Apologies for the delay in getting this missive out. Just as I thought I had got it wrapped there was something else to include! There is loads of news of boats that have come to light or have been changing hands in this issue together with a contribution from 'Big' Dave Bowen - back by popular request. Colin Crabb and Mike Hick have both been hard at work on our behalf seeking out a venue for the2004 'Nationals'. Colin has been talking to the people at St.Mary's on the Isles of Scilly and Mike has made overtures at his home club North Devon YC at Instow. This has resulted in a firm offer of the last week (21st -28th) in August being made to us - in writing by NDYC. More details to follow later. Meanwhile we are busy sorting out the details for this year's bash at Fishguard from 23rd to 29th August. Finally could I ask those who do not have standing orders to please renew your subscriptions to the NRDA. �8 to the Hon. Treasurer - please! That's all from me for this issue - I'm off to sail my boat Best wishes and happy sailing,

Bill

Boat and Fleets Report

The Looe fleet had an early start to their season starting racing in March. For the first one or two races only the very keen ventured out; Namely John and Ben closely followed by a rescue boat. As the weather and the water gets warmer more boats will be encouraged to re-commission. One Looe Redwing sailor who cannot wait for the Cornish seas to warm up is Bud Coote. I am told that he is upping sticks and moving his entire family to Spain. However, as our current National Champion he has a title to defend and we are assured of a visit to Fishguard by Bud and his boat this August.

The small but enthusiastic Tenby Redwing fleet was mostly ready for the season start in early April. Although not all boats quite made it (Ahem! You mustn't rush varnish work - and stripping off takes time - Ed.) Mike and Deanna R195, Rolly R244, Helen and Dave R221 were all ready for the Dr. White Cup race that traditionally kicks off the Tenby season at the start of April. With the new dinghy park now finished even John Griffiths (R179 Nimbus) has been seen bringing his boat down to the harbour early last Sunday. After a sad accident in an autumn gale wrote off his plastic Javelin, Kevin Williams concluded the purchase of R161 'Mistral' and it is hoped that when her 'Larch-lap' deck is sorted she will swell the Tenby fleet numbers. Now, very much 'tongue-in-cheek', there has been a disturbing trend within TSC that has not just affected Redwing sailors but at least one RS700 sailor as well. This has manifested itself as an overwhelming desire to obtain a boat with a ballasted keel and - horror of horrors - a lid as well! They must all be getting old and soft or maybe both!

We were contacted by Bryan and Pauline Watts from Harrogate last autumn and they have become Redwing members along with their boat R45 'She'. Her home club is Ripon SC and Bryan tells me that he is now busy preparing 'She's' (or should it be 'Her') mast and rigging ready for the coming season. R146 'Flare' has found a new home with John Shiell in Devon. John has said that he intends to sail 'Flare' on Roadford reservoir, however I think that he will find the lure of sea sailing too tempting! His sailing partner Tim Marler also owns R113 'Leo' another Redwing that had 'disappeared' for a few years after being sold. I had a very interesting conversation with, and correspondence from, Mr. E. Worraker the original owner of R123 'Prelude'. He had interesting tales to tell about his escapades with the boat as a young man including being 'shipwrecked' on Southend beach. The boat was in his care for nearly 40 years, only being sold on in the mid 1980's. To remember his time with the boat, Mr Worraker recently has had commissioned a very fine half-model of 'Prelude'. Coincidentally, 'Prelude's' current owner Jonathan Heighway was recently in touch via email and he has promised to get her back on the water when the pressures of family life allow the time.

Earlier this spring I was helping out at a WYA Regional Youth Squad regatta at Mumbles YC and as we were being allocated crews for the RIBS I found myself preparing the boats with one Neil Burton. When he knew that we were up from Tenby he introduced himself as a Redwing sailor! Neil, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, and an ex-pat Cornishman, owns R170 'Gylfinir' and has done so for many years. 'Gylfinir' is special in that she is one of the two Redwings built by S.G.Ellis on the Isles of Scilly from timber said to be from a shipwrecked cargo. (The other boat so built is R155 'Tern', now in the care of Paul Shuttleworth.) Anyway, enough of my ramblings, welcome back to these and any new Redwing members.

The 2002 season in a nutshell

Well I thought I had got away with it. That is writing this little section of the newsletter, but it appears there are certain factions amongst you that are suckers for punishment so here goes yet again, the ramblings of a learner Redwinger. By the way you can blame certain rowdies at Looe for this section because it was on a visit there that I was coerced into conceding to rattle my tiny brain into putting something on paper. The one down point of the year was that of my weight actually telling on a boat and definitely getting the sinking feeling. I had bought for a pittance a rather elderly Enterprise for playing with on a Wednesday night at my inland club on the river. Helen and a friend of ours tried it out and everything seemed all right, so then it was my turn. Well after blundering about a bit (everything seems so low after a redwing)

Wreck

I managed to take charge and was just relaxing when on a tack a loud cracking noise was heard and water started to pour in. I had put my size eleven's straight through the floor. One thing though the buoyancy worked even with my weight and my crews as we managed to get the boat ashore. The one good point about all this was when I mentioned I was going to burn the boat and sell the fittings that somebody overheard at work and decided it was time he returned to sailing and my wreck would make a good winter project. So now we have a new member for the club as well and who knows I maybe able to talk him into a proper boat in time. As mentioned earlier Helen and I made our pilgrimage to Looe and as always were warmly received, although the weather outside could have been better. It was while there we learned that Ben Crabb was about to go to Australia for up to a year, he will be missed. I hope he has a great time but remembers to come back. We need the youngsters to sail our boats especially the likes of all the lads at Looe.

