Maserati Week 2016

Maserati Week Day One, Race One. A nice SW on the water, around 12 knots at the start. Good start, with a good get away.. but due to some confusion aboard we ended up sailing to a different mark. Once we realized our mistake there was no point in continuing the race as we were too far behind the entire fleet, so we retired from this race. Day Two, Race Two: This Race took place in a freshening SE. An OK start, we tacked to clear and to use the shift and came out tops at the next mark, the next leg was a fetch, with us holding a low lane and our competition holding a high lane slowly closing in so we sailed up to their lane to ensure there would be no overlap, with them luffing, then bore away with about 7 boat lengths to spare to the mark with them falling down much later which gave us a nice gap between.. and rounded the mark ahead of them. After we rounded they shouted protest.. we weren’t totally sure of why.. We managed to stay ahead to the weather mark, but lost our lead on the downwind, but through a good shift caught up to within a few seconds at the finish. We scored a first in this Race. Later there was a protest hearing, where Yolo even had supporting GPS evidence, but was DSQ’d anyway.. that is yacht racing. Day Three, Race Three. Great commanding start, and lead our main competition to the first mark buy a good distance, on the downwind to WB they were able to reel in the distance quite quickly and pass and make good distance ahead, on the next upwind Yolo made good on a few shifts which enabled her to make up a lot of distance and go back into the lead with some distance to spare, around the weather mark with lots of breeze blowing and a long distance downwind. Our main competition started reeling in the distance slowly, but a helpful shift towards the end kept us ahead a fair bit. Once on the beat to the finish, our competition was slowly reeling us in, but with not enough available distance, Yolo was first over the line.. Winning this race… Day Four, Race Four. Race was sailed, but abandoned as the wind had died as a transition zone materialized. Day Five: Race Four. A nice SW, different sort of course with a tight reach and a fetch.. A good start, but rolled by the faster class one boats, so tacked to clear and sailed a good leg, followed by a good reach and fetch and then a beat to the laid mark… we even had a Class one boat who, while ahead of us, tried to pinch well above the mark for some reason, losing them valueble time in the process.. then a fast downwind final leg. We got a first place in this race. In summary we were very pleased with our performance on the water, the boat was going well, over time we have perfected the set up and our regatta race crew is virtually unchanged for the past few years, with them really knowing the boat and how to keep her going… this all helps, as almost all the time the boat is being worked, adjusted, hiked, trimmed etc… non stop. Crew enjoyed this event on the water, perhaps felt that the 3.5 days would have been sufficient without another day… The regatta crew as follows: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Cath, Shane, Mark, Thore, Howard and Arran relieving Shane for the Thursday Race. The next big event is likely to be Mykonos Race.. Although Fling regatta takes place two weeks before Mykonos, it is a busy time of the year so likely Team YOLO will forego Fling in favour of racing Mykonos.

WED NITE SERIES 2016

Xtra-Link YOLO wins her division in the Wednesday night series which ended in December 2016. Representing the crew to collect the wares.. are regular crew: Sieger Smink, Ian Coward and Cathleen Hughes. Pic Courtesy: A Smith

WED NITE RACE 7 December 2016

A nice SW on a flat sea, around 15 knots, making for very pleasant sailing. It was a fun race with Class one and two grouped, so YOLO took it conservatively, staying away from the Class one boats.. nice fetch to Landfall, slick rounding and then although could have used the full kite, used the Codey to Woodbrdige, with a good line, Good rounded and a nice beat, playing the shift and getting right side of the new breeze... around number two and another fetch to the finish, involving sail changes... IN the end we scored a first place. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Cath, Shane and William.

Double Handed Race 3 December 2016

A South Wester was foretasted with varied wind speed prediction. Getting a good start, on speed, it was clear that the breeze would be stronger then set up for.. so a few adjustments on the beat to keep the boat going through the chop... with us being able ot hang in with a larger boat, playing the shifts where possible as we headed to Barker rock as the first mark.. Halfway up the beat, the winds softened, so gear changing.. and on the look for fresher breeze and shifts eventually rounding the mark in second place, but a problematic hoist relegated us to third. a nice downwind leg down the Sea Point coastline, putting in a early gybe.. as we got past Moullie Point the winds freshened... and then started gusting in the late 20's and once 30 knot range.. giving us nice speeds, we put in a gybe for the lay, but the gusts kept coming with shifts... the boats in front had already dropped their kites due to this, we decided to take the conservative approach and also strike.. with us goose swinging the remainder of the leg.. followed by rounding up just behind the second boat for the beat... which started in winds in the high 20's.. Fortunately the seas were flat.. Next to Number 2 and then the finish.. Nice race, flat seas and good breeze.. Came first in class. Aboard were: Dale and Ian.

