Hi, Introducing my myself (Ronnie) and my lovely classic Phantom number 10, "On de Rocks" (a.k.a. Roxy). She was advertised in Apollo Duck in the Autumn and I bought her just before lock down. She is in lovely condition for her age and gets lots of lovely comments at the club. If I can get some photos of us on Ulley SC (Sheffield/Rotherham/M18 area) sorted out I will post them.
Hull number 10, was built by the Phantom designers Paul Wright and Brian Taylor at their yard but not in sequence, having been started in 1971 as a kit but not fitted out until the new century. I think of her as a 50 year old boat, not a 20 year old one. I would love to know more about her history. She has a Broads number and has been raced so I assume she will have been registered and measured here at some point.
I am returning to sailing after 35 years from a wooden OK in Hartlepool Bay (Tees Sailing Club). Buying her just on background reading was a huge gamble for me and everything seems to be so wrong but also so right. I thought I had made a big mistake at first but not any more.
The main thing is that Phantoms seem to want to go fast and straight most of the time so I have no idea how I am going to learn how to read our tiny reservoir to become nimble and tactical, but I intend to try.
We aren't racing yet and I haven't even got the ropes sorted (no Cunningham or tell-tales for example) but what a wonderful club Ulley SC is for tips, training and a friendly atmosphere. It is just a pity no other Phantoms are around.
I have been told that my situation is like putting a learner driver in a Ferrari! I can relate to that but already I have passed a couple of lasers on a reach and I am the one that has stayed upright in the gusts (ok, I admit, they are the ones racing and I am not but here's a racing tip from me - from what I can tell, sails perform better when they are out of the water
). I suspect I am going to be made to eat those words!
If only I had returned to sailing a year or two earlier I think I would have got her measured and brought her to the Nationals for a 50th birthday party but alas that's not an option. I will look forward to reading about the classic boats that did make it.
So, I know we are not going to trouble the leader-board any time soon (ever) but that's not the point. Even at 50, Roxy is an exciting boat and she needs a good helm. I intend to become one. I am sure that if Roxy could talk, she would be pleased to meet you all. So am I.
Ronnie
