Upper Thames Boxing Day and the Yule Log

 

Upper Thames Boxing Day and the Yule Log

adminDecember 27, 2023Uncategorized Comments (0)

Safety Boat Duty

The end of 2023 is drawing nigh, and the Annual Boxing Day Lapthorne Tankard (CPN) & Boxing Day Trophy (PHC) are up for grabs. However, as sailors, we are entirely at the mercy of the wind. On this particular Boxing Day, it was conspicuously absent. Paul and I decided that after our first Safety boat rescue perhaps volunteering to man the safety boat of Boxing Day was a good idea. We have experienced some strong wind the past few days. Storm Gerrit is due on Wednesday. In between on Tuesday (Boxing Day), the air was still, and hardly a flag fluttered at the sailing club.

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New Island

We did notice a new island had appeared on the other bank. A small log was sticking out of the water near to one of the jetties. Before any racing starts, these need to be removed, with four men gathering around Tigris V, willing the engine to life. After a five-minute struggle that felt like an eternity, the engine finally sputtered to life.

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Two members set off to examine the new forest island. We decided that two should go out and investigate, while the other two waiting safety boat duty crews
should stay on the bank. This was in case the boat should break down and a second safety boat crew needed to rescue the first.

Not an Inch

Approaching the new island, it seemed to be a large tree firmly wedged into the riverbed. It was held there by a very strong current. The crew tugged on the tree, but it was very quickly apparent that it was going to need a significantly larger amount of Horsepower than Tigris had to move it. With one failure done, it was time to turn the attention to a much smaller log affixed to the jetty.

The Yule Log

The safety boat, Tigris, manoeuvred into position. The crew got a rope around one end, pulled, tugged, and heaved until the log came loose. After pulling the log around a circuit across the river to free it from the pontoon, the log was brought to the slipway. The team could have left the log to go, but that will cause more damage downstream. A six-strong-man team heaved the tree out of the river onto dry land so that it could be cut up and used as a yule log for many families.

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Now, with the course as ready as it could be, we awaited the opportunity to race. Alas, as had been the theme of this season, the day of racing fell on an airless day nestled between two menacing storms. Sailing can be unpredictable, but the unexpected challenges make each adventure unique and memorable.

But with no wind, there could be no race, so with a disheartened look, we returned home to cold turkey, gammon, and salmon.

Upper Thames Sailing Club Philip M Russell Ltd Read the full blog Sailing Shop Essentials,

Sailing Shop Talk: When Mother Nature Crashes the Party

 

Captains Log

Sailing Shop Talk: When Mother Nature Crashes the Party

adminNovember 17, 2023Uncategorized Comments (0)

When sailing stops make a sailing shop

Our new sailing shop has appeared and disappeared and we wonder if we will go sailing in the near future. 

Let’s talk about how Mother Nature has me on speed dial to deliver her wettest, wildest tantrums. Storm after storm – some with fancy names, some with bad attitudes – have turned the land into a sponge and the rivers into racetracks. “No sailing on Sundays,” the red signs scream as the River Thames struts its stuff at breakneck speeds. Not a boat in sight, unless it’s on a secret mission to join a high-speed chase.

Flow Meters and Frustrations

Even the little River Gade near my house is full and fast-flowing. As I wade around my flooded local river, armed with a flow meter like a mad scientist, I can’t help but ponder my bad luck. Measuring its flow at 0.79 m/s, I think, “Wouldn’t this make a great lazy river ride?” But alas, the only lazy thing here is my boat, snug under its cover, sheltered from the relentless rain. I want to try this flow meter on the River Thames. I want to see if I can get into the Science of Sailing. It seems there is little point in going to the sailing club just to look at the boat and play with sensors.

So, what’s a sailor to do when sailing is off the cards? No Power or Safety boat courses, either – cancelled, just like my dreams of open waters. My son, bless his tech-savvy heart, is deep into the IT system of our club, plotting camera placements like he’s rigging up the Big Brother Boat Edition. He is learning the IT system for the club ahead of his first Committee meeting. My wife and son did get to the sailing club for a day but that was to ready the club for the winter.

Mast Mysteries and Camera Capers

Speaking of tech, we’re on a quest to measure the mast. You’d think it’s simple, but it turns out the RS Sailing website is as clueless as we are. A deep dive into the cyber-sea of information left us knowing the height above the shear (whatever that is) but still scratching our heads.

Paul’s grand vision involves threading a camera lead down the mast’s mysterious depths, aiming for aerial shots that turn us into sea-faring reality stars. Maybe the aim is to show the crew scampering across the boat like ants. I must note, I don’t scamper across the deck. That’s official. I glide, thank you very much.

Sailing Shop Essentials: From Lego Boats to Real Deals

Back to our Sailing Shop Essentials, our website’s hot search term is a hearty review of the RS Toura. Plans for filming are brewing, but Mother Nature keeps photobombing us. My coping mechanism? Cozying up with RYA books and playing with a Lego boat, pretending I’m navigating through less turbulent times.

This unexpected downtime has birthed the idea ofa Sailing Shop on our website. It’s going to be a cozy corner where you can snag all the sailing shop essentials we’ve been chatting about. Cameras, gear, and all that jazz are on the way, but for now, they’re just waiting for their cue – and a break in the clouds. I have promised myself to add a new item each day. I will be reviewing what we have used and how effective it has been. time will tell when I start and how it will go

So stay tuned, landlubbers, and remember, even when the sailing’s stalled, the shopping sails on!

