Anyone know when the 2010 Nationals are next year, we enjoyed our first Merlin Nationals so much that we are already planning our next trip! Team Brightlingsea would like to thank Whitstable for some challenging conditions.

Hi Craig,

I believe it is Penzance 2010, Hayling Island in 2011 and Exe in 2012.

He did ask WHEN not where!

Its a shame that the Northern Merlin sailors have been considered over the next three years

Perhaps you mean NOT considered?
Where would you go?

Thanks for reply, anyone know the date for 2010?

What about Llandudno ? they organised a very good GP14 nationals this year.

Typically this is wandering from the date of the 2010 Championships to where in the North one might run a Championship. There used to be a Northern Championship (Cock of the North.) that was run at Llandudno, high tidal range somewhat limited the time for sailing, one could go further North to the Clyde or Forth or to one of the very big reservoirs that are high and not surrounded by hills. The East Coast has the Hull Estuary (Grimsby & Cleethorpes, Scarborough etc too.
But the class has very conservative tendancies and moving from proven known venues may not be popular.

As far as I'm aware it's the 15th - 20th August

There are many good clubs that can take a 100+ boats in the north such as Filey, Pwhelli, Abersoch, Sunderland etc. I am new to the Merlin fleet and it's a shame that this class like most classes is a south of England Biased class.  With Salcombe and the nationals both being the Merlin’s Premier events for the class would it not be an idea to help the class progress and not limit it’s growth by pushing some higher profile events over the next few years in the north of England? If you look when there last national that was held in the north of England I believe was Pwhelli in 07 and it looks like its going to be at least 6 years to the next one in 2013

I went to my first Merlin open at Carsington and for a low key event i was impressed with the turn out of Midland especially as there was a silver tiller on the same day.

I'm not sure if it is cast in stone, but I did think Penzance as a champs venue does seem a bit random! Any particular reason? As for champs location, I suspect the choice is in part due to the south having warmer shores and slightly better weather predictability than the far north which does tend to swing more to that of constant rain and wind! That's not to say the north would ever be ruled out as a champs venue, i'm sure, as there are some stunning SC's up and down the East & West coast. 

One question though! Why at this years nationals were attendees down by circa 20 boats compared to Looe 08 with 70+!!!??? Is it about location? Economic climate? Cost?

Due to the nature of the long organisation that must go into a Champs, I would imagine that the venues are solid, if not cast in stone, some time in advance. The venues for the next four years Champs are always published in the Yearbook, so we all have a bit of warning. I think that historically (and someone will correct me if I am wrong) that in recent history, the more southerly venues have been better attended.

We also had a fixed 80 boat limit at Looe, which will encourage attendance, just look at the annual scramble for Salcombe places. This also encouraged everyone to pay up early and not dither about it. Of course 2008 was a very different economic climate to that in which we find ourselves. 

Whitstable was good, but I would like to make four points, which are entirely personal:

1.  There was no club assistance to get the fleet out of the water, so after a tiring sail you then had to haul over soft shingle or wait on the ramp. Merliner's banded to gether well on Thursday to get the fleet ashore and we had to work in concert to get the boats back to the dinghy park. 
2.  I have a concern about the level of radio cover such that one boat was upsidedown for an hour, with a lack of communication back to the shore (and between the other rescue craft) to give concerned spectators and fellow fleet members reassurance that all was well.
3.  We (as a fleet) must decide if it is OK for a Champs venue to have the racing area so shallow such that our masts will snap when we capsize and stick them in the mud. Surely we should be in deep enough water at all states of the tides to enable an inverted boat to come up with it's full rig?
4.  Can we have a full on black tie dinner & dance rather than a buffet?

Possibly 1 and 3 are the reasons for the 20 boats missing. We definitely missed the older vintage and classic boats that we had such a good time racing with at Looe. The front end was mostly the same, no Mr Gilbert of course, so it was the middle / rear of the fleet that was missing - those without the latest Winders who have to describe the Championships as a sailing and social holiday rather than a competitive week.

