The Latest Crack
To Members of the Cork Harbour National 18ft Class
Checkout the 2012 Sailing Calendar and League Team listings for this season.
Just want to draw your attention to some of the more significant changes we propose for 2012;
We are hoping to get everyone on the water slightly earlier than usual this year by organising a Rigging Evening on Wed 25th April and a River Race on Sat 28th . So lets make an effort and get most if not all of the fleet out early.
As a trial we are going to race on Friday evenings in May except for the first Friday because of The East Ferry Cup on the Saturday. The South Coasts will take place on the 16th / 17th June and the following weekend the 23rd June we will have a race to M B S C where we will be looked after [wined and dined ??] for the 3 Weeks that we have to vacate the club due to Cork Week.
I think the rest of the Calendar is fairly self explanatory with the only other major item being that the end of season River Race is unbelievably going to be held on 3rd of OCTOBER.[dry suits and hot water bottles will be provided].
As regards ‘League Teams’ it is up to each Team Captain to collect the €100 sub from each of their Team boats failure to do this within a reasonable time frame will mean the team will be ineligible for any Trophies they may be in line for.[ I am writing the cheque now Nick].
The 18.25 Time of First Gun on Wed and Fri Night Racing is going to be strictly adhered to in the hope that we will get in Three Races, one of which will may have a novelty factor [any ideas greatly appreciated].
Lets get the Season off to a good start and have a dozen boats for 28th April [great prizes assured!!!!]
Regards
Your Hard Working Committee
Chick for Pics from the past
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
I am watching the fleet from my window and Virtual reality has the lead heading into the bottom mark from Aquaholics with Oyster-catcher in Third, looks like Aqua just got inside Virtual as the both flick onto Starboard and head up to the top mark for the second time, they have pulled out a good 100 yards on the next bunch which is still being led by Oyster-catcher. wind is getting very light up by the top mark and the shifts are big, first around is Virtual with a lead of nearly 50 yards or more on Aqua in fact Aqua are now only just ahead of the chasing bunch of Oyster and Three Blind Mice with I think Das Boot in last spot, in the shifty light breeze down wind Oyster has fallen back Fifth leaving Three blind mice and an unknown passed, with a little bit more wind for the last trip up to the top mark and the lead is reduced and taken by the mice, something must have gone very wrong for the leaders with Oyster coming from fifth to third in that leg Aqua fell back to Last, down to the bottom mark again and the finish is Mice, Virtual, Oyster, Unknown, Das Boot and Aqua. I THINK
IRISH NATIONALS
- First Gun for Race one will be at 10.55am in Cuskinny
- The last race of the day will also be part of the Ballinacurra race so when you cross the finish line for race three of the Nationals you will continue racing to Ballinacurra and the finish will be off the pier in Ballinacurra, all numbers will also be recorded at the first finish which will count for the National.
- finger food and drinks in Ballinacurra
- Tow back to the club on the falling tide
- Dinner will be on in the club book a table with the office
- Drinks (Peter O Donovan will be singing) in the bar after till late
COBH TO BLACKROCK RACE
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STRONG ENDING TO THE AUGUST LEAGUES
9 Boats took to the water last night for the final races in the August leagues, we had a nice fresh southerly breeze and race one was lead from start to finish by Stephen and crew on Virtual Reality with Tom Mac in second and Jamie Dwyer just pipping GBU for third on the final beat to the finish (It must be said that GBU were not really trying very hard on that leg 
). in the second race Virtual reality and Tommy Dwyer traded blows for the whole race, but it was Tommy and crew that narrowly won out in the end with Jamie Dwyer in third again (this time they may have deserved it).
Hope to see a big turn out for September and the run in to the Nationals on the 24th and 25th in the RCYC.
AT HOME REGATTA
The at home REGATTA is on this weekend with racing on both Saturday and Sunday, there will also be lots of shoreside entertainment for the whole family, hope to see ye all there.
