Regular (as in sailing!) old Wednesday Salts will remember the Pinnacle Micro Wednesday Evening sailing events with great fondness as they always provide many willing bodies wanting to bob on the briny, loads of giggles and some spectacular partying. The computer networks around Port Elizabeth have been known to slow down and run on fumes on the following Thursday as a result of the assorted geeks and geekettes celebrating Hump Day with a vengance.

The annual Pinnacle Micro Wednesday Sailing event hits ABYC once again on 17 February. Pinnacle clients wishing to sail will arrive at the club at 17h00. The chickens will arrive from 18h00

What a pity Cooking is not back in the water. We remember taking some 'Pinnacle Poppies' out in a stiff breeze which knocked us over onto our side dragging our guests along for a bit of 'half submerged swimming'. Only one came back for more, the rest scuttled off to get changed into dry clothes never to be seen again - What FUN!

Eats and drinks are being provided for invited guests and sailors along with live music and a mystery prize.

In the past Pinnacle have brought in excess of 100 guests to what has become a much anticipated event.

So, this is a clarion call to all boat owners to make themselves and their boats available on 17 February.

The Chartroom present a Valentines Day lunch for normal people - as opposed to those slightly salt water for blood persons who serenade their floating wives every Wednesday and Weekend ........

R150 per person gets you:

Starters
Tiger prawn cocktail salad
Selection of assorted sushi
Pot breads served with pates
Tomato and mozzarella salad topped with basil pesto

Mains
Carvery of scotch fillet steak glazed with grain mustard served with selection of salads and fondant potato
Stir fried chicken egg noodle chow mien in oyster and plum sauce
New potato butternut and baby marrow with green chard stroganoff in garlic cheese sauce
Served on barley rice infused with roasted onions and garden peas

Sugar rush
Mango Panna Cotta
Double chocolate brownie
Ice cream and chocolate dipped with strawberry

For bookings telephone: 041 585 2893

Sailing at Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) had gone into recession thanks to the October Storm damage to the marina. But you can't keep a good thing down for long.

Sunday the 7th February saw 12 ABYC keel boats and 3 dinghies muster on the start line for the first official race since the marina disaster.

Once the shipping movement was complete the race committee started the reverse pursuit race (all start together and sail out on a set course, after a set time all turn around and sail to the finish. Your speed or lack thereof is your handicap).

The start of the race showed the lack of practice as the first boat was 15 seconds late and the last just over 3 minutes late (they were fined 1 carry pack of beers for the late start) The wind was the predicted SE 8 knots, the course St Croix Island. The fleet left the harbour in a stately procession, what a great sight, all heading out to sea. The conditions changed very slightly as the wind swung slightly into the South South East still between 5-8 knots. Exactly one hour after the start the sailing commodore gave the radio instruction to "turn and come back home".

For all those having lunch in the restaurant they had more than their fair share of the wonderful ambience the ABYC Restaurant offers. 14 yachts sailed to the finish line right at the entrance to the moorings and all within 10 minutes. Some boats were "dicing" to the finish. It was quite spectacular to have 3 boats finish seconds apart on a 50 meter long finish line.

First home were the old men of the sea on Maricia, followed by Spirit of Gardiol, then together Con Brio, and the 470 Dinghy 222 and Fuzzy Bosworth on an Xtra, They were followed by Talisker, High Spirit, Whisper, Jouster, Aon, Bonita, Sea Mole, La Chevalier. Odessy did not cross the line as they were concerned about the constraints the line posed on such big boat (they would have been third). A very big thank you goes to Odessy for hosting the students from Rhodes University Sailing Club for the week end.

The prize giving was held on the balcony, the prizes being sponsored beers. Amid much mirth and hilarity beers were awarded and confiscated (due to late start) and couple of booby prizes were awarded.

The consensus was that it was a great fun event, all got to the pub together and most of all it was great to be sailing again. It was such a great day that Aquabrat didn't finish the race, they went on sailing (they said it was too good out in the bay).

Philip Stunden

Just imagine: Sitting on the deck, a cold frosty dripping by your side, sunshine and SUSHI.

Could make anyone forget that they had work to do, couldn't it?

Leave your comments about the new menu at the Chartroom below.

The Eastern Cape Inter Club regatta was held at Redhouse over this past weekend (23 and 24 January 20009).

I seem to recall that inter club was held at Redhouse last year as well after Mossel Bay, Knysna, Redhouse and ABYC agreed in 2008 to rotate the inter club on an annual basis between the different venues. Cest la'vie.

ABYC had only TWO entrants in the large fleet approaching 60 strong - Thomas Ochabski on a Laser and Andrew Bosworth on his trusty Extra.

