Due to the snow on the ground and ice on the Loch we are postponing the Workparty from this Saturday 6 March to the following Saturday 13 March, 10:00.

Accordingly, the first racing will move from Sunday 7 March to Sunday 14 March.

If the weather doesn't improve we may need to further postpone the workparty. We'll keep you advised.

Last year we introduced mentors whom OODs could ask for advice if necessary. This year we will be doing this again, but in a more positive and proactive manner. Twelve people have volunteered to be coordinator coaches and they are identified in the sailing programme against the days they will be on duty. Their role is to:-

• Provide consistent advice to OODs to help and encourage them to provide first class sailing and racing and to build their competence and confidence.
• Phone OODs well in advance of the duty and will discuss the forthcoming duty and answer any questions.
• On the day they will meet the duty team and discuss the conditions and possible courses. They will often also be on the race course and will be able to give you feedback on wind direction and conditions before the race. Please receive this help positively even if you think you don’t need it. Two heads  are better than one and we can always benefit from a second opinion.

The updated sailng instructions for 2010 are now in the Race Management Section of the site... (click here)

Particular points to note are:

• The 3rd party insurance cover minimum liability has been increased to £2,000,000.
  
  Starting sequence for all racing is 3,2,1, start.

A fleet of 20 assorted dinghies enthusiatically race in Stonehaven bay on a bright sunny Sunday afternoon in July.  The wind is from the north east and you are enjoying watching the leading boats approach the windward mark at the north end of the bay.  The fleet are close but a single hander who has had some earlier problems is approaching the gybe mark in the south west corner of the bay.  He starts his manoeuvre but as a small gust hits he loses control.  The boat gybes and the boom hits him on the head as the boat capsizes to windward........

You receive a call from the OOD.  "Capsize at the gybe mark".  You set off and within a  minute are alongside the upturned hull.  The helm is beside the boat but does not respond to your call.  What are you going to do?

We are offering RYA Powerboat level 2 and Safety Boat courses this year.

The Powerboat 2 course provides the skills and background knowledge needed to drive a powerboat. It includes close quarters handling, high speed manoeuvres, man overboard recovery and collision regulations.

The Safety Boat course provides the skills required when acting as an escort craft, safety boat or coach boat for a fleet of dinghies or for race training activities.  It includes rescue techniques and elements of race management and mark laying.

Courses will start at Skene after Easter on weekday evenings and continue at Stonehaven from June onwards.  Each course would be completed in 4 evenings or 2 weekend days.  The Powerboat level 2 course requires no previous qualification but is a pre-requisite for the Safety Boat course.  Courses are run by volunteer instructors and therefore the cost is only £30 for each which covers the cost of fuel and RYA handbooks and certificates.

Exact days, timings and dates will depend on the level of interest and can be tailored (to some extent) to fit your own needs.

We strongly recommend that you sign up for these courses which will give you the competence and confidence to drive powerboats and to provide rescue cover.

Please contact Craig Evans on 07714 125381, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to express your interest initially.  Please state which course(s) you are interested and give an indication of your preferred days.   Once we have an idea of numbers we will fix days and dates.

Currently, members of the club have the following equipment for sale:

Laser Stratos                  1

Tornado catamaran         1

Flying fifteen                  1

Holder Hawk                  1

Musto Skiff                    1

Wet suit                        1

Members are seeking to buy:

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