Canterbury Paper Tiger Catamaran Fleet

Race Results and Reports 

Pigeon Bay Grand Prix Series 1                                                                                            23/24 October 2010

• Acceleration
• Off the start line, after you tack, after rounding marks etc ensure you get the boat up to speed as quickly as possible, I let the sail of about 2-300mm to power it up then when back up to full speed pull this last bit back in, get to know whether you boat is up to full speed or not
• Concentration
• When it is lighter you have to concentrate more intensely than when it is heavy, you need to be looking at the boats in the distance for signs of wind and changes of direction
• Watch tacking and mark rounding's in particular, you can lose a lot if you get these wrong
• Balance
• Lift a hull! at 70kg I'm not a bantam weight, so am working hard to get a hull lifted, if this means sitting in the middle with legs on the leeward side then that is what is required, the speed increase is significant, so worth the effort.
• Also move around to keep the boat even, the more stable your sail and foils the more efficient they are, so moving in and out to keep it steady will help boat speed
• Controls
• with the addition of mast rotation we now have 5 controls in order of importance
1. cunningham/downhaul - get numbers on mast and set to what works for your sail, this controls the top of the sail and opens the leech, pulling on depowers, so I was just taking wrinkles out
2. mast rotation - due to the JT2 area this is quite important, rule of thumb is to rotate to front of case then tighten as wind increases
3. kicker - on reaches and runs this ensures you aren't losing power from the leech (but don't over do it)
4. outhaul - set and forget this for each leg, don't overtighten as sets up the bottom of the sail for power
5. Inner forestays - used to depower the sail when windy, ensure you let them off downwind, I didn't have any tension on these in the weekend
• Power
• the most important is the inner back stays, play with these until it works... the tighter they are the fuller the sail = more power
• batterns are important and should provide an even shape throughout the sail, ensure you have power in the head with lighter batterns
• Foils
• getting the centreboards back and rudders forward is the goal with these, the boat will balance up and drag will disappear, this also means you can rake the mast more and will point higher upwind.

2009/10 Season Standings 

ll MPYC Results  Click Here                                                                                                       All NPCL Results Click Here

2010 Nationals Results Click Here                                                                      2009 Nationals Results Click Here

Estuary Pennants 4 and Club Champs                                                                                  6-7 February 2010  

Pigeogn Bay Grand Prix Series 5                                                                                                    6 March 2010

Hi all,

Those of us who got to Pigeon Bay over the weekend had a pleasant time of it – some of us staying over to the Sunday after a Life Members’ afternoon tea and a pot luck dinner.  Saturday saw 5 of us in light winds with occasional soft spots (read dead spots).  Brian, Wayne, Bob, Andy and myself.  The two of us sandbaggers who finished 4^th and 5^th in the morning got to start earlier in the afternoon’s Mark Foy races with the supposed strong breezes (there was more chop than breeze in the first afternoon race and the greyhounds didn’t catch one of the rabbits).  I stayed back for the second race and Andy translated a 2 minute start to 6 minutes ahead by the end of the race in the stronger but shifty conditions!  Ask Bob who had to tack to make a wing mark and Brian who got drifted backwards past a downwind mark.

All this done on a course with a butterfly configuration designed by Ross.  Bob would have none of it on the Sunday.

On the Saturday Bob also tried some innovations on his boat, like trying to sail without a shackle holding the sail up and like seeing if the new trampoline worked as well after it pulled out some rivets attaching to a hull.  He tried re-using an old leak hole in his centreboard housing too, excavated in following advice from Bob Preston.

For Sunday Bob and Wayne sent me off early on a Mark Fuoy in a strongish breeze – and I took their offer and went even earlier (screwup) but this was matched by Bob in the second race who was leading but forgot that he’d set us with 3 laps of the course rather than two!  Nice breezes in a moderate chop – easier than the harbour.

Pigeogn Bay Grand Prix Series 4                                                                                             14 February 2010

We had an interesting day at PBBC on sunday. I don't think I have sailed in such frustrating conditions. But John A gave us all a Master Class in fickle condition sailing. However, a very enjoyable day with some very close racing and all 5 having their moments. Thanks for another great days sailing. 

Hi All except Bob!  ……. Who successfully defended his Masters Gold!  He had 5 firsts and a third, the latter due to me stuffing him up when I called water on him!  Murray Grimwood was the sailor giving Bob serious competition, with Bob having a couple of “come from behind” wins.  I had a second and first when the wind god smiled, otherwise 3rds and a fourth (and a DNS from a broken tiller).

But the rest of the news was that it was a great sailing venue with good winds on all days, over a spectrum of speeds from 15-19 kts NE and choppy on day one (2 races), to 5-10+ kts NE (estimate) and sunny on day 2, to southerly around 10+ kts (estimate) on Sunday.  The NE courses were run seaward in windward-leeward courses, and the southerly on a triangle-sausage format.  They used gates on the NE courses, a setup that was good as boats from 4 starts occasionally ended up converging on the bottom mark(s).  The harbour is tidal but they probably have a 6-8 hour window.

Bob and I drove down Thursday night and stayed with Murray G, about 30km north of town – and returned yesterday afternoon.  Bob stayed at the university clubhouse the “middle” nights.  We would encourage others to think of the event in 2 years time or other events they have.  (There are other regattas, one coming up soon I think).  The clubhouse is fine, outside areas work well in NE’ers and there’s plenty of space for boats and a couple of ramps. Advice for then would be to take all the tools (such as take drill bits as well as the drill).  I left my extra tiller back here where it did no good. 