SOCIAL SAIL 26th November 2016

HAving not sailed for a while and the last few Wednesday night races blown out.. at short notice it was decided to take the boat for a short sail.. partly social sail, partly a sail test. Sorted out the sail test and then a quick sail across the bay.. with the winds soon reaching 30 knots so decided to head back rather then a wet sail.. packed the boat in the lee of the harbour wall and then a motor back to the marina.. All well aboard. Aboard Were: Dale, Sieger, Marc and Ant.

WED Nite Race 3 November 2016

With the implementation of water shortages and new rules.. without clarity on the impact on the harbour, Yolo decided to make out of the harbour early, to bucket the boat with clean sea water.. Albeit, while motoring out, one noted a few boats hosing their decks in the marina.. Hopefully a clear dirdctive for the harbout in this regard will be issued so there is clarity. There was a Commercial Vessel on wharf that had been battling a fire aboard for the full afternoon, which risked issues within the harbour. This in turn restricted the bridge crew from going to the bridge. The bridge crew quickly got underway on one of the club launches to run a bridge on the water. IN the interim, the wind was switching... and frankly no clear decisive decisions were being made, with a race eventually set on a "fetch, reach course... which lasted all of under 40 minutes. Nice flat seas, variable winds, but good to be on the water. Yolo getting a first in class. Aboard were: Dale,Ian, Sieger and Cath.

Wednesday Night Race 26 October 2016

Forecast was for good Westerlies... at the start line, we could recognize the wind pattern forming... So set up to start and approach accordingly.. Getting a good start and immediately tried to build way in a dying breeze.. to ensure we got to the puffs as quick as possible. slowly entering the light breeze area and then more breeze and so on... till we were in more solid breeze.. (while most of the fleet were still struggling in the light breeze in the start area) Yolo made a few tacks on the upwind to compensate for wind shifts and got the the weather mark with Class one boats.. A downwind leg with the pole.. which required a gybe... and then around number 2 mark and a fetch for the finish.. the wind died right at the finish area which slowed the race.. Overall Yolo got a first place.. having scored in the early part of the race. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger and Cath.

RISK SA REGATTA 21/22 October

This event is more of a corporate event with the sailing crews teaming up with corporate to race this event. Yolo had the good people of Altech Netstar aboard... A great bunch with lots of enthusiasm. The Friday evening race was held in a nice 15 knots breeze.. sailing was idealic... with nice spinnaker legs. Yolo managed to hang in there with the bigger boats, while playing the shifts a bit more actively.. and got a second place in this race. For the Saturday Race, the decision was that there won't be spinnakers as the breeze was building(suits the larger boats).. It was a pursuit race so from the start, Yolo went on the chase and rapidly pulled in the boats ahead.. but still needed to make distance on the rest of the fleet.. As it turned out, Yolo went into the leeward mark in second place and was overtaken by a few boats on the final leg, giving Yolo a 6th place.. So still on the podium.. with a 3rd place overall.. so everyone was happy. The Race Crew aboard were: Dale, Ian, Cath and Dale S.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RACE 19 October 2016

Good Breeze on the bay., gusting to 30 in the starting area, but sea was flat.. Full mainsail and a J4.. only 4 aboard so a bit light.. Good start, but as the Class one yachts were starting with us. we slowly got rolled by a few.. we had our competition well placed though. Nicely around Paarden Island in a good pack, pole up and a fair run/reach to next mark managing to retain the inside at the mark, a smart rounding and a reach to the leeward mark fighting off a larger vessel trying to pass, eventually the two larger vessels ended up having their own tussle, approaching the mark Yolo took it conservative and did not fight for the inside with a Muira who was guarding it.. rounding on the outside and in their dirties so went off a bit of speed to clear the zone, then hardened up but was in a lower lane From behind came a larger boat who came up to the stern and started shouting weather boat and started pushing up, forcing Yolo to stall out to avoid contact.. Although this boat was not even racing in our class but was tail ending their class they felt that this was a good match... tsk tsk. As it was this incident cost us first place in our class on corrected time.. After this incident Yolo had to tack away to clear air, which was the header tack and did a short leg and then tacked back, but had to start dipping behind boats on the tack back.. which would not have been the case if the incident had not happened.... putting us in a different lane. we even lost placings with our competition in the process.. tacking back for Harken Mark, then around Harken and to the finish. 2nd in Class, Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger and Cath.

