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As the season draws to a close and my term of office comes to an end, it's a good time to look back at the highlights of the year, but also, and more importantly, what comes next.The three Golden Jubilee events were certainly a success, to the great relief of the Committee. We learnt that our membership likes to leave their commitment to the last minute, resulting in a few sleepless nights as the numbers stayed depressingly low in the weeks before each event.
The turnout for the dance eventually reached 260, the 'Waverley' cruise hit 525, and the Portavadie Muster saw 50 boats (24 racing), with close to 200 at the BBQ. To the relief of the Treasurer, this ensured our costs over the three events were covered.
My enduring memories are of the 500 smiling faces aboard the ‘Waverley’, and the boatshed at Fairlie Quay, which turned out to be a superb dance venue much to everyone’s surprise. The Portavadie Race, Class 4 start in White Bay is also memorable due to the numbers crossing the line at speed in the fresh south-westerly. If only we could see similar turnouts for our other musters. More on that later. Of course, without the generosity of our Sponsors, life would have been much more difficult. Many thanks to Fairlie Quay Marina, Portavadie Marina, and Ian Sawkins of Boatshed Scotland for all their support. It wouldn’t be a season in Scotland without some weather issues. Three of our six musters were badly affected, and despite shuffling the venues, numbers were down at Holy Loch and Wreck Bay. With the prospect of gale force southerlies, the Kames muster was cancelled. This was a great disappointment, with Paul Rae’s excellent programme for theevening going to waste. 4 boats with eleven crew braved the elements and held an improvised muster in Port Bannatyne marina.
The Fairlie Patch race fleet enjoyed some good racing with numbers holding up well. With up to twenty boats taking part, Class 2 was highly competitive as usual, with ten boatsregularly turning out. The new Class 3 also proved a success for the smaller boats. It was great to see Martin Wilson’s gaff rigged ‘Mollusc’ turning out regularly despite his unreasonable CYCA handicap. Hopefully something more realistic can be arranged for him next year. Kip’s numbers continue to be disappointing. A strong turnout in Class 1 tailed off as the season progressed, and only a few boats showed up in the other Classes. The poor support of our passage race programme also gives cause for concern. A reasonable number of entries in the restricted sail class are balanced by a dwindling turnout in the spinnaker classes.
Our resident qualified Race Officer, Pete Wright, was the common thread in 3 of our open events this year. The Icebreaker Regatta and Training weekend at Ardrossan in April again proved popular. This event not only provides some excellent racing on Pete’s short sharp courses, but superb coaching from RYA coach Barry Dunning, who’s enthusiastic and supportive style proved popular with the crews. If you haven’t already tried it, book the weekend in 2012. Pete set a temporary start line to the north of Cumbrae for the 4 classes competing in the
Race to Portavadie. With the help of the fast rib from sponsors Portavadie Marina, he also set up the finish line outside the marina without interrupting his lunch! The Cumbraes Regatta has it’s origins in the ‘Round Cumbraes Race’, a long standing co-operation with our friends at Largs Sailing Club in the early years of FYC. It is therefore appropriate that we provided race management and results service for the keelboat classes. Building on the high quality racing and social program this year should see this event return to an eminent position in the Clyde Racing Calendar. Many thanks to Pete and the other volunteers for raising the profile of the club so effectively. After a breezy start to the Autumn Points Series with gusts up to 36 kts, the 15 strong fleet has enjoyed some excellent racing on the first three Sundays up at Kip. West to North West winds have dominated proceedings so far, resulting in some interesting start line incidents and tactics in the shifty conditions. In Class 2 in particular, racing has been tight, with just seconds covering the bulk of the class on corrected time.
The Future
We all enjoyed this year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, which were conducted in the best traditions of Fairlie Yacht Club. The first 50 years are behind us, and now we need to look forward to ensure the continuing success of the club in the years to come.The last few years have seen a steady decline in participation in racing, not only in our club, but in most of the clubs across the country. This prompted the CYCA to commission a region wide survey a few years ago, and early this month a well attended seminar was convened in Glasgow to discuss the issue. The RYA also have a number of initiatives under way to encourage more participation in our sport. No doubt the current financial situation plays a big part, but also changes in the way people spend their leisure time in the 21st century must have an influence. Weather permitting, support for the cruising and social side of Fairlie Yacht Club continues to be strong, but complacency would be ill advised. Perhaps we should change some of our muster destinations, or move the ‘beach’ musters to June or July to take advantage of the generally more benign weather patterns in those months? Holding the marina based musters early or late season may help alleviate the vagaries of the weather at these times. Moving the opening muster to Holy Loch this year certainly held up the event on what turned out to be a very wet weekend. Clearly some changes are required to attract more members to the Passage Race Series. This could be a change to the race format or the handicap class splits. Similarly, the situation at Kip must be addressed. Despite suggestions elsewhere that racing at Kip is to be abandoned, I can assure you that the Committee will continue to support mid week racing at Kip next season. I have had an encouraging response from concerned members with some fairly radical ideas on the table.