DOGNOSE TROPHY
8 National 18s made the trip to Aghada for the Dognose Trophy. Also joining them were two 505s, a laser and an RS100. The course took boats from No 8 to Dognose with a long run down to No 16 before beating to No 9 and setting off on a fast reach to Aghada. Ewen Barry & Dion Barrett in a 5o5 retained the trophy they won last year.
Of the 18s it was Badger who led the race for long periods but in the end it was Aquaholics who crossed the line just a few seconds ahead. Next 18 home was Happy Days. The customary trip ashore brought welcome refreshments and with everyone suitably refreshed there was a tow home across the sun split harbour.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Eight National 18s raced last Wed night with a number of new faces joining the fleet. Des Corbett took his new boat Mad Max out for its maiden race and Arthur O’Connor has joined the fleet after a number of years living abroad. John Coakley was another new face and took the helm of Muchadoo.
Very light winds welcomed the fleet for race one. Despite the light air the fleet managed to get some excellent racing with Tom Dwyer taking the bullet in the end. In race two the wind had died to 1 knot but we still managed one quick race and this time it was the other Tom, Crosbie who took the race.
Racing continues this Sat with the famous Dognose Trophy that finishes in Aghada where we will be met with a BBQ and hydration fluids. FG 1430.
LETS BACK IN TO THE SWING OF THINGS
Ist life as we know it again, we have to be home at a reasonable hour and cant stay out drinking till the early hours every night. Yes the Cock is over for another year so lets see a good turn out for August, we have no excuses, all the boats are down and in racing order, so lets see a big number on Saturday and we will keep the numbers up right in to the Nationals in September.
Click for Report on 2011 Class Championships
UPDATE 14/07/2011
WOW!! 20 boats went sailing last night, you might think that this was a championship but no it was just league racing. It took a while for the fleet to get used to the crowded start line, with two general recalls. it took a black flag to put manners on the fleet, the eventually got under way in 5knots from the south. Again at the top mark there signs of lack of large fleet sailing showing through with a lot of bangs and tips, but as people settled down it was Colin Chapman came out on top from Nick Walsh and that’s the way it stayed till the finish. The second race started under black flag also and the racing was very close with the Lighting breeze Colin Chapman took Firsts again from Nick Walsh. It was great to see 50 + sailors in the bar after a truly great night sailing and a fitting lead in to whats lined up to be the biggest Cock O The North Ever.
UPDATE 11/07/2011
Saturday was good day with the fleet deciding to race on the bank rather than traveling to Monkstown in the very light westerly breeze, Seven boat raced with a very high media presence due to long awaited return of Tim Sull. Colin Chapman won all three races with myself second in the first two and Mark O Donovan third and Mark an unfortunate second after been past on the last beat to the finish line,with Dom Long Third in the last race. TWO weeks to go so please get you self out for racing this Saturday.
Also there has been a very high demand for the class dinner ticket on the Thursday of the Cock of the north, so please book early with the office to avoid disappointment. +353214831023
UPDATE 07/07/2011
It sad to say that it took till July, but last night was one of the best night sailing for the Eighteens (Bar the Southcoasts) all year. 11 boats hit the water for racing in 10knots and sunshine, on an evening that an hour before the start saw 20knots and buckets of rain. the first race was very close with 20 boat lengths from first to last on the first run Colin Barry and crew held off a few attempts from Tom Crosbie to win race one, Tom Second and a very impressive last run from Stephen O Shaughnessey put him into third place, Jamie Dywer Forth and Peter O Donovan fifth.
Race two was getting set for the off with the bunch heading for the pin end to take advantage of the line bias but they soon realized they left it to late when Colin Barry came in on port and got the jump on the whole fleet with a spectacular Port tack of the fleet (Hats off to him on a short line and 11 boats closing in on the pin end) he went onto lead to the top mark and win the race again from Tom and peter in third. We are counting days not weeks anymore to the Cock so time for tuning and crew work is ticking away, hope to see ye all on Saturday. (Pics of last night will be up soon)
UPDATE 04/07/2011
The Cobh at home was a great success, with seven Eighteens traveling over to be joined by all the other mixed dinghies. Davy O Connell got off to a very strong start and led for most of the race, the the relentless pressure from Colin Chapman pay off as usual when he passed Davy on the penultimate leg of the race to go on a win with Peter O Donovan in Third and Myself in Forth, Mark O Donovan sailing Virtual Reality was Fifth, Dom Long Sixth and Ed Cogan Seventh. Saturday also saw a new (OLD) boat/Helm join the fleet, so a big warm welcome to Des Corbet and congrats and best of luck getting it ready for the Cock.