Wednesday Night Race 12 October 2016

Wednesday 12/102016 was our first Wednesday evening race for the 2017 season. On board for the race was Ian, on helm, Cath in the cockpit and foredeck, Sieger on Halyards, and we had two foreign guests, Roddy and Sharon, from the UK. Dale sent his apologies as he was unavailable and Shane on Regardless as he will be doing the Cape to Rio Race aboard Regardless, so he needs to start partaking in all the Regardless events to get fully upto speed with the Rio crew. The race conditions on the day – Southerly wind in the 8 to 21 knot range, flat water mostly, with a bit of wind chop. The wind was quite shifty at times on the second beat, form the Laid mark back to the Harken mark. We started the race at 18H00, with the Club Class 1 non spinnaker fleet, 5 minutes behind the IRC class, Class 1 & 2 spinnaker fleets(Yolo sailing Class 2, non spinnaker). Approaching the line on port, below the rest of the fleet, we tack on to starboard at the gun, to get a clean start. However it was not long before we were overhauled by the Fast 42, of Richard Stubbs. And so ended up picking our way through some dirty air, up the first beat as the bigger class one boats slowly sailed over us, one by one. None the less, we managed to round the Paarden Island mark, first in our class, hot on the tail of the Class 1 boats. A little further back was Regardless in second position. We tried to keep her there, but eventually we were passed by the faster Simonis 35, on the way down to Milnerton. We managed to get the J2 out on the pole, after some coaching from the back of the boat, and some effort from the front end. This allowed us to stay in striking distance of Regardless, who rounded Milnerton and the offset laid mark, around 100m ahead of us. We had two good roundings, considering the manoeuvres required by our small crew. The beat back to Harken was in a very shifty 21 knot Southerly breeze. But we managed to keep up the boat speed with good trimming by Cath on the main traveller. Regardless crossed ahead of us, by a few boat lengths, about a third of the way up the beat, as he headed inshore. We decided to continue on towards the mountain on port tack, weaving our way through the shifting breeze until we were just short of the lay line. Taking inshore on starboard, we crossed ahead of Regardless by around 10 boat lengths. We also passed the Fast 42, Skitzo, the Simonis 35, Scattering ( Spin. Class 2 ). The reach back to the finish was a smooth ride, as we kept Skitzo and Regardless, at bay, to finish 45 seconds ahead of William. 2.06minutes on corrected time. Not bad for our very depleted crew and two guests, against the full Regardless Rio crew.

RCYC OPENING CRUISE 8 October 2016

A firm favourite on the calendar which everyone seems to enjoy.. Nice conditions on the water with a nice breeze and very flat conditions.. but as it was just a short spell on the water before back to club, Yolo chose to motor the sailpast... The opening cruise signifying the start of the season and hopefully some summer weather... Aboard were: The Kushner Family, Ori, Sieger, Shane and Cath.

DELIVERY Mossel Bay to Cape Town 1st October.

Team Yolo spent the day in Mossel Bay, waiting for the intended wind shift.. as soon as the shift was noted in the early evening on Saturday the 1st October, Team Yolo made to sea.. once around St Blaize, there was good winds and reaching to be had with good speeds making progress through the night. In the morning rounding Cape Agulhas and then the “home leg”.. with the breeze getting stronger and stronger as one got closer to Cape Point, which is normal in a South Easterly pattern.. Yolo chose to sail Some 30 NM South Of Cape Point, where a final gybe was executed to lay final approach to Cape Town.. winds at this point were peaking at 36knots and top speeds were around 18knots.. so sailing was fast and wet in the night hours.. A good sail to Cape Town.. with the delivery taking some 31 or so Hours.. Aboard were Dale and Ian.

MBR 2016 (Mossel Bay Race)

With the original course, now back into play.. it was to prove some great racing. Start was on time, YOLO getting a good start on the downwind start line, followed by a few gybes as one tried to wend one’s way out of False Bay while still maintaining the breeze. The breeze eventually shifting and leaving Yolo in a dead wind patch for a period.. then down the coast.. the sea state was up with a fair amount of slop requiring one to sail higher then intended in order to keep the downwind sails filled to maximum. Perfect for A Sails.. Generally a rhumb line was sailed to Agulhas changing sails to suit the wind shifts, the plan was to sail offshore for a while after Agulhas and then gybe on the expected windshift and then make rhumbline for Mossel Bay, gybing again on the next shift.. this worked out according to plan. There was never a moment that we were not in range of another boat, so it kept one on one’s toes.. and the race was short enough to be in rough range of the faster boats. Yolo completed the race in 35 hours, fifty three minutes. Mossel Bay went out of their way to ensure a seamless arrival and opened their facilities to all.. All went well aboard. Aboard were: Dale and Ian. No problems aboard.

