Lough Foyle Yacht Club

All the usual preparations were made, marquee set up, new ladies changing room installed, sandwiches made, teas, coffees, soups, cakes. The Lough Foyle Punts were gathered in the boat yard….but alas it was blowing a gale and the Punts could not sail. We all held on through the morning to see if the Dinghys would sail. At 3.00pm the OD said OK to launch. Just three GP14 class boats ventured out in very strong winds.

Here are the results and times:

Times were very close. Race two was decided by just a second with less than a minute between first and third. Many thanks to the sponsors and the event organisers and to all those who came down to the point to support the event.

Earlier that day there was a boat naming ceremony as Ken D launched his new Punt

Why do people make such a fuss about launching a boat? It is because of the analogy. A boat carries you across the water – through life to your destination – heaven. A boat is crewed by family – it has value – like land, except it is not stable and travels through waves and wind the most ephemeral and powerful of things. People christen boats with Champagne and babies with water but the symbol is the same – to mark a new life and the voyages within. Yes, I am certain it is the analogy that causes people to make a fuss and that fuss making is somewhat glorious.

And so it was with the launch of Ken D’s new boat; a Lough Foyle Punt that he made himself. Here he is pictured with his crew Stuart D and Ciaran H and his wife Joan. It is a family and community occasion most certainly worth marking. So, simply to say fair winds to Wild Wing III.

Strong winds tonight. Anton H went out with Bill J who assured him it would be very easy and a nice wee sail. No sooner had they launched except the wind picked up and was extremely shifty with much leaning out and jumping back in.

Great to see Ciaran and Eva M out sailing again and doing very well. A good win for Kevin T in his Laser.

A different group of sailors out tonight and a change in the usual results order. Congratulations to George G for a nice win. Great to see Joy W and David T out sailing again.

James P H going well in the Phantom. First over the line in Race 2 but when the LFYC handicap is applied drops back to second. Ken and Davy L still absolute stars over all in light weather.

Sailing tonight in Culmore Bay, a good breeze F4 or so.

Good to see Jack H out sailing again having returned from his adventures in Mexico with the Sea Shepherd organisation

Racing in Culmore Bay, F4, Strong tides. Great to see Eoghan O Grada out racing.

A beautiful day for sailing. Windy at first then eased.

An evening of strong winds then very little wind but an ever increasing tide. Getting around the mark on the second lap at Harts was the key, if you did and completed the race if not you didn’t complete the race.
Welcome (back) to James H Snr in his new Phantom and very nice new sail. Fair wind!

Should we start the Phantom fleet of Ireland? The population was once 3, now just one again. They never quete prospered and they never seem to die away. A difficult boat to sail but very rewarding when it goes right.