Sails, Screws, and Software: Chronicles of a Thames Sailor

 

Captains Log

Sails, Screws, and Software: Chronicles of a Thames Sailor

adminNovember 6, 2023Uncategorized Comments (0)

Post-Storm Sailing: A Not-So-Perfect Day before the Club AGM

The Club AGM and a Storm Surge on the river stops all sailing, so we content ourselves by going for a walk along the River Thames.

After Storm Ciaran’s exit stage left, Saturday morning beckoned with a deceptive sparkle, the kind that whispered, “Seize the sails!” Alas, the wind was more mischievous than it let on. The sun shone brightly. And as I went outside to get the milk in. The wind was blowing. I thought to myself. This could be a good day to go sailing.

The River’s Mood Swings

Eagerly checking the Upper Thames Sailing Club’s live feed, I was met with a picturesque scene. Yet, the Thames, swollen and assertive, was having none of it. The would-be sailors from the cancelled Power Boat Level 2 course could only nod in resignation.

Heeding the Warnings

Warnings flickered on the screen: “Keep off the Thames.” The river, it seemed, was sprinting faster than an Olympian. Red signs swayed in agreement, and I, somewhat reluctantly, tipped my hat to their advice. Sailing was not on today’s or tomorrows menu.

Club AGM Adventures and Rainy Rainbows

Come Sunday, it was the Upper Thames Sailing Club‘s139th AGM and Prize Giving. The Prize Giving – an event we were too new to participate in truly, was bypassed by us in favour of a walk along the Thames. The sky, ever a fickle fellow, tricked us out of our raincoats and greeted us with cheeky droplets instead.

 

We walked downstream following the river surge towards where Paul and the team nearly had a close encounter with the bridge. We waded down a muddy path from the clubhouse to the HMS Marina, showing off the Duffy Electric Day Boats. From there, it was a very narrow walk past large, expensive houses down to and across the bridge. We wanted to get some photographs of the Marina and a clear view of the river.

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The return the the Club AGM

At the bridge, we decided to turn around and, instead of walking back along the muddy path, walking through a shortcut to the Station and civilisation. This was not a good idea as the path was far from short, and as we progressed, the path became muddier and muddier. But not too soon, we popped out into the Station Car Park, where we were greeted with a sign “Have you Paid?” Progress was quick along made-up pavements, and soon we were back at the clubhouse and the Club AGM.

The Final Screw and Committee Debuts

We triumphed over the last rebellious screw in our RS Toura just as a rainbow crowned our efforts.

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Yet, our victory over hardware was quickly overshadowed by a downpour that herded us to the clubhouse just in time for the Club AGM commencement. Paul’s ascent to becoming a committee member was something of a hand-raising coup, elected by virtue of his willingness and a scarcity of volunteers.

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And with that, he was bestowed the helm of IT and the Sailing Club management software. He has lots of ideas for new events to promote the club and to increase the membership. So here’s to new beginnings and windy days and not-so-strong currents.

Where we started at the Southampton Boat Show

A review of the RS Toura

Next we went onto creating a shop and the Website crashed and needed to start again

A Day of Genaker Prep and IT Adventures

 

Captains Log

A Day of Genaker Prep and IT Adventures

adminOctober 21, 2023Readying the boat Comments (0)

A day of installation of the Genaker and the Jockey Wheel

Installing the genaker and the jockey wheel. On a bright mid-October morning, we set out for the sailing club. We were armed with our new jib sock, a jockey wheel for the launching trolley, and our enthusiasm for boating. As we joined the club so the current IT guy is moving away. Paul and I met up with him at the boat club, exchanged IT history stories. Since no other volunteers had emerged had seen us promoted to looking after the Sailing Clubs IT at the next AGM in two weeks’ time. That done, Paul and I were ready to tackle the challenges ahead, both on and off the water.

Surprisingly good weather

Despite the country being swept by rain, we were fortunate to have fluffy blue clouds and occasional sunshine to accompany us. This day was all about Installing the Genaker and the Jockey wheel. Our first task was to get the boat ready, and we wasted no time.

Adding the Jockey Wheel

Paul hoisted the boat up on its launch trolley, providing me the perfect opportunity to measure up and drill holes for the jack mount. With a new drill bit and a battery-powered drill, the process was swift and smooth. Soon the jack was installed, allowing the boat to be parked in a high position for effective water runoff.

The Genaker

Next on the agenda was the Gennaker sail, a task that proved to be more intricate. Plugs had to be removed, pulleys fitted, and various strange-looking devices installed. While Paul sorted through the fittings, I navigated the interior of the boat. I started removing plugs and trying to reach awkward spaces. A bolt slipped and vanished into the abyss of the centreboard mechanism, a small setback that resulted in a mental note to purchase replacements.

With a bit of ingenuity involving an oar, we managed to thread a rope through the sail chute. This task was made challenging by the length of the chute. But teamwork prevailed, and soon all the ropes were in place.

The fittings secure and the ropes attached, we hoisted the Gennaker sail. In the calm of no wind, we got the sail up and down and meticulously stuffed it into the chute, completing the boat’s setup. Content with our progress, we covered the boat. We returned it to its spot in the boat park, this time with ease.

Merlin Rocket and the A-Rater

Curiosity led us to a Merlin Rocket, turned upside down, in the midst of restoration. The boat’s mahogany planks gleamed under the twelfth coat of varnish, a testament to the owner’s dedication. He shared with us another project, Dainty Too, a 1920’s A-Rater in dire need of repair. The hull, stripped to bare wood in places and riddled with holes of rotten wood, showcased the extensive work ahead. It would be a year or two before Dainty Too graced the waters again. However, the promise of its future glory was evident.

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As we left the boat park, our roles as IT managers and sailors intertwining, we were reminded of the diverse skills and passions that the world of sailing brings together.

Next we make it to the AGM where Paul get elected to the committee