Oh yes, one other thing, it was difficult for our 3 year old to build sand castles on a pebbly shore. Still she managed to entertain herself and the Grandparents and had a good time on the swings and slides in town.

I did make the long trek to Pwllheli 2 years ago and enjoyed the racing a great deal but there wasn't a lot going on ashore and the weather that year didn't help.  I've been to Looe three times now and had the same experience each time - massive waves, good breeze, well-organised hospitable club.  I have done Whitstable once, 2002, and though the social side was fantastic the sailing was not - I found the tides tricky (Swale !!!)and even when the sea did get up a bit there were not the long rollers that you could surf easily as an amateur.  I understand the reason that Whitstable is still on the calendar and I would not take it off.  Nice town, good club and a home Merlin fleet.  If I had had more holiday I could take at the crucial time I might have gone.  If I had gone I would have been only the 3rd boat over 15 years old so Andy is right, the bit of the fleet I normally sail in was very thin.

The evidence is that the lower numbers attending were down to fiscal matters,  Salcombe was down this year too, 94 entries 84 effectively coming to the line. Next years Salcombe numbers will be interesting.
Whitstable always has been, since the 1950's, an excellent venue fantastic welcomes, no shortage of help, top class racing organised to the very highest standards, run by real seamen not just health and safety addicts. 
Always a fair result.
If one follows Andy's thesis one is going to be in danger of competitors having to get a certificate of competance before entering as some places in Europe do.
The class is in numbers of currently competative boats very equaly spread north and south it's poplarity North of Lancashire has always been limited though goodness knows why. Maybe Steve Goacher can get a Windemere Fleet going?
As to parties, well it is first and formost a Championship, to say anything else is to devalue it, that's not to say partying is a bad thing it is just not the main event for the contenders anyway!

Incompetence would have precluded our attendance if there was a test for this, and no this was not my point at all. If 'elf & safety was allowed to get involved, sailing would be banned for all of us.

All should be welcome at the Championships, whether they aspire to win or enjoy the rare chance of sailing with more than fifty Merlins on the same start line.

The social side for some IS the Championships. The competition for the Tongs was reputed to be fierce. 

If the Champs was for those with a chance of winning, just have a regatta for the top 6 year on year and call it a day, but that is not what the Champs are about at all. Competition throughout the fleet, large start lines, friendly racing played in a fair manner befitting the class is why we attend and I would imagine probably why most of the "also rans" also attend. That said, we aspire to get better and are already planning for Penzance in 2010.

I missed out on both Salcombe and the Nationals this year, so singly handedly (2 Merlin family - until this year) accounted for a 2 - 4% reduction in entries.

The fiscal climate certainly impacted me with a change of job and the uncertainty that brings. I guess many others have been or will be in a simlar situation.

Couple that with several other issues and suddendly getting to Salcombe or the Champs isn't a priority. Having been regularily for several year, it is good to have an excuse for a break actually.  Many may be thinking the same.

Regarding venue, I have broken masts at Whitstable and Hayling, and I only blame myself not the shallows. It wouldn't stop me going back to either. It just makes not capsizing more important :-)

As the organiser of the last three Merlin Championships at Whitstable I would like to respond to the �personal� comments of Andy Hay.

1.   �There was no club assistance to get out of the water�.  Come on Andy, get real.  It wasn�t very far and Judy and David brought most of the trolleys down.  If an old age pensioner with a lady crew with a knackered shoulder, elbow and wrist can do it after two tough races on Thursday I am sure that the parent of a three year old can as well.  In fact we did try to get our cadets to help but they were too busy elsewhere � sailing!

2.	�Level of radio cover�.  All rescue boats had radios that worked and were in contact with each other and the safety officer (afloat).  If you have ever tried to operate a rescue boat in a Force 5 and Whitstable chop you would know that you can�t be on your radio all the time, especially if rendering assistance.  The team afloat knew where everyone was � and when an empty trolley with a tag was found on the beach they were able to identify the location of the boat immediately.  (I had actually sailed past him as he was being towed in)

3.	�Shallow water�. This was the tenth Merlin championship at Whitstable.  The water has not got any shallower so I can only assume a lot of the class do like coming back.