DELIVERY TO SIMONSTOWN 15 Sept 16

The 15th looked like the best weather window for a while and the boat needed to get to Simonstown for the MBR. Departed RCYC rounding the breakwater at 7h45.. two sail reached to Moullie Point light and then hoisted the Kite. The breeze was filling in nicely with the boat settling down to some nice sailing, eventually picking upto around 18 knots, with a few shifts which necessitated putting in two gybes.. with the wind increasing the kite was changed to the heavy weather kite. Seas were flattish, but there was still a comfortable SW swell which we were pushing into. Breeze kept on picking up with the boat maintaining good speeds sailing down the coastline.. Nearing SW reefs, the wind was gusting 25 plus, so went conservative and dropped the kite and poled out jib for a while.. then reached upto SW reefs in breeze that had picked upto 28 steady for a while.. Went very wide at the reefs then heading for Cape Point and around. took a long tack into the bay, hoping for a favorable shift, unfortunately it went the other way.. so tacked inshore where the water was flatter and sailed up the coastline.. rounding the bullnose at 15h45, exactly 8 hours after starting.. We could have made up more time cutting in on SW reefs and not going so deep into the bay.. Boat went well.. Aboard was: Dale.

Sat 10th Sept 2016..

The goal of this sail was to attend to a number of small items and testing.. A nice day with a S, SE blowing.. Picking up nicely through the afternoon.. Off moorings and first order of business was to do some calibration work on the rudders. The initial work was done in the harbour.. with a noted adjustment been made. Then hoist sails and off into the bay. First order of business was to put a reef in and see that everything was sized up, then the second reef… Once completed, reefs out.. and a nice beam reach across the bay to Milnerton. This leg was used to compare the calibrations, which was found to be much improved… then a sail back to the harbour wall.. Dale wanted to change the calibration further… so boat was depowered and the adjustments were made.. then a sail across the bay.. the sentiment now was that the rudders seemed to be operating at efficiency. Then a sail back to the harbour… where some spinlock jammers were replaced and certain fittings were removed and resealed on refitment as they had been leaking. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Shane and Cath.

SAIL TESTING Saturday 20th August

Once in a while, one needs to go out.. to mark up the sails and make any necessary adjustments.. This was the day... and what luck.. light conditions between 7-10 knots.. exactly what we needed. It was one of those days on the water, with flat seas that one can truly say, what a great day for sailing.. and the conditions made it easy to send someone aloft to do some of the necessary.. Good progress was made with the inventory and a great sail was had.. Aboard were: Dale, Sieger, Ian, Shane and Cathleen with special guests, Carrigan and Iian.

DOUBLE HANDED RACE 13 August 2016

With a solid NW blowing and some chop and a ground swell in the bay, it looked like it would be a good race.. For most of the race winds were in the 21/22 knot range with the highest being 31 knots. Yolo did not start particularly well, but hung in there with he faster boats on the leg to Number 4. Around number 4 and off to WB... a solid fetch... Yolo passed the leading class 2 boat... and was overhauled by a larger boat on this leg, but hung in with this boat.. rounding WB just behind, but got the inside lane.. and settled down for a long bumpy beat to Daeyang Family... with the chop, the conditions required lots of rudder and playing of the mainsheet and occasionally the jib the whole of the beat .. Tacking on the inside of a lift helped as well. Eventually at Daeyang just behind AL.. Winds were up at the mark, making it difficult for some to round.. Around the mark, immediately preparing for a kite hoist.. the rest of the Class did not bother or had their issues... Up kite, unfortunately the sheet came undone... drop kite, sorted it out, repacked, reconnected and another hoist.. during this time the Farr 38 has made a big gain.. with the kite it helped to reel some of it in.. Kite down and a tight reach to Number 10, around number ten a few boat lengths behind the Farr and a beat to Number 2. The Farr pulled away again, around number two and kite up.. allowing us to slowly catch up as they were not flying theirs.. nice puffs were coming though.. doing the final gybe with the kite in 27 knots and a final drag to the finish.. Second over the line and first on handicap.. A good satisfying, if not physical sail on the water. Boat went well. Aboard, Dale and Ian.

ON HARD

Time for some maintenance for YOLO.. with her coming out of the water for a few days to attend to a couple of jobs.. namely, remove spare rudder and replace with racing faired rudder, refit Racing Gori Prop, light antifoul.. All work completed and boat returned to water 4 days later.

SOCIAL SAIL -7 August 2016

Being the most available date... Time for a social sail with the full crew of YOLO.. Most having not been aboard for some time. Weather was a bit chilly.. with Flukey winds.. ranging from 20 knots to 3 knots. One was still able to get the bag up in the strong area.. do some maneuvers.. and some sail testing. After sailing, discussed the seasons program. Aboard were: dale, Ian, Sieger, Cath and Shane.

