Your Scribe had roused himself with some reluctance because it was a mere day after a night with his family on Boxing Day and he was not sure that he wanted to get out of bed, but he did and came down to Indented Head, possibly to sail. Peter Viney was there but it appeared that most others were thinking similarly to the Scribe, and we thought we might call it a day for sailing. But slowly sailors arrived including a fleet from St Leonards (say six boats who had sailed around for a beer with our Commodore and then to sail back). Danny Rayson told me that St Leonards are having a horrible season with only about three Sunday’s of the season sailable. They are considering a November to May season for the future.

We ended up with seven Sabres sailed by Ollie, Lucy, Billie, your scribe, visitor Miles, Geoff D, for one race, and Andrew Dix his mint new and previously unsailed Sabre which he has named Tawiha, from the first letters of grand children names (I think). Lucy did a quick google search and it turns out to also be a place in NZ. The rigging looks complex and Andrew had wisely set it up in a practice on Boxing Day.

In Division 1, Manfred on his Full Laser was the sole IHYC representative, but was joined by visitors Gus and G. Allen (Laser Radials) and Richie H and Danny R on Aero 7’s. Richie’s boat was also very new.

Two races were sailed in 15-20 knot southerlies, perhaps not really your scribe’s thing, but he was very pleased to finish the two races. Andrew said there was more breeze than he had thought needed for his first go on his new boat. In division 1, Danny led Manfred in both races by about a minute. In Race 1 they were trailed by Gus, G and Richie. In race 2, Richie got his Aero going and although behind Danny and Manfred was ahead of G and Gus.

In Division 2, Race 1 Ollie was a minute up but followed by a close group of Lucy, Andrew (42 seconds but may have missed the finish line and re-circled) and Geoff half a minute after Andrew. Miles was a further half a minute back two minutes ahead of Billy who led your Scribe by another half minute. Your Scribe was troubled by driver error at the jibe mark when surprised by his position (close to everyone) he got controls already for the next leg and jibed to the wrong side of the mark and had to slowly work out what to do and retrace his steps. In Race 2 Andrew got the new boat really going (he says it is very quick downwind) and finished a minute up on Lucy who was 11 seconds up on Milers. Ollie was 27 seconds back ahead of Billie by a minute and a bit. Your scribe again trailed.

Peter V, in a welcome return, ran the race and set the course while John W, who remains sidelined with a sore knee, was the safety boat. Thanks to them and to Anne who watched all from the tower.

Wishing all and sundry a safe New Year.

Coming up:
Saturday 3 January 2026.
1400 Lady Nelson series continues (includes Red Cross Trophy and Boat Club Cup).
(Be aware that this is the day of the Boat Club fishing comp so the normal entry will be closed. Enter from the south end of the rigging area).

Saturday 10 January 2026.
1400 Matthew Flinders series commences.

With no sailing over the winter your scribe had a bit of spare time which he put to use by borrowing a couple of books from the Club so he could learn to navigate. Here are some of the things he learnt:
A further use of a sextant is to determine the distance to an object between the horizon and the viewer. Use the angle subtended between the horizon and the objects waterline to obtain horizon angle H. Then, to obtain the distance D, with your handy slide rule apply the formula: D = HE/sin H x cos H.