Bell Lawrie Scottish Series 2001

Ramblings from WCA member Colin Holden (Hunter 707 “Pond Life”)

This year we thought we would try something different, (We being the rabble from the Sonata “Saraband”!).

 Full of youthful (?) enthusiasm and having managed to win the Sonata class at last year’s event we thought we would try the Sports Boat class this year. The motley crew persuaded me that a 707 would be a good idea and we managed to locate one (never raced or rallied) for sale in the North East of England. Having parted with the necessary funds last October and insured it with SAGA, it was parked in Hughes driveway whilst we sailed Saraband in the winter series (2^nd again!), and planned how to tackle the problem of needing one extra crew for the 707. This was soon sorted as Kevin, erstwhile substitute crew on Saraband had the necessary qualifications (Weird sense of humour, lighter than the rest of us, so he could go round the foredeck when we tacked and he drank beer).

 Crew sorted, we came to the really difficult decision that is what the name of the boat would be. Most of the list was not suitable for publication and the rest would have got us arrested. It was then that we went back to our roots, where do we sail? On the pond (Windermere), hence “Pond Life” a name that describes where we come from and most of the crew! It caused amusement to the organizers and the team loud shirts added value!

 The boat was well equipped when purchased requiring only a new mainsail to complete an otherwise new set of sails. The running rigging was updated using dynema and we were ready to give it a try as soon as the Winter Series was complete. Then came foot and mouth disease. Saraband had to stay on my mooring until the restrictions were eased. We decided not to put Pond Life on the Lake due to the possibility that restrictions would be tightened and we would not be able to get the boat off again in time for the Scottish Series.

 So, new boat, untried by us was towed to Tarbet on the Friday afternoon prior to racing on Saturday morning. Hugh, Dave and myself launched the boat, rigged it (with the benefit of the class tuning guide and Hunter Boats original instructions that came with the Boat) and met James and Kevin in the Pub later!

 We showed Kevin and James the boat for the first time and then left Tarbet Harbour on Saturday morning working out which bits of string did what and where we all should sit (except for Dave who did the usual sit at the back, grumble and remember to duck routine). Two races to complete and the learning curve kicked in steeply with a deserved eighth and an improving fourth. Back to the pub to work out what else we could do! (Eat less, drink less and get lighter was soon dismissed). The other 707’s beat us and were willing to give us advice and assistance some of which we were able to make good use of. We rearranged one or two things on the boat and set off on Sunday morning to manage to get worse again with a sixth and a fifth! Still we improved on average! Winning the Sports Boat Class was not going to be easy. Back to the drawing board, we decided to do it our own way and changed things again, then went to the pub (again).

 Monday was windier and three races were programmed. We had done something right and the boat was alive, we had stopped falling over each other and managed two seconds! Now that’s better, then a sixth, (that must have been when I dropped the spinnaker in the water).

 Tuesday was windy again and the two windward leeward courses were set, the boat again went well and a second and a third brought us up to second overall in the sports boat class and winner of the 707 class. Excellent result! Made better by beating all three of the “works” entered RS K6 keel boats. (I can’t bring myself to call them sports boats).

 The 707 is not one of the fastest sports boats around, but on the windy days managed over six and a half knots to windward and almost twelve downwind with no trauma and we know there is a lot more to come. Since the Scottish series the IRC rating has been reduced from .940 to .928 and that should now make the boat competitive in handicap fleets.

 Pond Life is now back on Windermere on its mooring at the back of Belle Island and if any of you see us on board and want to try your hand then let me know. A fleet of these things on Windermere could be very interesting.