Double Handed Race 30th July 2016

Having not sailed for six weeks, it was good to be back on the water... A nice S/SE wind was blowing.. around 17knots.. with nice flat water.. pretty much as good as it can get. Yolo got a good start with clean air, right on the line.. and managed to hang in there with the big boats for the first leg to Paarden Island rounding just behind them. A Quick hoist followed and a nice downwind leg to the next mark, sailing deep with good VMG. The Simonis 35 was quickly catching up on this leg... but Yolo managed to hold the inside at the leeward mark and did a last minute drop.. and around the mark and off to Landfall, the Simonis unfortunately lots some time here... and gave Yolo the opportunity to open up a bit, while passing a bigger boat that was still retrieving her kite out of the water. A mundane fetch which has the Simonis and the Farr slowly reeling in.. Once around Landfall it was a beat to Woodbridge mark, with Yolo positioning herself in control... and while the two boats were still reeling in managed to get to Woodbridge still ahead and then to the finish just ahead, albeit the gap was reducing fast over the previous two legs. Overall a win for Yolo. Aboard were: Dale and Ian.

Random Pics..

Random pics from races, Pics courtesy of Marc Bloch.

LIPTON CUP 10th July 2016

Team Yolo decided to take the opportunity to go out to watch the first race. Conditions were light and Yolo just went out under motor. Racing was eventually abandoned as the winds were too light, but all aboard enjoyed a day out. Aboard were: Dale, Sieger, Cathleen, Dale S, and Shane's parents as our special guests..

V&A Temp Mooring

With Lipton Cup around the corner, all boats moored in the front row have been requested to relocate to the V&A in order for the L26's that are competing to take up the front marinas... YOLO has therefore relocated for the next few weeks to the V&A. See pic of boat at temp mooring.

Portugal Day Race 11 June 2016

A firm favourite club event celebrating Portugal Day.. and the history the Portuguese navigators had accomplished. The original format of this event was a much longer distance race, upon completion log books were also examined and judged, nowadays a fun pursuit race which draws good numbers. Xtra-Link Yolo had not been out racing for a while, so it was good to be out again. A chilly winters SE wind of around 20 knots blew.. Getting a fair start, a fetch off to Woodbridge.. with the J2 up.. gybed around and fetched to Number 8 another gybe and kite up en route to Blouberg mark.. a slow hoist... not getting the kite all the way to the top delayed and made us sail free till this was done.. which had us trying to clear a ship but the angle had become to tight so eventually had to bear away and sail below this ship.. the rest of the reach leg was pleasant.. and changed down to a smaller jib as the wind had freshened.. good strike of kite and gybe around.. At this point Xtra-Link Yolo was hauling int eh slower boats, but some were sailing too high and in order not to be caught up, had to sail through the lee of some of these boats costing time.. A good rounding of Landfall mark with a good beat to the finish. Nearing the breakwater a ship was exiting and blowing their horn... a competitor ignored this and carried on sailing across their bows, we put in a number of tacks to sail close to the breakwater and tacked back once around it.. In the end Xtra-Link Yolo scored a third place in this event... Which was very good as generally Yolo does not feature in the Pursuit type races. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Cath and Tony Cassar. Boat performed well.

Hout Bay Cruise 21/22 May 2016

Hout Bay Cruise being a firm favourite.. Yolo departed CT at 13h00... unfortunately no wind, so it became a motor there.. but nice and scenic.. and good to spend some R&R time aboard. Conditions were sublime, with a bit of wind off kabonkelberg, where we managed to catch a few of the boats who left 2 hours before us as they went offshore in search of wind. We arrived at 16h30. Moored on a really great mooring.. and had drinks aboard. Later being joined by some of our crew, then off the HBYC and then we decided to eat in a locla restaurant.. and then back to the Club after which to the boat for Irish Coffees.. Thanks to Cath and Shane who joined us for a while in Hout Bay. Sunday morning up, a walk around the marina and then breakfast in the local yachtclub.. followed by a cruise back with all boats rounding the breakwater at 11h00. No wind again so it was a motor back which took approximately 3.5 hours. Once back a tidy away and drinks aboar. All went well. Aboard were Dale and Ian.. and joined in HBYC by Shane and Cath.

