Swallow Yachts Association
Swallow Yachts Forum => Sailing and Events => Topic started by: Peter Cockerton on 31 Oct 2012, 16:19
-
Myself and Andy Dingle regularily sail at Rutland Water which although being a reservoir is still interesting to sail as it's not the traditional "large pond" shape. The water authority at Whitwell provides heated changing and showering facilities and and excellent pontoon and slip faciliites. Several safety boats are always on hand to help if required. The authority allows day launching with around a £15.00 fee per day, pontoon facilities to leave your boat on the water overnight (sleeping on board allowed) is also available for a small fee.
Camping facilities are available, not sure of details but we could investigate if asked.
Conditions vary, the creek which we launch in is normally always protected from the wind and often it's a slow sail or paddle to the main body of the water where we have both sailed in winds gusting 40 mph and 1 mtr waves.
We was thinking to suggest a second quarter 2013 date perhaps just a couple of days sailing together and perhaps a one evening for a meal.
Swallow Boats already has a good presence at Rutland 3 Bayraider 20 1 Bayraider 17 and a couple of weeks ago a brand spanking new Baycruiser.
If you are interested and have any proposals on dates which you would prefer for consideration please email me petercsailing "at" virginmedia.com
Peter Cockerton
-
Peter,
Sounds a great idea and I would be interested in joining this. I am easy on dates other than that I am still procrastinating on whether to do Sail Caledonia...
Jonathan
-
Dear Peter,
I own SoNik , the bayraider 17 at RSC on the south shore.
I would be interested.
Rob Armstrong
-
Peter,
Hi! Using the Christmas hols to catch up on a number of things, including blog posts.
As the owner of the new Baycruiser 23, Anam Cara, kept at Whitwell Creek, Rutland, I would also be interested to join.
Having collected her from Swallow Boats end of September and delivered her to Whitwell late in the season, we have only managed to sail her 3 times since. Work and family commitments mean it is only about once a month I manage to get over to Rutland during the winter. I was hoping to go this weekend but the forecast of driving rain and gusting 40 knot winds would make it more endurance than pleasure sailing, especially for my teenage crew. Consequently very much looking forward to the 2013 summer season.
If we could identify a date fairly soon, all the easier to keep it free. My availability in 2nd quarter 2013 is generally good except for the late May bank holiday which is already booked.
Simon Reeve
-
Simon and all interested in Rutland 2013 Rally
Will talk to the people in the Whitwell centre at Rutland over the next couple of weeks to see if they have any dates we should avoid, other rallies, big meetings etc.
Still considering a two day Saturday and Sunday event with an overnight stay so we can chat over an evening meal if this is what most people want. I will see what accommodation is available locally and cost to help us decide, if too expensive then perhaps just a one day event would be better with lunch in a local hostelry, comments from interested members would be most appreciated.
I was at Whitwell on your boat delivery day and admired your new baby whilst you was booking in, had to leave to get back to the pontoon to get my Bayraider (Joybells) out of the way, when I got back you had gone. Just recently moved my boat behind yours, it's now next to the road so getting her in and out is much easier.
Myself and Andy Dingle have been sailing during December and very pleasant it was to, we are looking at going over next week if I can shift this flu/cold bug my kind grandson has gifted to me, here is my email address if you want us to let you know when we are ever going to Rutland you would be most welcome to sail on either one of our boats or we can crew for you petercsailing at virginmedia.com. I know Andy is seriously considering a BC23 and would appreciate talking to you and a nosey around your boat. The main cover you have put on is most impressive, what has the jib done to you to be ignored without a winter coat.
Peter
-
Been out today with Andy on Rutland Water and what lovely sailing we had, sunshine, steady F3/4 and 11 degrees in January
Enquired about holding a small rally possibly early April and they would be delighted to see us.
Accommodation options
Sleep on boat against pontoon £16.00
Camping on site fees available from Whitwell Centre
Local pubs seem to start at £45.00 pp
So we need to decide
Is this a Weekend or Mid week meeting
What early April dates are preferable
Who definitely wants to attend
Please let me have your views ASAP so we can make this happen
Peter
-
.. And here's the proof! (Hopefully pictures attached).
Peter on the helm looking relaxed and nonchalant - not always the case when I'm in control! Included an artistic shot of the main that highlights the clear blue of the winter sky!
Shots taken as the wind began to die off in the afternoon.
