Top Hat Regatta 2010

[storm petrel]

G'day All,

I am also happy to email out high resolution copies of the photos above if anyone would like them.

Cheers,
Mark
Storm Petrel

[SeaLady]

Thank you all so much especially to everyone involved in the organising of a truly fabulous weekend.
I thouroughly enjoyed it and really enjoyed having such a comfortable sleeping spot on HRYC.

Apologies to all who had to put up with my freight train snoring
Hopefully next time I can bring "Sea Lady"
I would love photos.

Diana
Sea Lady

[SeaLady]

Mark, I think it was you with the hammock and whisker pole. I am soooo jealous and want both.

I have spoken this morning with people who make and sell these things and they are asking me quesions and saying things that I don't understand. Can you help?
1. How long should the whisker pole be?
2. What type of end fittings do I want?
3. Diameter and material?
4. They say that a whisker pole is not strong enough for a hammock. Which you have demonstrated is not true.
5. Fixed length or telescopic?

I should have come on board and had a closer look at how you have it set up.
I do know I want it light weight, quick and easy to set up, especially as I mainly sail solo. I have the problem of the headsail flapping when goosewinging or running and poling out would make life much easier. As long as it is easy to do solo. Your idea of attaching when the headsail is furled and then unfurl so as to not have to bother with flapping sail is a good one. Also means that I can furl the sail with the pole attached if necessary. But if doing that the length is even more critical, isn't it?
Can you change the headsail over from port to starbord with the pole attached if necessary or do you damage the sail?
Again solo sailing considerations.

Is the whisker pole essential for using the hammock or can I just attach it to the spinnaker halyard and then lash it to the furled sail on the forestay? or does that create too much strain?
Help please.

Diana
Sea Lady

[Denis Smith]

Hi All

Just a short note on the Weekend……a great time had by ALL!

Event Winners:
Observation Rally – Curly Tops
(Even after contesting that correct answers where wrong).

Saturday Race:
1st Mij’a
2nd Night Cap
3rd Curly Tops
4th Mari Anne
5th Augira
6th Storm Petrel
7th Alley Oop

Sunday
Observation Rally – Night Cap

Eight Top Hat yachts came along for the weekend.
Keith (SWIFT) sailed up from Sydney late Saturday arriving about 8PM and could not find the HRYC Barge and joined in the Raft up on Sunday.
I don’t know how Keith could have missed the Crew of Curly Tops enjoying the evening.

Thanks to all who participated and helped out over the weekend.

Denis
MIJ’A

[storm petrel]

Hi Denis,

Just to set the record straight. The HRYC confused the boats at the finish. Storm Petrel crossed the line in 3rd a couple of seconds after Night Cap and just (and I mean just!) ahead of Curly Tops. You might recall us ghosting through with Curly Tops at the top of the line almost at the same time as Night Cap crossed at the other end of the line.

We had a great time and I am sure that if we have another one about the same time next year we will double the Tophat fleet.

Thanks for all your efforts over the weekend.
Mark
Storm Petrel

[admin]

hi all

More photos have been put up in the gallery section

Thanks Denis! some great pics in there

[Denis Smith]

Mark

Yes you are correct....Storm Petrel came in 4th and Mari Anne 6th......
I actually took a photo (sent to Dan) of Storm Petrel & Curly Tops fighting it out to the finish.
I spoke with the Starter who stated that he may have made more than one mistake as all Top Hat's looked alike to him and he has never had so many yachts finishing so close together (there was 12 minutes between 1st and 7th).
Please contact Mark (Mari Anne) to exchange Trophies , although I think the Trophies may have been consumed by now.

Fair Winds
Denis

[Denis Smith]

Mark

The Starter gave 3rd to Curly Tops by .03

Fair Winds
Denis

[storm petrel]

Hi Denis,

My mistake, my forward hand thought we crossed in front of Curly Tops but I suspect it could have been a bit of wishful thinking and/or a miscalculation of the angle of the finish line. Full credit to Curly Tops, even shadowing them we just could'nt get past. Well there is always next year.........

Cheers,
Mark
Storm Petrel

[admin]

I guess there is no need to wait until next year, im sure the HRYC would be keen to get all of us involved on a more frequent basis

With enough boats we could possibly have our own division