New owner of mad max taking posession of his “new national 18” being presented with a bottel of washing up liquid by class captian Peter “Jeeesus” O Donovan.
UPDATE 30/06/2011
Last night was a perfect evening for sailing, with 10-15kts. Five boats went out for the two races with Colin Chapman winning both races from Jamie Dywer and Older Brother Tommy in third, Peter Ryan with John Crotty at the stick was fourth in both races and Willie Healy taking it hand and not flying his kite was fifth. Cobh at home is on this Saturday with a 2pm Start in Cobh, hope to see ye there.
UPDATE 27/06/2011
UPDATE 20/06/2011
Hi all, back from the Hols but I wont bore ye with the details, from what I hear there was great racing while I was away with even more first timers to the 2011 season, I see Tim Sulls boat is even in the dinghy park, all this must be pointing towards a great turn out for the South coast Championships this weekend, I have posted the NOR, Entry form and SI’s on the Forum page. There will be three races a day with food and entertainment after racing on the Saturday night and food after racing on the Sunday.
UPDATE 03/06/2011
By Mark O Donovan
Perfect Wednesday for 18ing
Wednesday night did not see the high winds that have been present for the rest of may. Instead the National 18 Fleet was blessed with Mediterranean condition.
Once a number of bats checked to see if the floating slip was in action or not the 9 boats launched form the concrete slip and out the the race area, Keith McKowen was again the race officer for the class and decided on windward leeward courses and to give the fleet a rest from the triangles. With the westerly breeze the course was set right over the centre of the Curlane bank with the boats beating up towards currabinny woods.Edmund Cogan and Donagh Kiernan decided they had inspected the carbon mast for long enough and decided to inspect it further on the water. They were joined by Sinking Silver( Peter Ryan, John Crotty and a third crew the author has yet to be introduced to). Peter had hoisted the new carbon mast single handedly , and afterwards did remake that it was much easier to get the boat up the concrete slip with the lighter mast.
The first race got underway with an individual recall flag launched. The class president and his crew( Killian and AN.Another) were seen retuning however it was noticed that the flag did stay up. Unfortunately this author does not know who ailed to return over the line. The first beat say the fleet split as the Force 2 breeze way most crews fully trapeezing and the boats 2 up really pushing to keep the boat flat. Cellulite(Tom Crosbie, with Richard Lane and Barry O’Mears) lead at the first mark, followed closely by Happy Days (Colin Barry and half of Mark O’Donovan) and Muchadoo( Alex Barry John Downey and Colm O’Connell) and Two Blind Mice( Nick Walsh and Roberty Brownlow) leading the chasing pack. The Run was a challenging affair with boats sticking south on the Crosshaven side. The Two Blind Mice gybed to head in towards the Back Channel Perch and fortune did not favour the brave as the wind on the inside turned very light. At the front the lighter Happy Days Crew managed to get inside Cellulite and rounded the leeward mark just ahead of cellulite.
The second beat the winds had dropped slightly , and most boats again headed to the south looking for breeze. The two blind mice headed north again and this time it proved a good move and it looked like they could be leading as they came in form far off on the starboard lay line, A knock at the top of the course allowed Happy days to get in a head of them at the mark, with the Two Blind Mice in second and Muchadoo in Third. Cellulite had taken the decision to go right and in the fickle breeze the prudent course had cost them as they rounded in fourth. Places stayed as they were on the next run and at the final leeward mark the shift to the left had given Happy day the advantage of a long starboard tack. The weather conditions decided to punish Alex Barry for some offences as he was given a private breeze knocking him by about 15° and causing him to drop down to fourth. The places stayed the same for the rest of the races with Happy Days taking first The Two Blind Mice second and Cellulite third.