DOUBLE HANDED RACE 14 September 2016

Last race of the Double handed series for the season.. Nice 11 knots in the start area with flat seas.. Yolo getting a "neutral" start... and working to the puffs to keep the speed up, wind rapidly died down to 6 knots and a slight swell started to pull though as the boats made way into the bay and closer to the first mark Landfall, closing in on the mark, there was a wind shift that bode well with a touch more breeze, once around the mark, kite up and a reach back to Paarden Eiland.. the wind was patchy, so worked hard to keep the boat going. There was an incredible amount of Jelly fish in the water.. The same as we have encountered before when sailing close to the Namibian coastline, but unsual for Table Bay. As we got closer to Paarden Eiland the winds started to pull through a bit, making a nice approach.. We had by this time, taken out quite some distance in the fleet having been fortunate to have stayed in breeze most of the time.. Tenacity was the only boat close to us, who rounded shortly after we rounded PE. The course was shortened so just a beat to the finish.. Which was good sailing with sufficient breeze. We crossed the line first and first on corrected time. Yolo Scored 4 firsts in the series.. thus first overall. Aboard were; Dale and Ian.

Mossel Bay Race

Dale has thrown his lot in to assist in getting the Mossel Bay Race firmly back on the map. This race takes the format as follows: Starts on Thursday 9am, 29th September in Simonstown (Simonstown to Mossel Bay, being the original course)... There is a all night bar and Breakfast that will be available on the Friday night/Saturday morning. Prize giving will happen the following week, this allows the weekend for all the boats to return back to their home ports. Yolo is planning on entering and likely to race Double handed as part of the qualifier required for the Cape to Rio Yacht Race.

PINTO RUSSEL CRUISE 26 April 2016

A novel event on the Calender, on a the public holiday.. Something different for Team YOLO. Format was a race to collect points with various options which gave different point scores, but if you arrive late at the anchorage you get penalized. With the light fickle conditions, Yolo elected to sail the direct course.. with a large swell running and light winds it took around 2.5 hours to reach the Anchorage at Robben Island. Yolo was the first in, mainly as they read the wind shifts well and used the swell in the right places... All the boats anchored off Murray Bay... There was a pursuit race back which started at anchor.. Not sure everyone had their times synced correctly.. as some boats left at odd times.. but this was cruising.. Yolo got underway and quickly realized that there was no wind beyond Robben Island and called in to indicate that she will be motoring. the rest of the fleet followed suit... Arriving at the breakwater in the dark with some rain starting to fall. It was a great event, something different. We would encourage more sailors to try sail this event. Pics supplied by Pinto Russel. It is not often you see Yolo in cruising mode at anchor. Aboard were: Dale, Ian and Sieger.

DOUBLE HANDED RACE 9 April 2016

With a perfect breeze on the bay, perhaps a bit light, but with flat seas, some nice sailing. Start was on time.. with a conservative course, in case the wind died. Yolo got a conservative start, but was blocked for the tack so sailed a bit further then was liked on Stb.. after the tack had to fetch for the mark and try and catch up... Gybed around weather mark and set up for kite hoist, with the first to get their kite pulling.. and a nice leg to the leeward mark catching up with the early kite hoist.. winds died down near the leeward mark but made a perfect strike with perfect timing and rounded up well at the mark to play a good tactical beat via NO:10 to the weather mark where the same downwind routine was followed. Following the rounding at the leeward mark and hardening up, we watched the water to find the best track up to the finish and worked this and the shifts as they wind was starting a big shift. In the end, Yolo scored a first place on corrected time which was pleasing.
Aboard were: Dale and Ian.

SENIORS DAY RACE

This is always a firm favourite at RCYC which draws big numbers. Yolo being fortunate to have our very own Sieger Smink, our regular halyards man helming this year. So it was a real Yolo effort.
Unfortunately conditions were very light making sailing very difficult with some 8 knots and a slop running. Yolo got a ace start, right where she needed to be... but the conditions made it difficult for a wide hulled boat.. making progress very slow for the whole race. The winds died down to 5 knots for the last part of the last leg which did not help things, but everyone had a great time aboard. IN the end scoring a 15th overall... Not too bad considering.  Aboard were: Sieger, Dale, Ian, Shane and Clarence.

NEW MOORING

Over a year ago, while browsing Gumtree, there was a mooring advertised close the the club. We had been pondering about getting a mooring closer to the club/parking for Yolo as the boat is actively sailed and sails are always being hauled back and forth to the boat, so a close mooring would be best. It turned out that the mooring advertised was SL04, which is a front row mooring virtually in front of the club. Dale expressed his interest, but the owner had changed his mind as he had decided to retain it as he wanted to bring his boat back to CT(currently was in Gordons Bay).. This all happened over a year ago. A few months ago, Dale received an email asking if he was still interested which was confirmed and a price was agreed to. Then the process of mooring transfer was next which takes a bit more time as all moorings have to be offered to the club first as per the mooring rights agreements. As the club was not buying moorings the option was declined which allowed the transfer to take place.

See pic of Yolo in new (temp) mooring. Her official mooring is actually the one next door(Where the J27 is moored) but for now the boat will be located in the pic as shown.

