Grafham Tuning Masterclass

[Charles]

Well I thought it was really worth while going to Grafham this weekend.

No seriously, & not just because of all the opportunity to sit around & talk about boats without being told how dull that is by the spouse.

A fortunate bunch of us got an impromptu boat, rig, sail setup masterclass from Brian Phipps. It was like a teach-in for crusty old sea-dogs!

Hopefully we'll all go a bit faster using this advice.

Thanks Brian!

[George Stephen]

I think we were all very fortunate to get the benefit of Brian's advice, have our questions anwered, and have the opportunity to raise our own thoughts for the guru to consider and appraise. I picked up 2 things I'm going to do differently in future, unless old habits have dyed too hard!!

Some of us also got some free advice from Steve on boat repairs, and condition of our boats.

When you remember that Brian earns part of his living from teaching people to sail, and to sail better, and both Brian and Steve from boat repairs, these freebees were sheer generosity on their part.


George

[Martin Searle]

<snip>

Thanks Brian!

yep me too, Thanks Brian!

It was good Brian had such a crummy boat to critique (mine!). I'll be getting the spanners out to tighten that loose rudder up, I'll root around for a softer batten for use at the top of the sail and also use the now 'old' top batten to fill out the gaps between rear beam retaining clips and boat since I don't think I can do Brians' suggested fix but asked him about an alternate way afterwards. Phew!

When I put the mast back up on Saturday, I'll make sure it has no mast rake fore or aft and give the vertical mast setup a go for this winters club series.

Thanks also to Erling who showed me and Keith Ball how to rig the batten end fittings with the sail tie off stings. Should help me put Brian's advice about batten tension into practice.

Pity we couldn't get 1 race in since I needed to just get 1 in to win the Sport TT mode trophy

Martin S.

[George Stephen]

Martin,

The Sport Mode Trophy is back on the top of one of the cabinets that house my trophies.
I am delighted to look after it for another year,
but it does need to be cleaned......

Next year I hope to win the Sport Mode Traveller Series again - after all those tips from Brian and with my bionically enhanced heart run in I should stand a better chance than this year - especially if Kevin does plaster his boat and sails with "go slower" gear!!!!

Will this encourage more Sprint 15ers to try Sport Mode?

George

[Martin Searle]

Martin,

The Sport Mode Trophy is back on the top of one of the cabinets that house my trophies.
I am delighted to look after it for another year,
but it does need to be cleaned......

Next year I hope to win the Sport Mode Traveller Series again - after all those tips from Brian and with my bionically enhanced heart run in I should stand a better chance than this year - especially if Kevin does plaster his boat and sails with "go slower" gear!!!!

Will this encourage more Sprint 15ers to try Sport Mode?

George

George,

BAH HUMBUG!!!

Guess we'll have to fight it out on the water, I'll have to bring my water pistol to distract you .

I'll join the queue of helpers to make Kevin's boat go slower as will most of Seasalters Fast handicap fleet.

I really must SAY A BIG THANK YOU to Kevin who transported my boat on top of his too two TT events and the nationals at Saundersfoot.

I'll probably get a towbar fitted to my Celica at its next service in March and renovate my trailer then.

Martin S.

[Paul Craft]

I would just like to add my thanks to Brian for all his help and advice over the weekend which gave myself and Ray some fun trying to compare mast rake.

Again thanks Brian I learnt a lot.

Paul
1977

[Robert]

Is there any chance of some very kind person doing a quick outline of Brian's tips for the benefit of those who couldn't make it to Grafham?

Anon

[Bob Carter]

Robert,
I was not there but it was only basic stuff that you will find elsewhere on this web site from what I heard. It was not what was said but the way that it was delivered which was exceptional. Brian is after all a top class training professional.
Erling was so impressed that he is planning to try and fund a weekend teach in session at Shanklin if he can agree a weekend with Brian. SO you could plan to have a holiday on the Isle of Wight and catch up with the teach in, if you play your cards right.
Cheers
Bob
PS We could do the same for one of the Class Association teach in sessions if that is what people want. It would increase the cost and we would need to be sure that we would get 20+ punters to take part to make it worthwhile.

[Robert]

Thanks Bob

I guess it helps to have someone at the cutting edge to give the right essential advice. I'm sure it does lots to keep everyone up to scratch which can only be good.

If I took a holiday on the Isle of Wight I guess I'd be looking to spend another few days at Gurnard Marsh. That would be nice.

Cheers.