Darin Ballington

It is not correct to impose “standard” distances in the SSI or RRS, as each class, location and race day is different. Training of race teams (and skippers) is more appropriate.

The “norm” is that if you interfere with a boat still racing after you finish, you retire. Obviously at club level this varies depending on circumstances.

The rules never allowed a boat to luff to contact. Any contact between boats could be grounds for dsq, but as John says things happen so fast and at distance that contacts tend to happen when they would be avoided in a full size boat.

Forwarded your request Peter.

Hi Derek, If you log into the members area on the MYA website you can update your profile to show which class of boat you sail. This will get you on the list as a 6M skipper. Currently it doesn't have you down as a 6M owner. Darin

One challenge is that most of us sail with our mates most of the time and this leads to “going to need water to tack Fred”. This works well until Fred isn’t at the event and you don’t know the skipper next to you. At club level on a Sunday just use what works but don’t expect any sympathy when you try this in a fleet of 20 boats charging for the bank on the 1st leg at Fleetwood. Fred won’t help you there! BTW we are all guilty of having a Fred…

DF’s have unstayed carbon masts, so as you pass through head to wind the mast will unload and cause the leech to tighten. If not part of a coordinated tack sequence, the lack of weight, tight leech and any waves become a challenge. Practice and time on the water are the solution.

Entry now open for the IOM Nationals. Who’s going?

Great folks, entries need to be in shortly and hopefully every one who fancies it will get in. 🤞

Who is thinking of going to this, and where are we staying? There appear to be two towns/villages close by.

Are there any images of the fitting/concept that required this rule ratification? I understood that any parts of the rules that a designer/builder has an innovative solution for that may be out of class rule should be checked with IOMICA technical prior to inclusion on a boat. Therefore this shouldn’t require a rule change as it must be compliant. Any request for clarification must be recorded somewhere surely and available on request?

Thanks Stephen, Spoken to Dave and he has been very helpful.

Hi, The MYA are looking to get a small number of bespoke items screen printed for our representatives going to the IOM Worlds in Aus. We have the items but as its only a small number we are struggling to find a company to screen print them. Any member who can help us? Thanks

Hi Simon, What is the design? Does it need the pot out to change winch?

Maybe the question should be: What makes an event worth attending?

As a competitor and a member of the MYA Council I would like to give a big thank you to all of the race team and members of Poole RYC for hosting the 2024 MYA IOM Nationals. It is a big commitment with a lot of effort before and during the 3 day event for any club to undertake, mostly from club members who never participate in these events. Without our clubs and volunteers we would not be able to enjoy the sport as we do. As someone who got their early to secure my parking spot I saw the tireless work done by the backstage gang preparing things first thing in the morning, and the break down at the end of the day from the same unsung heroes. Thank you to everyone who made the event a fantastic weekend. Well done to the winners, commiserations to those who didn't and thanks to all for the great spirit in which the racing took place. Results will no doubt be on the MYA website shortly but until a more formal report, please accept this as a massive thanks from this competitor and on behalf of the MYA. See you all in 2025 at Lincoln - more details shortly. Darin

There is sometimes a misunderstanding that a hail of "you tack" is interpreted as tack and do what you like, not, tack but don't forget all of the other rules that apply. This can cause carnage if you're on the 1st beat at Fleetwood/Gosport/Bournville etc with clear obstructing walls, particularly if there is any breeze that causes chop against the hard walls and stalled tacks. IMO this is one of those areas of race craft that the more experienced skippers will gauge better and usually know that the aforementioned carnage is likely and will tack off sooner rather than try to gain every last metre up the lake, even if they can make the boat hailing for room to tack go behind them. If the 1st boat calling for water gets it right they can get a large number of the following boats to tack off, gaining them free air and cover from stbd boats but it can also turn a good start into a discard! Definitely one where traffic management is as important as knowing the rule book inside out.

Would you not need these as an existing measurer?

A simple request to the suppliers may give an indication, not sure if the information would be sensitive? If the question was kept generic, such as how many IRSA class sets of sails would you anticipate making in a year, they may respond. I think that to be fair any published figures would need to be combined numbers as it is the overall picture that you would be looking at.

The issue is not the sail purchase or the manufacturers. It is the class rules, granted the current measurement situation doesn't help, but the class rules and ERS set out how the equipment is compliant. All IRSA (WS) class yachts have the same requirements. A longer term solution may be to request a change to the class rules, allowing sails to be check measured by a competent person? Personally, to me the rules are what elevates what we do beyond toy boats, but others may say differently. BTW I have the same issues with measurement currently, but am fortunate that my local clubs have sail measurers who recently attended the course for the benefit of the club.

I feel this is over simplifying the issue. Most suppliers in this country are individuals, so not sure how they would put in place a robust QA system. The measurers are the independent part of the measurement process, acting as a QA check. The Class rules and ERS are clear on this. The reasons why we are where we are have been documented, but what confuses me to some extent is why the measurers have not stepped forward to go on a sail measurement course? Ok, there was an issue during Covid and a lack of courses but there have been a number of courses in the last 12 months. The MYA have paid for these with travelling expenses. Is this because the measurers aren't interested, or don't feel that the qualification is worthwhile? Or maybe they feel that they don't need to be refreshed?

One of the 1st things I was taught by Martin Roberts was "talk to each other". There are very few situations that just happen, and at some stage the overlaps were established, or non existent, and in any hearing the protest committee will work from the last known position of certainty. As the rules switch on and off depending on the timing and positions it is important that each boat can be clear on the sequence if it comes to a hearing. By talking (not shouting) between the skippers it alerts the observers that something may be happening, the skippers involved can assess the situation and the racing becomes better and less confrontational.

Hi, This is in the TO report in the MYA members area. I would run through it but its beyond my non technical mind...

I wouldn’t use heat, as Peter says it will be corrosion in the aluminium tube causing it to lock the plastic. Be gentle as if not careful it will snap off at deck level.

Unfortunately many skippers forget that they were once beginners themselves, and to some extent we are all still learning, even the best! It might be worth suggesting a Q&A session 30mins before or after sailing where an experienced skipper can lead a discussion. You will be amazed at how many skippers are quiet during these sessions but admit later that they learned something new 😉