We've managed to get in some great sailing through the winter months - driving rain, bitterly cold and winds usually about F5-6 (maybe the odd gust a tad more), but always been thoroughly enjoyable (really!) and well worth the effort. On more than one occasion we have been the only boat out amidst the speeding wind surfers. (Two reefs and full tanks).
Been marvelous in honing up skills and knowledge, also boosting confidence in the abilities of the BR20 - a boat that still surprises me with its seaworthiness after 4 years of ownership.
Not too mention boosting confidence in our own sailing abilities ... (Sorry about that gybe, Peter. That'll take some living down! Would have capsized any lesser boat).
Are we the first to get out this year?!
Andy. BR20 'Psalter'
-
Vagabond and I think this is a splendid idea. We could do with a bit of freshwater sailing before resuming our wanderings around Britain. She's off to Swallow Boats in February for a bit of R and R and should be fit by April. If it's a weekend "do", I'd probably bring her up on the Friday afternoon and stay on board overnight. Can you use petrol outboards on Rutland Water?
-
Sorry Rob - No petrol outboards on Rutland Water (only for the rescue RIBs). A lot of people use little electric outboards. The only problem you might have is getting out of the creek to the main body of water - put it down to a test of your sailing abilities! Or as is more usual - entertainment for onlookers!
Seriously though, it is not a problem at all, a bit of light wind tacking/gybing usually does the job. If your not familiar with the lake google maps thing should give you an idea of the layout of the lake and the creek (Whitwell, on the northern shore) to which I refer and where we will be gathering.
I would be very happy if you did make it as I would love to have a chat with you about how you cope single handing your BC23 - as opposed to what the maker will tell me! I am on the cusp of ordering one.
I currently have a 29 ft cruiser and am struggling with the usual constraints of crew, time, tide and weather - not to mention marina fee's etc. A beautiful yacht that I love so I really want to be very sure of what I'm doing before I change.
Same applies to any other BC23 owners who come along?
Dates? May I kick off with a suggestion of the weekend of 13th, 14th Apil? The easter rush at Rutland should have died down by then. If we can firm up a date then maybe ask Matt and any of his crew who can make it to come up too? (With a boat or two!).
Any further input re dates and attendees?
Andy
-
14th and 15th are fine for me.
Rob J
-
All,
Equally keen to support the rally but unfortunately 13/14 April doesn't work for me as I have to fly to Singapore on 14th for a major conference I am chairing Mon-Wed following week. I could do 6/7 or 20/21 April, 4/5/6 (bank hol) 11/12, or 18/19 May. How are these for others?
We managed to get over to Rutland today for a couple of hours easy sailing in light winds. We didn't have your blue sky Peter but still pleasant. First time I had sailed the BC23 without water ballast. She sailed very well, just like a large dinghy.
Andy, although still getting used to her, I am very pleased with the BC23 and you would be welcome to join me some time. It's likely to be 1st or 2nd weekend in Feb next time I can get over there. I only have one niggle so far and that is the reefing lines seem to jam easily both when letting out and taking in. It's a combination of the layout and the boom bag and probably just needs some experimentation. Matt is aware. When sailing for longer days In the Spring, I may try taking the boom bag off.
Peter, you'll be pleased to know I've now taken the jib down for the winter as I don't have a jib bag! I had left it up out of laziness and in the hope of more frequent sailing.
The cover came from Swallow boats. It's in 2 parts and is quite fiddly to get on evenly and close the gaps but seems to do the job reasonably well. When I get time I will make some recommendations to Matt for minor changes to assist, e.g. I have added some extra eyelets myself in key points and one or two bits could do with an extra couple of inches of material to aid overlap.
That's it from me. Happy sailing all!
Simon Reeve
-
Any objections to 6/7 of April 2013 end of April and beginning of May out for me, Andy Dingle, Jonathon Stuart as we are doing Morbihan 2013.
Peter
-
Hopefully I'll also be able to join this, so for the reasons Peter just mentioned the 6th/7th is best for me with the 13th/14th a second preference.
-
Re dates for Rutland water, 6/7, 13/14 or 20/21 April would be fine for me. After that I'm off to Sicily to keep the owners agent onside.