SOCIAL SAIL Saturday, 19 March 2016

As always, on Yolo the intention is to use the boat at least once per week if time and conditions allow, be it race or social sail..
So off in a moderate SW.. with a nice beat to the west in 14 knots of breeze, eventually tacking and then setting up for a kite hoist.. followed by a great kite reach all the way to Paarden Eiland.. with winds gusting through occasionally at 25 knots.. but giving for a good solid sail.. then a beat back to the harbour. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger and Marc.

WED NITE SERIES

With the Lufthansa Wednesday Night Series, it was Yolo who got full honours in her class with a first place overall.

Pic Courtesy of Trevor Wilkins of  Regular Crew at Prizegiving

CAPE TO RIO 2017

Following their success in the 2014 event, Dale Kushner and Ian Coward have confirmed their return for the 2017 event racing again Double handed and have officially submitted their entry.

They will be teaming up again with Xtra-Link, a specialized communication company to sail aboard the Sunfast 3200 YOLO

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Pic:  Xtra-Link Yolo sailing over the finish line is Rio de Jeneiro in the 2014 event. Aboard, Dale Kushner and Ian Coward.

Pic by Trevor Wilkins

Double Handed Race 5 March 2016

Getting a good start in the perfect position at the pin in a NW opting to hold starboard a bit longer to cover certain boats, in our minds we thought we were sailing to Number two, so allowed boats to dip below.. and eventually we tacked to realized that we had overstood and in so doing allowed the competition to sail through. A quick fetch to number 8, a gybe around and a quick hoist of the kite followed. the wind was freshening which allowed the slower boats to hang, eventually Yolo gybed for the mark.. and dropped and rounded the mark with a good upwind leg putting in a short hitch to round number ten to starboard and then Number 8. followed by another round to Paarden Eiland back to Number 2 and to the finish... the last leg being quite tight.. but halfway Yolo hoisted the kite which worked. In the end, a win for Yolo.. Good turnout out the water. Lots of L34's. Aboard were: Dale and Ian.

WED 2nd March 2016

Last race of the series... with a moderate SE on the water with the odd puff.. Positioned well on the start and got out with clear air which Yolo maintained to the first mark. Poled out on the downwind, but with the new breeze from behind unable to make any distance on those behind as they were coming in with the fresh breeze. Around Milnerton mark with a good rounding, but opted to tack straight away in order to clear breeze and get a better line as the boats on the downwind were on the same track.. Perhaps over standing a bit, much like the previous week but it did secure a good lane in. Around this mark and a sublime reach to the finish line.. around 52 minutes of sailing. But a very pleasant night on the water. In the end missing attaining a second overall in the race and securing a first overall in the series. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Shane and Cath.

WED Night Race 24th February 2015

With a Convergence zone over the start line, the race was going to be tricky. With two minutes to the start Yolo was above the start line and made her way down to the line and to a line of boats who were sailing down the line on Starboard with Yolo sailing towards them on Port. On the gun Yolo was called as over so immediately dipped down in the light conditions which slowed the boat and eventually got confirmation from the bridge and then started sailing, by this time the fleet had sailed away, leaving Yolo in the light breeze essentially heading the wrong way. Eventually finding a puff to sail to.. and then started trying to make up time. During this time the rest of the fleet had got in the wind and had made a huge gap. Yolo worked the beat and caught up to the slower boats in the class but the faster one's remained elusive. Once around the weather mark, it was a run and fetch to the finish, with no further opportunity to catch up. Yolo managed a 4th in this race. It was a good day on the water and once the wind picked up, the sailing was great. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Shane, Cath, and newbie Daniel Agulhas.

WED 17th Feb 2015

With a SE wind with perhaps a bit more East in then usual, blowing between 12-18knots and hot evening with flat sailing waters, it was the perfect evening for racing. Yolo is s class 2 boat but starts will Class one boats so one needs to be wary of the faster boats on the fleet. This week we both sailed the same course. Yolo got a cracker start with good speed and hung in with the much bigger boats to the first mark after which a downwind leg was sailed which allowed the larger class one boats to slowly overhaul Yolo.. Good mark rounding at the lee, but to clear wind Yolo tacked and made for Milnerton beach... after tacking a perfect angle for the next mark.. As Yolo progressed the wind started to lift, which benefited boats to leeward who could now lay the next mark.. Closing in on the mark a well known boat came across on Starboard started to over stand in order to Starboard us, called Starboard still a way off, so Yolo started to bear away as Yolo put their bow down they tacked which is illegal having called Starbord they needed to complete their call instead they promptly tacked in Yolo's water.. Not very nice.. What aggravated the situation is Yolo crew called protest to which the response was given in swear words.
In the end, Yolo won the race in her class and in fact technically won Class one. All well aboard. Crew: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Shane, Cath, Andrea, Assaf.

