John Taylor

Day 3 Report Continuing with fleet sailing, B-Fleet was at the lake side for the morning session. Light and variable winds dominated the early start and at times racing had to be paused by the Race Officer, Mr Derek Priestley. Fortunately, there was only 2 rounds of sailing to be completed which took until lunchtime. Peter Fothergill maintained his challenge and Jacque Cook also picked up important points. After lunch it was the turn of A - Fleet and for them 3 rounds of racing, as well as re-sails from day 2 which still had to be resolved. In the end, most of the leading skippers from both fleets did not have things all their own way, as they all dropped important points. The biggest mover from today's racing came in Damian Ackroyd sailing 'Sir Percy'. From 17 points which were available to him, (3 sailing rounds, plus a re-sail for 2points) , he collected a total of 12 points. His performance allows him to climb 4 places up the leader board. In addition, the Roberts family went head to head in the regatta, namely Martin and Andrea Roberts (husband and wife). Andrea and team mate Lisa Priestley sailed successfully to claim maximum points against Martin Roberts, I am sure there will be much to celebrate on one side of the family tonight. Tomorrow the regatta switches to the Yachting Monthly Cup, a knockout competition which will give some skippers an early finish. Some pictures below are a mix from the last few days.

Vane A - Class Championship Day 2 Report. Today switched to fleet racing, in the morning session the skippers from A - Fleet competed against each other. Chris Harris sailing 'Lance/Jouster' continued his good work from yesterday. He consistently sailed very well whilst the rest of the fleet took points from each other. Damian Ackroyd sailing a 'Sir Percy' design also put in a good performance, as he won 3 of the 4 running legs of the course in the morning session. Unfortunately, his momentum was thwarted on a re-sail scheduled tomorrow against team 'Lisa Priestley and Andrea Roberts' , who themselves managed to pick up some important points today. In the afternoon session, skippers from B-Fleet raced each other, Mark Dicks and Graham Wyeth built on there success from yesterday, again sailing a 'Lance' design which is becoming difficult yacht to beat this week. However, the performance of the day came from the youngest skipper in the fleet, Oliver Stollery (13yrs) sailing the oldest boat of 50yrs 'Clockwork Orange'. Oliver sailed to success taking maximum points from his more famous father and grandfather Peter and Roger Stollery. What a fantastic achievement and one for the family album. The latest scores are available. Please be aware B-Fleet have completed one round more of sailing, some boats have had a 'Bye' and re-sails are still to be completed. Please view the short promotional film about Vane Sailing, where you might need to tweak the volume button . Short Promotional Film Link:

Day 1 Report The 2021 (UK) Vane A Class Championship got underway today as 18 skippers arrived at Gosport to compete over 6 days. This Championship as well as the Yachting Monthly Cup are the most prestigious events within the MYA Calendar, both have been competed for since 1932. This years event has attracted no fewer than 4 World Champions outside of the class, numerous national champions, including experts within the skill of Vane Sailing, plus a mix of new and exciting talent, all of which represent the next generation of skippers. This year will see a different name on the trophy because the current champion, Graham Butler of Fleetwood was unable to compete this year. So who will be your favourite to win the championship? Shaun Wyeth - He has to be the favourite for this week. He is sailing on his own lake using a boat familiar to him which has been upgraded recently. Shaun has won this regatta many times and understands the challenges. Martin Roberts - A world Champion outside of the class, but he has won this event more than once. He will be pushing hard throughout the week. Rob Walsh and Peter Stollery - Both skippers are World Champions outside of the class, but Peter has won the Vane A - Class Championship before. Rob is still yet to achieve this goal but both skippers have capable yachts to win. Dave Geldard - A past winner of this championship but competing with a new and unfamiliar boat, Matrix which performed well 2 weeks ago at Fleetwood. Dave will pickup points against his rivals, but consistency will be key for him. Chris Harris - He knows what it takes to win this event, plenty of Vane A-Class experience. He won at Fleetwood 2 weeks ago but has changed his boat for the regatta. Or is there another skipper who can raise their game? Scores will start from tomorrow.

