Cowes 2014 Update

[Carl]

think it was a split fuel tank

[Banana Shark Dave]

Last year we made enquires about entering the CTC, we were given the wrong information about our eligibility to race and were told we couldn't enter.

After rereading the rules a few weeks later we discovered we were, just eligible with something like 300mm to spare. After pointing out the rules, reluctantly we were told we could enter.

However with the list of items required in order to make our boat meet the desired spec, we would have needed to spend around £1500. We met constant hurdles all the way, here are a few of them.

I have around 800 race starts in various different classes, however I was deemed to need further training. Amongst my numerous qualifications I am a RYA Powerboat Inst, however that's not acceptable.

In certain classes of racing where 12/15 boats arrive at the first turn thats a few hundred meters from the start, I can understand the need for further training. However in marathon racing do we really need to pay hundreds of pounds to be "retrained"???

I have recently enquired about entering RYA club class unlimited, I was told that a brief explanation of the new rules since I last raced would be enough and they would like me to change my seats, easy.

This is close knit high speed racing were your competitors can be and are regularly a few feet away, bouncing around at speeds up to 70mph, not just little blips just visible on the horizon!

The entry fees for boats my size are unrealistic, my boat on a good day might fetch £25000 not a £1/2 hundred thousand. Make it affordable, surely it has to better to take a few hundred pounds instead of nothing. Bare in mind that someone like me will burn an easy £600 in fuel.

I'm sure there was issues with not being able to enter on an event/day licence and that a full licence specific to marathon racing was needed. Again very expensive given this is the only marathon race we would compete in.

Rules like single engined boats having to carry another engine, this is rather impracticable. I'm sure I don't need to explain why. However we are fully paid up members of SeaStart. In the event of a breakdown, I'm happy to toss my anchor over the side or drift whilst Sea Start come and collect me, why aren't the race organisers???

There are numerous other hurdles and hoops to jump through, but I'm sure everyone has caught my drift.

The reason you have so few entry's to this race is because it's so damn hard to enter!!!

We will however support this years entry's as we did last year, by providing safety cover. I wish the entrants the very best of luck and would say you have survived the toughest part............being eligible to race!!!

[Carl]

good post

[Dozzer]

We now have a healthy entry list for the race, and with a few stragglers we may hit 18-20 Marathon race boats at the start line which will be off Cowes this year, so something to celebrate finally with racing in the Solent again.

I did not have any input with the rules that are in PB1 2014, and I agree that the licencing criteria is not easy to meet and the licence seems expensive if you are only doing one race (I have just paid for mine).

I would like to say a big thank you to all the safety boats and helpers who will be assisting us with the race, we really appreciate your help.

Good luck

Dorian Griffith
Cowes Torquay Cowes Event Director 2014.

[Ciao]

Originally Posted by Banana Shark Dave

However we are fully paid up members of SeaStart. In the event of a breakdown, I'm happy to toss my anchor over the side or drift whilst Sea Start come and collect me, why aren't the race organisers???

Good luck with Sea Start across Lyme Bay

[biffer]

There are alway people out there to help you out should you break down, it's the nature of boating I think the rules are designed to make it as difficult as possible to create work for them

[Mike Lloyd]

Just had this notice from one of our very competent "Pirates".

"If you know anybody looking for crew/nav this Cowes/Torquay I would cost share",

Any race team interested please PM me and I will put you in touch.
ML.
.

[Banana Shark Dave]

Hi Ciao

Thanks for posting the pic for Sea Start, I didn't realise that there wasn't continuous cover along the south coast.

However if we read the page you took the pic from they do say if conditions are suitable they will go beyond there normal area. For an extra fee, of course.

http://www.seastart.co.uk/membership/area-of-coverage/

Failing that and as I'm sure you are aware, on a rising tide you will be pushed east and on an ebbing tide west. A check of the tidal atlas has just confirmed this. So in fairness it's not going to be to long before you drift back into there catchment area, although I appreciate that isn't an acceptable bail out plan.

There will also be people like me, who will come and rescue the competitors if they should need it, although again that can't be relied upon.

As the rules stand I would have that outboard strapped down in the back somewhere, not mounted and ready to go.

I have to say unless the conditions were anything other than flat calm, there's no way I would attempt to mount a 30kg outboard on the back of the boat through fear of loosing it.

Anyway this aside, let's look at the benefits of making the race more accessible to smaller boats.