The Second race started with a clean start, Cellulite was seen doing turns after the start.The port lay line caught a number of boats with Cellulite, Two Blind mice and Muchadoo,( John Downy having wrested the tiller from tiller from Alex) overlaying ,allowing Happy Days Oyster Catcher( Jamie Dwyer, Kieran Dwyer and Shane Dwyer) and Break Even( Willie Healy, and two new class member we can look forward to meeting) Break Even proving that in the days of carbon masts a heavy boat can still perform, with a good start and sound tactics. However after rounding Break even did also prove that a heavy boat is at a disadvantage without a spinnaker. As the race continued Oyster catcher kept the pressure on Happy Days but could not find a passing lace. The Two Blind mice came through the pack to finish third.
After racing the class did make it to the bar where we were wonderfully fed by Anthony McCann , and it was great to see so many of the class staying down.
UPDATE 30/05/2011
A Big congratulations to the Barry Brothers and the various crews they had for the Month of May on winning the Mackey Trophy for 2011, it was a close win in the end from Tommy Dwyer and Colin Chapman.
Saturdays Report by Rory Fitzpatrick
Another cracker in Crosshaven,
Today proved to be another amazing day for sailing in cork harbour for the national 18 class. With blue skies, plenty of wind and lots of tool boxing in the park it was a day to remember.
While early on it looked like we might have 5 boats on the water, with all the excitement only 2 boats ended up racing.
Class president Dom Long with Killian Long and louise walsh in Raffles led the fleet all afternoon with a stirling performance in squalls of up to 35 knots taking line honors followed by Rory Fitz, DES Corbett and Una Lordan in Firbolg. While there were a few near misses in the gusts (Una was tea bagged twice). Surprisingly there were no capsizes.
Mark o Donovan and Stephen o shocks were busy tweaking and painting, though mainly were painting the boat with white spirits. And Edmond Cogan was down with his new crew member Donagh Kiernan inspecting and admiring his new carbon fibre mast.
The other boat down getting ready was Final Fling and while they were not ready, Sean slaved away while the girls had fun in other boats.
There were rhumurs that class captain Peter O’Donovan was planning further aggressive campaigning in his new lark, but it may have been too windy for him today.
The dingy park is now filling up and hopefully next week we will build on our heady number of 2
UPDATE 26/05/2011
The Forecast for last night was all but predicting the end of the world. but this was not to discourage the brave men of the National 18 fleet, for we had a plan and a man to see it through to the end (PETER).
Last night Five 18′s left the marine with blue and grey firefly sails, which are about 50 – 60% of normal white sail area, the forecast was for 30+knots but as we were heading out the river it was barley 10knots, I recall thinking to myself “if this wind does not start to pick up we are all going to look a bit foolish with these sail up” but it was not long before the breeze was starting to hit 20+knots, from WSW which also made it very shifty coming over the hill. The first race was won by the O Donovan Brothers two up on Muchadoo, Tom Crosby Second and Tommy Dwyer third. Race two saw even more breeze and some very exciting reaching and the heavy weights on Happy Days sail to victory from the O Donovan Brothers and then Tommy Dwyer. thanks again to Kieth and his Dog for doing the OOD.
I must say it was a great night, we will be hoping to introduce a system where every boat can get a set of old sails cut down to around 70% of Original size for around €150, this should ensure that we continue to get good numbers even when the wind picks up past 20knots, the boats are great fun in those conditions and its a pity we don’t do more of it. Sat is the last races in the Mackey Trophy and it is still all to play for for a few boats.
UPDATE23/05/2011
Last Saturday was another poor turn out with only two boats turning up for sailing, the weather forecast did not help the situation, with forecasts of gales. But that did not stop the two brave and fearless crews (GBU and Aquaholics) going out for racing in 25kts with gust well into the 30kts range. it was a great day out with good sunshine and some really exciting planning conditions, the conditions started to worsen and the racing was canceled in the end after a ripped mainsail put one of the two boats out of commission, but it just goes to show that the boats are well able for 25kts and we should be more inclined to venture out in these conditions. Looking forward to seeing ye all on Wednesday, it looks like we might be getting over 10 boats on the water.
