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Full (boat owning) members (1 vote per boat) can vote at the AGM and if unable to attend the AGM, postal votes reply forms for Executive Committee nominations are downloadable from the AGM papers on the website. If you know of a member who does not have internet access but would like a hard copy of the AGM papers posted to them, or you yourself would like a hard copy of the AGM papers then please send an SAE to Sarah Burgess, UKWA, PO Box 10687, Colchester, CO5 8XJ

We hope to see you at the AGM which coincides with the annual RYA Dinghy Show. (Remember, this year it’s on leap day, 29th February).

This year the theme of the Conference will be ‘On the Water’. So, it’s about planning, preparing, and sailing a Wayfarer for day-sailing, weekending and cruising. Topics to be included:

• A round up of Random Sailing Skills, from a master!
• Navigation in small Boats, using charts and electronics
• Towing your boat – handy tips for reversing your trailer, and driving on and off ferries
• Packing the boat, what do you really, really need to take with you, and where to put it
• Will Hodshon and Rich Mitchell talking about the organisation and challenges of sailing their Wayfarer, Nipegegi, round Britain in 15 days. The boat will be at the Conference too.

… to mention but a few!

New members are especially welcome. All the usual attractions such as ‘Bring and Buy’, boat fettling, and much chatter and networking! Just email [[email protected]] to be put on the mailing list. Joining papers to be made available during first week of January.

Having arrived early on Sunday and rigged the boat I managed to piece together Saturday’s action over a cup of tea in the clubhouse.

Saturday started off misty and progressed through grey and dull to cold and wet. The wind was not as forecast, being light with large holes and very shifty (and from the wrong direction), giving the RO, Barry Wolfenden, and his team a nightmare to set a course and a start line. Nevertheless, two races were completed, with the boats coming ashore after the second of those in near darkness. Michael McNamara, who has competed at Bough Beech very many times over the years, later described the conditions to me as “the most fluky Bough Beech ever” (and, as you will read later in this report, who am I to disagree).

Wayfarers at Bough Beech © Deborah Maynard

John Shelton, crewing for Bill Whitney, told me that they had been at or near the front of race one throughout but it all went a bit pear shaped in the latter stages as the Wilsons came through to win from Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend with Martin and Donna Rouse-Collen (making their annual trip south from leafy Buckinghamshire to autumnal, and equally leafy, Edenbridge) completing the podium.

Catherine Gore, crewing for Richard Stone (who finished a lowly 10th in race one), painted a much more emotive picture of race two. They had shot off the start line like an arthritic tortoise and used their famed light air skills to race through the gathering gloom and rain. They led from gun to gun…no, wait! They were robbed at the finish by McNamara/Townsend who complained of being bitterly cold, but with a 2,1 after two races were actually sailing hot. Guy Marks and Mel Titmus finished third in this race.

Teams came ashore and warmed up before visiting a local pub for supper. Leaders overnight were McNamara/Townsend followed by the Wilsons and the Rouse-Collens.

Not famed for our light wind boat speed nor a fan of random wind holes, I didn’t feel I’d missed too much on Saturday. Sunday, by comparison, was bright and the sun gave a bit of warmth to the air temperature. The wind, however, was still light, shifty and full of holes.

Wayfarers at Bough Beech © Deborah Maynard

After an immaculately observed two minutes silence on the water at 11.00, race three got under way. Leaders at the windward mark were lightweight locals, Guy Marks and Mel Titmus. They gave a fantastic demonstration in the conditions, winning the race by a country mile. Behind them the fleet was stacking up. There appeared to be four boats fighting for second and third but as they started the short final beat to the finish line they were joined by another half a dozen. The Wilsons and Brian Lamb/Sam Pygall who had been vying for second place eventually finished 7th and 8th. Meanwhile, Messrs Consistency (McNamara/Townsend) eked out a valuable second place while Whitney/Shelton came third. John Goudie and Sam Boniface appeared to gain half a dozen places or more during the last two legs of the race and finished in an encouraging fourth after a distinctly average Saturday.

Going into race four, the event was almost done and dusted but Marks/Titmus could still beat McNamara/Townsend on count back if they won this final race. Nobody else could win overall. Whitney/Shelton and the Townsends (showing an uncharacteristic amount of nous) started at the leeward end of the line and led to the left. This paid in spades. Whitney/Shelton were first at the windward mark and sailed away to win the race. The Townsends, on the other hand, and not far behind, found a hole in the wind (I just knew it would happen), were buried and then lost more places later in the race as they exonerated a rule infringement. C’est la vie. McNamara/Townsend pulled through to second once more while Stone/Gore completed a very up-and-down weekend by coming third.