4.  �Black tie dinner�.  There are a considerable number of people who do not want to take  black tie and �posh frocks� to championships so this is a very personal thing.  I was very disappointed with the �Posh buffet�.  The caterers promised much better and I can only say I am sorry it was not up to scratch.

But to get back to the original question � why were numbers down?  Historically Whitstable turnouts have always been lower, even in the days of 150 plus fleets.  The reasons are a combination of factors � some don�t like the short chop, some don�t like the tide, some families don�t like the pebble beach and in the old days the town was a dump.  When planning the championships I anticipated and entry of about 60.   58 therefore was not far off the mark � I think we did rather well!

We think you did excellently well too John! Sailing and Social organisation were brilliant as well as the fantastic weather, can't wait to come back for another week soon!!

Many Thanks

The Pages and Phil Dalby

The champs this year provided excellent sailing in sometimes challenging conditions (!), the onshore organisation was really good, and Whitstable YC was it's usual welcoming self which made for a fantastic week all round. Lots of thanks should go to all the people who made it possible. We can't wait for the next one!

If considering a northern option Preswick stands out in my memory, sand,golf & the Johnny distillery!!!!!!!!and great sailing we had 81 50's a good few years back. Just a thought.

Thats Johnny Walker Distillery (obviously still having some effect!)

In answer to all of this I can comment that The Tosh Family had the most amazing week both on and off the water. Tosh did well, enjoyed it to the full and we felt that the week was excellently executed all ways round and in answer to the ORIGINAL question that seems to have been passed by,  and that I will repeat,  THE CHAMPS NEXT YEAR ARE FROM THE 15TH TO THE 20TH OF AUGUST as far as confirmation from Penzance SC e-mail a few months ago are concerned - Craig, I hope that answers your question! Heaven Help us! Being a Northerner myself It would be lovely (if rainy, grey and not beach weather) to head Up North, but hey, let's just enjoy what we have where we have it :o)

I wasn't there and a squadron of pigs is more likely to loop the loop over the South Coast before I heave my body into a Merlin Rocket again, however it IS the best two man dinghy bar none and Whitstable was and still in a prime venue for oh so many reasons. Years ago a well known Italian Flying Dutchman sailor just smiled and said "Ah Whitstable the home of Britsh sailing!" a view I heard expressed many times by Danes, Dutch, Germans and French just after the sad death of Frank Dwyer.
One other point it is a Sailing Championship that is the subject but that does not mean that also rans cannot do battle with the contenders and it is arguable that if no one finishes last no one can win and the last boat is thus as important as the first. Sailing should be the most import thing but that does not preclude a good time!

Yes Jilly and I want to add our support too.
Whitstable was an excellent champs - absolutely fantastic racing. Surely something for everyone who sails on big sea courses, and that is what it is all about. It was physically and mentally a serious test and congratulations are well deserved to Glen and Olly. All those who just got beaten are probably beating themselves up a bit more - but the reality is they made just a few small mistakes - and paid the price. 
Poor John Silk (our totally committed race officer) had some really tricky calls to make, and with hindsight I bet he would have changed a few - but I also bet even the great Frank Dwyer felt that after an event too. My own opinion is that he gave us six really good races and my thanks go out to him.
The reality is that if we had stayed out a bit longer on Wednesday (or gone back out again which the majority voted against) and waited for the breeze to settle from the SW we would have had the West Country Trophy race in lighter winds than we actually sailed it in on Thursday afternoon – but would that have changed the result? I think not.
Thursday was a hard day for a lot of us with two races in 25 to 30 knots of wind but it proved the boats can take it if the sailors have the skill and stamina to cope. Most of the mast breakages that I know about were due to rigging failure or ‘schoolboy’ type errors – I think there would have been more complete mast write-offs in the days of ally masts.
So for the rest of us - who were never likely to win anyway much as we may fantasise - was Whitstable a good venue? Yes, it was great fun. I think everyone who was there agrees. The club is brilliant; the town is just the right amount of trendyness to give us good food and ‘retail therapy’ and there were barbeques and bonfires on the beach. The water was warm enough for swimming and the racing was not predictable – so we all had a chance – I loved it and now we have to wait a year to do it all again at Penzance, somewhere I have never been to but am looking forward to, dv! 

