Published by the Open Canoe Sailing Group

After Silver Bay, It's Farewell To Rutland Too (RoyB)

The forecast was correct. After a glorious week of warmth and steady easterlies, low pressure swept in and canoe sailing was more survival than outright pleasure. However two of us did manage a fine sail late on Friday in the mellow September sunshine. As the sun set the wind began to howl and the following morning we gazed at the waves a little anxiously.

Bernard, despite serious problems with his clutch (it was not to be his most fortunate weekend), had put out OC signs, having just been informed that a triathlon was to take place at Rutland Water on Saturday morning. We could expect the campsite to be crowded. As usual here members from the Midlands and South turned up as well as potential canoe sailors who had learnt of the meet and wanted to see what we do. Well, they didn't see a lot. Most of the fifteen or so boats did venture out, but often found the conditions too trying for reasonable sailing. Getting away from the lee shore required care and two members found themselves blown down to the bay, whence they couldn't return. The rescue boat towed one back, the other used his car. However some enjoyed themselves. ChrisO, with outriggers and a variety of sail configurations (jib + reefed main + mizzen, reefed main, jib + mizzen) whizzed about most of the day, SteveR disappeared into the far leg of the lake for an hour or two, Solway Dory Daves and Jan tried out a number of sails, JeffB (bailing constantly) and WarinK (lug ketch, no outriggers) beam reached back and forth impressively in a welter of spray. As Warin returned from one of his sorties I noticed a steady stream of water issuing from a hole just below the gunwale. He has fitted an electric bilge pump, which earned its keep that day. Unfortunately Jeff's boat tired of the pounding he was giving it: the mast step came unstuck, but he'd enjoyed himself.

JohnS (see photos) was trying out his latest craft - a Polynesian type single outrigger canoe. Having left the outrigger beams on his garden wall he found a piece of sturdy plastic tubing which, sawn in half, provided a tolerable substitute, despite being shorter than he wished. The conditions were against him, unfortunately, and we were unable to give his new baby the rousing send-off that I'm sure it deserves. And KeithM? He'd

JohnS wades out into the waves to try out his latest canoe.

And here he is with sail hoisted and smiling, but on land.

brought a bicycle with him and pedalled the 20 miles round the lake! BernardO? His main hull, blown onto a rock, was seriously holed... not his day!

At least the sun was bright, the air warm, so sitting to watch or chat was quite agreeable. Later in the afternoon during the committee meeting, when next year's programme was being discussed, a chap came along to tell us that a hog-roast, organised for the athletes, would start at 6.30 by the bar and we'd be welcome - £5 a head; they realised they'd be short of custom. This was easier than finding a pub, so we enjoyed a sociable evening, eating as much roasted pork sandwich as we could manage.

The weather hadn't changed by Sunday morning apart from a decided drop in temperature. The wind was keen. IainH arrived early to set up his outrigger. He has added a small jib to his rig. He emailed me later: "It seemed to work quite well, certainly helped with the going about, and I think it made the main sail more efficient by helping the laminar flow to remain attached for longer and of course it bought me up to the required 44 sq. ft. The stays on the mast needed to keep the rig stiff for the jib worked well and allowed me to carry full sail in what was gusting force 6 at one time. It was difficult to compare performance as the bulk of the OCSG people went home before lunch, JohnS's outrigger showed promise; I reckon it will be a bit of a goer when it is debugged."

Racing in the Force 4 gusting to 5 didn't appeal. However, Bernard received one piece of good news - he'd just become a grandfather for the 5th time!

This report ends on a sad note, however. This was to be the last OCSG meet at Rutland Water. Until now we've been able to launch from the beach by the campsite, an exception to the rule granted to Bernard through his personal connections. Unfortunately this will no longer be allowed, which would mean we'd have to launch from Whitwell creek (a third of a mile away from the campsite) and even landing on the beach would be forbidden. Whitwell Creek is narrow and busy, with boats moored offshore and constant launching and retrieving at the water sports centre. I'll miss this venue. It's a sizeable area of water in pretty, rural surroundings and nearer our southern members than Wales or the Lake District.

Our thanks to chairman Bernard for organising things in his efficient, thorough manner as ever. I do hope that he'll enjoy his next meet rather more than this one!

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