Dart 15 Forums

Robin Boardman - 1515 wrote:

Does anybody know anything about Cowes Dinghy Week.
Where exactly is it held?
Do Dart 15s participate in it?
Can it be linked in with the Southerns at Shanklin?

From a land locked Northener with winter thoughts of summer Solent sailing

Carl replied:

Cowes Dinghy Week is organised by Gurnard Sailing Club (www.gurnardsc.org.uk). Gurnard is in a bay just to the west of Cowes.
This year is runs from July 28th to August 2nd.
The Dart 15 fleet is the largest with an entry of 24 last year.
It is always a superb week of sailing and 'northerners' are very welcome.
I am unsure of the possibility of a link with the Southern Area Championship at Shanklin.

Robin replied:

Well put Carl.

Cowes Dinghy Week is the event in the year that I most enjoy. The racing is always great, whatever the weather. As important, the atmosphere and off the water relaxation is also great fun.

And by lucky chance, Gurnard Sailing Club also has one of the largest Dart 15 fleets in the Country.

Regards

Robin

Carl replied:

Robin,
At 35 boats this season surely we can admit that we are a little bit more than ONE of the largest fleets in the country.
Or does anyone know better?

Bob replied:

35 is a great achievement from 0 a few years ago. Spurned on by your fighting talk I did a count up of the Grafham Dart 15s. We have 40 on the books today (plus 7 Dart 16s) and I know of several more who are buying boats as we speak.
We do not have the same race participation as you guys however. We get 10 out on a good Sunday and 15-20 for a special event. About 40% of our Dart 15s are with fun sailors who won't race. You can see the Grafham results by looking at

www.grafham.org.uk

Keep trying guys!

Cheers

Bob

PS Has Laurie Gustar forked out to get his PC fixed yet? Perhaps the fleet ought to have a collection so that there fleet captain can talk to the outside world.

Carl replied:

I stand corrected Bob.

I don?t know if Laurie has sorted his PC out yet.
I think he is away on Holiday so I will hassle him on his return.

I will also inform you when we have 41.

Carl

Robin Boardman replied:

Thanks for the info about Cowes Dinghy week - I have noted the dates and hope to get there.
I see a minor skirmish has broken out within clubs - sorry about that. With my club having only 6 boats, it is not a battle I will be joining in though.
Still, it is a indicator of where the hot spots will be on the water!!!!

Robin Leather replied:

Robin (and anyone else out there that's interested in Cowes Dinghy Week).

I don't want to get involved in discussions about size. Its a good week and we would look forward to welcoming you and any other vistors.

Anyway Bob, size and quality are not mutually exclusive. Gurnard has both...........

P.S. and we have carpet to rig the boats on. That's got to win it.

Bob replied:

I must admit that the Astro-turf is most impressive, but what's wrong with Grafham mud?
Cheers
Bob

Bob replied:

Hi Carl,
By then Grafham will be 45. Beating you guys on the wire in that fierce tide may be tougher. We start trapezing practice for Instow at Grafham in April. Is Bob Milton's boat legal yet?

Carl replied:

I don?t believe that Bob is back from his winter migration yet.

All the 'additions' to his boat that you may have seen in that photo are easily removable.

Steve Sawford replied:

Grafham mud Sticks like shit to a blanket.
After a great winter membership i`m going back to Rutland and jet wash the boat.
Steve
1733 tiger shark
www.sailingforall.com