It is a shame that there weren’t as many entries as we hoped for – I think many people don’t realise what a nice holiday venue Whitstable is and I am sure everyone is worried about costs. But there is a point I am trying to make that Championship sailing takes real skill and there is a camaraderie in the fleet which makes the whole experience quite spectacular – worth the effort I think.

Thanks Mrs Tosh!! Not sure what I started here but an interesting debate. As a new Merlin sailor as I said in my first posting we had a great first Nationals, it did not matter that we were not at the front but found the people very friendly and helpfull, (being next to Dave Winder in the boat park helped!) We have sailed at Whitstable many times and would certanly go back, the sailing and social was good and the local sea food restaurants first class.
As I said earlier we are already planning Penzanze along with other Brightlingsea Merlins, we are hooked!!

Re-reading my comment it looks a bit negative.  I did mean it about not taking Whitstable off the calendar, was just wondering why more boats from my bit of the fleet had not come.  A lot (including me) will either do Salcombe or the Champs not both in one year.  A venue like Looe or Tenby sounds more like a holiday for the family than Whitstable despite the attractions of the town.  The year I went I didn't get the chance to see if the boat would invert without the mast touching the bottom but I was assured there was enough depth in most of the sailing area.

I would like to echo the positive comments from others.  The Championships were superbly organised - and I know how difficult that is and how much hard work goes in from both the Merlin Committee and the Club involved - mostly unrecognised and unrewarded.

I was on the water for four of the six days, including some time on Thursday and Friday on the rescue ribs.  The guys manning the rescue boats were immensely competent and were clearly in radio contact with the shore and the other boats throughout - in fact the airwaves were full of calls to coordinate the efforts to help those in difficulty.  

I think that everyone should take great comfort from the fact that we were in very good hands - and I can assure you that I wouldn't have been out there otherwise!

Did you take any of those superb pictures of yours Demelza?

I have only attended the champs once and that was back in '97 at Whitstable and even then it was great fun with a superb sailing and a great atmosphere. I think at this point the town might have been claasified as the "dump", as JC put it, but having passed through Whitstable fairly recently it certainly appears to have been part of a major regeneration programme!

As the owner of a very old MR 908 (nearing restoration completion), I really would like to attend a champs again. I doubt Penzance will be on the cards but Hayling I suspect will be better placed, that said, it would be good to try and encourage the vintage racing that took place at hayling in 2005 - 3 days with shorter courses. Is this something the organisers of Penzance/Hayling are looking in to?

Due to the low numbers this year, has the champs made a loss ?

There wasn't a reduced attendance at Salcombe this year - 98 entries of which at least 95 came to the line even if the conditions caused a few retirements.

I think that 94 & 86 acording to that link.

. missinforms!! 98 & 95 clearly by that sheet

Mrs Tosh is correct - the 2010 champs is the 15th - 20th August

Also, please note that the venue is Penzance SC and NOT Mounts Bay (at Marazion)

The definative answer on Salcombe numbers...........

98 entries after all the cancellations - I actually recieved 108 entries but lost 10 for various reasons (not unusual.

of the 98, 97 were actually in Salcombe but RNLI duties didn't allow 3550 to get afloat so 96 actually started at least one race.

And you are welcome to check the race sheets if you want to!!!!

Can anyone tell me where is the best place to book accommodation, in the town or the other end of Mounts Bay - for family/sailing/beach/reasons. We are heading to our place in Looe and thought we'd do check it out (only been there in passing years ago) but would be nice to have a proper look at the town, accomms, sailing club etc etc. Happy to post our findings for all to see.

