Dart 15 Forums

Ian C wrote:

Hello

I read somewhere recently that to obtain the best tramp tension it's best to start from one end or the other, and I can't remeber which one. Any advice. (No we are not talking about winding up sailors in old clothes)
P.S Gordon G. & George. Bought a new piece for the boat!!! No. Not the new sail I have threatened for the last two years. Still don't want to make you guys look bad!!!

Bob replied:

Collins Fibreglass (who now make the boat and the Dart 18) reckon you get it tighter if you start from the right and work left. I've not tried it. Most of us use brute force as taught by Erling Holmberg who constantly carries a 2ft length of timber with him to use as a lever.
Cheerrs
Bob
PS The timber doubles up as a truncheon when team Shanklin step out of line!!!

George replied:

Buying a young lady to crew for you should ensure you continue to see the back of us on the water - unless you get too distracted to see.....
Can we guess you've got a new tramp? Or is that too obvious?
If you've bought a trailer or roofrack, we'll be pleased to see you at Marconi at the weekend. If not, take advantage of our absence....

George

Ian C replied:

George.
Neither. I have bought an outboard!!! Couldn't see anything in the class rules to say I couldn't, and frankly getting was getting tired of seeing your rudders last year!!!
Me and my eye candy crew will make sure to get some points in your absence. See you in a fortnight
Ian

George replied:

Shortly after the 2nd race of today's (Saturday 29th) last race at the Marconi Traveller one of the crew of one of the safety boats told me that the leading boat had overtaken them on the last leg to the finish when their safety boat was going at full throttle - he was obviously so startled that he just had to tell one of the Sprint 15 helms. (His statement was corroborated shortly after by his fellow crew member)

I then admitted that it had been me..... And that I thought he perhaps had steered a course in more adverse tide than I had been (he had seemed upset as well as startled)

Besides, I don't think that you can operate a powered boat at Queen Mary unless it's one of the Club Safety Boats....

Think again?

George

PS I won't have won this race after handicaps are applied!

Ian C replied:

George
It sounds like the old bow elastic to stern of safety boat trick worked then. Is the handicap the fact that someone noticed!!!
Gordon. Note, new tricks campaign being used potentially at QMSC. Will it beat however, a pink jennaker!!

George S replied:

I didn't notice any elastic or rope, but I was slowed down horribly enough through towing the safety boat that I finished well down on handicap!

I'll watch your antics next Sunday from the Committee Boat. If you are out of class expect a protest, especially if you do well.

Note that an outboard would be out of class by the class rules - it would clearly fail on the "compare with fifteen other boats rule".

George

Ian C replied:

George
So should I be expecting to race aginast 14 others on Sunday? Gordon will be pleased to hear it, or have I just got to convince him not to turn his outboard on?
See you Sunday. As before, I will be the one crossing the line with the wrong fleet about 10 mins after the gun.
Ian

George S replied:

Ian,

I looked for you on Sunday, but you never showed. Bet you're at the Club for next 2 weekends when you reckon Gordon and I will be at Rutland and Instow. But beware, Gordon has been very busy at work lately, so he might not be able to go to both events!

George

PS If you'd turned up and sailed you'd have got at least a second and a third if you managed to finish both races in the time limit - not many braved the light variable winds.

Ian C replied:

George
I was there all day Saturday in the pouring rain, taking the boat apart and fitting new tramp eyes for the tension in preparation.
I was out of bed at 7:30am Sunday morning, looked at the trees every hour and when they still did not move I went to the gym instead. I thought in such light airs Gordon would not show, and was very disapointed. Even Nick did not leave our grounds so it must have been painful up there.
Anyway it will be a surprise for you when I see you next.
Ian
Next weekend I am away...again.