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Formula 16 Dutch Coast Challenge |
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Related links |
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Document data |
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By : Various
Created : 2 oktober 2003
Last updated : 15 April 2004
Classification : general publication
Copyright : restricted freeware
Status : It is a go !
Comments : Final NOR expected |
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Formula 16 class Home |
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Explanation of classification and copyright |
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Introduction |
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The idea was coined by two Australian F16 sailors looking for a sailing holiday in Europe. They gave strength to their suggestion by stating that such a trip would also be a great way to cement the F16 class in the Netherlands if not a great showcase for the individual F16 boats themselfs. This was undeniable so we started organising. Early on, we agreed that the main idea behind the trip was to have fun and hone eachothers sailing skills. So a few competitive elements are added but a large portion is is intended to be a recreational.
When testing the waters we quickly found that there is interest in such a event and we are expecting F16's of no less than 4 different makes. We have commitment from F16 one-offs, Taipan F16's as well as from the crews owning Stealths and Blade F16's. In addition to this we would love to see several Stealth R's and Spitfires joining us as well.
The trip is called a challenge because it is as much a challenge as it is a recreational tour. It is challenge to oneself to complete the 300 km round trip together with the group as it is to do well in the 4 competitive trials that will be included to test and hone our own sailing skills. |
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The general layout |
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Take a look at the map below, it shows the Netherlands and the part of the Dutch coastline that will be the location of our event. The red lines are the first stages towards the point of return. These stages are all sailed from south to north. The blue lines are the returning stages which are are all sailed from north to south. The purple stages are either official Dutch catamaran events organised by the Dutch clubs or trials which are organised by us. The trials will take place on one location while the tour stages will relocate us from one location to another. The tour stages are non-competitive elements although we do understand that when two boats are on the water that at least one of them is racing. The trials and races are competition stages and will make up some sort of final listing. |
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Note : Length and number of tour stages have slightly changed and map has not been redrawn |
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The first stage; Getting started and Clubraces at Zandvoort (saterday 24 juli 2004) |
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Originally it was intended to start with a big regatta and end with a big regatta and do a sailaway in the days between these events. However after some of our arrangements had been made the start event was rescheduled to a date beyond our scope. So we had to forget about one regatta.
It was decided to at least do the Westland Cup on 31 juli and 1 aug as that is the best attended event. We also decided to end with this event as then we would hone our skills during the week and make a big impression at our concluding event. One must always work towards a climax ! Therefor our event starts on saterday 24 Juli 2004.
On saterday 24 july we meet up at the Cat club Zandvoort, introduce ourself to eachother and work over our boats and give them a final safety check, maybe even do some test sailing. On this very night the club hosts a party called "nachtwedstrijd" (Night race). This is more about eating and having fun over a pint than winning this annual fun race that is sailed in the dusk. Cat Club Zandvoort welcomes us all. And it is also Sateh Night at the club. A good way to start the event. |
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The second stage; towards Den Helder ! (Sunday 25 july 2004) |
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Den Helder is the last town on the mainland before the dune Islands of the Wadden are encountered.
During this tour stage we'll pass the yellow and green dunes of the Dutch coastline and eventually sail away from the more populated area's. The prevailing winds at the coast are from the south-west so this stage could turn out to be a screaming spinnaker reach on a port tack. With good wind and spinnakers this stage can be completed in 4 hours sailing.
As this is a touring stage, all the boats will complete this stretch of water together as a group. We'll probably land somewhere halveway and make a lunch visit to one of the many catamaran clubs that are located along this stretch of the coast line.