UPDATE 19/05/2011
Last night saw the continuation of the heavy breeze for May, with 15knots dropping off to about ten by the end of the evening, we got a 2011 record of 8 boats on the start line, with the most wanted list being reduced further thanks to Colin Chapman, Tom Crosby and Peter O Donovan. Race one went to the Aquaholics closely followed by the Barry Brothers and Tom Dywer. Race two saw the Aqua lads unbeaten for 2011 record continue with Tom Crosby and the Barry Brothers close behind.
People must still be trying to find there sea legs again after the long winter break, as we saw a number of near and one definite capsize last night.
Thanks again to Kieth for running two very good races for us last night. hope to see ye all on the water for Saturdays big race!!!
UPDATE 17/05/2011
UPDATE 12/05/2011
UPDATE 09/05/2011
Rory Fitzpatrick in his new boat, he is hoping to compete in the Opi worlds this year. We caught up with him just off the Whit Sunday Islands doing some research into the most comfortable position to sail his highly classified newly designed Opi, which is also rumored to have a full IRC Cert for sailing Class 4 on a Thursday evening.
UPDATE 05/05/2011
It is amazing what a one hour, three men and a lot of elbow grease will do for a boat, we are hoping to have the mast standing by next Wednesday night on the Flying Dutchman, but even then there is a lot of bits and pieces that are needed to get her back on the water, so any old ropes, sheets, halyards or block you may have lying around please feel free to donate them to the res-erection of the flying Dutchman.
UPDATE 01/05/2011
Two National Eighteens hit the water yesterday, competing in two different event,s at opposite sides of the harbour, The Barry brothers in Happy Days sail to victory in the Brooklands Cup. While on the other other side of the harbour Myself and my Crew (Donal Hegarty and Graham Marron) won the river race. The standard of Competition in both events was very high with two boats finishing the Brooklands Cup and a grand total of one boat finishing the river race. Well done to all for the effort and we hope to see more boats on the start line for next Wednesday nights start to the Mackey Trophy, a league which traditionally attracts very good numbers.
UPDATE 25/04/2011
I hope ye all went away with the family and enjoyed the weather we are having at the moment, because as of next weekend the National 18′s will want your undivided attention for six months. we have two boats in the dinghy park, mine and Pete’rs will be down during the week, so get the finger out and we will have a lovely BBQ, watch Munster win and sail around the river, a prefect day for all the family.
UPDATE 20/04/2011
The river race is fast approaching and there is still only one Boat in the dinghy park, if the numbers improve by the 30th we will be doing the following to try and make it a good day for all the family.
1. BBQ lunch Food in the club at 12pm €10 p/p
2. Munster match at 1pm (Pints are optional at own expense)
3. River race F.G at 4pm
4. Prize giving 5.30 in club bar.
Please try and make it for this it will be a great day if we can get the numbers and will help ensure good numbers feeding into the Mackey Trophy.
UPDATE 07/04/11
That what I like to see, Rory Fitzpatrick leading by example. Fir Bolg is the first Eighteen to return to the dinghy park, some early reports are coming in about the trip it made from Wietze’s yard, by all accounts it was touch and go for a while if they would make it or not. well done Rory I hope this is a sign of your commitment for the year?
UPDATE 05/04/11
The 2011 season is nearly on us with just three full week left till the river race on the Saturday the 30th of April, check out the calendar for more details, it is time to wake up the sleeping beasts from a long winters hibernation, drag them from what every makeshift structure or garden that they called home for the past 6 months, our spot at the top of the dinghy park is ready for us and will soon be the proud home for 21+ National Eighteens. this season should be a really good one with the Cock on home waters and looking set to go down in the history books as the largest ever recorded gathering of National Eighteens, so please for the sake of history lets get out early this year and make the whole year one to remember.
Kieran.
