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Phantom News

Phantom Events / Opens 2022

 

**Updated 14/01/22 2037hrs

 

Hope to see as many of you as possible at our 2022 events.

Would be great to see old and new phantoms on the scene this year.

😀

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phantom South East Series 2022 - Announced

 

More good news on the Phantom scene. 

Chris Shelton has confirmed the following South East events

See you there ....  😀

 

 

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The  ‘Phantom’ 50th Anniversary year round up

With 2021 coming to a close it seems fitting that we reflect back on a unforgettable year of Phantom’ing and the class’s celebration of fifty wonderful years of the Phantom.
It all began in the late 1960’s when good friends Brian Taylor and Paul Wright, co-designers, got together through their love of boats and sailing…… and hence the birth of the Phantom

Betty Taylor (class secretary for the first 10 years) reflects back to the days when it all began…..

“Many times Brian and Paul had discussed their ideal singlehander;  In 1969, they started making cardboard models and adjusted them until they got one that looked right.  During the winter of 1970/ 71, Brian took the plunge and started to build.  He spent hours in the garage; there were SOSs to Paul to come over when snags arose and there were nights when all our electric fires were rushed into the garage to heat up the boat, which was under sheets of plastic, to make resin ‘go off’.  Brian bought a secondhand sail when on a caravanning holiday  and also bought a length of mast extrusion; when we tried to load it on to the top of the car it hit the caravan so he had to hack a piece off so that we could get it home without damaging the van.  Thankfully it was long enough when he made the mast.  

Paul Wright – Buckenham Ferry

Finally, in May 1971, the great day came and what was to be the Phantom prototype was launched at Buckenham Ferry.  Brian had intended it as a ‘one-off’ for himself, but when Paul saw it sailing he realised it could have good commercial possibilities.  He made the second boat and slightly modified the deck layout to make it easier to build from a kit or plans. 

Choosing a name proved difficult. One Sunday both families gathered at Paul’s house, armed with lists of names and dictionaries.  Several ideas were tried, but it was not until ‘Phantom’ was suggested that we could all agree.  During the summer of 1971 the two boats were taken to several sailing venues and were enthusiastically received by all who tried them. 

It was first shown at the Crystal Palace in 1972 and by the September enough boats had been built to hold the first championships at Oulton Broad. 

Our first National Champion was Peter Shanks - No.11 from Reading Sailing Club.  During the same weekend the inaugural meeting of the Phantom Class Association was held on 19th September.  Brian was in the Chair and read the proposed Constitution and Rules; after some discussion the one- design class rules were adopted.

The families of Brian and Paul still have reassuringly close links with the class and help provide the heart warming continuity from its birthplace to current times.  In 2009 an agreement was made to share the mandate to approve any changes to the external dimensions of the hull or sail plan, with the Association having sole rights for other class design changes.

 Moira Nash daughter of Brian Taylor says……

“I felt it was a milestone in the boat and Association coming of age, as it ensures that those who sail the boat have a key say in the key decisions.”

Since its original wood ‘stitch and glue’ build process the class has had several builders involved over the years. Vandercraft being the early GRP builders and now with the Epoxy design, Ovington Boats provide the all epoxy solution with James Jarvey Boats developing the epoxy/wood combination. The advancement from metal to carbon rig has also made significant changes to the performance of the boat, enabling a broader range of crew weights using the ever advancing flexible carbon masts and super stiff booms together with a range of high quality sail design from many of the leading sail lofts.

In 2021….

 The  Phantom Class wanted to make 2021 a special year to commemorate the 50th Anniversary with regional traveller series in the North, Midlands, Southern and South East, together with a National Regattas series and our National Championships in September.

The  crazy Covid year did have a negative impact on some of the early season when the country was in lockdown and restrictions on travel.

The Regional Series were inevitably disrupted, particularly in the North and Southern regions with only two out of the five planned event taking place. In the slightly reduced Eastern region, Bob Portway from Royal Harwich Y.C.  won the series.   The South East Series completed five out of the planned six events with Chris Shelton from Downs S.C. topping the table and the Midland Series also managed to complete four out of the five planned events with Charlie Chandler from Bowmoor S.C. taking home the chocolates.  

The Regatta Series provided the opportunity for sailors to travel further afield where one event was held in each region.  Ian Stone from  Maidenhead S.C. was crowned regatta champion.

The Inland Championships hosted by Northampton Sailing Club in June were sailed in very light wind conditions with a great turnout of 34 boats. The popular winner of this years championship was Simon Hawkes from Castle Cove S.C

 

The National Championships help in September at Stone Sailing Club in the south east of England was sailed over a glorious Indian summer long weekend of sun and breeze ending in a huge thunderstorm during the prize giving !

A near record entry of seventy-six boats provided a spectacular sight and was keenly competed over seven races, across three days.

