Hi all,

the annual Victorian F16 State Challenge will be held at Portland 5-6 April 08. Sailors from all states are welcome, it's closer to S.A. than it is to my home in Vic. (that's a not so subtle suggestion for the crow eaters <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ).

All cats that fit into F16 welcome, Blades, Vipers, Taipans, Mosquitos, Cobras etc. if you are not sure if your 5m or under cat is eligible just ask.

More info as we get closer. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hi Gary

We're welcome to participate with or without spinnakers as I've read in message recieved yesterday, which is good, cause no-one in Portland has one to my knowledge.

Regards

Gary,
Thanks for the advance notice.

Just re read your post cause for a second I thought it may only be open to Mexicans.

I should have a boat by then and hope to come along.
Regards,
Phill

Hi Matt,

wasn't relying on local boats for the spinnaker fleet, Gordon and Jenni won the event last year on their Taipan with spinnaker. The winners get to nominate where and when the event is held the next year, Portland was their choice, good idea as it will allow S.A. F16's to participate.

Happy to have all 5m cats on board, with or without spinnaker. But expect the courses to suit spinnakers. Have previously had non spinnaker cats compete. But it is first past the post, no handicaps. In the past we have had awards for classes of boats within the fleet, so if you get enough non spinnaker Taipans there, no reason why you can't have a award within those boats. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hi Gary

Sorry there wasn't anything stand offish in my post, if it came across that way, just relaying the message I recieved a couple days ago from Marcus, which said with or without kites.

Theres probably at least 6 that I know of that would sail without, maybe a couple more if we mustered them up.

For those that haven't been to Portland, its a really nice place to sail and hang out, nice waters, which is probably why they chose it.

You could find some photos of the harbour through Google to have a look.

Regards

Does Portland Yacht Club have a website? I have considered going down in the past but haven't been able to find much info.

Regards,

Chris

Hi Mr.Squiggle

No it doesn't and information on the YachtingVic site is a little dated.

Dennis Baker, Luke Donovan, Brad Hein are a few of the Taipans that sail out of Portland, and visits every now and again by Noel Grellet, who like me has no or not enough water at home.

Regards

Hi all,

it's getting close now. Notice of race is on the way. Look forward to seeing all those S.A. boats soon.

Hi all,

Notice of race is complete. PM me your email and I can send it to you.

Asking around it looks like there will be 10 plus Vic boats and about 1/2 that from S.A.. Made up of Blades, Taipans, Mossies and the first Vic. appearance of the Viper?

Greg hopes to have the second boat in OZ there, to my dissapointment, he hasn't taken the challenge of racing me one up on it <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />, but intends for his sons Brett and Liam to sail it <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />. They will be hard to beat, with Bett's experience crewing the Capricorn and Liam being a top cat rig Taipan skipper, never mind the fact they have sailed nearly everything on two hulls since they could walk. They will be hot <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />.

I have been trying to tell Greg he should sail Liam's cat rig Taipan, as it will be available <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, but no luck yet <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. This is looking like the biggest F16 event in OZ so far, so if you are interested in F16 make sure you are there.

Here's a direct link to the Notice of Race (pdf).

F16 State Challenge 2008 - Notice of Race

Just a couple accommodation options for those interested.

The Centenary Caravan Park, Unpowered or Powered Sites and Cabins. 0355231487. I've always stayed here for regattas and will do again this time.

The Claremont Holiday Village, Cabins and Sites available, I've stayed in a cabin here once to attend a wedding, quite a nice place.

The www.richmondhenty.com.au for motel accommodation close to the yacht club.

I would say the Centenary and Claremont are about the same distance away, about a 5-10 minute walk.

Regards

Hi all,

more accom info.

Thankyou for your enquiry into Portlands only Beachfront Van & cabin Park. We are situated 5 kilometres form the centre of town, on the north shore.



Prices are as follows:



unpowererd site for 2 people are $20.00 per night

powered site for 2 people are $25.00 per night

budget cabins with shower and toilet for 2 people $60.00



A 10% discount is availble for those staying 2 nights or more by mentioning that they are comming down for the F-16's


If you have any further queries please contact me either by phone, fax, email or snail mail. My contact details are at the end of this email.



Kind Regards,



Wendy Cauchy

Proprietor



Henty Bay Beach Front

Van & Cabin Park

342 Dutton Way

Portland

Victoria

3305



Ph: (03) 5523 3716

Fax: (03) 5523 3186

Quote
In 2 weeks we have the F16 challenge in Portland Victoria we will have boats from multiple builders and we will see how close the racing is. I have my Taipan and although I have been in a cast for the last 6 weeks it not going to stop me from showing how quick it can be.I would like scales to be there so I can get an official certificate but seeing there is no formal association yet I doubt this will happen.In time Associations will be formed then things like rules will then be able to be amended at this time nothing can be done until this happens. If you like what you see you will join in if you don't there are plenty of other way's to have fun on the water.

--------------------
Danny
Taipan F16
Aus 332
End Quote.

Hi Danny,

good to hear you will be making the F16 State Challenge despite your foot problems <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

Look forward to a good weekend of socialising and checking out other F16's, with serious on water racing, but no carry on about weights and stuff. This will be the first getting together of purpose built F16's in OZ and as you say we can get more serious in the future events.

Can't wait to get there, sailing F16 is what it is all about, more fun than anything else you can do on the water <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Howdy All,

Aus 403 & Aus 404 (Aus Blades) will be there.

We hope to bring some digital scales for those wanting their boats weighed & measured.

Weather forecast doesn't seem to bad.

Hi all,

weather forecast looks OK for Sat. Sun. Temp. around 20 degrees, offshore winds around 8-14 knots, seas shouldn't be a problem in what the locals tell me is a sheltered bay. Well that is my reading of the forecast from. www.seabreeze.com.au Check it out for 7 day wind and wave forecasts.

Looks like great spinnaker conditions <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

I will be leaving Paynesville Tuesday as I have to tow the Blade to Echuca first, work conference <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. Then will leave Echuca for Portland Friday, will have towed boat aprox. 920km to get there. Not bad when you think this is all in the second smallest state in OZ. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

It is going to be a difficult conference, day dreaming about sailing all the time. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Won't be back to computer till Monday, so just hang on for results or see you there <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

Oops just realized this weather sounds like what I posted for Easter regatta. Looks like I will Jinx the forecast again <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />.

Are there going to be any factory demo boats there that you guys know of
regards

If Gary is there then the Aussie Blade demo will be there as well !

Wouter

Hi all,

The FCA Blade Aus400 is available for Demo, outside of race times. The schedule is pretty tight being 4 races a day, but I am sure someting can be arranged, if not on the weekend another time can be arranged.

Just spoke to Greg, the Viper is on the wharf in Melbourne so they are expecting to attend. So will be a few boats to look at. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Time to hit the road, catch you all next week.

Hi All

I'm not there today, going down tomorrow, but about 12 knots today, and by the sounds of it they put in 5 races today.

The younger generation of the Goodalls are winning at the moment with 3 firsts and 2 thirds.

I don't have much more info than that at present.

Here's the final results so the analysis can begin

I'll put up all the races with times once I have them in HTML.