Up to 6 boats turned up for this Vane A-Class Open weekend. Traditionally this event is the shake down race for the A-Class Championship, to be held this year at Gosport in 3 weeks time. On the Saturday, the skippers were racing for the Jack Roberts Trophy. Numerous designs were on show plus some high profile skippers, who swapped their transmitters for poles. In the end Saturday's winner was Zak Roberts, who managed to not drop any points in the second part of the day's racing to claim top spot. On Sunday, skippers competed for the Northern District Championships. The weather conditions were not as favourable, because the light and variable southerly winds made it difficult, for the skippers to set on a suitable trim. In the end the wind conditions forced the race officer, Derek Priestley to finish the event early with still a round of sailing to go. Congratulations to Chris Harris for winning the Northern District Vane A-Class Championship. In joint 2nd place was Zak Roberts and Dave Geldard. Many thanks to all competitors and Derek Priestley for running this weekend’s regatta’s, which was conducted in a safe manner and within Covid restrictions. The full report can be seen on my Facebook page. Regards, JT

There has been some helpful comments made during this post and I hope skippers have taken the bits of information which will work for them. I thank all those who have published their thoughts. Generally, if you have a competitive IOM and choose to refurbish the rigs, this will usually save money and keep you competitive for the predicted future. A skipper racing their usual IOM, with rigs in good condition will always be a tricky opponent. That said, a new and well built IOM may have the increased performance the skipper is looking for, yet some time may have to be spent sailing and getting used to the boat before the benefits are realised. There is no doubt sailing a new IOM design, provides skippers with a degree of confidence when launching their boats on the water. JT

Gents, These discussions provide some great reading and there is a lot of information that other skippers can take from this post. However, can we start to steer away from the idea of using carbon rigs for an IOM. The initial basic concept of developing the IOM class was to provide skippers, with a cheaper option to continue racing. At the time the Marblehead Class was the most popular and prices were escalating out of control. The IOM became the cheaper and perhaps fairer option for others to keep racing, because carbon was not allowed within the rigs or hull construction. Therefore, grass route or skippers sailing to a budget remained competitive. The idea of carbon masts etc, on these types of boats has already been established in the form of the US1m Class. A brief description from my experiences with this class can be read here (Click) Although I like everyone's input, lets just keep to the basics of my original post. Refurbish Rigs vs A new IOM? JT

Rammer and Darin make some excellent points, to answer the question though, the theme of my initial post is purely to create discussion. So far the correspondence has been excellent, in terms of people providing an insight to their rig work and in particular mast bend information. As mentioned, if you are not confident or unskilled when it comes to building an IOM, the option of purchasing a boat from a professional builder is the best alternative for you. After some time researching the spectrum of established designs, maybe the preferred method for some skippers would be the 'One Off' heavy investment into the chosen IOM, but I agree skippers must spend the time on and off the water getting to know their boat afterwards. To enable a skipper to gain a greater understand of how an IOM is put together, as Darin alluded to with the passage of time, personnel may begin to have the confidence to recognise what refurbishing requirement are needed for their IOM in the future. Therefore, perhaps no longer requiring further heavy investment. Unless as Rammer mentioned, you like the excitement of owning a new IOM, which is also understandable. For Michael, as I understand the purpose of mast pre-bend, is to create more tension within the jib luff, whilst complimenting the way the mainsail is constructed and fitted to the mast. Therefore, setting up your rig whilst understanding how these key elements work, will result in improved sailing performance. There are some good articles online which describes how pre-mast bend works. JT

Some great comments so far about rig work. It seems a popular choice in comparison to purchasing a new IOM. However, is there positives for those who would rather invest money into a new boat? JT

Hi Mike Originally my rigs were made by Dave Potter which I have had on my IOM for 6 years. It is only now I’m exchanging sails and finished refurbishing these rigs. I’m sure Dave put the pre-bend in the mast when constructing the rigs all that time ago. Derek I am entering the Championship, but I may not use these rigs in August. JT

It was once said, that putting fresh sails on your boat can be better than purchasing a new IOM. So putting this into practise, I decided to replace my existing sails, which are between 3 and 6 years old, for fresh sails (not new ones) in much better condition. Plus, after some maintenance carried out on my goosenecks, where previously I had been experiencing a loss of tension to the leech side of the mainsail, I am hopeful these changes will provide more performance gains to my IOM when racing starts again. That said and to create discussion, some skippers believe a new IOM is the automatic step up in performance they want. To have the latest and greatest designs and the best of equipment is much better than just changing your sails or refurbishing a rig. However, in every yacht the sails represent the engines of your boat. Look after the engines and perhap the boat will look after the skipper. What are peoples thoughts, is a new IOM the answer in comparison to just refurbishing your rigs? JT

During the UK lockdown period and running parallel with our 'Matrix' A - Class Building Blog at the time, I produced a short piece of creative writing which was to be published within the Yachts & Yachting website. Unfortunately, the work was shelved and never published. Recently, with the introduction of another A - Class face book page, I have decided to share this piece of work, for those who may find some use within their interest for A - Class yachts. Constructive feedback would be appreciated. Regards JT Innovation of Design and Construction for A Class yachts.pdf