Each class needs a further 3 boats to be out consistently to provide the quality of racing needed to prevent boats moving away or staying in the marina. Some of the suggestions received include running an ‘introduction to racing’ course over the winter / early season for Kip berthed owners. Club training funds could be used to provide on the water race training during the season. Avoiding dates when other major events are happening may encourage better turnout. Some way of joining forces with Fairlie based Class 1 boats for a series or two, may provide better competition for both fleets. A Club presence at the Kip and Largs Boat Shows may raise the profile for potential racer.
All of the above issues are to be discussed at the Club AGM on Monday, November 28th. The turnout at the last couple of AGMs has been very disappointing, and I would encourage all members to consider giving up a couple of hours on a Monday evening to attend and take part in the conversation. Inverclyde Sports Centre is a comfortable venue, and refreshments are provided. The bar will also be open. Several vacant positions on the Club Executive Committee need to be filled. It is vital that we find enthusiastic volunteers.
Most importantly, a Race Secretary is required for Kip, and a Vice Commodore and Race Secretary are required for Fairlie/Largs.This is a chance for some of our considerable racing community to make a difference to the fortunes of the Club. We hold 8 meetings during the year, currently at the Glynhill Hotel, just off the M8 Paisley/Renfrew turnoff. Most of the ‘donkey work’ takes place during the winter, so during the season the main task is keeping the programme on track. You will always find plenty of advice on hand, and fellow Committee members to help out when required. If you would like to discuss any of the vacant positions or indeed volunteer, please drop me a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07884490979.
Fiona Houston informs me that she has some stock of Golden Jubilee Coasters and Mugs left over. Give her a call on 0141 882 2200 (Autograph Signs) if you would like to acquire some of these collector’s items. After many years in the position, Bill Bower has decided to stand down as Editor of the Yearbook. Bill has been a great servant of the Club in many other roles including Committee Member, Commodore, CYCA rep, Moorings and Jetty Convenor, and maintainer of ‘Fairlie Castle’. He is currently involved in organising repairs to the Jetty, which was damaged by the runaway barge in Fairlie Bay. Many thanks to Bill, and Rosemary, for doing a great job with the Yearbook, which is avital component of the Club. Although at times it’s been a fairly hectic year, with periods of frustration and elation, interspersed with moments of panic!, I have enjoyed my second year as Commodore. I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues on the Committee for their support and encouragement during an ambitious program of events. In particular, thanks to Keith and Fiona Agnew who keep the Club ticking over behind the scenes with a steely determination.
See you at the AGM ! Best Wishes
The turnout for the dance eventually reached 260, the 'Waverley' cruise hit 525, and the Portavadie Muster saw 50 boats (24 racing), with close to 200 at the BBQ. To the relief of the Treasurer, this ensured our costs over the three events were covered.
My enduring memories are of the 500 smiling faces aboard the ‘Waverley’, and the boatshed at Fairlie Quay, which turned out to be a superb dance venue much to everyone’s surprise. The Portavadie Race, Class 4 start in White Bay is also memorable due to the numbers crossing the line at speed in the fresh south-westerly. If only we could see similar turnouts for our other musters. More on that later. Of course, without the generosity of our Sponsors, life would have been much more difficult. Many thanks to Fairlie Quay Marina, Portavadie Marina, and Ian Sawkins of Boatshed Scotland for all their support. It wouldn’t be a season in Scotland without some weather issues. Three of our six musters were badly affected, and despite shuffling the venues, numbers were down at Holy Loch and Wreck Bay. With the prospect of gale force southerlies, the Kames muster was cancelled. This was a great disappointment, with Paul Rae’s excellent programme for theevening going to waste. 4 boats with eleven crew braved the elements and held an improvised muster in Port Bannatyne marina.
The Fairlie Patch race fleet enjoyed some good racing with numbers holding up well. With up to twenty boats taking part, Class 2 was highly competitive as usual, with ten boatsregularly turning out. The new Class 3 also proved a success for the smaller boats. It was great to see Martin Wilson’s gaff rigged ‘Mollusc’ turning out regularly despite his unreasonable CYCA handicap. Hopefully something more realistic can be arranged for him next year. Kip’s numbers continue to be disappointing. A strong turnout in Class 1 tailed off as the season progressed, and only a few boats showed up in the other Classes. The poor support of our passage race programme also gives cause for concern. A reasonable number of entries in the restricted sail class are balanced by a dwindling turnout in the spinnaker classes.