Wayfarers at Bough Beech © Deborah Maynard

When the computer had done its thing, the results of the final event of the UK Wayfarer National Circuit and Travellers Series 2019 sponsored by Craftinsure were revealed. There were four different winners in four races but, as so often happens, consistency was the key. Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend will have their names engraved on the Bough Beech open meeting trophy once more. A win in the final race promoted Bill Whitney and John Shelton from fifth overnight to second, while the Wilsons dropped to third. Michael McNamara gave his annual address to the assembled Wayfarer sailors thanking the club for its race management and hospitality.

There was still time to hand out the trophies and glassware to the winners of the National Circuit and Travellers Series. The end of season prize draw was also held with the winners of that leaving with wonderful and generous prizes from Craftinsure, Hartley Boats, McNamara Sails, Allen Brothers and Pinnell & Bax.

It would be remiss to finish this report without mentioning Simon Winn, a long term member of both Medway YC and Bough Beech SC (and a former Commodore of the UK Wayfarer Association) who at 88 years young was competing in his final Wayfarer event. Several people who have known him throughout his thirty year association with the Class spoke about his contribution at the prize giving. His Wayfarer is for sale so it was ironic that his sail number should be drawn for a year’s free Wayfarer insurance! After a bit of a redraw, Simon left the event as the winner of a new sailing holdall. It is not just a truism to say that sailing is a sport for life.

-Tim Townsend

(results table to follow)

Unusually, 2018 saw two days of moderate breezes, enough to cause the occasional capsize although most of the fleet survived both days with exceptionally close racing. For 2019, Saturday is expected to see a force 3 to 4, blowing from the SE or SW (or both) while Sunday should see a force 4-5 from the N (perfect for a long beat at this venue). Of course, being England, the forecast could change completely by the weekend.

All the normal suspects have said they are travelling to Bough Beech. Near the top of the tree this weekend will be Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend who are the reigning International, European and National Champions (as well as the current Inland and Southern Champions) but they will be pushed hard by Andrew and Tom Wilson who were third at the International Championships, runners up at the Nationals as well as the current Western Champions. Do not discount Bill Whitney and John Shelton who have stood on the podium at several events this year.

There will be a strong local presence too with Guy Marks and Mel Titmus (current Eastern Champions) leading the charge along with John Clementson (multiple dinghy class champion). Dave Roberts from the host club has also put in several strong performances in 2019 and will be one to watch. This event will also be the last for Simon Winn (MYC/BBSC) who has raced in a Wayfarer for over 35 years and is hanging up his wetsuit boots.

This open meeting is also the culmination of the Craftinsure National Circuit and Travellers Series 2019, where several top positions are up for grabs. The end of season prize draw will also be held with many great prizes donated by Craftinsure, Hartley Boats, McNamara Sails, Allen Brothers and Pinnell & Bax.

The Wayfarer is a great all round boat; a cruising dinghy with some extraordinary achievements to its name (including the remarkable non-stop voyage round Britain earlier this year) as well as a sophisticated dinghy raced by club sailors and champions alike including Olympic sailors and multiple champions in other classes.

–Tim Townsend

Race One had a keenly contested start but after a testing first beat, Andrew and Tom Wilson were first to round the windward mark. They then extended their lead on some exciting downwind legs. Leaving the rest of the fleet to battle for the remaining four places.

Race Two saw Andrew and Tom get away and hold onto the lead until the finish line. The wind strength increased further, making for a very exhausting race. Well it was for those of us at the back of the fleet, Andrew and Tom made it look very easy indeed. Scott giving his recently acquired Mk4 an outing (Blueberry Pie) ably crewed by Sue soon got to grips with the testing conditions and showed he will be a force to contented with next year.

By the time Race Three started, the current had changed which caught out a few competitors and meant the windward mark was over stood by some boats, that was Brian Lamb’s excuse anyway! Andrew and Tom were again leading the fleet, and even had time to capsize with the spinnaker up and still secure second place. This allowed Dave Roberts and Tegwyn to capitalise and turn their 2nd place into a 1st across the finish line.

In the evening, the sailors enjoyed a warming meal and a live band. Everyone had lots of stories to share, not to mention bruises to compare from the day’s racing, and were all feeling ready for a good night’s sleep.

On Sunday, the weather gods were kind and gave us perfect sailing conditions. The NNE F4 meant a flat sea, which both the competitors and the Race Team were happy to see.

Race Four again saw Andrew and Tom establish a lead which they consolidated throughout the race. Paul and Cam Hughes were OCS by the smallest of margins but thought they were okay, as Dave Roberts and Tegwynn, thinking they were the culprits, had gone back to repair their non-OCS.