Den Helder is just across a narrow channel and opposite to the largest Wadden Island Texel that is famous for its annual catamaran event. Therefor Den Helder is the perfect spring board to the Islands of the Wadden. This stage will be 75 km or about 50 miles |
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All ready and suited up for many hours of speedy sailing ? |
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The third stage; Crossing the channel and sailing up the island of Texel (Monday 26 july 2004) |
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Depending on the weather we will cross the channels between the mainland and the Island of Texel and sail to the lighthouse on the most northern point of the Island of Texel. Here, near the town called the Cocksdorp, we'll land and set ourselfs up for the next day. While crossing the channel we pass the ever shifting sandplate called Noorderhaaks. (See picture) This leg to the Cocksdorp will be the first of three exiting legs. This leg is about 50 km or 34 miles |
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The fourth stage; Day of rest or round Vlieland attempt (Tuesday 27 july 2004) |
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The participants may decide themself how they will spend this day of rest. Some of us have already decided to attempt a sail round the nearby Island of Vlieland together with a guide from the catamaran sailing club of De Cocksdorp. Weather permitting of course. Other participants deciding against this may do some free sailor or discover the Island of Texel or even the Island of Vlieland by taken the small ferry to that island. |
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The fifth stage; leg 1 - Going south again (Wednesday 28 july 2004) |
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Our final stage, the climax, will be the Westland Cup at cat club " 's Gravenhagen". However this is then some 150 km to the south of cat club Cocksdorp and some 50 km south of our starting location of Zandvoort. Of course the prevailing winds at the Dutch coast are still coming from the south-west, so our trip back is likely be a close-hauled beat all the way. For this reason we reserve three days of sailing from the most northern tip of Texel to the location of the Westland Cup. If weather chooses to be a big spoiler than we'll use the car and trailor to drive our boats the remaining distance. We are going to be present and participate no matter what !
Leg 1 of this going south is from De Cocksdorp to cat club Calantsoog 50 km- 34 miles |
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The fifth stage; Leg 2 ; back to the beginning (Thursday 29 july 2004) |
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Leg 2 is from Callantsoog to Zandvoort another 50 km - 34 miles. |
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The fifth stage; Leg 3 ; Deep south to Westland Cup location (Friday 30 july 2004) |
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Leg 3 is from Zandvoort to 's Gravenzande where the Westland Cup regatta is held. 50 km - 34 miles. |
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The sixth stage; Our final The Westland Cup (Saterday 31 and sunday 1 aug 2004) |
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After a week of practice and secret preparation we will enter the regatta "Westland Cup" in force. By now the news will have spread and we'll showcase our boats and skill. We will naturally occupy every place on the podium after having received so much practice. Right !
This event is also the location of the Open Dutch A-cat championship which sees alot of foreign a-cat sailors from as far away as Australia. Also the F18 class will have one of its championship race there as sp to the iF20 class. We are not likely to share a start with these but nevertheless we can still make a big impression |
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A car with trailer will follow us along the coast to ship our stuff and help out when needed |
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Safety ! |
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Every crew is ultimately responsible for his or her own safety but we will work together as a group to absolutely minimize the risks. We'll have our own certified doctor in the group; so we will be well covered in that area. In addition to this we will have a car with boat trailer, able to transport 2 cats simultaniously, follow us along the coatst. Out of the Dutch participants a list of drivers will be selected each of whom will drive a stage. This person on land will also be our safety officer. He or she speaks the language and knows the coast line. The driver for the day will also arrive at the location ahead of the boats and be able to prepare for our arrival. With the trailer, we can have 1 or 2 crews drop out of a stage when they feel that the conditions are to much for them.
Communication between the crews on the water and the driver on land will be handled by GSM's mobile phones in waterproof pouches. A tested and proven methode. Each crew will have at least one GSM phone on board and of course so will the safety crew on land. During the stages the crews on the water will also keep an eye on eachother. The touring stages are not intended as competitive stages although this doesn't mean that these are leasure cruises. Doing things safely means not being reckless, it doesn't mean being boring !
We'll supply emergency flares to all crews flying in as they can't bring their own. We'll also have a briefing each morning with the important details of the day. The most important data will also be given to each crew on a waterproof chart. Data such as where to look out for jetties, shallows and currents. Not that these are particulary dangerous along the Dutch coast line but because we do want to keep our boats in one piece ! This should be enough to enjoy the trips fully without worries.
