MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : nationals 2009

hi was just wondering where the nationals are in 09 beacuse i heard they were at marazion,cornwall ?????????????


Posted: 28/10/2008 21:36:59
By: will
You were misinformed as has been discussed on this site and doubtless elsewhere, they are at sea off Whitstable in mid August, excact dates elsewhere on this excellent, informative and entertaining web site.


Posted: 28/10/2008 22:03:04
By: ..
ok found it thanks for you very informative reply


Posted: 28/10/2008 22:31:07
By: will
I understood that Penzance or Marizion to be more accurate was the 2010 venue?


Posted: 28/10/2008 22:39:35
By: Martin
ah ok i have only just brought a boat so i have no idea about anything and i got told buy the guys i brought the boat of that they were at marazion aka mounts bay i just wanted to know beacuse if so it is only 30mins from were i live thats all


Posted: 28/10/2008 22:45:16
By: will
Is there any plan to go to Marazion in the future?  I might even by a boat to go there ...


Posted: 29/10/2008 09:55:54
By: David
Whitstable 09
Penzance 10
Hayling 11
?????? 12
Looe provisionally booked for 13


Posted: 29/10/2008 10:25:22
By: Alex
Are you looking for suggestions for 12?  Just the geographic spread is southern, so perhaps a more northerly location. North Wales. North East Coat, even Largs (it is a long drive towing a boat from London, but it can be done).


Posted: 29/10/2008 10:42:26
By: Alan F
Hi Alan, 

All in hand (I hope) we're chatting to a few clubs about 12 and will hopefully have something pencilled in by the beginning of the season.

Thanks

Alex


Posted: 29/10/2008 11:00:18
By: Alex
lets NOT go to abersoch or phohowehoprihelli.


Posted: 29/10/2008 11:06:08
By: Dangerous
Whats wrong with Phwelli? The Mirrors are going there next year for there Worlds.
Brightlingsea on the East Coast have put on many big events, four new Merlins now sailing there along with a couple of older ones.


Posted: 29/10/2008 12:52:32
By: Craig
East coast sadly not an option, too much tide means one sided beats. 10 times worse than Looe and Tenby where to be honest it usually pays to go right anyway.


Posted: 29/10/2008 13:14:11
By: Alex
What about going very north ie south Scotland.


Posted: 29/10/2008 14:14:53
By: Dave F
Prestwick?  That might really kick start interest north of the border.

http://www.prestwicksc.org.uk/

Posted: 29/10/2008 14:34:20
By: Garry R
Exmouth please


Posted: 29/10/2008 14:36:57
By: ...
Yes, what was wrong with Pwllheli?  Secure compound, sandy beach, sheltered launching, waves?

OK there was the climate and the Welsh and it being a long way from anywhere else but you could say just the same about Looe or Penzance. At least driving over the Welsh mountains was a change from the A303


Posted: 29/10/2008 14:47:34
By: Andrew M
The problem with almost all venues is the other people ie.,the ordinary tourist that puts simple things like accomodation, trailer parking, car parking and yes security too at a premium. 
Getting there is really only part of it, convenience at the venue is probably more important, cars and trailers parked seperately, inflexible arrival and departure times, lack of things for WAGs & BF's to do and so on. Given the afformentioned difficulties and avarice of some UK Clubs why not be brave look at a European Venue like Medamblik in Holland, not very far even by ferry - about 6 hours from Brightlingsea, inexpensive, superb water and the possibility of twin courses - one for the Vintage Boats. Think a bout it even if you decide no. By the way Brightlingsea does not produce one sided beats its a fabulous piece of water and lovely people too, sadly there will be no R in the month of a MR Championships so no native oysters.


Posted: 29/10/2008 17:26:02
By: .
Please - not Exmouth.  My boat still has the scars.  Actually my vote doesn't count as I never go to the champs nowadays.


Posted: 29/10/2008 17:45:45
By: Fat Pig
Brightlingsea would be brill.


Posted: 29/10/2008 18:32:55
By: P
For 2012, surely its got to be Weymouth since they are not doing anything at all that year!


