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[Phil_1193]

Unfortuantely Jon has decided to stand down as Easterna area rep.

Think you will all join me in thanking him for his help over the last couple of years.

This does mean we need someone (or indeed a couple of people) to step up and organise the biggest (and best) Phantom region.

Ideally this would be suited to a recently retired man in the Burnham area but if anyone wants to come forward or knows someone who would take it on with a bit of lubrication then please speak sooner rather than later

 

[The Belgian]

To anyone considering the job I can tell  you that after one year running the Southern region ( soon to be the biggest and best ) its very rewarding.

Thanks to Jon for doing a great job and good luck to the new rep

Ivan 1300

[Ocean Strider]

Rather rashly I told Phil at the Nationals that if no one came forward I would pick up the job of Eastern Rep again - this seems to have become "Chris is doing it again" and after careful consideration I've decided I'll take it up.

BUT. .... I want phase some feedback on the usual topics of how many events, how many days and so on.  There's a really healthy debate going on in the Southern region and I'd like to see similar input from Phantom sailors in the Eastern region.


Most importantly I would like to hear from those that are new to the class and those that haven't been to an open meeting before etc.

We are lucky at Creeksea to have achieved a critical mass of Phantoms but there must be plenty out there that would benefit from some training etc.

So come on, let's hear from you!

Chris.

[RHYC 1]

I also have reached critical mass

[essexbloke]

So we all owe Chris a huge thanks for picking up the mantle on our behalf, and to JP for doing a grand job too!  Moving onto Chris's post - whilst I've been in the class a couple of years now I still consider myself a newbie, due mainly to the lack of time I actually get in the boat.  I've done a few opens but am still firmly stuck at the back wallowing in the shallows.  So one thing I'd like more training on trying to get the best out of what us slower/ less experienced guys have got.  Theory and practical sessions would be amazing!  Boat setup, fine tuning bla de blah....  I'd even be prepared to pay! (A reasonable amount)

[Eric the red]

  Thanks for doing this for us CR.
Well in fact thanks for all the help and advice you have given the CSC phantom sailors. There isn't a better place to sail for help and advice in a phantom. Especially with our special guest appearances  thanks to Ian and Mat 

[Phil_1193]

Firstly thanks Chris, I need your email address for committee stuff 

On the sailing front, think the 4 or 5 events over the season is enough.

Personally I don't see the point of a one day event, if its an event it needs to be over potentially varying conditions and 2 days gives that option.

A late start on a Saturday - 1400 or later and an early start Sunday - 1030amish - does give oppertunity for training in the am on the Saturday or time for other things, and an early start Sunday means an early get away.

Plus the Saturday afternoon/ evening means the fleet can 'socialise'. Turning up for one day doesn't have that and doesn't give people the chance to get to talk/ get to know each other.

We should look at a last signal/ start time to save the hanging around all day, that way it can be binned earlyish with out the race management/ RR getting 'flack' - if its in the rules no one can whine

As to venues, one thing I really think we need to do is go to places where we can launch and recover with ease no matter what the tide/ launch area.

Although we hve been to some really friendly clubs in cracking locations I really hate the one in one out up the ramp/ 3 hour sailing window venues.

We should be concentrating our opens at locations where there are local boats. That might twist their arm in trying somewhere else.

[Nick1291]

Mainly echoing what others have said above: thanks to JP for 2 years of organising the eastern region events and thanks to Chris for taking this up. I mainly agree with Phil about the event format only adding that a couple of single day events are not too bad an idea especially if they're early on in the season (when camping isn't really an option).
We do seem to have a couple of strongholds (Creeksea and Alton Water) so I think it makes sense to start with those two and book 2-3 more around them. This year's Alton Water format with the training/quick races on Saturday (similar to what we did at Hickling the year before) sounds like the best opportunity for training.
In all fairness if people want to go to more events then they can consider "crossing over" to other regions: I really wanted to so Shoreham this year but it clashed with Merlin week at Salcombe.