The Marazion end would be nicer for the family, but there are fewer accommodation options than in Penzance itself and Mr Tosh will have to commute each morning to sail - about 10 minutes drive depending on traffic.

Does anyone know where the boats will be kept at the Champs.
There is a link to Google maps on the Sailing Club website - there is big slipway from the carpark near the clubhouse. Is that where we launch?

The boats are indeed kept in a secure compound in the car park just north of the club (2 min walk from the club over the causeway), allowing competitors to launch safely in to the harbour via the slip way.

Hi Pat,

When the Larks were there in 2006, they set aside part of the car park next to the club for boat storage. I'd guess they'd do the same again as their dedicated dinghy park is too small.

Chris

My Parents did the Tasar Nationals some years ago at Penzance SC. If I recall correctly, an area of the car park was sectioned off for the boat park. There is an appartment block directly across the car park with holiday lets.

If you zoom out on the google map, there looks like a further area of beach around the corner of the harbour to the south. So the town looks quite likely for the family side of things (we might not be bringing our little one next year) if Tosh does not fancy the 6km jog every morning along the beach!

Pat,

The slipway now has a nice floating pontoon making launching very easy - no issues with fixed rudders if tide in. They normally run an efficient slip team delivering trolleys to you. Merlins being quite wide would probably have to queue a little but pontoon should be really helpful.

Boats are always kept in the car park for champs at Penzance.

Regarding accomodation - 

Morrab road is pretty close and full of holiday lets as is Regent Terrace which also boasts sea views.

The old seamens mission looks over the bathing pool and is split into flats which are let through Blakes. This is one of the closest place with holiday lets but a fair view of the flats do not have balconies for kit. The very closest accomodation is the Wharfhouse which is a complex with chip shop and a couple of flats but these are quite expensive.

Chapel Street has some holiday lets but is lively on Friday and Saturday nights - very handy for the closest pubs.

Alexandra Road area also has plenty of holiday lets and you only need to walk along the prom.

There is a campsite at Chyandour / Eastern Green for those looking to camp and there is a backpacker hostel on Alexandra Road as well.

Amanda - what sort of accomodation are you after? Penzance is a seaside town with large lido and active harbour but only a small pebble beach. Just outside of Penzance are plenty of beaches and quaint villages like Mousehole, Marazion etc. You may do best with the kids to head close to the lido in the seamen's mission or on Regent Terrace. 

Cheers,
Mark

PS - carpark compound is secure. Club members normally take it in turns to do the night shift keeping an eye on everything...and providing other services such as letting Robinson into the changing rooms when he's pulled.

Thanks Mark, looking for something that will  sleep the five of us or a bigger house for two families to share. I guess close to the club (ish). Will check out your suggestions.

Just a thought but Why not do the Champs out to sea as required by Championship criteria? In Salcombe?? We sail over the bar at Hayling so any reason not sailing in South Devon?? Not necessarily a suggestion but more a thought??

Will you lay the buoys in that deep water, and pull them up again each day?

Even though this is a contribution of yours from before midnight Guy I still don't think it's a runner.  The idea of sailing off Mill Bay and turning left, going all the way out to beyond the wind shadow of Bolt Head and then sailing a race doesn't really appeal despite the other attractions of Salcombe.

Fair Do`s as said just a thought not a suggestion?? But surely when sailing "Out to sea" in other places its still deep water?? So Bouys still need to be lifted?? But Millsy is right would feel a bit odd not visiting Gurston for the whole week!! And its before midnight again!!! See you all at HSC next weekend for clear skies and crew behind the thrawt I Hope??

We ran Olympic Course outside today, windward mark off Bolthead, leeward under Gara, wing mark in 100ft of water (lot of line!)

What happens if guy posts after midnight?

Is this another Gremlins scenario??

It is just even less coherant!!!!!!!