I was not lapped

Onto my own sailing year, well the championships were predictable for me although this year I was not lapped although one race I just cleared the finishing line as Bud was approaching. I think he held back for fear of me doing something stupid and costing him the race. It was also nice to sail against Marion Cole and Mike Hick as we had a few tussles and this is what I hope to continue with next year with perhaps me getting the better of them! Who knows? On the club scene I managed to finish sixth this year which was an improvement of about eight places, still fifth redwing but only two points behind Alex. Rolly took second place with Mike Stace and Deanna claiming the honours; I believe he's already laying plans ready for next year.

Competent to trapeze

This was the year Helen decided I was competent enough for her to trapeze, she didn't tell me though she just did it, funnily enough the rescue boat was close by and Rolly was quite amused at the look on my face as she did it. Our technique isn't good yet but we are working on it. Helen still is a bit wary though because when on the wire she is continually shouting pull or push she'll probably tell me what she means one day.

On the boat front 'Discretion' R221 is almost ready to go to Tenby and will definitely be there for the Easter Regatta (the more the merrier especially Redwings are welcome) that's if the Hon Sec. doesn't keep going abroad to get out of it. Mind you Bill is going to be busy because following R221 there is one of my Merlin Rockets that I can then sell on after a few cosmetic repairs. Bill then has a few little thing to do for himself; one Land Rover (replace part of rear chassis and back body) R228 full winter overhaul, two Fourteens to prepare for next season and then hopefully by spring 'Venus' R178 can go in for her long awaited refit. (Dream on Dave - Ed.) She served me really well last season as she was in great need of T.L.C., which unfortunately she didn't get. Bill will probably regret living just down the road from me but I do help. Make the tea, talk to him, sweep up, pass tools, get in the way,.. You know, all the essentials!

High blood pressure

Helen and I have booked accommodation already for Fishguard. It shows how keen we are despite bad back, dodgy knees, high blood pressure, aching elbows and being overweight and that's just my crew! Only joking! We'll be trying hard and on that note I think I'll close as I've just got time for an hour in the gym then a couple in the pub plus a Chinese on the way home. Told you I'm in training hope to see you all soon and have a great year.

Dave Bowen

R221 'Desecration'

Redwing Rules

The RYA have produced an updated set of rules for 2003 that includes a change to the way Redwing owners should obtain their buoyancy test endorsement; A new rule 6.2 makes it the Owner's responsibility to carry out the test with a club official witnessing the Owner signing the measurement certificate. This is to absolve class measurers from liability to prosecution. The 2003 Class Rules are available for download from the RYA website. However I can send a copy to anyone wishing to see them.

National Championships 2004

As mentioned in my introduction, we have received a firm offer from North Devon Yacht Club to host our 2004 championships from 21st to 28th August. During that week there are neap tides and we have been told that it will be possible to race for 2 hours plus on each day around high water. The club is at Instow, a picturesque village on the North Devon coast, with a long sandy beach where the Taw and Torridge meet. The racing would be in the estuary from a Committee boat around dropped marks.

However we also have a rival bid; Colin Crabb has been in contact with the Scillonian Sailing Club at St Mary's I.O.S. and negotiated the same week (21st to 28th August) I believe that we are awaiting confirmation from all parties including the Harbour Master and the Steamboat Company! However once this is all sorted out we will have to make a choice - possibly in advance of the AGM.

North Devon Regatta

For those who would like to try out the North Devon venue there is a regatta in August. Mike Hick (R174 Flotsam) sent me the following details: 'For those not perhaps able to make the Nationals or in need of a little practice; make a team with R174 and R211 to race N.Devon Yacht Clubs' Open Week. 4th to 9th August 2003- six days of wonderfully varied racing in a great setting. '

Tenby Regatta 28th June

There is no TSC regatta as such this year since the club is hosting the Pembrokeshire Yachting Federation County Regatta on 28th June with the annual round Caldey Island race on 29th This is an open event and all visiting Redwings will be more than welcome.

.... both in need of restoration:-

• R94 Frisk. Complete boat and rig, trailer etc. Lying in Dorset. Contact Harry Greenough on 01297 560689
• R136 Skua. Not sure exactly how much work is needed, possibly a new deck etc. Lying in S. Devon. Contact Richard Pears on 01386 710324

And Finally...