Hi all Western Victorian Mosquito Sailors,

What clubs are you guys sailing at?

The most I'm aware of is at Derrinallum, currently 5-6 boats.

Ross at Stawell, a couple of boats around Warrnambool although not overly active. A few more spread around in surrounding towns but again, not very active.

So what is the name of the club at Derrinalum and where do they sail?

Google is our friend.

Derrinallum Yacht and Power Boat Club

Deep Lake
http://derrinallum.vic.au/deep-lake

Thanks Matthew, Yes, thats the situation.

Although we are in the unfortunate position of requiring above average rainfalls for our lake to be topped up every couple of years at least and this hasn't happened since 2010. We have enough water at the present time, but another hot summer and we may struggle, so we are hoping for a bit more rain by the end of spring. That being said, we have a couple of alternatives should it become necessary.

We are currently the strongest (in numbers) cat club in the region with as I've said 5-6 Mosquitos and 3 Taipans, for the size of our lake this is a great sight to see.

The active Mosquitos are of around the 1100 sail numbers with one in the 1600's and the one I've recently picked is one of probably 3 or 4 others around the town that are mid to late seventies build. So all would be in +65 category.

So, in this tiny little rural town I would guess and I'm sure there are some I haven't discovered there would have to 8-10 Mosquitos, as they were the weapon of choice in the Western District in the 80's and 90's.

Are you sailing the mosquito instead of the taipan now Matt? What prompted the change? (sorry if you have discussed this already elsewhere ...)

I am always interested in hearing about people's experiences sailing different boats.

Not sure I could give up the Taipan, I spent two years part time building it, it has served me well and I enjoy sailing it, I will no doubt do a few club races with the Mosquito, as I wait for a new design rear beam to be released or replace my existing traveller car, with another from Goodalls which may involve buying a new rear anyway, so I may as well wait for the new release, I'm told possibly 6 months away. I sailed a Mosquito prior, I still have it also, and my brother has one as well at my parents farm, stored away and waiting for renovation.

I bought the Mosquito 'Sticky Finger' as it has history with a very good family friends of mine, I knew it would probably go to waste after it was evited from its shed, I will more than likely sell the Mosquito eventually, hopefully to a local. I need to first make a couple of minor repairs and repaint the decks at least and buy and fitout a new mast.

Matt,

the best way to speed up the new back beams is to order 10 Goodall Design 430s, that way they'll use up their existing stock and have to hit the go button on the new beam.

Remember too that even if we get a vote through to allow the new Goodall back beam it wont take effect until the end of next season.

I am under the impression the new rear beam will measure for a Taipan.

Thanks Matt

Must be frustrating having the a Taipan out of action. It's a challenge when parts are hard to come by.

Matthew

Not really hard to come by, but the traveller car I need is no longer made, however Goodalls still have some in stock. Unfortunately due to the amount of cars and beam being similiar they are reluctent to sell one without the other, so do I buy a new car (and beam) and then next time have to replace the whole lot again anyway, or wait for a new design that will suit cars that will be off the shelf? Not sure which way to go.

Anyway, having the Mosquito I will still get on the water either way and thats what its all about..

I sail at Derri(Sundays)and occasionally at Warrnambool (Saturdays).

There's a Mosquito in the WYC's yard that hasn't been moved for ~2years now and is owned by a guy with the surname of Dawson, don't know much more about him but the boat appears to be in sailable condition although would be rapidly approaching a re-decking from being out in the weather all the time.

There's also one in an open paddock just outside the township of Lake Bolac (its at the first house you comne to as you enter the town on the Mortlake-Ararat Rd).... its condition is not healthy and is fast approaching the point of no-return.

There's a couple of others that are hidden away in farm sheds and one that rotted away under the pine trees not far from me, about all thats left is the trailer axle /springs / part of the drawbar / and a mangled mast from cattle stomping all over it.

The owner died a long time ago and the son just left everything his dad owned lay where his dad had put it.



Couple of things puzzle me.....

why the interest Gary ???
you moving to a better part of the state !!!

&

why doesn't the Derri club and the mozzie numbers get a mention here ??

http://www.theracingcat.com/index.php?page=clubs-with-mosquitoes

Quick count......

Mine (Shy or Karp when its done)
Yours (Sticky fingers or the other one)
Al's (Scorpion)
Mark's (imperfectus)
Phill's (DengueFever)




I think Mr. Lane is a member too and he has one (although still in the pull it apart and put it back together for the umpteenth time mode)

There is another two in town that are members
But just don't hit the water, all be it lack of time
Or lack of motivation.
Tickle your fancy and Eccles I think it's called.
Got wood could confirm that I think?
Al scorpion

New beam is wider, basically a semicircle added to the front and back of the current beam. So assuming we can get people to accept the new beam (you know hard it is to get the Taipan class to accept rule changes), you'll need to modify the beam landing to fit it. Personally I'd get a beam and car from Goodall while they have them.

Old Rule:
11d. Rear Beam

i. The rear beam shall be made of extruded aluminium of square or rectangular section.

Minimum wall section:
• Sides 2mm.
• Top and bottom surface 3mm.

Maximum Minimum
• Height 60mm - 50mm
• Width 55mm - 45mm

ii. Total height of beam and the traveller track not to exceed 80mm.
Corners may be radiused to a maximum of 6mm. The track for the traveller car may be extruded on to this section. A track for the trampoline deck may be recessed into the lower surface.

Proposed New rule (based upon info from Brett G)
11d. Rear Beam

i. The rear beam shall be made of extruded aluminium.

Minimum wall section:
• 2mm.

Maximum Minimum
• Height 60mm - 50mm
• Width 70mm - 45mm

ii. Total height of beam and the traveller track not to exceed 80mm.
The track for the traveller car may be extruded on to this section. A track for the trampoline deck may be recessed into the lower surface.

Re: Beam, gotten off track there a bit, my fault..

Mosquitos, Al's got it right, they were two I thought of, Steve McA got one as well, built and sailed by Dr.Ivor Scott of Warrnambool, who bought me into this world....., although I'm not sure it salvagable now. It was one of the original kit boats, same as Sticky, Eccles, and the one I have at home.

I know where there is still an original kit, with a brand new, as new, pristine, dacron trampoline made at the time (early to mid 70's) although its not at Derrinallum.

These kits were very popular around here, Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton, there would be heaps around these areas.

Keep in mind, this is all from memory sitting here....

Sticky Finger (formerly El Gato 3), Portland
Blood, Sweat and Tears, Portland
(I thought of another, and lost it.... Portland
The Stinger, Stawell
Mr.Bitchy, Stawell
Froggy, Stawell
Alien, Stawell
The Sting??, Stawell
Eccles, Derrinallum
The Cats Whiskers, Derrinallum
Gary Lane, (A few boats) Warrnambool
Ian Lane, Kerri Anne?? I think, Warrnambool/Colac

Break over...I'll have to come back to it.....

To get back on track, Gary us doing thus so he can update the website and membership, and to join the mosquito cat class, to support the class and keep it going, so if you own a mossie and love it should join and support us

Matt
Vic mosquito President
The joker 1826

The boat in Warrnambool belonging to 'Dawson' is not mine ... and no relation as far as I am aware.



Make sure you join the association. If I start sailing a mosquito I will join. I have been a member of the State Cobra association since I had the boat and it has been worth it many times over.

Join if you haven't already.

The Sting??, Stawell .....
formerly from Camperdown Aquatic Club => sail number 245