8.5 Newsletter #21 July 2010

Race Day 7 of the Winters Series is this Saturday 24th July of the Summer Wednesday and is the second Windward/Leeward race day - 3 races back to back -the forecast (at this stage) is looking good: 15knots and no rain.

The winter series started where the summer left off with the first 3 or 4 races held in over 20knot with close fast racing -this did take it's toll with a current count of two broken dagger boards, one flip, two cracked cases, and a tramp ripped off for the series so far. This has affected the fleet numbers a little as boats regroup - but the weather seems to have settled a little and the last race even saw the welcome return of Hooters who unfurled their transparent light weather code zero and wiped the boards. There was even a pod of killer whales seen swimming through the fleet off Devonport in the last race. Deeds as ever has been performing well and leads the line and handicap results (see attached pdf's for results for series). Enthusiastic and dedicated newcomers to the class Putiki Express and Tigre have been trading handicap placings with Putiki currently looking to win their $100wager on handicap result. The next race is this Saturday-the second of the two windward leeward race days -three races back to back -this is bound to be well contested -get out there.

The AGM for the club is this coming Thursday 29th July 7.30pm. Jason is retiring as class presidente and Mark J also retiring though both want to remain active in the class. If you have some ideas for the 8.5's that you'd like implimented come to the AGM, get on the committee and lets get them happening.

After 7 years Bill Barry has sold Voom and is standing down as the measurer for the class. Bill has had a huge input and influence over the class from its beginning, first as one of the writers of the rule along with Andy Stone and Andrew Kensington through to a solid 4 or 5 years on the committee organising or inspiring many successful events and consuming many heiniken in the process. Bill owned several GBEs -heavily modified along the way- and will always be an innovator, we look forward to seeing what his next boat will be and what he does to it!

Bob Fisher has volunteered to take up the role and will answer any rule queries -contact bobfishermarine@hotmail.com

It is a little down the track yet but we are keen to get at least six 8.5's entered for the coastal this year and get our own results. Contact Greer if you are considering entering and the class will attempt to pool resources to try and ensure a good level of entries. greer_houston@hotmail.com

There are some moves to create a series of berths for multi's running stern to off the VWX walkway at Westhaven. Already three 8.5's have expressed interest and if this is something you'd like to happen please contact Sabine and confirm: Sabine.Oesselke@aucklandcity.govt.nz

· ‘Rental' is still getting new foils.

· ‘Akarana Express' is still getting a new coat of paint.

· ‘Creepy' is in Little Shoal Bay recovering from the last windward leeward race day

· 'Tigre' has been working steadily on breaking every foil in the boat.

· 'Deeds' is in line for the receipt of some diving accessories after the last windward leeward day

· 'Voom' has sold -welcome Mr & Mrs Clipper to 8.5 racing -we are looking forward to seeing Voom flying a hull

· The ‘GDT’ is out there under her new owners and racing in the occasional winter series race

· Lucifer has been out of action over the winter with Laurie contesting a number of match racing regattas and coaching in Europe

· rumours of various small scale experiments with lifting foils .... with a view to scale up to 8.5 size.

· ‘Still on the Hard’ (drive) is just about ready to relaunch...ok this is rumours and lies

· JT's Tri all ready for first launch -rig has been in; sails are made; Summer just needs to arrive

· GDTII shooting for a Summer launch -The Demon tri, the JT Tri and GDTII will be an interesting line up in the latter part of the summer.

· 'Borderline' -has a new very stiff carbon rig in -now for the bowsprit and dolphin strikers

· after a very successful couple of years racing the Bellingham brothers have put Attitude on the market and have imported a formula 28 which doesnt fit the rule in any dimension (but length) but is none the less a very interesting craft - closer to a beach cat than an 8.5 it has apparently done the Round Britain

· Threading 1: Samin's progress on the (not) Green Death Trap II Tri http://crew.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14012

· Threading 2: Greg W's progress on his Tri, turned over last month http://crew.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14022

· Threading 3: The Ezifold team's progress on their folding tri http://crew.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=13303

· The ongoing 8.5 discussion thread on Sailing Anarchy http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?s=a5e0c98d8b9e3f962787c9e6084f7cd5&showtopic=105529&st=300

· A very reasonably priced series production Grainger 'Icebox' from Thailand: http://www.thaiboating.com/2009/icebox.html

· Kiwi designed 8.5 cat with significant input from Bill Barry: http://www.morganyachtdesign.com/8.5class.html

· Impulse:$20k http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Yachts-sail-boats/Moored-boats/auction-268799383.htm

· Hooters: $50k and with reportedly 17 sails and new everything –step on and go racing. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Yachts-sail-boats/Moored-boats/auction-285736355.htm

· Attitude: $57,500 highly successful race career and all spec'd up for cat 3. Go break some records. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Yachts-sail-boats/Moored-boats/auction-290532330.htm

· Freedom:$50k all the gear and all new everything after refit http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Yachts-sail-boats/Moored-boats/auction-300852187.htm

· 25 ft Farrier Trimaran Fire 'n Ice $55k http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Yachts-sail-boats/Trailersailers/auction-302182836.htm

· The Second SSANZ Two Handed race (the 60miler) is on the 14th of August only $50 entry fee. Go to http://www.ssanz.co.nz/events/index.html?id=58

· the triennial 8.5 class meeting.....

Please email tmcdowell@vodafone.co.nz if you wish to be removed from the 8.5 email list -or- if you know of people who might be interested in hearing from us please forward their addresses-and we are keen to email your crew directly so send us their contacts too.