Meet the Fleet
Fleet Members:
Richard Allen - 912
Richard Bland - 810
Matt Jackson - 821
Sean Pratt - 964
Peter Shaw - 978
Chris Wright
Name: Richard Allen
Nick name: Yoda (well it was better than Friar Tuck... and his Merry fleet of...) –Seriously you have no say in your nickname.
Boat: RS700 – 912 – Won the award for most tatty sail (Billy-no-mates regatta 2007)
How long have you been sailing the 700? About 2 years now.
How long have you sailed? As long as I can remember. I used to hate sailing when I was a kid, used to scare the crap out of me!
What boats have you sailed in the past? Pretty much everything, most notably; Topper, GP14, 420, 505, Dart 18, Laser4000, RS800. I would love an international 14 one day when I’m rich and famous… Loads of big boats too and windsurfing for when its blowing dogs off chains and everyone else is cowering in the club house.
Why sail the 700? It just happened. I was very happy with my RS800 but I got fed up of trying to find crew (with my reputation nobody will sail with you!) The 700 was the closest thing I could think of to the 800. How wrong was I!
It’s an amazing challenge but when you get it right the grin factor is great, blasting down wind with your hair on fire at ‘oh my god’ speed. (Oh I don’t have any hair!) If a fatty like me can do it then it must be easy…
Best advice: TIME ON THE WATER… KEEP IT FLAT… COMPETITION IMPROVES YOUR SAILING…
What is it all about for you? 1. Fresh air, 2.Keeping Fit, 3. Having a Laugh with like minded friends, 4. I’m an adrenaline junky, 5. Boat bumbling, 6. Mustn’t forget those cups of tea in the club house.
Name: Richard Bland
Nick name: Noball - actually FuzzBall would be more appropriate right now!
Boat: RS700 - 810
How long have you been sailing the 700? Since September 2007
How long have you sailed? Since 1969 on and off. Dad taught me in the Mirror, I crewed - we got to 10th in Midland Areas (120 on start line in those days!!). I learned to sail with, and often crewed for, the legendary Mark Rushall, he was really good even at 15; we swapped boats for a race, he still beat us by the same margin; magic on water that man.
What boats have you sailed in the past? Mirror, Cadet, Laser 1, Laser 2000 (5th Inlands 05), RS800 (lark, enterprise, otter, firefly, wayfarer, swan 51, dehler 21, sunfast36ish, bavaria....wahler plank, F2 bullit, bic techno... )
Why sail the 700? I was bullied into it by Yoda and the Pirate. I only wanted to ask about a Drascombe Lugger, or a k**l boat, but they kept on at me until I yielded to try out the RS loan boat. I fell in love at first hoist, of course, and now have a lovely relationship with a not-so-young, but "beautifully preserved" 700 of my own. Like most performers she likes to be properly prepared, and to this end, I have her laid out on the lawn while I tend to her gunwhales and baby-bars. On the water we're still learning to keep her mast pointing at the sky through the tricky bits, but we're getting the hang of it fast, so look out you bounders - there's always someone on starboard just below the layline; tack or dip?... your problem.
Best advice: Choose "nice" days to start with; you learn the technique quicker if you're not just trying to survive.
What is it all about for you? 1. Sailing very fast 2. Grinning all day 3. Sailing faster than anyone else 4. Bimbling my boat in the sunshine 5. Drinking beer afterwards 6. Talking sailing after that.
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Name: Matt Jackson
Nick name: Eagle Eye Jackson
Boat: RS700 - 821, a lovely example.
How long have you been sailing the 700? 1 year… (I think more like 18 months+ ed)
How long have you sailed? Sailed for about 10 years.
What boats have you sailed in the past? Topper, Laser 1, Laser 2, Iso, RS400, RS800, RS700, Bavaria 32, Bavaria 36 and a 10 ton Bavaria 40?
Why sail the 700? For the crack !, and I enjoy the process of it all. It makes you laugh when you fall out.
Best advice: Hold on to your hat.
What is it all about for you? 1. Drinking tea in the club-house, no sugar - lots of milk please 2. Trying to beat some one while actually sailing 3. I like to keep it up as long as possible
Name: Sean Pratt
Nick name: Psycho (More the counselling type rather than axe murderer)
Boat: RS700 - 964
How long have you been sailing the 700? Since November 2006
How long have you sailed? Since 1976 on and off.
What boats have you sailed in the past? Heron, Mirror, Enterpise, Fireball, Lark, Laser 1, Hurricane 5.9.
Why sail the 700? I wanted a challenge, despite my experience I have never sailed a skiff, never sailed asymmetric, never single trapezed, and never of racks! I bought this boat I could not sail!! Crazy? Maybe, but what a beautiful boat, when you get it right she rewards you big time. One year on I have all of the basic skills needed and am looking forward to getting quicker and racing.
Best advice: Keep at it don't give up find people that encourage and advise. Listen and act on the advice. I am the newbie to skiff sailing and the guys in this fleet have been great.
What is it all about for you? 1. Having a laugh, 2. Having a laugh 3. Getting better and racing for fun.
Name: Peter Shaw
Nick Name: Pirate Pete
Boat: RS700 - 978
How long have you been sailing the 700? Since October 2005
How long have you sailed? Since a boy.
What boats have you sailed in the past? Cadet, Lark, GP14, Laser 1, Laser 2, Laser 5000, RS800, and RS700.
Why sail the 700? I enjoy a quiet relax on the water after a busy week with hair on fire. It's pleasant having a jaunt around the lake on those windy days when others fear to venture out.
Best advice: Talk a good talk. The motto for my sailing is 'The older I get the better I used to be'
What is it all about for you? A great bunch of similar minded folk experiencing the same thrills and spills with an enthusiasm to see the class develop. Bring on 2008 - let the competition begin!!
Name:Chris Wright
Boat:RS700 - 926
How long have you been sailing the 700? Since July 2007
How long have you sailed? Since 1973
What boats have you sailed in the past? Grad, GP, Enterpise, Ospray, Lark, Laser 1, Laser 4000, Laser5000
Why sail the 700? Had my car blocked in by Richard’s car, Peter had my left arm over my right shoulder. Richard had hidden my RS600 sail, post it notes of RS700 for sale stuck all over my car.
Best advice: Take out life insurance. Keep away from k6 keels as half a mast is not fast. Always stand up. Get Richard Stenhouse DVD K16 taking control.
What is it all about for you? Having fun with a nice lot of people.