COD Fleet Captain’s Report 2018 Season

This year it was another exciting season for the COD fleet.

The fleet this year must have been the largest it has been for many years, at least in the marina, with ten boats.

Unfortunately, Phoenix didn’t join us due, I am told, to a mast problem.

However, we were joined, mid season, by Mercury, after a spell ashore for at least 9 years.

Well done to Colin and Linda.

The Centenary project campaigned two boats this year with Jim chartering Kandahar again and Vic and Keith in Kathleen.

I know the British are famous for discussing the weather but, for sailing it is all important. This season was better than the last. Still we suffer from extremes of either too much or too little wind. A feature of “global warming” it seems.

The exceptionally long, hot spell in June caused problems with the fleet which manifested itself on the Llandudno race when half the fleet had to literarily “bale out”. All the wooden boats’ top planks had dried out. Only two CODs managed to complete the course, both having three crews so one crew was continually baling.

The CRF attracted a fleet of 8 boats which made quite a sight in the estuary for the two days over the weekend.

Seven boats sailed over to Beaumaris, delayed until the Monday due to the weather, to compete in the Menai Strait regattas. Then two weeks later sailed, then had to motor back when the wind dropped.

The weather was much better than last year but still variable. The race through to Caernarvon started in a F3 in Beaumaris but we were greeted by a F6 from Port Dinorwic . The next day’s race at Caernarvon was controversial as the first mark was off station and difficult to find. Then there was an issue about the outer limit marks.

Acushla sailed consistently with Musetta and Minnie never far behind. Seiriol suffered from a mutiny at the end of the first week thus ending her challenge in the second week. Gwalch also had a crew shortage.

Crew availability is a real problem, not just in our fleet, but in many other clubs which has given rise to so many dinghy club fleets being single-handers. Let’s hope the new updated website brings more people in to sail.

Looking at the races analysis, it is interesting to note the patterns of number of races sailed by each boat during the season. Gwalch sailed every race, barring the 3 Friday evenings, of course, while Margaret and Swn-y-don were close behind.

Again, we must thank David Lloyd who has manned Sior for most of the races and at the Straits helped by Paul. Hopefully we will have their support again, next season. The fleet hosted two socials in the Club, one at either end of the season. Thanks to Pam and her team, the profit from these have, in part, helped to keep the clubhouse going and pay for the engraving on the Club’s trophies.

As I write this, we are in discussion with Deganwy marina about arrangements and, importantly, mooring fees.

As this is my last report as fleet captain, I should like to thank you all for supporting me over the last two years and hope the fleet continues to grow and grow stronger.

Kit Edwards
COD Fleet Captain