From your Commodore
DBYC SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2010
It is indeed a great honour to have been elected your new Commodore at the last AGM. I have been involved with the Club for only a few short years and have been impressed from the warm initial welcome, the ongoing sociable sailing events and the great friendships that we enjoy in our tight community. I aim to continue to support and steer the club to be open and inviting for occasional visitors, participants from other clubs and also new residents local to Discovery Bay.
I must express my thanks to the outgoing executive committee members:-
| Paolo Alvera :- |
Paolo has guided us for two years in a brave new world after the strong founding years under Jim Fernie. Having resigned as Commodore, Paolo now becomes Rear Commodore. |
| Jim Fernie:- |
Our Founding Commodore, who now retires from the DBYC Committee and has been awarded a DBYC Life Membership in recognition of his foresight and leadership. We hope to see Jim and Sue on the water here for the forseeable future. |
| Peter Forsythe:- |
Retires from the Committee as Vice Commodore where he assisted Paolo over the last two years. Now with all this free time he can win even more of the Asian regattas. (We hope to see the DBYC Burgee flying occasionally when he takes line honours.) |
| Tatiana and Stephan:- |
Between them revitalized the club image with our newly designed shirts and merchandise. |
| Commodore |
St.John Cameron |
(SC) |
|
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| Vice Commodore |
Ken Wiltshire |
(KW) |
Racing Sub-committee Chair |
| Rear Commodore |
Paolo Alvera |
(PA) |
Training/Handicapping |
| Secretary |
Andy Küng | (AK) | HKSF Rep |
| Treasurer | Lindsay Pickles | (LP) | |
| Executive Committee |
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| Jan Neuhäußer | (JN) | Training, Web Buddy & Handicapping | |
| Tom Wiesinger | (TW) | Web Father | |
| David Wilson | (DW) | Bosun/Club Support Boat | |
| Sytske Kimman | (SK) | Racing & COA Rep | |
| Chris Hammond | (CH) | Events | |
| Anne Ludlow | (AL) | Merchandise | |
| Anders Andersson | (AA) | Sponsorship | |
| Sue Thornton | (ST) | Social & Community | |
| Sub-committees | |||
| Andy Pickles | (AP) | Handicapping Sub-committee Chair | |
| Nik von der Lühe | (NL) | Racing | |
| Mike Huggins | (MH) | Racing | |
| Ludger Noy | (LN) | Racing/Support Boat |
Announcements worth shouting about
Recent Events
TMR 13
This was the inauguration of hopefully a new annual event, a circumnavigation of Lantau. 18 boats ventured forth in strong winds for this great new event which challenged sailing and anchoring skills. Many thanks to Paolo, for organizing this event. Our generous sponsor for this event was Discovery Bay Marina Club. Write up here http://www.dbyc.net/index.php/main/more/273/
Stanley Cruise
Another great pursuit race to Stanley and sociable lunch once again faultlessly organized by Andy Kung. It was really good to see 13 boats anchored in Stanley Bay in beautiful sunshine. Consensus is we prefer the 2010 weather to the 2009 version. This event was sponsored by The Boathouse Restaurant.
DBYC Regatta 2010
Chris Hammond set a new standard in event organization for us to meet with his very successful Regatta. Fantastic weather, a great islands course and 16 boats from DBYC and 5 beach cats from LBC. Our generous sponsors were Discovery Bay Marina Club , Koh Tom Yum, Zaks Restaurant and Lifestyle Homes.
DBYC Stammtisch
May and June saw good attendance at the Bilge Bar gatherings on the first Wednesday of each month.
May 5th a full house for Barry Hayes from UK Sails with his advice and on sail types and trimming with great photo shots.
June 2nd a strong showing of skippers eager to learn some basics on boat electrics from our own Bosun, David Wilson. David also promised a more practical session with hands-on circuit testing experiments to back up the theory.
Many of our members (all except 2) have trouble pronouncing this “Stammtisch” until they are drunk so we are happy to consider a more nautical name for our monthly gatherings. (any ideas?). We also welcome people willing to share their experience on a range of topics or just tell us a story of your latest voyage. The next splicing of the mainbrace will be Weds 7th July.
Events on the Horizon for your diary
| 22nd August | Family Picnic, fun and food on a beach somewhere a short sail from DB. |
| 11th September | Doc’s Dash – Race and party, a new format being hosted by Doc Oliver. |
| 22nd September | Full Moon Raft-up – Mid Autumn festival |
| 9-10th October | Middle Island Regatta |
| 13-14th November | Sokos Rally |
Typhoon Season
We are well past the normal start of the typhoon season without a storm in sight, let’s not get complacent! Mike Huggins is once again doomsday forecasting the “Big Blow of 2010”. (One year he will get it right! I’m not sure if he reads the tea-leaves, the egg yolk on the end of his toast fingers, or barnacles on his bottom.)
Please remember to register with DBMC reception for your typhoon berthing. They can be very helpful reminding you of the warning signal alerts and berth availability which is now very tight with so many boats permanently berthed in the marina.
If you are going to be away and your boat is on the mooring it is strongly suggested you make arrangements with a friend to bring your boat in (you will need sign an authorization letter with DBMC allowing them to reserve a berth in your name in your absence). Or you could discuss similar arrangements on a more formal “boat watch” basis with DB Marina Services –Ken Wiltshire; or Asia Yacht Services – Bart Kimman (again you will need to pre-authorise this).
Nevertheless it’s a very good idea to check your shackles and swivels (oversize is best) on the moorings and make sure you set up your moorings to minimize line chafe and double up lines during these months just in case it’s not safe to bring your boat in to the marina due to prevailing conditions. Last year even at Typhoon 1 this was the case on one occasion, there will be times when you should not move the boat especially if winds are sustained over 30 knots already. There have been bad experiences of boats whose props have become fouled and will not drive in heavy winds and sea.
Ken also recommends you check your seizing wire. This is probably the main cause of boats coming off moorings and being damaged or lost on the beaches. I think there have been enough instances of this in the past 5 years to make people understand but they need to be reminded. High wind and heightened wave action can easily undo shackle pins and even break scant seizings especially wire that has been there for sometime. It should be redone prior to each typhoon season.
Cruising
Whenever I sail to Middle Island, Sai Kung or beyond I am always impressed to see so many DBYC boats out enjoying the great cruising grounds we have in Hong Kong. It’s nice to see impromptu cruises in company organized at short notice with favourite rendezvous points. I suppose it’s a good chance to drink all the prize winning rum…the wine runs out very fast. Keep up the good communication.
Safe and Happy Holidays
Have a great summer wherever you will be. Do remember to spread the word about our Club as you find new moorings on your holidays around the distant oceans. We would love to hear stories from your cruising logs about great sailing destinations, come and tell us in pictures one Wednesday when you are back.
St.John
Commodore DBYC
