www.canadianseaspray.com - for tech info, pictures, news, etc. For us in Alberta we are almost through what I would call an average winter. After the excitement of the Olympics it's time to fill the void or lull with plans for the spring and the upcoming sailing season. A lot of you booked sail track to make a lighter halyard sail system. I think it will make a very big difference to those of you who have stuck with the halyard mast. I have heard of at least one new halyard race suit of sails being ordered. I think this will be the first suit of halyard race sails(laminate, radial cut) in a very long time. In the interests of performance enhancement and keeping all aspects of handling this boat easy, this is a step in the right direction. There is one other important consideration for die hard sock sailors. Some regatta sites are not conducive to the sock sail system. One reason the halyard system was developed(Seaspray was originally a sock sail boat) was for convenience and set up considerations for using the boat on Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary when the boat was first introduced to the Canadian market. The next technical problem to overcome is to find a reasonably priced stock dagger board that could serve both for the dagger board and the rudder blade. It would be nice if it came in 20' lengths and then cut to fit. Any ideas? News from Newell Sailing Club Our winter project has been the restoration of a 15' dinghy that was donated to the club. The boat hull was in bad shape mostly due to an improper trailer bunk system. Our goal at this time is to use this boat to introduce people to the sport(activity, addiction?) of sailing. We also upgraded our zodiac with a hard bottomed zodiac and new motor. Our tin marks boat is being replaced with a larger beamier tin boat that will better handle the waves. Both boats will be equipped with VHF radios and depth sounders when finished. We are also planning a better launch and retrieval system for these boats. The Alberta Hobie fleet has disappeared. An appeal was made to their members to consider a Seaspray and also to relocate to the Newell Sailing Club as catamaran racing and sailing at this club historically has been strong. Our local Seaspray fleet is growing bit by bit and hopefully some more active racers will join our local fleet. We have three regattas planned where Seaspray sailors can participate this season. The 'Prairie Wind', the 'Beach Cat' and the 'Corn Cob'. A new on line booking system for booking campsites at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park will commence March 8th. You can book your sites 3 months in advance. For example for July 1st you can book on April 1st. For the Prairie Wind (large attendance regatta) the park will hold 20 sites in section I. You can phone after May 14 -403-362-2962 to reserve a site for this particular event. The on line website for booking is www.reserve.albertaparks.ca if you are thinking of booking for either the Beach Cat or the CornCob Newell Sailing Club membership is $200 annually and if you contribute 8 hours of club service work this is reduced by $80. Our membership includes the storage of one boat within the club grounds. You can download membership forms from the club website www.newellsailingclub.com I have attached the NOR for the Beach Cat regatta for info on that event. I should have NOR for both the Prairie Wind and the CornCob later this spring. 2010 Calander of Events Regatta Dates So Far.... Prairie Wind Regatta, Newell Sailing Club (July 10,11) This is generally a fairly large regatta with many different sailboat classes. BeachCat Regatta, Newell Sailing Club (July 17,18) This will be a catamaran only event. This is the first year for this event. Triangle racing will be the planned type of course. Come out and stay at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park (site of the Newell Sailing Club) and sail on Lake Newell the weekdays before the regatta to familiarize yourself with the lake. We have firm dates for the North Americans! From Jay Gardner..............Can you relay for me the SSNA dates, Aug. 20, 21, 22 2010 at beautiful Huntington Lake, Our house on Napa River will be available to the wives if they want to spend it in the wine county while we are racing Corn Cob Regatta, Newell Sailing Club (Aug28,29) Club level racing but open to anyone wishing to participate. Famous 'Taber Corn' will be served. The Seaspray Canadian Nationals are at Osoyoos, BC, September 10, 11 and 12 with registration on the 9th I know there are other potential regatta sites in the US and other parts of Canada. If you know of other events Seaspray sailors can compete in let me know. Over the next few months some of you will start to get your boats sailing again. As it warms up take the time to go over your 'beauty' and caulk up the mast to seal it, check the trampoline deck for problems to correct, look for any problems in the hull deck joint and replace any lines or shock cords that are about to 'go'. Check the website for possible solutions to your particular problems. I would also like to invite the recreational Seaspray sailors to any of our planned competition events. We do not expect you to compete but these events can be helpful in getting the most from your boat or help in correcting any problems you may have. Also it's great to meet fellow Seaspray sailors and to go sailing when there are a whole lot of the same boat on the water. In closing, I would like to put info about other events and regatta sites in upcoming newsletters. If you are planning on attending the North Americans in Huntington Lake, California for the first time you will need information. There is a link to Steve Sherry's resort on the website. The story on Huntington Lake is that a consistent thermal wind starts to blow at 10am and dies at 4 or 5 pm. At 7000' elevation the wind does not have the force it would have at sea level. Past competitors at this event have said that you can leave your boat on shore fully rigged with sails up overnight without fear of the wind coming up. Wouldn't that be nice, to have guaranteed wind and to only rig your sails once for the whole event? Don |  |
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Almost Spring Seaspray Newsletter March 2010posted Mar 6, 2010 4:23 PM by Norman Moll [ updated Mar 6, 2010 4:24 PM ] |