Posted: 29/10/2008 18:56:23
By: ..
Merlins are getting more numerous here on the east coast so brightlingsea would be a plus. The fireballs had their best nationals for years, lots of clubbing locally, lots of things for non sailors to do close by as well withh even the possibilty of a short train ride into london.


Posted: 29/10/2008 20:02:36
By: floppy toppy
Sorry Alex, chairman or not, you cannot say the East Coast is not a fair place to sail. If you go a few miles offshore to start, as is common in all those South and West Coast bays, you get away from the coast/tide interaction anywhere and the water is just a moving carpet.
Broadstairs, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Greater Southend's multiple clubs, Brightlingsea, Clacton, Felixstowe Ferry, Aldeburgh, Southwold, Lowestoft have, to my personal experience, hosted superb championships. I have it on good authority that the East Coast also continues some 220 further north with loads of good clubs, before encountering the border of Scotland where there is 200 more miles of wonderful East Coast sailing and umptiddley North and West Coast.
I like the posts of Alan F and Dave F. Why not go very North, or even go with Mr Full Stop (or is he/she lots of sad members afraid to put their own names to their opinions) and try International waters.
I think the Merlin Rocket Class needs to get out more. Otherwise it may atrophy and be killed by international classes sailed by our own world- travelling offspring.


Posted: 29/10/2008 21:06:19
By: Mike Fitz
OOPS. That is of course roughly 220 MILES due north from Lowestoft to the Scot's border


Posted: 29/10/2008 21:10:20
By: Mike Fitz
I would support Mike Fitz,experienced across a lot of classes, Merlin Centric, local boy for Whitstable. and hope Alex and his helpers are thinking clearly and asking the hard questions. For future venues as well I am sure they are, but.
A.)When we get there early up to a week, can we have access to the dinghy park. Can we stay after the regatta up to a week.
A1 Can you handle up to 120 boats?
B. Is the Car Park near to the trailor park or intigrated with it and are they/it close to the Dinghy Park.
C. Security for the boats 24X7.
c1. Raoid scrutiny of certificates and boats, those "spun" returned to be corrected and represented.
d. Workshop fascilities for repairs after hours - through the night if necessary.
e. Chandlery either local stocking relavent bits and pieces, if not then a van that does. (Rigging services included.).
f.Is it possible to launch so that the scheduled start is at the top of the tide in time for the race to begin on slack high tide, this means an later start each day.
G. How long is the sail-tow to the course.
As Mike says lots of venues that would do very well frm Whitstable upto at least Newbiggin.
Fascilities can be created as they are anyway.
The Army are always pleased to help if asked. They were brilliant at Poole in 1964 and 1967.


Posted: 30/10/2008 00:05:39
By: Ancient Geek
Hi Folks 
Just to add my part, I have done 5 Nationals in 3 different classes at Brightlingsea and as long as they take you out beyond the Colne influence, you can get some great racing and the seas can be incredibly good fun but managable. One of my favourite venues, just seem to keep coming 2nd (2) or 3rd (2) there but seem to win the Opens, that is the only gripe. Only problem with Brightlingsea is the B&Bs but that is improving. There is a camp site adjacent to the club that could accommodate the fleet and hospitality is very good. No problem with thieving to my knowledge and night life good as well. Much better sailing waters than Torbay which is heavily influenced by the valleys if offshore winds.


Posted: 30/10/2008 09:01:20
By: Barnsie
On the part of repairs etc, there is Graham Eels and Rob White in town. Two of the main stream builders who would assist if required.
Big chandlery up the road.
Advantage sails (Mark Self). So from that point of view, all those boxes are definitely ticked.


Posted: 30/10/2008 09:04:51
By: Barnsie
Thanks Mark for your thoughts on Brightlingsea.
I know you have a big fleet at Whitstable but we look forward to seeing you and Peter in Brightlingsea once you get your Merlin. Our fleet is small but numbers have doubled this year to 4! Andy Bines has just got a fairly new boat, Andy is high up in the Fireball fleet and his crew Derick Gentry is one of the best crews around, we are looking forward to some close racing. Jacko has also joined us so the Merlin fleet is growing quickly.
As for the Nationals at Brightlingsea as you have said if you go out some way you get away from the tide. We have held National, European and World Championships with great comments afterwards.
Accomodation has always been a problem however local Bed and Breakfast are within a few miles and many members take in lodgers.
It was great seeing the Merlins at our club this year, they would be warmly welcomed for a larger event.


