3 x 30 minutes races.
Being on the shore having lunch during higher water.
Finishing for the day when there was still two hours of water left.

Anyone have any ideas what that's all about?

After travelling 280 miles for the privilege of such an event I had to question why?

How much per minute is that?
There does seem to be certain thread of disatisfaction with Regattas at present.
Are expectations too great?
Are we all getting too picky, or should we clone Frank Dwyer or Alan Chaplin before its too late?
There is a general trend even in keelboats to more shorter races which is putting a greater premium on starts than is perhaps healthy?
However some places Cowes Week for instance feel it their duty to give one a lengthy scenic tour that goes on far too long to ensure no one finishes before the last class starts except the X Class which is a class to itself! Incidentally with a few former Merlin Sailors doing well in it.

I was also asked to move my trailer from the car park just as I was launching for the first race!!. The start had been delayed by 45 mins and no one had informed me that I couldn't leave it there when I arrived..  I moved it to the required spot only to find when I came in some fool had blocked it in and I needed two people to lift it out so I didn't scrath the car which had blocked me in... 
I thought the races were around 45mins long and throughly enjoyed them though, not sure about one race then in for a quick lunch though all seemed a waste of time when we could have easily stayed out for all three races..

Please don't clone me - the wife is confused enough already !!

We had 3 really good races which were a good deal longer than 30 minutes. Maybe that's because we weren't at the front but we weren't at the back either. Good breeze, it didn't rain on us and it was great to use the new clubhouse. We travelled around 200 miles and thoroughly enjoyed our day. Thanks Chichester.

Should also add i throughly enjoyed the racing though...

But as an actuary Whitstable Pro will himself be very confused these days!

Full results anywhere?

On the CYC website.

arrrrrrgh!

which of the many tie breaks id you lose on then?

was there any pictures taken?

It would be good to see Natts face - the last photo of her was disappearing under a sea of foam now gracing the forum home page!  We need proof that she is alive and well!!

....especially now Alan is looking for a crew and taken on the helming role for himself!!!

Yeah - what's that all about then?  Who ditched who?

Are we going to start a "Save The Nat" campaign...??

Maybe she got traumatised by the dunking and doesn't fancy sailing any more?

hahaha! i am very well and alive thanks! the guy with the camera was he filimg or taking piccys then? and no i love the 'dunking' as you put it!

I suspect that Natt retains Snakey B and Alan F has a new one on order.  Question is, is this a result of Natt sacking Natt for the dunking?

You must be joking, do you know how much a new Winder is? With Snakey B, Chambulls and WAPB(aka the pink boat), we have enough Merlins for me, Natt and Mark to helm, assuming we all have crews at the same time. But as I own them all I get first choice, and that would normally be Sankey B at a ST. Although if I get WAPB un-leaked in time (50% through the epoxying - despite the water shortage it always seems to be raining when I get home from work) I hope to use that for the Tideway.

More detail please on the racing!  Alan, getting rid of Chambulls to your son appears to have been a bad move on the results sheet, you will have to sneak out at night and stick duct tape on his centreboard or something.  V encouraging to see Armed Forces still up with the pack, just shows the old Turner boats are still going strong after it must be 15 years, you don't need to get the latest Winder to join the fun as long as the hull's a good one and properly maintained and updated

Interesting Mr F.

A bit harsh on poor Natt!! She gets her hands on The Snake, only for you to pull owners rank and keep it for yourself for ST. So who will sail what?

I guess if you want all the goss you'd better come to Bourne End Week. b.t.w Natt will be helming The Snake at BEW (I hope!) with me in the usual position

Is that the same one as on the website?

Pimm`s or a Horses Neck???

Back to Natt's question re photos. I understand that there were quite a few photos taken and they will forward them to the association once a few technical difficulties are resolved!

On a seperate note, It was a pleasant change of pace for the Merlin Fleet to actually see someone being lobbed for a rule infringment (When was the last time this happened?).  I know they weren't pumping (which seems to be the norm at the big events), but good on you Tom. Sorry to sound like a whinger, but I reckon its about time we started sailing like gentlemen and treated this as the sport that it is.