Remix (36R), Wins first competitive race. Report by Derek Priestley. 36” Vane race for the LEVER CUP at 19th September 2020. A small but keen group of Vane 36” sailors gathered at the lake this morning to race for the LEVER CUP. Competitors racing 4 boats enjoyed a great days racing in a 12/ 15 knot easterly wind blowing straight down the lake under the bridge, and brilliant sunshine. John Taylor had travelled up from Portsmouth eager to see how his latest design the digitally (Plastic) Printed “Remix” owned by Bob Jolly, would perform. Also with us was John Sharman with the “Taxashun” he bought from Peter Jackson, Mick & Sue Parkinton with their “Taxashun”, and Robert Wheeler with his Martin Dovey designed boat. We all enjoyed the racing and completed 5 heats when a broken boat ended the day with Bob Jolly & John Taylor in an unassailable position 10 points clear of the nearest competitor. Final scores, Bob Jolly & John Taylor - 22pts Robert Wheeler & Derek P - 13pts John Sharman & Eric Austwick - 8pts Michael & Susan Parkinton - 7pts We shared the lake with lots of families crabbing & generally enjoying the day.

Well after some thought, plus taking in the advise from everyone, thanks to all. Im going with PDA Winches, the use of a Micro rudder servo and lightweight Lipo batteries. Loosing 100 grams is a realistic target when your just changing the radio configuration of my RM. Im sure increased sailing performance can be achieved. JT

PM sent to you Stephen.

Hi Everybody I am looking for a particular winch that I saw early last year. Produced somewhere in Europe and similar in shape and style to a Titan Winch. Please can anyone direct me to identifying the suppliers of this winch. A few people in the Scottish District have switched to these winches and using them in their IOMs. I want to try one in a Marblehead. Regards JT

A continued appeal to all, Over the past 12 months, I have been trying to track down the current owner of my wooden proto-type 'Drisky', 6 meter class yacht. I am trying to locate this boat, with the hope it may be returned to myself. So far, it is believed the Drisky yacht is still in the UK. However, it has not been seen actively sailing for many years. The yacht is possibly gathering dust in someones garage / shed. Nothing has been viewed on the internet or Ebay. I have appealed on other forums but so far little progress has been made. If anyone has knowledge of my previous wooden Drisky, (6 Meter Class), I would be grateful to hear from you. Regards, JT Contact email: johnmtaylor69@yahoo.com

Val, Once the pictures are displayed, I am interested in possibly purchasing one of those vanes you have. Regards, JT

Morning Ross, Looking at the flare at the bow and the foil configuration, I think your boat is a previous design from David Creed, who would have constructed the boat many years ago. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the design but maybe a predecessor of the Lintel? Good Luck JT

Just thought I would share some photos with you all. JT

Dave, Good luck with the build. Damian is building a new boat which has revised lines from the Drisky. Looks like I am going to miss out again because of work. Regards, JT

Gents, I have managed to locate the gentleman who previously bought my old 6 meter (Drisky). Mr Jim Garner, thankfully answered my initial message on this forum. Unfortunately, the boat was sold on Ebay sometime ago (2009?). Therefore, I have to continue with my search. Jim thinks the Drisky yacht could be towards the north of the UK. I know my old yacht is not actively sailing in Scotland, so my search continues. Additionally, if anyone has any information that may help, Ie: Ebay or in someones shed, I would be grateful for your assistance. Regards, JT

If memory serves me well the gentleman's name who I sold my boat to was called Mr Gardener. He then sailed in a Dabblers club race of which there is a picture of the event. Since then there has been nothing. The yacht has not appeared anywhere for years to my knowledge. My concern is that the boat maybe left gathering dust in someones garage or worse. I would like to recover my previous boat if possible. Regards JT

Good Evening Some years ago (2008), I sold my wooden proto-type 'Drisky' yacht to a member of the Southwater Dabblers club. I have emailed the club officials but I have had no reply. Basically, I am wanting to find out what has happened to my previous boat. I have not seen or heard from the owner since I let the yacht go. If anyone has knowledge of my previous wooden Drisky (6m), I would be grateful to hear from you. (Picture attached) Contact email: johnmtaylor69@yahoo.com Regards, JT

After recent discussions with my building colleague, we have decided to dust off the Drisky plug, with the intention to spend the time developing the design. Next year we hope to produce a boat with a few simple changes. After competing in 2 previous championships and finishing in the top 3 on each occasion, I guess we owe the design some development time. Inspiration has come through reading about new designs being launched soon. Let see how we can compete in the future. JT Information can be found on the website: www.taylormadeyachts.com

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