Yacht Racing
Excerpts from an Article by Richard Jenner

There is a view at the Club that Yacht Racing is not well supported at LTSC, but when you look into the numbers participating we find that this is not the case. In 2006, 24 members entered their yachts in LTSC races and at least a further six participated in the Royal’s Thursday evening summer series.

With this number of Club boats out racing, it is reasonable to assume that, counting crew, we could have up to 100 Club Members participating in Yacht Racing.

What are the attractions of Yacht Racing?
Firstly it considerably enhances the boat handling skills of both the skipper and crew members. This is simply achieved by the fact that we have all points of sailing in a single race. Windward beating, reaching, downwind sailing and boat handling. All of this is pulled together with some sharp tacks and the occasional jibe. These latter manoeuvres can always be optional to the less experienced crew.

There is a set course to be sailed, so all crew members can be involved in sailing the boat - from sail trimming, seeking out the next mark, calling wind shifts and judging the effects of the tide. Admin is also an important task in a race. Somebody has to ensure we have the right course and know which way to go round the marks. Many crews perfect their GPS skills using their own handhelds to monitor course made good, time to the next mark etc.

One of the sails many cruising boats seem to fear is the spinnaker, but I would suggest that this is due more to the lack of use. Round the cans club racing presents an ideal opportunity for skipper and crew to get to safely know this exciting piece of cloth.

Another big benefit of Yacht Racing is that you get to know your boat. Yes, racing, if you push the boat hard, will show you the weak points, but normal racing will show skipper and crew inefficient running rigging which could catch even an experienced cruising crew out in a sudden blow in mid channel. Far better to identify and work out a solution in the safety of the Solent.

There are many other advantages of racing your yacht, it binds the crew to a single objective and lessons are shared and learnt. Above all it encourages a degree of knowledge and competence that will allow individuals to react more effectively when serious situations arise in the future.

Above all it’s fun.

What are the downsides to Yacht Racing?
Well, as you would expect I cannot think of many providing you know when to say ‘I am not comfortable in this situation’ and take the prompt decision to put your boat in a safer position. It may mean losing a couple of places in this race, but there is always next week

Insurance is often raised as a reason for not being able to race. With a small cruiser/racer like Whisper, Contessa 28, I think the cost is good value at only £300 per annum.

‘I do not want some idiot to damage my boat’, well it’s up to the skipper to choose his course and ensure his crew keep a good look out. The basic rules of the road apply, but with some added common sense clarifications. There is nothing clever or confusing about the basic racing rules. In six years of racing, including two Cowes weeks, I have only had one collision with another boat and the damage was insignificant.

There are many other delights to the odd race. The skipper does not have to decide on a destination. You know what time you will return to the Club bar. It’s an incredible social activity with everyone on board being involved and learning about basic boat handling.

So what opportunities are there to race locally in 2007?
There are a number of local series LTSC yachtsman can easily enter giving 54 races, on 49 different days.

LTSC races fall into two series, the Solent Circuit (Winter Series), which consists of eight Sunday morning races from early October to mid December and the Classic Series made up of four races. This comprises of the two Hamble Races (Hamble Scramble) in May and two races in September. The Newtown Race and the Christchurch Ledge Race. An LTSC member is able to participate in additional races run by the RLymYC and the RSYC. Again these are made up of two series.

RLymYC Thursday Evening Racing runs every Thursday from late May to late August and is split into two series of 10 races. The early and late series. This event is a very sociable activity with all types of yacht racing in what is often idyllic summer evenings. Many people in Lymington who enjoy yachting get involved and it is always good to see so many LTSC members participating and taking the prizes.

WSCRA (West Solent Cruiser Racing Association) is an association of the three big yachting clubs in the Western Solent, LTSC, Royal Lymington and the Royal Solent in Yarmouth. There are 11 races, four from LTSC’s Classic Series, three Hypotenuse, which is a cross channel series in its own right. The RLym’s weekend Poole Race, similar to the Hamble Scramble and the RSYC Prince Consort and Turkey Cup races.

There is no need to enter a whole series, although that does make it more fun. Yachts can just participate in individual races if they so wish. To enter any of these races is straight forward.* You need to check your insurance cover. * Apply to the Club Sailing Secretary for a club handicap or to the RORC office for an IRC rating.This latter will cost about £70 for a 9 metre boat. * Organise a crew and possibly have a practice setting yourself some specific marks to sail around. * Enter the race using the entry forms issued by the host club. These are usually with the Notice of Race. * Make sure you have at least one copy of the Sailing Instructions (SIs).

These are often issued after entries have been made. Make sure you understand the key points, start lines, marks of the course, finishing line etc. Also ensure members of your crew have read the instructions. * Allow time to get to the start area. Well I think there is enough to be getting on with here. In future editions we can talk about starting procedures and other admin on the racing course. In the meantime any newcomer to racing who would like to learn more can have a word with any of the skippers listed. I’m sure they will be delighted to help.

The Important thing is to ENJOY

Richard Jenner
February 2007

See Keelboats for information about other yachting activities at Lymington.

Last updated 21 April 2008