ONCE again, Tanilba Sailing Club was chosen to host the recent National Catamaran Titles.

It is a very popular venue for all classes of sail craft because of its central location, its shaded waterfront setting, the nearby clubhouse and the wide expanse of water for the races.

Over two days some 20 Maricats vied for the titles.

They came from as far afield as the Great Lakes, Swan Lake, the South Coast, the Central Coast, Sydney, Griffith, Orange, the Blue Mountains and Canberra.

The cats raced in both single and double handed classes.

Four races were held on Saturday and three on Sunday.

The first day saw very little wind for a while as the expected nor’easter failed to arrive but conditions improved with a southerly pattern developing and making for more competitive sailing.

Indeed by late afternoon the local weather station registered gusts of around 20 kts or 37kph.

Sunday was more or less the same and the southerly if anything blew with more strength.

The flukey winds however, shifting between south and east, added an extra challenge to the day’s racing.

Winners were:
1st: Daniel Johnstone in ‘Still Knot’.
2nd: Stephen Backhouse in ‘Prima Face’.
3rd: Jeff Reid in ‘Havoc’.
4th: Rodney Anderson in ‘Pointed Reply’.
5th: Michael Backhouse in ”She’ll Be Right’.

Learn the language of sailing

IF you want to get into the sailing game, you really need to learn another language.

For example, a parrot’s beak has nothing to do with birds.

Sheets and braces are ropes and a bowline on the bight is an essential knot for all sailors.

Boom vangs, outhauls, topping lifts, coffee grinders, cleats and Cunningham’s eyes are just a few of the other gadgets that are essential for a boat’s performance.

So is a trapeze which has nothing to do with the circus.

Before you set sail you would be wise to become familiar with these pieces of equipment.

Learning how to reef, harden up, set a kite, luff up and reach will also be vital skills if you want to become proficient.

You will also be surprised to know that sailcraft don’t go their fastest with the wind behind them and a spinnaker up.

Record speeds are only achievable with the wind on the beam.

Distances and speed are other things that are different.

They are measured in nautical miles and knots.

A knot is one nautical mile per hour which equates to 1.15 mph or 1.8 kph.

That’s why a 20 knot wind speed is equivalent to one of 37kph.

As for fathoms and leagues, you’d best look them up for yourself.

Got you interested?

Visit Tanilba Bay Sailing Club’s Facebook page or their website for more details of the regatta results and the club’s operation.

By Geoff WALKER