Good progress is being made towards getting the clubhouse, boatshed, slipway and training boats and gear ready for the new season. Thank you to everyone who has been busy over the winter and yesterday getting everything shipshape for 2017. 

More than 30 members and cadets were busy yesterday morning doing many of the jobs on the list including scrubbing the kitchen from top to bottom and left to right, throwing away junk from and tidying & cleaning cupboards, burning the rotten wood, refitting doors, whiteboards and noticeboards, moving a big pile of clay, painting in and outside the club and working in the boat shed.

The plan to jetwash the sundeck and screw down some loose timbers turned into the much larger job of taking the whole thing up because the supporting frame was rotten. A new frame now needs to be built before the newly-cleaned surface can be refitted. 

A group of members have been busy over the last few weeks sorting out the training store, gear store, boats and boat shed. Wetsuits and buoyancy aids are ready for the new training season following a dip in disinfectant, a good wash down and a drying. The training store now feels twice the size.

Some work has been done on the slipway steel structure and all the bolts, nuts and accessories needed to complete the laying have been bought. 

There are some jobs that remain to be done. If you have an hour or two, the list of remaining jobs is on the newly-fitted Social Noticeboard by the kitchen. Email hernebaysailing@btconnect.com if you want to do a task but aren't sure where the tools, parts etc. are to do it. 

 Look forward to seeing you at the Curry Night on the 3rd March, the Rules Night on the 24th March and for Slipway laying on the 1st April.

Clare

Sailing Rules Evening 24th March 2017.
 
As most of you will know the rules of sail racing undergo review every 4 years. The changes for 2017- 2020 came into effect in January and can be found linked here -2017 rules of sailing. There are not any major changes. However, Herne Bay Sailing Club will be holding a session on the 2017 racing rules which will be hosted by Head of Sailing at Kings School Canterbury,  Sam Brearey (About Sam).
 
Start time will be 7.30pm the bar will be open and tea and coffee available.
 
The session will be interactive/discussion based and will include the 2017 changes and questions and answers.  To facilitate all levels of knowledge and to cover areas that interest you we are inviting you to submit questions, scenarios, or preferences of rules to be covered. These can be sent to Laurie Dengate (contact details on Dutyman). Closing date for submissions is 18th Mar 17.
 
Summary of changes
18. Mark roundings.
18.2. Has a new clause, mark room clarification.
18.3. Tacking in the zone, has been changed so it only applies at port hand rounding marks.
19. Room for Obstruction, clarification about overlaps and marks.
20. Room to tack, rewritten for clarity, but with much the same meaning.
21. Exoneration, generally speaking this rule has had some housekeeping covering what happens when you are forced to break a rule.
22.3 (Backing a sail) now applies to a boat moving sideways by backing a sail (sometime used at a start line).
24.2 Rewritten, interfering with another boat.
30.3 New "U flag" rule. This is a variation on the black flag which doesn't carry over to successive starts.
32.1. and 32.2 (Shortening and abandoning) changes that are mainly housekeeping.

It's time for the first Curry Night of 2017.

Advance booking essential as ever, but first and foremost volunteer chefs are needed please.

Club slow cookers available if needed; all expenses will be reimbursed. 

Contact Viv (her contact details are in Dutyman) or email hernebaysailing@btconnect.com to book in or to offer to make a curry. 

7pm for 7.30pmish, pay on the night and children are welcome.   
 
Look forward to hearing from you and, even more, to seeing you on the 3rd.

All the best.

Tony & Viv