The Dutch coastline itself is an uninterrupted stretch of sandy beaches which allow each crew to make an emergency landing at any location at any time. Even if only to have your crew recover from seasickness or do a lunch without salt water sprayed over your sandwhich.
As one can see the Dutch coastline is speckled with catamaran clubs and lifeguard posts. So even if the weather turns foul (unexpectedly in juli-aug) then we can shorten our stage to the nearest catamaran club which is likely to be only some 1-5 km away and then the car can be send to pick up the stranded platform and drive it to the end of the stage. |
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The Lodging |
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Due to the nomadic nature of the trip the fleet will camp on the beach or at cat clubs along the way. Our intention is to ask permission at each club to stay in their clubhouse and use their facilities. In the southern parts of our trip this should be a problem However we may have to rent a holliday home on the island of Texel but this will be investigated in the coming weeks. After careful thought we have decided to do our own cooking during the voyage along the coast line. We'll make a party out of it. In the weekends we can make use of the arrangement made by the clubs and restaurants.
Naturally we make something special of the meals. With appetizers and little snacks with the drinks. As it is mid summer the daylights will last all the way up to 10:30 pm with an extremely long dusk period. This endless summer feeling will not be complete with the occasion barbecue on the beach. A few bottles of wine and beer should make each evening memorable.
The crew on car duty and safety watch will take care of the groceries of the day and will start to build up the camp when they arrive at the location ahead of the sailors. The participants from abroad will be taken care off in the days before and after this week of sailing by the organisers.
We'll pick you up from the airport and bring you to it when you leave. We expect to keep the day to day costs very low by doing it this way and we feel this will give us all the most enjoyment. |
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The Participants |
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The participantion is limited to only Formula 16 crews and their Formula 16 boats. Spitfires are also included as they are grandfathered and have the same performance as the F16's. It is strongly recommended that each crew sails with a spinnaker. This is mainly to keep the group together and to cover the distance during the stages when the winds are light.
The event is open to all crews; both experienced and inexperienced. We will split up inexperienced crews during the stages when the conditions call for that; both for safety as well as enjoyment. For this reason a limit is set on the number of inexperienced crews, less than halve of the total of participants is set. For now, we are not near to this ratio. |
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Committed at this time : (16 sailors , 9 boats, 2 support crew) |
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Crew :
Phillip Brander - Tony Jenkins
Geert Ruesink - Frank Mauritz
Wouter Hijink - Christine Deurman
John Pierce - Sue Davies
Daniel van Kerckhof - Anne-Liese Byrne
Andy Morse (single handed)
Neil Rushton - vacant crew spot
New owners in Spring 2004
Dave Tugwell - Charles Thompson
Available charter 750 Euro
will be closed at 10 boats
Olaf Beumer
Nico Wessels Boer
Kirt Simmons and son(s)
Spitfire class received our invitation |
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Extra role
Initiators
Our GPS speed trial off.
Focal point - doctor
Our coach for regatta's
Our second coach
Last open spot !
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Nationality
Australian
Dutch
Dutch
English
Australian
English
English
Dutch
English
Free
Registration
Volunteers
Dutch
Dutch
American
UK/FR/NL |
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Boat type
Blade F16
Taipan 4.9 with spi
Typhoon F16
Stealth F16
Taipan 4.9 + spi
Stealth F16
Stealth F16
Stealth F16
Stealth F16
Stealth R charter
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Ground Crew
Cocking staff
Safety and photo's
Regatta support
Spitfire crews |
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Sounds like fun; So , lets go ! |
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Join in the fun |
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Contact [email protected] or [email protected] when you are interested. It is free and you may cancel if you can't make it afterall. The final list of participants will not be fixed till spring 2004. |
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Created by : Projectgroup, 02 oktober 2003 |
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Go back to website Formula 16 class |
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