John Taylor

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

Pictures Close Racing

Saturday Racing started with a light but steady breeze from the northwest, the sunshine provided the perfect conditions. 3 entries to the event was all that Fleetwood could manage but racing was allowed to continue. A couple more entries would have forced the Race Officer to call 2 fleets There were some close racing at times, Derek Priestley with his famous 'Hard Tack' proto-type design enjoyed the most success, but he was closely followed by Dave Stewart, sailing his 'Dave Hollom' design upgrade from the 'Hard Tack' series. Dave Stewart's yacht is much lighter in displacement (12kgs) compared to other established designs. Results: 1st Derek Priestley, 2nd Dave Stewart and 3rd John Taylor. Sunday There was a much better turn out for this event. A large fleet of 5 yachts sailed towards the start line for the first race. The Race Officer again was undecided if he should call 2 fleets and weather our scoring system would cope with the overload. Infact during the weekend the count down system had to be re-calibrated, due to being over used. Still good clean racing was observed during this event. Not a shout, scream or swear was to be heard from the skippers taking part. By lunchtime there had been some close racing, Roy Stevens and Derek Priestley were tied in 1st place with John Taylor closely following behind. In the afternoon though Roy Stevens, sailing a Sweet 9 design yacht managed to achieve some creditable scores, achieving a top 2 finish in 4 out of the last 5 races. Derek Priestley, consistently was always challenging throughout the day. A good performance from Damian Ackroyd was observed sailing another upgraded version of Dave Holloms 'Hard Tack' design. Damian won 2 of the 11 races completed during the day. Results: 1st Roy Stevens, 2nd Derek Priestley, 3rd Dave Stewart, 4th Damian Ackroyd, 5th John Taylor. Fleetwood hopes for a better effort from all A-Class enthusiast come the National Championships in August. Thanks to all those that traveled, because if it wasn't for these people, this event wouldn't have happened.

To all RA-Class Skippers, I find it difficult to understand why a 2 day event at Fleetwood this weekend is not appealing to all you A-Class enthusiasts. Four weeks ago Hampton Court had 22 entries for a days racing, yet only a handful can be bothered to turn up to Fleetwood. Surely all you enthusiast should be itching to race, after your A-Class yachts haven't seen the water in a month? For everyone who has an A-Class but keeps it at home without a sound and creditable excuse for racing this weekend, should think I have let down the class and the hosting club. Excuses like: I am sailing my IOM, We are going away for the weekend, just doesn't cut it!!! I ask the Class Captain, please do more!! JT Entries for Fleetwood this weekend to Derek Priestley, Email: yottyderek@tiscali.co.uk

Guys There has been a lot said over the last couple of days within the 'Southwestern District' over the measuring tank issue. Within this district there is only one measuring tank in existence and I believe it's located at the Poole club. Now it's not very practical if you live in Falmouth and you wish for your IOM to be measured. If you take John Kiff's stance, it's creditable that he wants to make a measuring tank but should it come from his expense, the expense of skippers who want their yachts measured, or from the governing bodies who create and police the class legislation? Is it not the responsibility of the IOMICA / MYA to provide the correct tools and equipment? JT