I agree with Simon about the singe line reefing in the BC 23: the friction on the lines is high, and the reefing has to be "assisted" by pulling the line at the outer end of the boom as well as the reefing line leading aft from the mast. It's maangeable, provided that you are not in a hurry!. The other aspect of the reefing lines is the tendenacy for them to garrotte the helmsman after the sail has been dropped into the lazyjacks. I overcome this with a bungy "sail tie" until I finally tidy up the sail in the cover.
Rob Johnstone
-
Ok
Dates confirmed now which hopefully suit all that have declared an interest in attending.
Can I have interest declared in attending a meal on the Saturday night, somewhere local to the Whitwell centre, not expensive? I'm going to be booking somewhere to stay on the Saturday and first enquiries suggest under £50.00 for a good local pub that can provide bar snack or small restaurant as an option.
Please let me know ASAP as Saturday nights will get booked up quickly in this area.
Also if you have any suggestions on sailing activities/challenges for the weekend post them here, what about a timed man overboard recovery (danbouy or similar) under sail for example, anything else that you have seen done at previous rally's that was fun and challenging.
For non-sailors by the way numerous activities are available in the grounds, bikes can be hired for the very popular route around the lake, a huge climbing rope swing centre is within the grounds and the very picturesque Oakham is just a couple of miles away.
-
Am I right to assume that we have to make our own arrangements with the reservoir authorities (eg booking an alongside berth for the Friday / Saturday night)?
-
Rob
I'm meeting Andy at Rutland on Monday 28th january and i will talk to the sailing centre people on this matter. If they allow me to do it i will reserve a space for you and get back to you, if anyone else is planning to sleep on their boats alongside the pontoon please let me know over this weekend if possible.
Peter Cockerton
Andy dingle
-
FAO Simon Reeve.
Simon. Many thanks for the kind invitation for a sail with you in your BC23 at Rutland - I would like that very much, thank you.
Because of a recent change in plans - courtesy of British Airways and the British weather - I will now be about for the first two weekends in Feb.
On the 16/17th Feb I will be off to the sunshine in Buenos Aries, so if at all it will have to be before then. If the weather or your circumstances get in the way, no problem, we can re-arrange at your convenience. In any case I'll be there 6/7th April.
Please feel free to email me on 'ketchpsalter at gmail dot com' and we can arrange something.
Thanks
Andy
-
Am I right to assume that we have to make our own arrangements with the reservoir authorities (eg booking an alongside berth for the Friday / Saturday night)?
Rob and anyone else wanting a pontoon reservation
Spoke to the people at the Water sports centre yesterday and you can reserve a pontoon spot for your overnight stay. To do this you must ring the centre direct and cough up some pennies. Let them know you want a weekend sail and launch pass with overnight stay on the pontoon 01780 460154.
This number can be used for help whilst on the water if you need it also vhf M2, 37 and P4 channels are used by rescue crew. Checked on my handheld and M2 is available but not 37 or P4.
Andy and myself with spouses (and my dogs) are booked into a local pub (3 miles from centre) for the night of the 6th, if anyone else is stopping overnight give these people a call The White Horse 01780 460221 www.whitehorserutland.co.uk. Double room is £70.00 inc breakfast £45.00 for a single inc breakfast. The bitter is excellent and a bar snack was good to.
Peter and Andy
-
Thanks for getting this organised.
I could would be interested with my BR20. At the moment I am not sure whether i will have a crew. Wife may say it is too cold! However, please keep me on the list and I will sound out the crew. I would like some accommodation if possible - camping on a boat in Early April is not for wimps like me!
Best wishes,
Colin
-
Colin
As soon as your sorted and a decision made i would get your digs booked as this is a very popular area, the pub mentioned above had rooms last week.
Peter
-
Dear Peter,
I have the BR 17 at Rutland Sailing Club on the south shore. I have only just caught up with the correspondence having been abroad most of the winter.
I would like to sail over to you on the north shore and join in the regatta. Please let me know what the programme is. I am away again for most of march
Rob Armstrong
-
Dear Peter,
I have the BR 17 at Rutland Sailing Club on the south shore. I have only just caught up with the correspondence having been abroad most of the winter.
I would like to sail over to you on the north shore and join in the regatta. Please let me know what the programme is. I am away again for most of march
Rob Armstrong
Robert
Hope you have been somewhere warm and civilised and perhaps managed to get some sailing in, myself and Andy can't keep away from Rutland and have enjoyed some interesting sailing over December and January so far.