Estuary Pennants 3 and Club Champs                                                                                 6-7 February 2010 

Four keen sailors turned up on Saturday for another days good sailing: Brian, Andy, James and Wayne. This was Wayne and Andrew's first time at the estuary in a long time. The weather was a light NE which meant sunny close racing with all taking a turn in the lead. A few times running aground and getting lost Brian emerged the winner with Andy close behind followed by Wayne and James. Sunday was an interesting day with some magic moments and white-knuckle rides. Brian the clear winner on the day.

 Harbour Blast 2 CBYC                                                                                                                9 January 2010

Pierce, Andy and Bob turned up for another great Harbour Blast. A building NE was forecast and all sailors were not disappointed. The 3 set off for a bit of training in stonking conditions. The wind built to a fantastic 20+ knots coming in consistently and with little deviation. With a flat sea some spectacular sailing was had. The PT was again performing at its optimum and some tight sailing ensued. Each sailor really finding their heavy weather feet and geeting the most out of their PTs, ensuring they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming race events.

 
ASC New Year Regatta                                                                                                   1-5 January 2010 

As per this season the weather gave us variable conditions with some frustrating and some dynamic races. Bob and Andy stuck with it however to get some tight racing round the harbour both making significant improvments to their sailing strategies. Day 1 blew a steady NW for all 3 races showing the PTs class, when thats is, Bob found his way around the harbour, stopping at one stage to ask for directions. Day 2 was a bit of a blow out ending in club match racing. Steve Dawson joined for the round the harbour giving both Andy and Bob a master class in light wind sailing.  

With perfect conditions predicted for the 5th Pierce joined both Andy and Bob for the day of the season and the best conditions any sailor had sailed in in quite sometime. Blowing a steady 20+ knot northerly meant the PT was performing to its optimum. Each sailor sailing till exhasution and with huge smiles on their faces. It was a magnificent opportunity to really tune the boats and hone the sailing skills. 3 boat training at its best. We all look forward to the next blast on Akaroa Harbour.

Due to the regular sailing of the PTs at Akaroa 3 more PTs have come out of the woodwork and plan to get their boats on the water and join the fleet.

PBBC Christmas Regatta                                                                                                      28 December 2009  

Well another rollicking day at Pigeon Bay.

A freshning shifty NE greeted 8 (yes 8) PTs for a day of ups, downs and some bizarre sights.

One of the shiftiest(sp) days that has been seen in a long time. But straightened out through the day. Some big gains and huge losses could be found as a see-saw battle raged between all the boats. Brian Harvey had some screaming reaches showing he will be a force to be reckoned with at the Nationals. Bob was keen to point out his huge win in the last race, taking the entire fleet on port at full power off the start line, Bob's screams were all that could be heard as he increased his lead and sailed off into the sunset. Wayne gets the pointing award for a bizzare lift sailing at least 40dgrees higher than anyonelse. Pierce had a good couple of races revelling in the moderate breeze till gear failure forced him off the water. Unfortunately James was not at his usual screaming best with a borrowed mast and broken boom. Finally with some tight tussles between the ever consitent John A and Brian D.

A fun and challenging day, it was great to see so many battles. All of the races could have been won by anyone on the water.

South Island Paper Tiger Championships NPCL                                                                05/06 December 2009  

Day 1: Cancelled due to severe gales/ Tuning session with Bob Preston instead.                                                                                                                     Day 2: 1 Race started but abandoned due to 45knot gusts mid-race                                                                                                                                           A great turn out again for the SI Champs. Thankyou very much to Bob Preston for his insight into PT tuning and all his helpful tips and advice.

Canterbury Paper Tiger Championships PBBC                                                                  05/06 December 2009 

* Full Results  Click Here

Trevor Naylor Cup MPYC                                                                                                     29 November 2009

NPCL                                                                                                                                  28 November 2009

Pigeon Bay Grand Prix Series 2                                                                               14/15 November 2009

Estuary Pennants Race 2                                                                                                       8 November 2009

Hi all,

Four of us had a good day on the estuary – in spite of the very light winds leading up to the racing.  Andy came down to watch while Glen Maddren came out to get things sorted out. Paul had his first time out this season, and Brian came in first in the Pennants Race.  The light winds meant that Brian was the only one at the favoured end of the line when the gun went and he made the most of it.  After the first circuit of the buoys though it was relatively close racing (Brian going to sleep I reckon on one leg).  And there were a few lead changes.

John A

NPCL                                                                                                                                   31 October 2009

What a great day sailing yesterday!!!

I had the mast up and sail up, only to find that my gooseneck was AWAL. So de-rigged and was driving out when JK rang. There he was carrying a gooseneck he'd found on the Lyttleton roundabout. It's had survived the bumpy trip from Redwood resting on the tramp. Was this an Omen? Was my luck in? So rigged up again....getting faster at this now. A building NE greeted both John then it freshened. Ended up blasting across from NP to Charteris on epic reaches, with wide grins and stinging eyes. Foiling R classes were well behind. Pure PT magic. Am I hooked? You bet ya.
Thanks to John for finding my gooseneck and the many invaluable handy hints while out.
Happy sailing.

Cheers
James

Pigeon Bay Grand Prix Series 1                                                                                           24/25 October 2009

Estuary Pennants Race 1                                                                                                                      11 October 2009