AMR 2010 Delegates

Back row L to R, Mick Tait, Secretary; Alan Simpson, KORC Representative elect; Nigel Lancaster, WYS;  Rolly Hill Otago TYS; Keith Hollick, President; John Cullens, President elect; Les Barker, Timaru Y&PBC; Merv Fair, Whangarei Cruising Club; Colin McDonald, Southland TYS; Liz Heseltine, Treasurer and Webmaster, Alex Bruce, Technical Officer.

Front Row, Murray Pearce, WYS; Bruce Keen, Publicity Officer; Barry Bringans, BOP Trailer Yacht Squadron; Lee Jordon, KORC Representative.

We look forward to seeing you in Taupo for Easter.

1. Around the bottom mark - Elliott 5.9’s:  TYPBC Trailer Yacht Regatta in September each year. A good break-out weekend of back to back Windward leeward racing in-harbour, in preparation for the approaching Summer season. Make it a weekend date now for next September. Six boats or more will earn a Class start. Get your class-mates together and wheel it on up to Tauranga. The in-harbour setting is wonderful and the more boats the more magic it is.

2.  The Fleet: Cruising Yachts right up the River - At the Landing, Katikati on the Uretara River which flows into the upper reaches fo the Tauranga Harbour.

3.  Picnic beached: Summer Picnic - On the beach at Omokoroa, Tauranga, an enjoyed picnic lunch making full use of the beach on a high tide.

4.  Punts by 3:  Ashore.  An evening mooring haven having enjoyed a sailing day in the Bowentown Harbour region.

But, the ol’ souwester eventually kicked in at 15 knots to give us all a magic sail.  Not too bad on time either, most doing the trip in just over 4 hours. That breeze built during the afternoon to 25+ knots, so that later starters Spring Fever, Idle Torque and Kiwi  had a wet trip.

By evening we had 35 knot gusts at the Motuoapa wharf, but all snug of course.  Courtesy of the Motuoapa club, we retired to the warm clubhouse to prepare our evening meal and to partake of spirituous liquors, to ward off scurvy and the unseasonal chill.

The wind rattled ‘n shook all night but, typically, was all gone by 0600. A cup of coffee and compulsory bacon and eggs later, the fleet was all set for the serious stuff - Long Race 1 back to Taupo.

Piccolo led the fleet away and settled in to an unassailable lead (see photographic evidence).  But like many an unassailable lead, the fickle hand of fate had other plans.  Before the island, it turned pear shaped with 5 knot breezes from the NSWE.  But Idle Torque had it sassed, Brent and Shane outsailed us all to take a commanding lead over div. 2.

Eventually the southerly built to 15-18 knots to provide tight kite conditions and a front bunch vying for second place. The Bill put on a great display of how to do rounding up, whilst nobody was watching of course. Piccolo tried in vain to pass Wednesday Night Fever, and avoid the ignominy of youth triumphing over age.  However, that master sailor Graeme Robinson, on his own, took Samurai across the finish before us.

Next weekend to Motuoapa and race back is set for February 14/15.  A great mix of cruising and competition in store. Diary it now.

I purchased a Merlin (Wizard 2501) last November. I have sailed this for a full season after doing some remedial work to get the vessel seaworthy as it had been left laid up for several years.

For the last few years I have crew raced with our Keelers while sharing a Cav.39 I joined our active cruising division of Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club and have been amazed at the sailing enjoyment our harbour has to offer trailer yachts, and am also amazed at the enjoyment to be had from owning a trailer yacht. Having sailed keelers for most of my life, my last vessel was a 62ft ketch so you can see I have come down in size but not in enjoyment.

I have been very disappointed in performance of the Merlin in the light conditions, she was well behind the Sabres and Farr 6000s, but is a good volume very strong laid up and comfortable when cruising, even when we had 12-15knt the other boats had the legs.

I therefore embarked on modifications this winter. I have fitted a scoop of about 600mm, the main has been replaced and the boom lengthened from mainsail foot of 2.45m to 3.45m. This has increased the sail area from approx 7.5sq.m to 13.5sq.m with a fully battened main with the first reef bringing the area to the old main dimensions. I have also placed more lead on the rudder as the centre of effort has moved aft a little Launching is eagerly awaited by all at our club and I think I may have to have the first sail in the dark to save possible embarrassment. I have tried to get information on Merlins but there does not seem to be an Association for them. I would like to find out more technical information on these vessels and would like to make contact with others who own one of these yachts to share information.

Others may be interested in this conversion as it has improved the light weather and general performance by about 50-60%. I have had full main in 15-20 Knots and was able to just let the main sheet go when pressed the boat showed no sign of being over canvassed but a tuck in the main would have made for an easier ride but I found myself single handed in restricted waters and was going to weather so was not an option at the time.

The only problem has been the fitting of running backstays, due to the length of the new boom. While this is a pain setting these up each tack it becomes insignificant considering the speed advantage. I tried to sail without the runners but the sag in the fore stay was too much. The vessel now points much higher, has more buoyancy aft so three in the cockpit is not a problem. With three to four on board in the past water came up the cockpit drains as the stern depressed. The fully battened main with lazy jacks is great when single handed. Getting the main up at times can be a problem as you need to power up to windward to set the main. My wife and I have not had much trouble with this you just have to be careful. They double as a topping lift. I made the straps out of webbing with a pop rivet under the boom and an eye to tie off the lazy jacks.

I removed the mainsheet track and car from the bridge deck and have a horse aft to take the sheet. This means a crew can sit on the bridge deck with feet down on the steps without the hassle of the car sliding back and forth. The scoop stern was formed with 3mm ply on lands at the stern then 40mm foam with glass over.