Pic by Jeff Ayliffe Media

Double Hander Race 6 February 2016

The start was delayed by half an hour, to allow the fog to lift.. A nice SW on the water, around 16 knots in the start zone.. Yolo getting a nice clean start and tacked away to lay landfall, the first mark.. there were a few shifts on this leg accompanied by some puffs... so worked this zone, rounding second with Tenacity two lengths behind... Hoisted the kite and made some good time downwind in the freshening breeze, putting in a gybe for the lay.. The winds got upto 25 for a little while... good strike and rounding at Milnerton followed by a comfortable upwind in the reduced breeze which had settled down to around 14. Could not pay number 8 (leading boat could) so put in two quick tacks and around the mark to the finish. In the end, Yolo won on corrected time. Aboard were: Dale and Ian.

FLING REGATTA

A firm favourite on the calendar and in our opinion the most serious of racing regattas which is always well organized. We look forward to it.

FRIDAY: We went out to the start area in light conditions, but the usual wind line was already on the water and it was blowing 30 knots at the committee boats and according to them a lot more at the weather side of the course, so racing was cancelled.

SATURDAY:
Race 1: Nice stiff breeze, we set Yolo up for strong winds, getting a good start and a good beat, followed by an enjoyable downwind leg to Sunset mark. Near sunset mark the winds softened.. Around the mark and tried to sail up the beach in order to find max breeze doing numerous tacks.. As we got close to Paarden Island mark the breeze had softed off.. so changed kites and on the downwind changed jibs as we realized there would be a wind shift.. then tired to maximize the convergence zone.... and cross the finish like under jib. In the end, we came first on corrected time in our class.
Race 2: Breeze was up over the whole course.. Getting a fair start, good beat, round the weather mark and a good downwind leg holding our own with some of the bigger boats, then a good solid beat changing gears that seemed to have worked... but pushed coming into the weather mark, winds shifted and we could not lay, touching it in the process so a 360 degree penalty turn and then another go with better angle, but we tacked fast so the jib took some time coming in, causing too much drift touching the mark AGAIN... beam on... and as we passed it, the leeward rudder clipped the mark causing damage to the rudder...  The decision was made to abort the race..

Later ashore, albeit we have a spare rudder the decision was taken not to do a rush job, and rather allow the rudder to be repaired professionally and therefore we were out of the regatta.

Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Sieger, Shane, Cath and Mark.

Pics courtesy of: Colin Brown

WED Night Race - 27 Jan 2016

With the first scheduled race being blown out.. this was the first race to be sailed. Conditions were good on the start with a nice SW with 12 knots... Getting a fair start and immediately tacked to lay Landfall mark, as the leg progressed conditions headed for us, forcing us eventually to tack.. and try and consolidate and then a tack again, unfortunately behind a boat that was hell bent on pinching.. costing them and us. Round Landfall and gybed away to create a separation.. and then a gybe back and a lay for Milnerton.. Shortly after milnerton the wind died off.. with us trying to keep the momentum up.. lots of boats started to retire, but we chose to endure and position ourselves for the new breeze which eventually came. With us slowly moving again and sailed via Harken Mark to the finish.. In the end we scored a first in our class.. mainly due to persistence.. Aboard were: Dale, Ian, Cath, Sieger and Andrea

SUNDAY 16th January 2016 -Social Sail

A perfect perfect summers day on the water, hot temperatures and a 12 knot breeze with ultra flat water which had the perfect green colour.. Sailing took us down the coast from Milnerton to Sunset beach sailing in very close then a sail across the bay and then slowly worked back to Paarden Island Area before heading back to the club. Conditions were idyllic.. if it was always like this... millions of South Africans would be sailing.. Giving sailing the "perfect picture".. Aboard were: Dale, Bernice(Dale's wife), Monique Strydom and her son Luke, Dennis Cochrane who has been a regular aboard, but due to an injury has curtailed his sailing and his Son Stephen(Skippy).

Social Sail 30th December 2015

Last sail of the year and a scorching hot day in CT.... heading out in light benign conditions, but soon found wind on the water.. and sailed down to Blouberg in a SW. Then beat up and around Robben Island sighting a few whales alongside the island and Dolphins en route. Round Robben Island and one could see a wind switch to a SE.. Sailed the convergence Zone and then a beat into a 20 knot SE.. Sailing all the way to the harbour wall where the sails were dropped and boat packed away. A good sail to end the year. Aboard were: Dale, Ian and Marc.

CAPE TO RIO 2014 Sunfast 3200 YOLO