barn next to BBSC, the new owner is yet to collect. I'll give Bruce a yell and see if we can wangle another last blast in her...

Jim how old is 2627? She is his next resoration and lives at BBSC, sporting a very nice new set of Hydes (although Hydes are not as nice as the set I saw last night  ).

[JimC]

Jim how old is 2627? She is his next resoration and lives at BBSC, sporting a very nice new set of Hydes (although Hydes are not as nice as the set I saw last night  ).

Last Amber Dragon? On the cusp I think... It should be a 1984 built boat to qualify and I didn't think she was in the very first batch of 84 rules boats, which was why I reckoned 2626 as the breakpoint, but whoever has the records will know for sure... If there's a pole kite available I'm sure noone will care, but if she's in really good order with a bowsprit kite she'll be looking more modern than 95% of the new boats at the club, which would be a tad ironic for a Classic/Vintage Event! But hell, get her out, I'll talk fast. Goodness knows she's got loads of historical significance.

[roland_trim]

She is a member at BBSC anyway so if Bruce's not allowed to race we'll just buzz about with big grins and avoid the racing.

[JimC]

She is a member at BBSC anyway so if Bruce's not allowed to race we'll just buzz about with big grins and avoid the racing.

Who's allowed to race is I guess down to the Sailing Instructions and the race officer.

But could the keeper of the records look up for me when 2627 Last Amber Dragon was registered: If she qualifies anyway its fuss about nothing and no point in worrying.

What sort of spec is she in now anyway? Half the trouble is we modify our boats so much their age is always a bit of a variable feast. QSJB isn't quite in 70s rule spec because the main is Halo's original one and so is a bit oversize. When it finally disintegrates (and some of the mylar is held together mainly by memory) I suppose I'm going to have to buy one that's the orginal size... Well, sail area doesn't make that much difference (or wouldn't if I lost some weight...)

Any of the other oldies fancy trying to make it down. It would be good to see some of them alongside each other - and make a nice feature to go on the website or even one of the mags... A Jennifer Julian would be particularly good: it would be fun to send Farr Yacht design a nice photo of their two oldest designs that are still active!

[Will_Lee]

I have the folder. I'll post as soon as I know.

[JimC]

Just finishing putting Queenie together ready for this one, and it occurs to me that I haven't actually sorted out a helm yet...
Is anyone interested in running down... There are a few caveats.

Firstly, you need to be very light - 60kg/9.5 stone is probably tops, owing to a sad increase of waistline since Halo days on my part
Secondly there are severe weather limits when using a >30 year old wooden mast which is absolutely irreplaceable, so decent breeze may involve sitting on the beach
Thirdly I'm hilariously out of practice when it comes to gybing pole kites, and yes, that's what's on board, so don't expect to do well no matter what the weather.
Fourthly, yes she's still a Cherub, but not realy very much like modern ones. In particular she's not self draining and very prone to filling up with water and going slowly!

On the other hand you do get to sail one of the oldest active Bruce Farr boats in the world, and almost certainly the oldest active outside New Zealand, and to sail under the only Bethwaite wooden wing mast outside Australia. The provenance is *extremely* serious!

So is anyone interested...

Also are there any other old Cherubs coming down? I expect I could sort out a class prize if we're going to have a reasonable turnout. I'd be especially delighted to see a Jennifer Julian along, as it would be rather fun to send Farr Yacht Design a modern photograph of two of their oldest designs in action...

[phil_kirk]

I think the 9.5 stone limit rules out many of the current sailors that I can think of although Dean and Simon would both fit the bill. 

[Will_Lee]

Sorry - I will look it up tonight.

W

[JimC]

Any other old Cherubs planning to come?
I have a panic on, as during last minute checking on Saturday the mast fell off the shelf onto the boat, and yipee, spreader straight through the foredeck... Sigh.

[Will_Lee]

Have you found a crew, Jim?

Sorry, I'll not be looking up the folder tonight, but I'll defo do it soon!

[JimC]

Team Cherub KZ1982 is out of this event I'm afraid. I just discovered my trailer to be exceedingly thoroughly unroadworthy - one of the indespension units has literally split in half with only rust and memory holding it together...