Cruiser Class

Class Description

The Cruiser Class is an active class comprising boats of many different varieties from Dragons to J24s to Beneteaus to First to Legends. Racing takes place about every second week from April to October. Each weekend comprises two days racing with usually 2 races per day. The days racing is usually followed by a social gathering in the Clubhouse bar.

There are a number of “Special Events” each year which include the long distance and the 2 stage race, which runs usually from the club to a specific location somewhere on the lake, a short stop off for refreshments either on a barge or a waterside hostelry, then a race home. It is hoped to introduce as many new people to sailing this year as possible with the introduction of the policy that “Nobody will be left ashore” All members are encouraged to bring a friend / partner / colleague who hasn’t sailed before, and everyone is welcome.

The whole ethos of the Cruiser Class is fun. Each member can decide to make it as competitive as they wish and you can be sure they will all find someone else to match themselves against.

Cruiser Class 2012

Welcome to the 2012 sailing season.  The season will, hopefully, run as smooth as last year's season and many thanks to Mark Rafter who looked after the cruiser fleet so well and I want to wish Mark every success with his new endeavours.

A few things we need to do this year: we need to relay the marks up the lake before the season opens in April so help will be needed with that.  Also, the positioning of  the PRO anchors needs to be addressed (as some of you know its quite deep at mark nine and is very difficult to hold station in heaver weather conditions, that's if your anchor line is even long enough), so there might be slight changes to the 2012 course card in relation to where the PRO starts the race.

We hope to run a very basic PRO course closer to the start of the season.  It will cover starting/finishing, where to position your boat, timing, flags and, most importantly, anchoring, so please let me know of your interest even if you're not on the PRO list this season.  (You will be next year!!!!)

Agreed at the Cruiser AGM was the introduction and use of VHF radio by the Race Officer to assist with starting of races, change of courses, moving marks, etc.  Again, let me know if you would like to do a VHF course and I will see about arranging a date if we get numbers (the use of VHF radios are restricted and a licence needs to be obtained from the Director of Telecommunications to use such a device).

Sailing numbers were reasonably strong last season but we do need to get more involved in cruiser sailing on a regular basis so if you know a friend or two please do invite them along for a spot of yachting!  And maybe they will enrol in the Adult Sailing Course later in the season or at the very least take a drink in our lovely bar.

 Finally, a big well done to the Lough Ree boats Jeb Stuart, Javelin and Aquadizziac who took part in the J24 Europeans in Howth.  Javelin returned with the "Old Boat Trophy", with Aquadizziac taking a spot prize on the last day.  Best of luck with the 2013 World Championship qualifiers, with away events in Howth YC, Lough Erne YC and the final qualifier at home here in Lough Ree at the J24 Nationals.

That's it for now, hopefully see you all soon.

Stan Bradbury stanbradburyjnr@gmail.com