Beautiful Wednesday

After the havoc of the weekend - we had a fantastic today today. 25C, clear skies, flat seas, and 12kts SW. Did I mention a public holiday as well !  Several boats away - we hd five on the water for a 3pm race. Thanks to Megafreight, Irish Mist, Quest (thats me), Savannah, and Umande - which all raced, and finished in that order. Just good pleasant fun! No complaints. I know that the crew Megafreight spent the whole day out in the sun - starting on the beach etc - and also that Irish  Mist and friends spent the day crayfishing at Kommetjie before. The village is full of braai smells tonight! How perfect!

And good luck to our president Dudley Turner who sold Ragtime this afternoon - hope he is back on the water soon!

We will race again in Jan - have some good fun sailing until then. . . .

HBYC Marina gets its turn . . .

After Algoa Bay Yacht Club, and Kalk Bay harbour recently got thrashed in violent windstorms, now it seems Hout Bay had a turn. Thank heavens for the recent marina maintenance programme, and the efforts of our brave liveaboards - Steve Clarke-Gray, and Peter Jacops, as well as the NSRI crew who were about. In the circumstances, the marina survived quite well despite losing a few floats - it never let go. Almost all damage was cased by the strong winds that lashed Cape Town - and the chafing of mooring lines . . . .

I believe that the large cats recorded over 95 knots in the harbour last night.

Again the main lesson has been tying up the boats. One just cannot be too careful, and lines should be doubled wherever possible. The case of Jabula - an Holiday 34 - is incredible. She has laid through many storms on the same part of the marina without damage. Take a good look at how she is tied . . .  . and touch wood . . . .

Global Warming anyone?

Ana holds a temporary seal agains the transom of this cat while the water is drained . .

The outer walkway listing significantly.

Keep a good eye on Windguru and have lots of spare rope available. Your boat deserves new mooring lines for Christmas . . .  .

Friday Night Draw now R4800!

FRIDAY NIGHT DRAW - FROM 19H00 - PRIZE NOW R4 800 - BE THERE TO QUALIFY!!
No winner last week (due to the soccer thing)
Please be reminded that the draw for the 32" flat screen TV will take place immediately after the member's draw.
Kind donations by local restaurants Casareccio and others will ensure the club raffle will be well supported, so be sure not to miss out and arrive promptly!
The Friday Night Team!

HBYC Angels

Can you believe it - HBYC is now a motorcycle club! HBYC Angels or what? See the pics below - submitted by Dick and Janet - during one of Cape Towns famous events - the annual Toy Run. Did you know that Jendo and co, Dave Mills, Alan Harrington, Pat and a bunch more - even Rian are bikers? plus a bunch more? Turns out half the club are motorcycle nuts as well. Which is fine. Except now the webmaster will have to upgrade his 125 to stay in the pack!  Perhaps if I get a smaller rear sprocket . . .  Enjoy the pics!

Friday Night Draw!

Dear Members

Due to the FIFA draw this past Friday, the popular decision on the night was to hold over the T.V. draw to this Friday, which along with the rolled-over club draw which now stands at R4, 800 makes it a night worth attending.
Added to this are a number of prizes, including meal vouchers from both the popular “Casareccio” and “Deli-Delish” restaurants. See you at your club!

Friday Night Crew.

Hout Bay Vineyards Open Day 28 November 2009

On recommendation from the webmaster - an event not to be missed! Peter and Cathy have this annual event at their home/estate above Grotto Way. Hout Bay's own prestigious winery! My personal favourite is their Cap Sec bubbly which is outstanding - but all their range is fantastic. Click here for more info! 
(I would also mention Peter and Cathy have offered some of this great produce as prizes for the club champs)

CROCS Summer Regatta at RCYC

DO YOU KNOW THAT ENTRIES FOR THE ABOVE PRESTIGIOUS POPULAR REGATTA CLOSE ON FRIDAY WEEK (4th Dec 2009)?
Format similar to previous years with flexibility to try to set better racing courses, loads of entertainment and “freebies” all details on our website or at Reception.
Great CROCS prizes.
*ENTER WITH OUT DELAY *
Regards, Ron Keytel, Sailing Office, Royal Cape Yacht Club
Tel 021 421 1354 Fax 021 421 6028 Mobile 084 450 8450
E-Mail: ron@rcyc.co.za Website: www.rcyc.co.za

Great Sailing Pics (2)

Ben Ainslie with the JP Morgan Extreme 40 sailing team sail the Extreme 40 catamaran on the River Thames to celebrate Ben Ainslie's triple Olympic gold medal success on September 5, 2008 in London, England.

Great Sailing Pics (1)

The 100-strong fleet sail past the historic three-masted clipper "James Craig" after the start of the annual 628 nautical mile Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on December 26, 2008.

Wed night sailing cancelled tonight 18 Nov

 . . . due to 40+ kts of South Easter ripping across the bay, forecast to increase by this evening. Come down to the club anyway and enjoy the pub anyway . . . .

UPDATE: Wind is now at 60kts or more in the marina at 20:00. Complete mayhem. Deep Blue Guard Hut is horizontal. Marina entrance portal has lost its roof. Wild spray right over the North and South moles. Yachts are heeling violently and the walkways are snaking around all over the show. Fortunately the swell is moderate as the wind has not gone East yet. Advise all boat owners to check for damage soon.

This poachers dinghy came adrift and washed up in the middle of the beach. Lifejackets courtesy of FV Alistair!

Guard hut blown over, roof of marina entrance has sprung a small leak I think.

Another guard hut went over. Actually a more comfortable angle for a bunk . . .