Thomas managed to cover himself in glory by securing third place in the Men's Fleet - well done Thomas.

High (164 kilometre and hour) winds on Monday night 26 October 2009 dealt one more devastating blow to the Algoa Bay Yacht Club as the marina buckled under the onslaught of the wind and waves. A mere three years ago, on Sunday 21 May 2006, the Algoa
Bay Yacht Club was the victim of an extensive fire which neccesitated the rebuild of the entire club at a cost of R2.8 Million.

On Tuesday 27 October shaken yacht owners gathered to count the cost. With buckled walkways, sunken fingers, a 16 ton breakwater pushed 30 metres closer to shore, five yachts sunk and every single other boat in the marina having suffered some form of damage from being holed or extensively sctratched the marina and yacht owners considered their options.

The first order of business was to clear the water of floating debris and establish which yachts had sunk and where - as the marina had shifted shorewards and towards the fishing jetty breaking into 'islands' as the night progressed.

Trailer-able yachts and those in imminent danger of sinking were removed immediately and stored on land provided by the NPA in a magnanimous gesture of marine camaraderie.

Clearing and retrieving of broken marina sections took up until the third week in November. Divers swept the harbour floor daily, marking heavy equipment and sunken yachts with buoys.

Twenty three yachts were identified to be taken out of the water, by the ABYC Disaster Mangement Committee under the guidance of Vice Commodore, Sean Wiseman.

Cradles had to be sourced and built before this operation commenced and negotiations with crane hire companies began. Protec Crane Hire, acknowledging that the marina is an asset to Port Elizabeth and a valuable jewel in the Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism crown, made their cranes and staff available.

Under the guidance of ace weather forecaster, Mike van Wyk, suitable days were chosen for commencement of this mammoth task.

Over a period of four days twenty two yachts have been lifted out of the water with Thursday 3 December the day that the heavier boats in excess of 10 tons could be lifted by the Protec 100 ton crane.

First out of the water was Timshell at 11 tons. Timshell is a wooden canoe stern boat and was lifted with little effort onto Stu Davidson's loadbed.

At 14 tons, Sereia, a Lavranos 43, was a little trickier to take out of the water. On the first attempt the forward slings slipped as the lift commenced, lurching Sereia back into the water. A heart stopping moment for owner Albert Dias and his R1 million investment. A small adjustment and the 100 ton Protec crane lifted Sereia clear onto a waiting loadbed.

The Marina Rebuilding Plan will now commence. All indications are that to rebuild an entire 125 berth Marina will cost approximately R4.2 Million. This cost will be divided between each Marina owner who, depending on the value of recovered marina parts, will have to pay between R24 250.00 and R33 750.00.

Looming on the horizon is the NPA's insistence on charging a 'market related' rental to all tenants on their land and water. The NPA proposed rental increase for the marina is a whopping 244% to R50 000.00 per month.

Coupled with unrealistic ' market related' increases yacht owners now also have to contend with repairs, insurance excesses and increased insurance premiums.

When Mother Nature shows her teeth everyone gets bitten!

This week's specials at the Algoa Bay Yacht Club Chartroom Restaurant:

TUESDAY: Quarter Chicken. Served with Chips & Veg

WEDNESDAY: Savoury Mince Pancakes. Served with Salad or Veg

THURSDAY: Liver & Onions. Served with Mash & Veg

FRIDAY: Hake & Prawn Combo. Served with Rice & Salad

All Specials only R39.95

Visitors and Non-Members Welcome

The first sailing regatta to be sailed out of ABYC after the disastrous break up of the Marina on 26 October was the ABYC Summer Dinghy Regatta from 21 to 22 November 2009.

Saturday, 21 November was blown out and Sailing started promptly at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday 22 November 2009. Race Officer Ronnie Baer elected to sail short course Triangle, Sausage, finish races in the harbour area.

A total of seven races were sailed in ideal Westerly flat conditions with the top mark close to the Chokka Boat Jetty.

The Top three finishers:

1. Jesse Martin - Optimist
2. Sarah Arnold - Laser 4.7
3. Wayne Watkins - Laser Radial

Click Here for ALL the Results.

Thanks to the bridge crew - Chad Jackson and Ronnie Baer, Mark Laying and Rescue - Kerry Bonnage and Darryl Garner.

Andrew Bosworth (Extra), Wayne Watkins (Laser), Dave Moorcroft and Jason Schaeffer (470) and Steve and Debbie Arnold (Dolphin)

Andrew Bosworth (Extra)

Jason Schaeffer and Dave Moorcroft (470)

More images on MyPE.

