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International
Flying Dutchman |
Beginners Luck?Bang - Oh no, not again! 1997 was quite a year for me (Matt Stephenson) and my wife (Catherine), but why the bangs? Well, it is a long story, but I'll try and make it short. You see, I was a dedicated Finn sailor and, although we had been shown the FD in all its glory, told how easy it was to sail (especially with 100kg at the back and 55kg on the wire), watched the Cadiz Video, met the gang and seen just how reasonable FD's were to buy second-hand, we didn't believe it! Sorry, we just did not. "All Sailboat salestalk" I told my wife, but we did concede 'twas a great stand, a superb boat and a lovely group of people. Now, I ramble...the first Bang - a football against our garage wall - for at least the millionth time that Saturday morning. "That's it" I said and out I went to rebuff the children and their football skills - but OH NO! - the warrior was diverted, wood rot was spied from the corner of an eye at the Finn's mast step, and here we were one week from Easter. All concerns of footballs were forgotten. This was serious. Further investigation revealed the truth. It would mean gouging out the wood, drying and "good old 'arald (as Araldite is known in our house) to save the day. But this would overrun Easter so what would become of my sailing? "Cinderella, you will go to the Ball" I declared to my wife. "Our rescue lies within the FD" I said. So we called a certain Mr Peter Doran, who remembered us (I was impressed) and Oxford bound we were. Accommodation was easily arranged, and we were even invited for Dinner! Easter Saturday dawned and eventually we arrived at Oxford. Timidly, we approached the dinghy park. "Come to try an FD?" we were asked. "Yes, but we're too small, aren't we?" we replied, half hoping and totally expecting to be told "of course", but instead it was "Oh no, lots of husband and wife teams sail FD's, just rake the mast back." It was really that simple? Changed and in the front of GBR 377 with Mr Secretary at the back, I realised what I had been lacking all my sailing life. I was hooked! Next off, Catherine, also in the front of GBR 377 and in she came smiling...Smiling! Finally, the conversion, me and Catherine, and GBR 377. Off the water, life seemed bleak..no more FDing until next year's "Try an FD" day. All those things said at Sailboat were true. Melancholia set in - for 30 seconds. "We're having one" we said in stereo "and soon!" Dinner followed, but only after I had scanned the second hand list. "That's the one" I said to Catherine through a drunken haze, GBR 338. The excitement rose. After the main course I could stand it no further. I crouched in the corner of Oxford SC's clubhouse and sorted the deal - the next day - it was arranged - just like that! Yes, you've guessed it! We bought the boat and home it came. Early April saw the launch and the magic was all there. Late April saw our first FD Force 5. Clew 3 and flying lessons were in order! Enthusiasm rose and soon "boat maintenance" beckoned. I guess I sound like like an "IV FD Abuser" - 'cos even the "doing up" was good! We tackled it in three parts i) lots of varnish ii) even more elastic " What on earth are you up to?" exclaimed Kevin Bloor of Alverbank Sails fame, as I bought all his stock of 3mm shockcord! In the stuff went, like a cross between Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the start of Queen's "Live at Wembly" video, when they are building the stage - speeded up! iii) a combi, new covers, sails, foils, even a carbon fibre spinnaker pole - not to mention the FD boxer shorts for me with matching FD bra and knickers for Catherine! Now, in our fair Isle we have got 2 big lakes, Rutland and Grafham, and, as fate was to have it, I was to swim in both by the year's end. Rutland - the sun shone and GBR 338 but not as fast as most others! Some encouraging turns were a pleasant surprise. Our tuning at our home club of Burton (where, incidentally, we race in the 505 fleet - "the mutant 505, as we are known") was clearly almost to the right pace. Alas, disaster struck in race 1 - capsize, and race 2 - an unhooked trapeze wire - but we lived! The Sunday saw us sporting a new feature as the wind was below Force 4 - the kite. A fantastic event, well organised, a good social...and on it goes. Now, Grafham - late, very late November, Force 5 to 7, and helming for "The Boss" - Captain Myers.. I can honestly say that I have never learned so much in so short a period of time in my life! In the UK it takes 5 years to train a Doctor. If we let Hugh do it, we would be churning a dozen out every 2 weeks! So, another swim, another woolly hat bit the dust, and then, the second race...winning....Yes, and you know what? ....Bang!....the second one....the main halyard. So that is it ... from Bang to Bang in 1997. By the way, the Finn met 'arald, but both are history now. Both Cath and myself would like to say "thanks" to the FD, the Association and everyone for making this such a great season. 1998 looms, not to mention our 18 month learning curve to the Worlds in 1999 - see you there. Good FDing in 1998, and forever more. Matt and Catherine GBR 338 "The Full Monty" |
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This page was last updated on 12 February 2001 - Please send contributions and comments to Richard Phillips mailto:100446.2371@compuserve.com . For more sailing links see www.sail-cd.demon.co.uk/index.htm |