Potentially this could become a very well supported race and bring in considerably more income from sensibly priced entry fee. Maybe a few hundred pounds for boats under 28". It would attract more support I believe from the local councils if there were more entry's and far more interest from the public.

I think the media would pay more attention with more entry's and the possibility of getting Sponsors for the event would only increase.

If you look at the old footage on YouTube this race always had many entry's in the 20"+ range.

[Banana Shark Dave]

Mike Lloyd I would be interested in buying a seat and sitting quietly in the back,
Should the opportunity arise.

However this would mean one less safety boat I'm afraid.

[Ciao]

Originally Posted by Mike Lloyd

Just had this notice from one of our very competent "Pirates".

"If you know anybody looking for crew/nav this Cowes/Torquay I would cost share",

Any race team interested please PM me and I will put you in touch.
ML.
.

No - Contact Dorian Griffith - The Event Director - >>

http://cowestorquaycowes.co.uk/contacts/

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Ciao

No - Contact Dorian Griffith - The Event Director - >>

http://cowestorquaycowes.co.uk/contacts/

And there you have it, you can't even have guests on your boat, they have got to have some insurance led HSE, and rules about that, just another nail in the proverbial coffin, I will apologise if I've got it wrong, yeh right!

[Mike Lloyd]

Originally Posted by Ciao

No - Contact Dorian Griffith - The Event Director - >>

http://cowestorquaycowes.co.uk/contacts/

Correct Biffer, and there you have it indeed. Ciao needs a "bore snake" - which would cure his problem without a doubt.

Fun terminology used by ex Armed Forces personal!!

Back to the thread.
ML.
.

[biffer]

Originally Posted by Mike Lloyd

Correct Biffer, and there you have it indeed. Ciao needs a "bore snake" - which would cure his problem without a doubt.

Fun terminology used by ex Armed Forces personal!!

Back to the thread.
ML.
.

My old man would call them, fun sponges

[Martin The Talker]

CTC Race - 2014

Well, we have 14 "CTC" entries listed, & I understand that there are three more "possibles" making 17 in all, if they all get to the start line.

With all the negatives around these days, it is interesting to note that quite often in the past, there were many fewer entries for the CTC Race in some years past.
I think my memory is correct that there were sometimes only 6 or 7 boats running the long course.
What has 'distorted' the view of "then & now" was that, in "T.P's" days as organiser, there was also a parallel event running, Class 3 - 2 litre Worlds, or similar, thereby making a large fleet present in the CYH.

There will once again be the ever growing CLASSIC RALLY taking place on the same weekend, & based in the South Basin of the CYH. Probably over 30 classic powerboats/cruisers will take part, & will be out on the Solent too !

[Banana Shark Dave]

It would be really good to see the short course organised again.

It was well supported.

I have been told the reason that it doesn't run is because of the Bournemouth Airshow, but surely the course could be altered, perhaps smaller still with more laps.

This would give people something to come and watch and maybe turn this event around and make it the Great Event it once was.

[Banana Shark Dave]

Powerboat P1 very sensibly had Thundercat Racing follow them all around Europe from around 2005.
It gave the crowds something to watch.

Even 14 boats going past only takes 1 minute at best. With the short course running they can see some action while they await the return leg of CTC.

[billy no boat]

Morning

Looking to get out to watch the start but will be land based this year.

Great that the start is from within the Solent but any idea where best viewing point will be given i don't have a fancy camera?

Im guessing even high up above leap beach im not gonna get a great view?
Prehaps down at Hurst castle again? Could anyone tell me what time the start is and what sort of time we could expect them through Hurst on the way out?

Also (sorry for all the questions) does anyone know if dogs are allowed on the beach at Hurst?

Thanks in advance

[Dozzer]

All the info is on www.cowestorquaycowes.co.uk.

Enjoy the view!

[Banana Shark Dave]

Watched some footage of the CTC from 1970 yesterday. 57 Entry's!!!!!!

Yes 57 Entry's from 18 foot long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ciao]

Originally Posted by Banana Shark Dave

Watched some footage of the CTC from 1970 yesterday. 57 Entry's!!!!!!

Yes 57 Entry's from 18 foot long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That year the smallest entry was the RIB entered by John Caulcutt - Psychedelic Surfer - 21'.

I thought you were going to race at Folkestone?

Was looking forward to having a chat with you and watching you race.