Leapin Leroy Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 Are there any other 4.5 owners who are regular readers/contributors? Any one thought of going to the nationals and forming a class? Something social, a place where we can swap ideas and tips? Socialise and have a good time with the family??? With or without a boat i'll be going anyway. I'd love to hear from you... Regards, Leroy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CleverNickname Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 I think the type of people that buy the 4.5 are not necessarily thinking of racing at a national level. If so, they would have bought a 5.0, 5.8, 16 square etc. I enjoy club racing for the social aspect. Besides, I'm not sure that I would want to go to the trouble of making my 4.5 "class legal" for an annual event. My sails are made by another manufacturer which is due to the previous owners actions and I'm not ready to replace them yet. For me the nationals and other major regattas always seem to be held on public holidays when I have other family holiday plans. For now I'm just happy sailing around Moreton bay, participating in the odd local regatta and club racing. I'm aware that BCC still sell the odd 4.5 but I never see them at any club. So I assume they are out there somewhere enjoying recreational sailing. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CleverNickname Posted July 26, 2007 Report Share Posted July 26, 2007 I think there are three 4.5 down at Ballina... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 I have just taken up sailing and bought a second hand 4.5. I sail over at Lake Wivenhoe with the Brisbane Valley Sailing Club. They are all very helpful but it would be good to have chat with some 4.5 sailors. I can get myself around the course on a good day!! but I try to stay out of the way of the "serious" racers although I am now at a stage where I would like to get a bit more out of my boat. I have no intention of racing too seriously but it does make you try things and improves my sailing but with no other 4.5's I have no yardstick. Bottom line - if anyone wants a social sail/race day or just to chat 4.5's specifically I would be most interested. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CleverNickname Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 Are you able to come up to Lake Cootharaba on 18/19 August for the King of the Lake? I'm going and I agree it would be good to race against another 4.5. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QB2 Posted August 2, 2007 Report Share Posted August 2, 2007 I have a 4.4 Alpha Omega. I am on the lookout for other 14 foot-ish craft to sail with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Booked up till well into September with work and weddings so the Lake is out but I will keep an eye on the site. There is another thread that was talking about digging a hull in on one tack as opposed to the other. I had the same problem just after I bought the boat. Since then I have had all the standing rigging renewed at BCC and I don't tension the front stay anywhere near as tight. I have since had it out in heavier winds and it doesn't dig in anywhere near as much and seem to sail much better in general. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crandylhay Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 Hi guys, good to hear from fellow members of the 4.5 fraternity. Our Ballina club will start the new season on Fathers Day with four 4.5's in the catamaran fleet. The boats are generating a lot of interest as a one up cat. One of our members went to Cootharaba last year and travelled to South West Rocks for the state titles. Not many 4.5s at either. We travel a bit, Harwood included for their regattas, but usually have fair and sociable competition at our club every Sunday. Great little boat. Mine has to be 14 years old and still going well. Might even change the stays for the first time this season!. Anyway, we should try to get to more regattas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micky Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 On behalf of the Nacra National Assoc, all Nacras are welcome at any Nacra regatta.It would be great to see a group of 4.5 attend. The organising committee can cater for each class (eg shorter / longer races etc) so please feel free to join in Nacra Race Week. It is as big a social event as is the racing. The 4.5 is a great boat, it was the first cat i sailed on, and they are still a great boat to sail one up (rocket ship) or with a group of freinds/ family. See you all at the nats!! Perhaps the 4.5 group could get some sort of E mail group going to confirm of entries for Nationals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leapin Leroy Posted August 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Howdy to all the 4.5 sailors out there, It is looking very, very likely that i will be going to Nacra Race Week down in Port Stephens WITH A BOAT. Anyone who is interested can e-mail me at lpolden@optusnet.com.au, it would be great to get "class" numbers and to introduce the next generation to our great sport and our class. I think it would be fantastic to see a group of us "Socialites" get together at race week and at other events. Once i get things sorted i'll be happy to come down to Ballina occasionally... Either get me on this forum, by e-mail or call me on (0412) 339-552. Regards, Leroy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leapin Leroy Posted August 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Mog, Clever & Crandy, Good news, my major client, who was into me for many Thousands of $$$, has decided to pay up... I will be ordering my new 4.5 (with kite) next week... Port Stephens/RACE Week is a goer... If this had have all happened a month ago, we'd have been up at the Lake, but we've already booked for the excursion over to Straddie... If anyone is interested, I am a member at R.Q. and will be doing both the racing & social thing from there, I'm not sure what the limit is for number of visits before they ask you to become a member, but i can find out if you want to come for a social visit, let me know..., we'll go anywhere for a family day out... Prease consider... Give me a call (not after 7.00pm please) or e-mail. YEEHAA, bring it on!!! Regards, Leroy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leapin Leroy Posted August 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 Are there any other 4.5 sailors/owners out there who might want to get together for; a. cruises around the Bay??? b. the odd fun/novelty race for the big kids? c. family picnics around the said Bay? d. putting boats on double trailers and sharing the cost of going to Port Stephens?? Drop me a line... Regards, Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 Leroy, I'm interested in the odd jaunt around the bay but I am still very much the novice. I'd be happy to learn how to put the boat together properly at this stage and the thought of tacking