Bala long distace race pics

return to Bala

after the race Saturday i forgot an item i left on the boat,so an early start was made to get to Bala , no wind was foecast so it was a boat bimbling day as well. helped Sailing with Dave with his boat launch after hearing his tales of Anglessy then we moved down to sort out the rib, stupidly i forgot to pack the pump so good job Dave was there too . i went to Black Magic took the cover off which was looking good, i did this by whizzing around the boat in the rib much easier, then a quick pump of the bilge , recover the item and then set about a clean down and tidy out of rubbish. removed a few fenders and the seat that to me got in the way, then onto putting the new boat name on the boat , the old ones peeled off nicely. i was surprised the stickers had a coating that couldnt be removed and added to the fact i didnt get them on straight didnt help. i did a practice gaff raising and took the mizzen out for storing away. sorted the mainsheet rope as it was wrongly fed and stopped for lunch with Dave who was doing his tentt project. after i went back and stored the boat away and cover which worked better off the boat than on. returned to shore and packed the rib away. whilst talking to Dave the wind picked up and got quite fresh where was that from as not forecast, on leaving Bala the rain started and poured down untill i reached the far end of the lake then it was into sunshine again. a good days work sorting and away from home for some peace.

Bala Long Distance race

well an early start to Bala , get the dinghy ready motor out to Black Magic, undo the cover which was full of water , pump out the bilge , do the mizzen and bumpkin put the main up and foldwhich later unfolded as did the job cos i undid a wrong rope. then i went to see who was around see what the course was , help Nic on Elizabeth Rose, then as i was walking back to the far end Ritchie shouted someone wanted to crew. so James Macyntyre umped aboard who also had a cruiser and we set about getting off the mooring. we did ok and found out afer a few manouveres the ropes were not right. with 43 boats on the start line it was a bit hectic . i found myself in the middle while most were on the far pin, i went on port tack but this was a mistake as the besty wind was the left side we dropped behind bigtime, we got things sorted on the boat and settled in James was a good crew and sorted things while i helmed or vice versa. the wind came in fits and starts, Black Magic heeeled over nice and then powered up, with alot more tacking just to get into the middle of the lake we eventually rounded the windward mark to be greeted by howard on safety taking a few snaps. the return leg was a reach/ braod reach down the middle but again we were wrong and should have gone to the left side again(rightside going lol) we eventually made it to the leeward mark and greeted by rob on oboat sayinmg we would be finnished but with no hoot as others were still going. time was 2h25 and 1h25 from the other mark. we then worked our way back to the mooring and packed the boat away and put on its new cover, looking very smart. i was tired after packing the rib in the car and headed off home. very pleased for my maiden sail on Black Magic very sedate boat