At 9:15 p.m. on Monday 26 October the gale force winds battering Port Elizabeth became too much for the Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) Moorings and they snapped around 30 metres from the shore ensnaring the Flamenca, Fandango, belonging to Chad Jackson, between High Spirt (Greg Ochabski) and Talisker (Ian Bancroft).

The image above is a BEFORE and AFTER aerial view of the ABYC Marina. More Images here.

Further movement of the moorings towards the fishing jetty rendered the walkway impassable, denying boat owners access to their yachts.

At the end of the first mooring leg Rob Butler, on his trimaran Scrimshaw, frantically tried to save his boat from sure destruction as the moorings shifted inexorably closed on his boat in a pincer movement. The high winds and rising waves surging down the channel ground the moorings closed around Scrimshaw and NSRI Rescue 6 Alpha plucked Rob and his son, Andrew, off of Scrimshaw to safety as the boat tilted at a 50 degree angle.

Boat owners scurried frantically back and forth retrieving valuables and inserting fenders in an attempt to stop further damage.

At 11:30 p.m. Patrick, from Port Control, reported wind speeds of 78 knots. Port Control is designed to yield to the wind and rock back and forth. Now, I have been there in 30 knots of wind and don't want to experience 78 knots!

Worried owners paced back and forth watching the howling wind and waves, forced to listen to their boats crying in agony as they scraped against one another and the mooring fingers.

With predictions from Port Control of the wind only abating at 6:00 a.m. weary owners set up a watch system and retired.

The destruction of the Marina has put a huge dent in the ABYC Sailing season and visiting yachts are having difficulty in finding mooring berths as they travel up and down the coast.

As at 12 November 2009 most of the yachts that occupied destroyed moorings have been taken out of the water, some are on trots and others occupy positions on the 'floating islands' that are left.

The Algoa Bay Yacht Club Pleasure Craft Marina directors estimate that they will be fully 'open for business' by June 2010 again.

ABYC Marina Destruction Images.

ABYC Summer Dinghy Regatta to be sailed on the weekend of the 21st, 22nd November 2009 out of the ABYC Yacht club

NOTICE OF RACE

1. ORGANISING AUTHORITY

The Algoa Bay Yacht Club

2. RULES

2.1 The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) 2009/2012.
2.2 Boats participating in this regatta shall conform to the Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS),their respective Class this Notice of Race, and the Sailing Instructions.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

3.1 In accordance with the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Regulation 19 (Eligibility Code), all competitors (helmspersons and all
other crew) shall be members in good standing of a Yacht Club affiliated to and in good standing with SA Sailing or their Member National Authority in the case of non-South Africans. The Yacht Club name and membership details shall be stated on the entry form or crew list. Current valid South African Sailing Membership Cards or similar proof of MNA Membership in cases of non-South Africans shall be presented at Registration.
3.2 The regatta is open to all Classes
3.3 Eligible boats may enter on Saturday before racing from 9am until half an hour before the first race at ABYC.
3.4 Entry Fee; R10 per boat

4. CLASSIFICATION

The ISAF Sailor Classification Code, Regulation 22 shall apply.

5. SCHEDULE

Saturday: Registration from 9am up until 30min before first race. First race not before 2pm.
Sunday: 1st race not before 9am.
Results will be read out after last race at ABYC

6. NUMBER OF RACES

Saturday - push for 4, Sunday - no more than 3, 4 races will constitute a regatta.

7. MEASUREMENTS

Each boat shall produce a valid measurement / rating certificate. In addition the spot measurements may be taken at any stage during the regatta.

8. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Sailing Instructions will be available from the Regatta Secretary on completion of registration formalities.

9. VENUE

Racing will take place north of the harbour entrance at the oyster beds, weather dependant. A novice fleet will be run in the harbour close to the yacht club

10. COURSES

The Courses will be on the notice bored before the race.

11. PENALTY SYSTEM

For all catamaran classes Rule 44.1 is changed so that the Two-Turns Penalty is replaced by the One-Turn Penalty.

12. SCORING

12.1 The Low Point System of Appendix A4.1 will apply.
12.2 Four races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
12.3 (a) When fewer than 5 races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores.
(b) When from 5 to 9 races have been completed, a boat's series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.

13. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. Neither the Organizing Authority nor it's officials or other persons associated with the organization of the event will accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta

14. INSURANCE

Each participating boat is encouraged to be insured with a valid third party liability insurance recommended to have a minimum cover of R1,000,000-00 per event or the equivalent. Should insurance not be carried, the offending party must be prepared to pay for damages incurred

15. SAFETY

There will be support boats to assist the sailors. Life jackets must be worn at all times.

16. FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please contact David Moorcroft on 0833710152 or Jason Schaefer on 0791806348