Last year we had an excellent turnout of "mature" Merlins, so what about this year?

We are fine tuning the kiddie sitting duties before booking the accommodation, but that should be settled soon, so anyone else coming to play?

Can someone organise a good F4 and some more waves to play in too?

When you say "mature merlins" do you mean like nsm2's ect...

Yep, mature as in the boat's age rather than the sailor's state of mind .....

Last year there were prizes for boats over 10 years (Gangsta 3539 won that), 20 years (we won that) and 30 years (Miss Laid 3078). Miss Laid also won the Holt Plate (Handicap) with an honourable mention to Finlandia 3190 too! First time, ever, that my crew has won anything at a sailing event!

Finlandia is an NSM, Miss Laid is a Disguys and Enchantment is a one-off. NSMs (1, 2, or 4) would have a whale of a time!

Possibly Whitstable offers a better sailing water than Looe did, with smaller waves - athough bound to be wrong on that one - and no entry limit, so we could have more oldies than newbies.

would that be a 'white whale' of a time??

Rest assured "mature" boats will be very welcome at Whitstable.  There will be prizes for various age groups, plus of course the Holt Plate.

Hey hey jc! white whale will be there just just finished a "refurb" on her will be first race this sunday, hopefully so will see how she goes,  Is this the andy hay of phantom fame? if so be good to see you again, malc ex phantom 955

And for the real oldies who don't want the rough and tumble of the sea join the Vintage Wing who have their own start at the Inlands in May.

Yep, Malc, Andy Hay ex Phantom sailor.

"Fame" is rather over egging the pudding though. Did have a good couple of years and I think that my tuning notes are still used by one of the fleet sailmakers!

Hey Malc,

What did you do to her?  Did a major refurb 3 years ago (about 3 grand......!), put the carbon on it, took her down to the planks and bought the P&B's and had paintcraft do the CB etc etc - would be sad to know that there was a lot needed doing.  Email me if you want to know anything - think I have photos somewhere with the paint off etc.  Would be good to see photos of it now also - am in Aus now to no chance to see it in action at Nats.....

Jon

sent pm jon

You should see if you can get Whyte Michief and COTLB there for the old skool rematch..

Regrets, but Whyte Mischief won't be at Whitstable 9unless someone with suitable credentials wants to charter her).  Saving up leave and zloties for a crossing of Drake's Passage in a three-maasted barque in December 2009 - January 2010.  Maybe a rematch at the 2010 Nationals(when hopefully the tennis elbow that started after big Tueday at Looe will be healed).

Finlandia will not be at the Nationals either and is up for sale. the replacement 3496 is going to Salcombe and intend to be at the 2010 Nationals.

I trust the vintage year-grouping will go as far as over 60 years please, (63 vintage in fact, yes and 60 year old cotton sails etc)... 10, 20 30 etc sounds far too modern!!

chris, are you contemplating sailing 6 at the nationals then?
I might be tempted to come down with a bit of vintage competition for you, cotton sails and all!

U all also forgot that 3403 the Refrigerator won the buttercup prize at the nationals aswell

but unfortunatly will not be going this year because of to many other commitments but is goin to the Salcombe week