[Windy Miller]

Thanks for stepping in again Chris. 4 to 6 events seems a good number with piggy backing on to Burnham week or Smugglers (possibly Snettisham) etc for east coast champs seems a good plan. We do need to leave some room for PYSCO events !!!!
I do think that Alton early in the year with training day etc does draw in new starters to the class early in the season, and also gives a number a chance to repair their boat having been in the nettles all winter !!!
Creeksea always works well.
I have always enjoyed Southwold but it appears not for all, but i have had some great sailing there. It would be good to visit Wells again if there is enough interest, and maybe stinky Bob has had a bath and it might be safe to revisit Hickling ?

Just my 10p worth I am sure that whatever it will be a good crack.

Windy

[Phil_1193]

Heres an odd thought, seeing as though theres a 'new' set of rules for the 2017 season, would it be worth organising a 'rules seminar' at one of the open events?

Not a full on 8 hours but just a summary of the changes?

After all a big part of training is knowing if you are in the right or wrong especially when it comes to mark rounding!

[Ocean Strider]

Thanks for the thoughts so far.

I agree that Alton Water is a great venue for the early event and ideal for a spot of training.  I also like the idea of some Rules updates as these have been updated and many still seem to have in their mind a set of rules that they used when sailing Cadets!  I haven't heard a hail of "mast abeam" for a while but you know what I mean.

Creeksea is obviously one I'd vote for as a two day event and Stone also suits a weekend event - so that's three full weekends.

Given the boats history and past support it would be great to have a "Broadland" venue or event.

I'm going to do some homework on open handicap regattas as a "approved event" that we could all have in our calendars as ones where we might know that a few Phantoms would be there.

If you think about it we've got Stone Week, Burnham week, North West Norfolk week, Pyefleet, Dabchicks etc. etc.

The key thing is getting a bit of commitment to travel and support events.  Bribery in the form of tee shirts, hats, prizes and flattery all work well, but I feel that we need to improve on our training and boat whispering skills.

Dedicated training weekends, rather than pure racing, particularly early in the season might be the way forward.  This would also help the fleet get to know new members and get them in the fold....

[Thumper]

Well done everyone!  I think 4/5 events, nicely spaced out at one per month works well.  I also prefer Alton at the start of the season to dust off the cobwebs, as with various commitments I don’t manage to sail through the winter.  There is room for a weekend event in between the Nationals and Inlands so another venue required.  Creeksea and Stone are great, and thought Smugglers worked well this year too given the requirement to keep us together for camping & social.  Given the eastern region critical mass, how about a Creeksea super series over the four Sundays following the Creeksea event?  We could leave our boats there and do 2 races per Sunday, 6 to count?

[RHYC 1]

When Im around one per month for a 2 day open is my favourite.
I did enjoy the Saturday in March as a series opener.
I think it is easy to get bogged down in the training.
Every body knows what they should do , we shout it at them enough.
KEEP IT FLAT
Up wind you need more kicker than you think.
Rack the rig as you get over powered.
Stand it up on a reach.
Keep the boom out of the water.
Its time in the boat most people would benefit from everything else follows from there.

Matthew 1432

[Ocean Strider]

Thanks Matt.  I think that new sailors might know much of this but not appreciate what it looks like in action as it were.

Could you please have a word with Alton to see if we can have an early season weekend to kick the season off with a training weekend (and maybe agree that we all gate crash one of their handicap events for a more serious race).

I'd love to hear from some new members in the region - be warned I have previously been known to visit clubs and track you down!! 

My list includes Snettisham (how's my old boat going), Blakeney (who's still active there?), Saddlebow /Ouse Booze (still active Mike?), Walton (come out and play Martin...) ....

[Howard Hawkes]

Hi all,

I'm new to the Phantom and sail at Snettisham.

In principle I'm up for some opens and training but as I organise training events for the Sprint 15 fleet I'm fairly commtted there.

It looks as if there will be two additional boats here next year making four in the boat park.  If anyone cares to join us at North West Norfolk week we could have enough boats for our own fleet which might be a good starting point for an Open in 2017, particularly as the Vice Commodore is selling one of his cats to buy a Phantom...

Howard 1227