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Alan WarrenA quick Q-and-A with class stalwart Alan Warren - Autumn 2004 |
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Introduction Alan has an extremely impressive record of sailing the Merlin Rocket, starting in 1951. Having won the National Championships 4 times he is also consistently in the top 10 on the Silver Tiller Circuit and Inland Championships and campaigned a Tempest in the Olympics in the 70's. In addition to sailing Alan heads up the family Undertaking business H.D.Tribe, in Worthing. Ed Alan. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this article for us. When did you start sailing and when did you first step into a Merlin? Alan 1951 why my father joined the Sussex Motor YC. I crewed various Merlins from No 60 & 90 with George Slack. 188,225,369, 863, Brain Saffrey-Cooper. First helmed 1959, 738 Tin Tacks. Ed What other boats have you sailed apart from the Merlin? Alan Flying Duchman, with John Harris and Barry Dunning. Tempest and Star with David Hunt. Soling with Spud Rowesll & Barry Dunning. Ed How often do you sail? You are pretty much ever present at the moment at most if not all of the Silver Tiller meetings, but do you sail much apart from that? Alan I sail at Shoreham every Sunday up to November then do the Chichester Snowflake, when I'm in England. I go to Florida in the Winter and sail a Star at the Barcardi Cup Week (crewing). Ed How about keeping fit? Do you train much - or just sail? Alan Nothing particular. I walk footpaths in Sussex on Monday's and have completed about 70% so far. Golf Tuesday (sometimes Wednesday) Thursday & Saturday and do the garden. Sail Sunday. Ed Let us into a few secrets of your success - how do you prepare for an open meeting/National event? Alan Try to make sure everything works. Despite this things do go wrong. At Hollingworth open, at the last moment discovered the main halyard had twisted up somehow and we were late for start. I like to arrive at line with plenty of time. Ed Do you change the rig settings much depending whether its on a lake or at sea - blowing hard or a drifter? Alan Yes. Depending on conditions we change from 1-5 on our settings and sometimes we get it right. Ed Tell us about your other interests? Alan I spend all my spare time painting and sketching. I've always got a painting on the board. Ed Having been in the class for 53 years, what do you think is the most significant change that has taken place in this time? Alan The advent of carbon fibre, fibre glass hulls. Going way back the change from cotton to man made sails. Ed You currently sail one of the latest Winder FRP Canterbury Tales. Are you happy with the boats performance? What about the current 'out of the box' sailing - with the mass-produced plastic Merlin's. What are your thoughts on this? Alan Excellent for easy sailing, maintenance and you can keep them outside. But I regret the interest you once got from the new wood designs that came out each year is no longer there. Ed Your son William also sails a Merlin Rocket competitively. Is there rivalry on the racecourse between you both? Alan Yes, but this is just a continuation of our Sunday racing at the club. We also exchange info and ideas. If he didn't tow the double trailer I wouldn't drive to open meetings, so I have to be nice to him. Ed If there was one thing you could change in the class, what would it be? Alan Built in buoyancy, get rid of the bags, but keep the flotation the same. Get rid of the lead and weigh everything all up, mast, boom, rudder, sails, why just hull? Ed Thank you Alan. Best of luck with your sailing in 2005. |