No programme as yet other than were hoping to get two days sailing in and perhaps a drink and meal together on the Saturday night, i'm willing to make a reservation in the White Horse Empingham for the evening get together those interested in joining in PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP so i can try and get a booking, petercsailing@virginmedia.com.
Peter
-
Peter,
OK . Put me down for the White Horse.
I will wait for more details
Rob Armstrong
-
Hi All,
I spoke with the centre at Rutland Water this weekend. It seems they have a problem with their pontoons at the moment and won't know what they are going to have available (in April) until mid March!
Put me down for the Staurday meal please.
Rob J
-
Hi All,
I spoke with the centre at Rutland Water this weekend. It seems they have a problem with their pontoons at the moment and won't know what they are going to have available (in April) until mid March!
Rob J
Rob
The centre is in the middle of sorting out the pontoons apparently, the main launching pontoon is new, the one it has replaced is still good but not positioned as yet on the second slip. The problem has been caused by the pontoon which the rescue teams use being not safe for whatever reason and as a temporary measure they need space on the main slip pontoon so will not commit to reserving space for overnighters. I'm sure they will sort it out before April.
Peter
-
Evening Meal Table reservation
I have now booked a table in the White Horse Empingham for 10 in the Tartan Room.
Spaces reserved so far for
Peter and Joy Cockerton.
Andy and Karen Dingle
Rob Armstrong (1)
Rob Johnstone (1)
Can you please let me know if you want to come to this so i can get the numbers right, this is a very popular venue and early table reservation is recommended.
Peter
-
Evening Meal Table reservation
I have now booked a table in the White Horse Empingham for 10 in the Tartan Room.
Spaces reserved so far for
Peter and Joy Cockerton.
Andy and Karen Dingle
Rob Armstrong (1)
Rob Johnstone (1)
Can you please let me know if you want to come to this so i can get the numbers right, this is a very popular venue and early table reservation is recommended.
Peter
I urgently need to know if anyone else is joining us for the evening meal at the White Horse to make sure I have the correct table reservations. Please email me on petercsailing@virginmedia.com before the end of this week.
The latest on the pontoon availability for boats to book for overnight berths is looking more promising, please call 01780 460154 and ask to speak to Ken who may help for a small amount of boats.
Several members have now registered to attend the get together which I’m leaving as totally free sailing for the two days. I'm sure ideas will come forward for friendly "around the water towers" chases or similar challenges over the two days.
When you enter the Whitwell Centre compound look to the right and you will see a gravel covered area which you can use to park up, rig the boat and store the trailor.
I'm aiming to get there mid-morning on Saturday the 6th. Please feel free to call me on 07774 111112 for any information you may need.
Thanks
Peter Cockerton
-
Peter,
I confirm I will join you for the Saturday night meal at the White Horse. My father will probably also join us so please reserve for 2.
Looking forward to the weekend. I will be there early Saturday morning as I have the advantage that my parents live just 10 mins drive away at Cottesmore so will stay there Friday & Saturday night. My wife will join for Saturday's sailing and my 2 teenage sons for probably both Sat & Sun.
Several people have expressed an interest in a sail in the BC23 so happy to oblige that weekend.
Thanks.
Simon
-
Simon
Look forward to seeing you at Rutland Rally i have booked the spaces you asked for for the Evening meal on the Saturday.
-
Peter,
Sorry for the late notice, but if possible we (me + 1 crew) will also join you at the pub. We made our sailing and camping plans at the weekend and would definitely like to join the dinner - the company and the chance to defrost are equally appealing! Hopefully the late notice won't be an issue for the pub.
BTW, I just spoke to the people at Rutland and they have an issue with their pontoons so there are no overnight berths available. However, boats can be left on their trailers fully rigged in the car park by the slipway and they are happy for us campers to sleep on board the boat there.
-
Hi Peter,
I've booked myself and my crew into the pub for Saturday night ( to thaw out properly, Jonathon) and I'd like Richard to join us at the meal as well. When I booked the room, (about a week ago) I mentioned the one extra for the dinner and it didn't seem to be a problem at the time.
Off to Cardigan tomorrow, where Matt & crew have worked some wonders on Vagabond, then towing her to Rutland on Friday!
Rob J
-
Rob and Jonathon
We have a room booked for our evening meal which will take all the interested parties so far. The more the merrier as they say and on that point that point the bitter went down very well the last time we was there.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday
Peter
-
Just to add to Peter's post. The weather looks pretty good for the weekend so far, and likely to be some of the best weather we have had this year so far.