   

 

The depth of talent within the fleet ranging from some of the more experienced sailors to a growing number of younger sailors provided an exciting and challenging event. Probably one of the closest results in recent years, with only three points separating the top four places.  It was also great to see that you don’t necessarily need a new boat to be at the front of the fleet !

Congratulation to Ian stone from Maidenhead S.C. in win his first Phantom Nationals.

1st  Place   1280 - Ian Stone  Maidenhead S.C.                    23pts

2nd Place   1456 - Andy Couch  Blithfield S.C.                     24pts

3rd Place    1270 - Charlie Chandler  Bowmoors S.C.        24pts

4th Place    1312  - Lawrence Crispin  Stone S.C.                25pts

Ian Stone 2021 National Champion

The Team Trophy for the National was won by the home club – Stone Sailing Club.

A huge part of the enjoyment of Phantom sailing is the friendly social side of the fleet, the enjoyment of meeting friends from across the country, having fun and talking about sailing. The 70’s themed night at the National Championships with some interesting dress code !

There is a natural cross fertilization of knowledge by sailors, always wanting to improve their boat speed and sailing . However the class initiated a number of popular training days, which were tagged onto open events this year. Where the more experienced sailors were able to impart their knowledge and pass on valuable boat tuning and on water skills and techniques.

Despite the obvious down sides to 2021… there have been a number of positives; Our realization of getting back to basics, the enjoyment of being in the outdoors and the physical and mental benefits of exercise. Sailing has been one of the winners in sport with the joy of being in the fresh air and away from the restrictions of everyday life. Phantom sailing has certainly gained in popularity, with an increase in sailors from a wider age range. This was partly due to the restrictions of double handed sailing in the early part of the year, but once you’ve sailed a Phantom it’s difficult to change. So much so that the the second hand market went crazy in the summer months with  buyers  being gazumped !! The Phantom boats sales  market remains extremely buoyant and points to a bright future for the class.

Class Association Chairman Phil Longley comments…….

“With a difficult 2020 and having to cancel the nationals that year, the committee was hoping for a better 2021, as we all know lockdowns hampered early events, but a brilliant turn out for the inlands and a truly unexpected 76 boats at the nationals, at my home club, new boats being made and second hand boats not hanging about for long it really shows the class is thriving and building on the last 50 years, with a full calendar and an nationals at another class favorite of Lyme Regis 2022 is lining up to be another epic year.”

Looking forward to 2022.  Plans are well underway within the regions to finalize their traveller series and with popular multi class regattas, the Inland Championships at Draycote Water S.C. over the weekend of the 9th/10th July and the National Championships fixed for the 16th-18th September at Lyme Regis, 2022 is looking to be another great year to sail the  Phantom.

Happy New Year and here’s to a Phantastic 2022

Early Christmas present for Phantom Sailors

 

Phantom sailors are in for a treat in 2022 with the new Midlands Travellers Series being recently finalized. After the success of this year’s series, which saw 44 competitors taking part, the aim is to build on the already popular events in the midlands, adding some new venues for 2022.

The class is delighted to yet again partner with sponsors HD Sails and Ceilidh who are one of the leading Phantom sail and carbon rig combinations. Together HD Sails and Ceilidh have come up with a new mast section for the Phantom. ‘Just like the Merlin mast development, the Phantom mast has brought a narrower sectioned teardrop shape with an integrated track. The new section boom boast 50% more stiffness than the traditional oval boom. Combining with the established HD sail completes the package.’

 

The Phantom Midlands Traveller Series, due to it’s central location and dare I say it’s reputation for good racing attracts not just local sailors but also boats from neighbouring regions.  The programme of mainly one day events has something for everyone. If you’ve not yet taken part in any open meeting previously, why not try out some of the great venues up for offer in 2022. There is a mix of abilities and it’s a great way to learn from some of the regulars who are a friendly bunch, keen to offer advice and support in boat set up and on the water tactics.  

This years series winner Charlie Chandler (pic.top right), from Bowmoor Sailing Club reflects….

“After all the Covid rubbish and lockdown the 2021 Midlands Traveller Series was just what I wanted. Single day events, all relatively close to home, great racing and good turnouts. I only got a Phantom 12 months ago, so it was good to get to speak to different people about how they sail the boat, how they rig it and what their in-boat priorities are. I loved how welcoming and open the people were and after all the virtual working it was great being with groups of people face to face……. all with a love of Phantom’ing ”

With Christmas just around the corner, new season isn’t that far away and it’s set to be a cracker !!

With lots of midland clubs wanting to get involved in 2022** it has been difficult putting together the perfect selection box of events, but with good feedback from this years participants, hopefully we have a blend to suit all. Best five results from seven events.

 

HD/Ceilidh  Phantom Midlands Traveller Series 2022

 

 

Why not make a news years resolution to travel more in 2022 !!

 

 ** Full Listings of 2022 Phantom Open Meetings will be listed as they become available

 

Happy Christmas and a Phantastic New Year

Mike Webster

Midlands Area Representative