Posted: 30/10/2008 10:19:13
By: Craig
Exmouth would be great. They've just stengthened the dance floor and are building bigger changing rooms as we speak!!!

There's also a new (much quicker) channel to the race area as well...


Posted: 30/10/2008 16:09:34
By: Blackie
how about restronguet have held plenty of champs got plenty of room for boats not to far to race area sounds perfect to me


Posted: 30/10/2008 16:12:05
By: will
..but restronguet is a long way from the open sea if , as in the past , the champs are to be held outside ( as I think they have to be ). The Wayfs had 75 ish there a few years back and are going back next year but they sail in Carrick Roads and don't always have Olympic courses . They tour the whole area for a two hour race some days


Posted: 30/10/2008 19:44:07
By: former whitstable pro
Former Whitstable pro is quite  right,pretty part of the country pretty wooded hillsides arounf the harbour no doubt he remembers the infamous inside race in very light to zero wind at the Merlin Rocket Falmouth Championships in 1968. The biggest dinghy raft in history! You have to race outside and that's not straightforward, there is a rock ledge across the bay that means there is a right and wrong side to the course depending on wind and state of tide. 
A long sail out and much longer on the way back!
Also the Navy who have to practice somewhere, frequently use the bay as an anti submarine training area helicopters and bangs everywhere. The many branches of the harbour means travelling around can be lengthy, ducks swimming faster than kiwis walk!
Maybe Tony Lane who lives down there has a view too.
Pretty but full of tourists, car parking difficult.


Posted: 30/10/2008 20:09:16
By: Ancient Geek
How about Lyme Regis?


Posted: 30/10/2008 20:21:43
By: .
Pretty but full of tourists, car parking difficult.


Posted: 30/10/2008 20:59:20
By: ...
well i live in falmouth and i can tell you that all the sailing events i have done in the bay you never see the navy that close in if you even see them at all and there isnt really that much bias depending on the wind and tide alot less than if you were in weymouth,portland harbour,poole,plymouth the list is endless


Posted: 30/10/2008 21:18:01
By: will
Sadly Lyme Regis don't want us. If there is not willing at the club then it'll be nigh on impossible to organise, Mr Alsop amazing as he is can't sort a champs single handedly.


Posted: 31/10/2008 12:09:23
By: Alex
Well north of the border is best the most fantastic sailing and waves to die for.
where? sunny North Berwick East lothian yacht club.
just ask the RS 200 and 400 oh and the 14's plus ents solos toppers laser 2000 all have been in recent years.
A warm hearty welcome awaits.


Posted: 02/11/2008 22:44:33
By: SG
East Lothian hosted 2004 POW and did a great job. They were friendly, managed racing well, good sailing water and the launching was pretty easy off the beach. North Berwick is quaint town with pubs and restaurants in walking distsnce, and the go-kart track near Haddington is excellent - a decent size!


Posted: 03/11/2008 12:36:40
By: mark nicholson
Brightlingsea would be good. Lots of other good venues though, but my list has a bit of a southern-west tilt, Lee-on-the Solent, Highcliffe (great waves), Mumbles, Saundersfoot (probable a bit small) or even Fishguard (Pembrokeshire). Doesn't the NE suffer from a bit fog around July & August?


Posted: 08/11/2008 21:14:51
By: JonCG
What about a more Northerly Venue, even Blackpool and Fleetwood would be a possibility, but anywhere in Scotland would be a wonderfully scenic venue, especially given the southern tilt to the current line-up.


Posted: 10/11/2008 07:10:25
By: Stuart Bates (MR3615)
I think if Exmouth SC has a new dance floor, bigger changing rooms and a new channel to the race area, it's a no brainer. 

Plus they have a nightclub and the KFC is open late, also lots of good accomodation and there is never any trouble....


Posted: 10/11/2008 17:16:30
By: ...

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