Windfinder gives Northerly F3 sunny for Saturday, Sunday Northerly F4, with a little more cloud. The weekend will apparently be a tad warmer than of late too.
Northerlies will give some good long reaches down the 'legs' of the lake so there should be some pretty good sailing. So really no excuses not to come along!
-
If you were deliberating whether to come along or not the improvement in the weather forecast should swing it in in favour, Saturday NE 7/18 gusts, a balmy 8 degrees, Sunday southerlys 8/19 gusts sweltering 9 degrees.
Myself and Andy Dingle are very much looking forward to meeting in the flesh several members we have spoken to on the forum and having a good nose around the various boats and mods that have been implemented.
The site cafe is open for hot refreshments and the Rutland Belle is running for those that fancy a trip around the lake in a more sedate manner should we say.
In case you need boaty bits the sailing centre is very well stocked with its own chandlery and last time i was there a clothing sale as well.
The room we have booked for our Saturday supper will take 17 and currently i have 7 spaces, again this promises to be an excellent opportunity to talk to like minded people on our sport and love of Swallow Boats as well as supporting the local brewery.
We both look forward to seeing you all tomorrow then at the Whitwell Watersports Centre on the North shore of Rutland Reservoir.
If you need to contact me my mobile is 07774 111112
Peter Cockerton
-
Thanks to a quick phone call to Peter last night, I attended Rutland today and had a splendid day sailing Jonathan's BRe with him and Russ. - Thank you again Jonathan - most kind :)
I now can't wait to take delivery of my own BRe in July - hurry up Matt!
I have uploaded some photos to the gallery for those of you whose boats I photographed - enjoy
Roy Wearing
-
Great to meet so many nice people at Rutland and it was good to see all those Swallow Boats craft on the water. We'll have to do it again sometime! Thank you to Peter for organising this and getting us all on the water while keeping it friendly and informal. Somehow you even managed to fix the weather too!
Roy has created a Rutland 2013 album in the Gallery so I will upload my pics there.
-
Peter,
Thanks for organising a great weekend afloat. Even the weather was kind, despite the odd bit of snow lying around. Great to meet so many Swallow owners and their boats.
Getting back to the pontoon on the first day caused us a bit of a headache - I have realised that I have become over used to Freddie providing a push when required. The dinghy oars provided the necessary oomph on Sunday.
I'll upload a couple of pictures when I can find them on my phone!
-
I'm cleary having a bad tech day as I can't find the upload menu for the gallery.
You'll have to make do with my photo of Anam Cara attached to this entry.
I see there's a photo of Vagabond on the gallery - thanks, it's the first I have of her under way and I'm reasonably pleased to see that I have the sails hoisted with the right bits of string and even the ensign is (almost) flying as it usually droops in the water!
I'm envious of Anam Cara's logo and sail number.
-
This is how to upload photos to the Gallery:
1. Login and you should see a black menu bar across the top of the web site. (If at first this doesn't appear then go to another web site page and that should force the menu to be added).
2. Put your mouse over "Gallery" on this menu and the Gallery menu will appear.
3. Click on "Add Pictures".
4. Choose the files you want to upload by clicking "Select Files" and selecting your photo(s). To select multiple photos, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on each file name.
5. Select the name of the Gallery where the files should be uploaded.
6. Click "Upload images" and the photo(s) will be uploaded.
I have attached a screenshot showing these last 3 steps.
-
Many thanks to all that attended Rutland Waters at the weekend and the kind comments of thanks delivered personally and postings on the forum.
The pride of Swallow Boat ownership was obvious from the pristine presentation of all the boats and provided an excellent showcase for Matt and his team. Apart from myself and Andy faffing around with spinnakers for the first time all other crews gave no opportunity for shore side entertainment. The evening gathering at the White Horse was superb, put several people together who have only briefly exchanged a few words prior to sitting down around a large table and you never know how it will go but over 3 hrs there was never a pause in conversation and not all about boats.
So once again many thanks for making the effort and i'm sure next year we can make it happen again.
Andy and Peter
-
To add my thanks to Peter for organising and everyone for making it such an enjoyable weekend.
It was great to meet you all. Seriously considering whether Bala may be a possibility!
I have just added my selection of our photos to the gallery. Enjoy!
Simon