Our resident qualified Race Officer, Pete Wright, was the common thread in 3 of our open events this year. The Icebreaker Regatta and Training weekend at Ardrossan in April again proved popular. This event not only provides some excellent racing on Pete’s short sharp courses, but superb coaching from RYA coach Barry Dunning, who’s enthusiastic and supportive style proved popular with the crews. If you haven’t already tried it, book the weekend in 2012. Pete set a temporary start line to the north of Cumbrae for the 4 classes competing in the
Race to Portavadie. With the help of the fast rib from sponsors Portavadie Marina, he also set up the finish line outside the marina without interrupting his lunch! The Cumbraes Regatta has it’s origins in the ‘Round Cumbraes Race’, a long standing co-operation with our friends at Largs Sailing Club in the early years of FYC. It is therefore appropriate that we provided race management and results service for the keelboat classes. Building on the high quality racing and social program this year should see this event return to an eminent position in the Clyde Racing Calendar. Many thanks to Pete and the other volunteers for raising the profile of the club so effectively. After a breezy start to the Autumn Points Series with gusts up to 36 kts, the 15 strong fleet has enjoyed some excellent racing on the first three Sundays up at Kip. West to North West winds have dominated proceedings so far, resulting in some interesting start line incidents and tactics in the shifty conditions. In Class 2 in particular, racing has been tight, with just seconds covering the bulk of the class on corrected time.
The Future
We all enjoyed this year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, which were conducted in the best traditions of Fairlie Yacht Club. The first 50 years are behind us, and now we need to look forward to ensure the continuing success of the club in the years to come.The last few years have seen a steady decline in participation in racing, not only in our club, but in most of the clubs across the country. This prompted the CYCA to commission a region wide survey a few years ago, and early this month a well attended seminar was convened in Glasgow to discuss the issue. The RYA also have a number of initiatives under way to encourage more participation in our sport. No doubt the current financial situation plays a big part, but also changes in the way people spend their leisure time in the 21st century must have an influence. Weather permitting, support for the cruising and social side of Fairlie Yacht Club continues to be strong, but complacency would be ill advised. Perhaps we should change some of our muster destinations, or move the ‘beach’ musters to June or July to take advantage of the generally more benign weather patterns in those months? Holding the marina based musters early or late season may help alleviate the vagaries of the weather at these times. Moving the opening muster to Holy Loch this year certainly held up the event on what turned out to be a very wet weekend. Clearly some changes are required to attract more members to the Passage Race Series. This could be a change to the race format or the handicap class splits. Similarly, the situation at Kip must be addressed. Despite suggestions elsewhere that racing at Kip is to be abandoned, I can assure you that the Committee will continue to support mid week racing at Kip next season. I have had an encouraging response from concerned members with some fairly radical ideas on the table.
Each class needs a further 3 boats to be out consistently to provide the quality of racing needed to prevent boats moving away or staying in the marina. Some of the suggestions received include running an ‘introduction to racing’ course over the winter / early season for Kip berthed owners. Club training funds could be used to provide on the water race training during the season. Avoiding dates when other major events are happening may encourage better turnout. Some way of joining forces with Fairlie based Class 1 boats for a series or two, may provide better competition for both fleets. A Club presence at the Kip and Largs Boat Shows may raise the profile for potential racer.
All of the above issues are to be discussed at the Club AGM on Monday, November 28th. The turnout at the last couple of AGMs has been very disappointing, and I would encourage all members to consider giving up a couple of hours on a Monday evening to attend and take part in the conversation. Inverclyde Sports Centre is a comfortable venue, and refreshments are provided. The bar will also be open. Several vacant positions on the Club Executive Committee need to be filled. It is vital that we find enthusiastic volunteers.
Most importantly, a Race Secretary is required for Kip, and a Vice Commodore and Race Secretary are required for Fairlie/Largs.This is a chance for some of our considerable racing community to make a difference to the fortunes of the Club. We hold 8 meetings during the year, currently at the Glynhill Hotel, just off the M8 Paisley/Renfrew turnoff. Most of the ‘donkey work’ takes place during the winter, so during the season the main task is keeping the programme on track. You will always find plenty of advice on hand, and fellow Committee members to help out when required. If you would like to discuss any of the vacant positions or indeed volunteer, please drop me a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07884490979.
| Diary Dates | |
| November 12th | Annual Dinner Dance and Prize Giving. Another excellent Paul Rae Production at the Glynhill Hotel. Ticket price held at 2010 level. |
| November 28th | Annual General Meeting (and race discussion night) Inverclyde Sports Centre. |
| December 2 | Stuart MacDonald Talk on his round the world progress. Largs Sailing Club. |
| January 2 | New Years Races at Largs and Kip |
Fiona Houston informs me that she has some stock of Golden Jubilee Coasters and Mugs left over. Give her a call on 0141 882 2200 (Autograph Signs) if you would like to acquire some of these collector’s items. After many years in the position, Bill Bower has decided to stand down as Editor of the Yearbook. Bill has been a great servant of the Club in many other roles including Committee Member, Commodore, CYCA rep, Moorings and Jetty Convenor, and maintainer of ‘Fairlie Castle’. He is currently involved in organising repairs to the Jetty, which was damaged by the runaway barge in Fairlie Bay. Many thanks to Bill, and Rosemary, for doing a great job with the Yearbook, which is avital component of the Club. Although at times it’s been a fairly hectic year, with periods of frustration and elation, interspersed with moments of panic!, I have enjoyed my second year as Commodore. I would like to thank all my friends and colleagues on the Committee for their support and encouragement during an ambitious program of events. In particular, thanks to Keith and Fiona Agnew who keep the Club ticking over behind the scenes with a steely determination.
See you at the AGM ! Best Wishes