Race Five had everyone pushing for a good start and this time all got away fine. The shifting wind made for an interesting beat to the windward mark. Once again, Andrew and Tom got to the mark first but this time they were closely followed by Brian Lamb and his substitute crew Tristram Webb (from Arun YC), with the remainder of the fleet in hot pursuit. Local knowledge wasn’t helping Paul and Cam who, through some tactical errors, found themselves having to catch up on the last lap. They too joined the Wilsons in the capsize club when they got caught out by a gust on the final downwind leg.

Race Six. The final race saw the Wilsons show another clean pair of heels and gave us all a great demonstration of how to get the best out of a Wayfarer. Paul and Cam had decided that it wasn’t their day and retired.

As you may gather, Andrew and Tom won all the trophies.

Congratulations to them and thank you to Arun YC from all the competitors for hosting this event. Also to Nick Rusbridge for all the administration and to the Race and Safety Teams, along with the Beach Team, entry desk, galley and bar made for a successful and fun event. Race Officer, Paisley Thompson and her team did a great job setting some excellent courses, especially on Saturday, when a rocking and rolling committee boat severely tested the sea legs of those onboard.

This was the penultimate event in the Craftinsure sponsored UK Wayfarer National Circuit and Travellers Series 2019. There remains the Finale to be hosted by Bough Beech SC on 9/10 November at which the scores will be counted to award the overall Series trophies and also the grand draw will be held. Supporters of the grand draw include Craftinsure, Hartley Boats, McNamara Sails, Allen Brothers and Pinnell & Bax.

(This report plus full results table is on the Racing Results page)

The weather improved for the second race with the light rain stopping but unfortunately no increase in the wind strength. Toby Woodcock (10171) showed his years team racing at university had not been wasted by making an excellent start in this race forcing both Peter and Tim head to wind as they tried to squeeze in at the committee boat end of the line where space was not available. In fact Toby nailed all of the race starts but unfortunately lacked the boat speed for the rest of the racing to take advantage of this.

Race three followed a similar pattern to the first two with Peter and Tim stretching away to take first and second again. In the final race Peter was a DNS as his crew had to rush away for another engagement. This led to the closest race of the day with the remaining four boats very close together for the first lap. Tim slowly pulled ahead on the second lap to win by 30 seconds with the other three boats in close order behind.

This is only the second year Hickling have held a Wayfarer Open and attendance was improved on the first year. With nearly 40 boats in the home fleet and positive feedback from those who attended this year the club is hoping for improved attendance in coming years on what are the largest, most scenic and ecologically important sailing waters of the Norfolk Broads.

-Malcolm Mellor

This will be event #6 of the Craftinsure sponsored UKWA National Circuit and Travellers Series 2019 (NCS). The Wayfarer fleet is no stranger to Arun YC which hosted a very successful class National Championship in 2017 and the competitors will look forward to contending with all that open sea sailing can throw at them; clean winds, big waves and strong tides. At the recent International Championships at Greystones, Co. Wicklow, the Wayfarer proved once again what a great all round racing boat it is with most of the series sailed in winds of around 20 knots or more. This will also be the first NCS event since the end of July following the unfortunate cancellation of the open meeting at Swarkestone SC earlier this month because of flooding. Even more reason for the Wayfarer sailors to be champing at the bit.

The wind forecast for this weekend (as I write this) is for force 4-5 south westerlies on Saturday and a gentle force 2-3 north easterly on Sunday. And did I mention rain? Not on Sunday (and not much on Saturday either by recent standards).

To date, 62 boats, representing 23 different clubs, have competed in one or more of the open meetings and championships included in the NCS. The National Circuit Series, where the best three results (including at least one at a fresh water venue and one at a salt water venue) count, is currently led by Michael McNamara and Simon Townsend, followed closely by Andrew and Tom Wilson and Brian Lamb and Sam Pygall. In the Travellers Series, where all events count, it is the Wilsons who lead from Brian Lamb and Sam Pygall/Sue Risbridger. The Swarkestone team of Mike Weighill and Carl Martin hold third place.

Several of the leading competitors will be at Arun YC this weekend. Some other long standing Wayfarer racers are also threatening to travel to Littlehampton having recently traded up to the current MkIV model (and rather liked it).

In addition to the silverware, participation in the NCS events counts towards the end of season prize draw where there are great prizes on offer from the sponsors, Craftinsure, Hartley Boats, McNamara Sails, Allen Brothers and Pinnell & Bax. The greater the number of events attended the greater the chances of having your sail number drawn from the hat.

-Tim Townsend