out of or into R.Q. in a cat is a little daunting at my stage!! So at this point I'd be interested in a social sail but maybe from somewhere a little less busy or constricted than R.Q. Also, as stated ealier, I'm pretty booked with weddings and a new job till the end of September but if you want to throw a few dates in the hat I'd be happy to see if I could work something out. Thanks for the opportunity, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leapin Leroy Posted August 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Mike, et al, I will let you know when i'm up & running. Roscoe said it would take 4-5 weeks from when i put the order in, to delivery. So, that makes it mid-late September delivery. Unfortunately, rolled my ankle again over the weekend (playing with the kids, not sailing), this time the left one... Gotta find the chinaman i ran over so i can apologise, 3 times in 15 months... OVER it! Anyway, I'll keep everyone in the loop. Regards, Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leapin Leroy Posted August 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 Found it... (The right thread that is), What's the address for the Ballina Sailing Club??? Regards, Leroy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leapin Leroy Posted August 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Howdy all, It looks like the 100 kg minimum is going to be set in stone via discussions between BCC and the association, for Race week. This suits me fine @ 85-90kgs and would certainly even things up for those of us that want to sail one up or even with my young daughter. As everyone may have noticed i have been saturating the ether with posts on the 4.5 because i'm super keen to get my youngsters just out there sailing around in the company of others on the same boat... "a sense of belonging" and all that goes with it. I don't give a rats whether we come 1st or last so long as we (the parents) are out there giving them (our children) a taste of the fun and commaraderie that has kept me going for the last 27 or 28 years. For this very reason, it would be great to get at least 6 or 7 or more boats at race week, we certainly have the numbers out there. (We have 2/3 definites at this stage)... All owners out there, please take the time to consider going... in terms of timing it's still far enough away to get things organised so you can be there, but close enough to start getting exited about it, (and the break from work etc)... Again, you get me on (0412) 339-552 or via this forum. Regards, Leroy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CleverNickname Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Are you getting a commission from BCC for 4.5 promotion? Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Leroy, What is "Race Week" i.e. where and when. I would love to get together with other 4.5 sailors. The new job restrict me on Saturdays to a degree (Sundays are OK) but with some advanced warning I could organise a Saturday as well. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leapin Leroy Posted August 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2007 Brad, The short answer is NO! The boats are running out the door at BCC without ANY help from me. The long answer is in the post above. I have raced competitively with many people for many years, always in largish groups. The 4.5 really is a social boat that has traditionally been enjoyed by families or individuals, on their own. All i'm trying to do is develop that "social" aspect into a "Group Social" dynamic. Dad (or mum) and the kids enjoy the boat in the mornings when the conditions are suitable for gentle sailing and teaching... then in the afternoon when the breeze gets up... all the Dad's (oops, and mum's too if they want) go out to play and have a blast around. Good huh?! Mike, Race week is being held @ Port Stephens this year (29.12.07 to 4.1.08 i think). During Race Week a number of classes will hold their National titles in an organised format. For those at the top end of the fleet like the top 16sq, 5.8 and F18's,... they can race for sheep stations. For the rest of us, we can still go out and sail around an organised course, learn starts, increase our boat handling skills, finish and at the same time come together, have fun, learn more about sailing, not just competitively, but safely and hopefully with a greater emphasis on fun and family. Hope this has piqued more interest. Regards, Leroy [This message has been edited by Leapin Leroy (edited 31 August 2007).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leapin Leroy Posted September 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2007 Mike, Further to the last couple of posts, no-one is born with knowledge... Those of us (most of us, anyways) that have been sailing for many years will be the first to admit that we are still learning something everytime we go out... What better way for all the 4.5 sailors to come to grips with these great little boats than to get together and learn from each other and everyone in the group. It would be fantastic to see a good turn-out of 4.5's @ Port Stephens. We now have 3 "confirmed" starters and as soon as we take delivery, i'll be going down to Ballina to have a chat to, and a sail with the boys and girls down there. Regards, Leroy [This message has been edited by Leapin Leroy (edited 11 September 2007).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted September 12, 2007 Report Share Posted September 12, 2007 Leroy, Won't make it to Port Stephens but certainly keen to get together somewhere around Brisbane's quieter spots. I think we just keep the post alive until we can get a day that suits the best number of 4.5 sailors. I'm heading over to Wivenhoe on Saturday for my first outing for the year - hope there is a bit of water and I hope I remember how to put it all together!! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted September 16, 2007 Report Share Posted September 16, 2007 Got to Wivenhoe - there was a lot less water but enough to sail, remembered how to put it together!! I had asked the club to take me through a capsize while there were some experienced sailor and a rescue boat about but between people signing upm meeting etc. we didn't get time for a practice. No problem though, I didn't get the traveller off quick enough in the middle of a race and over I went!! Rescue boat was on hand and talked me through the recovery and I got it up by myself and finished the race. Doing was very different to reading the theory but as they talked me through it it all made sense and worked. I am in the 85-90kg area but I would not liked to have been too much lighter. Leasons learnt - don't let go (tramps make good sails when they are upright) and learn to walk your hulls to "steer" boat so wind does the work lifting the sail. If you haven't capsized, do it under supervision. I would not have had a hope without someone experienced talking me through it. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.