Medway Sonata Class
Sonata Class Report (The air is blue or blue is the colour?)(Spring 2009)
With the dawn of a new season there is much excitement within the Sonata Fleet. The Sonata Nationals in Poole, a planned cruise in company to Burnham and a long distance race with the Cruiser Class for the Willis Bowl, all in addition to our normal Spring, Summer and Autumn series racing.
The MYC main committees decision that all racing boats must be painted blue by the beginning of 2010 in accordance with a EEC directive is also creating much discussion in the Bar. Although many owners have already repainted their boats to ensure compliance.
Due to the Class Captain's examination commitments, we are again relying on our spy in the sky network to find out what has been happening in the fleet over the winter. There are one or two changes to the fleet. With regret, "Zebedee" is up for sale - no reasonable offer refused (although unfortunately it's not blue). Ben and Mark are moving away and we wish them well in their new ventures.
"Sniffer" has been sold and purchased by Simon and Debbie Wright and renamed "Seraphine". Perhaps we can persuade them to get rid of all that cruisy gear and join the racing fleet. "Cadenza" has been sold to Trevor McGraph and we are pleased to note the boat stays at the Club and we hope to see Trevor out racing. "Encore" is yet to make contact with the water although Dick is threatening to launch in June if he can tear himself away from car racing. Surely getting too old for a boy racer Dick? We were sorry to lose Barry Westphal in "Pianissimo" from the fleet as he was giving "Musical" some grief. We wish him well with his freshly "blue" painted Impala "Jiminy Cricket".
"Pianissimo", recently painted red is now owned by Daniel and Emma Bisset. Don't worry, a large tin of Nitromors and you'll be back to the old blue gel coat in no time. Emma learnt all about Sonata racing from crewing on "MK 4" and having read up her sailing manuals has been surprised at the number of sailing terms she thought she had learnt that had nothing to do with sailing!
Whilst on the subject of "MK 4" Keith and Max have purchased a powder "blue" Impala. Interesting colour name especially as they were nearly blown out of the water bringing it from Portsmouth when they sailed into the Dungeness firing ranges. Rumour has it that due to a poor overall performance in last year's results they are painting the Impala maroon with "MK 4" on the side, putting an argumentative crew onboard and racing in the Sonata series hoping the fleet won't notice any difference.
"Silver Lining" is threatening to be a regular contender in the series, racing with a new member of the team, Colin Nutt. Colin is a very capable FF (Flying Fifteen) sailor. Mind you, his first outing in the Sonata earned a number of F's from the number of Dragons he made a close acquaintance with on leaving the mooring for the first time!
"Wasp" has a bit of a sting in the tail this season with a brand new mast having realised the existing one was 4 inches short. We have it on good authority Martin that 4 inches makes all the difference so we expect to see you coming close to the leaders this season.
Mike on "Musical" is reported to be most unhappy with the amount of stainless steel he has added to his mast to keep it together. No sympathies there Mike, we need something to slow you down. A seemingly cool laid back helm, he apparently gets so excited at the thought of sailing when visiting the Club his first port of call is the loo. Sure it's not the 5 pints of Shepherd Neame on Friday night Mike!
"Harmony" may make it to water in time for the summer series. If the Club Bar stopped selling them beer they would have been in at Easter. "Harmony" sets the record for being the last boat to haul out. Let's hope they don't set the record for the last boat back in.
"Watersong" is sporting a nice respray in a fetching "blue" with a white stripe. I bet Trudy and Debbie chose the colour. Regrettably our webcam can't make out whether there are matching curtains or not. Unlikely to feature strongly in the starts for fear of scratching the paintwork, but it does look pretty.
"Duet" won the prize for the 1st Sonata in the water this season. Fitted with a new pair of expensive winches, "Duet" may take the award from "Musical" for greatest amount of weight added to a sonata from last season. However, they may be pipped to the post if "Vivace" continues to keep that extensive toolbox onboard.
Barry ("Duet") does an excellent job as PRO, often forsaking his racing by taking on novice crews to promote the fleet and his efforts are well appreciated by us all.
"Skipper", another repaired and repainted "blue" boat, is expected to do well this year after some excellent results last year. John, as an ex BA pilot, must find flying a kite easy peasy.
Several boats have entered the Nationals at Poole and three of them are sailing to the venue. We wish them all every success. Andy in "White Noise" is also competing in the Round the Island race again, this time hopefully without his arm in plaster. How he can concentrate on sailing the boat with the crew he has is beyond us all, or maybe that explains everything.
Bob and Barbara Davis in "Sarabande" (yes, another blue boat) have apparently taken out a mortgage to cope with all the go faster goodies they have added to the boat. They are strongly tipped for the most improved boat in 2009.
If you haven't sailed a Sonata yet or are keen to crew, just turn up on a Saturday 12-30PM or a Wednesday evening 6-15PM. You will be guaranteed a warm welcome and we will do our utmost to find you a crewing position. Alternatively, contact Barry Cann 07979751791 or Mike Harrison 07890485456.
Happy sailing 2009 from your spy in the sky!