2019 RACING PROGRAMME

Stuart is well underway with the 2109 racing programme  with favourites at Bassentwaite and Bala confirmed and Bridlington the likely Nationals venue at the end of May. We will be on the Blackwater again for a TT during Stone week in early August, and rounding the season off again at the Grafham Cat Open. There are hoped-for dates at Rutland SC, Carsington SC and Yorkshire Dales SC to be confirmed.

2018 SAILING SEASON

 The final event of the  2018 racing Programme  was again the TT as part of Grafham Cat Open  on October 20-22nd. Paul Ellis returned to racing to challenge John Terry and Gareth Ede, with Gareth taking the event (Report) This further sealed his season victory for the Jon Montgomery Travelling Trophy for 2018 (Season summary and Results)  Behind, Alastair Forrest and Stuart Ede went into the event just a point apart, and although Stuart was a beat Alastair soundly to take fourth at Grafham, the narrowest of margins (a count-back to the number of firsts, then seconds, then thirds, and finally fourth places in the season!) allowed Alastair to take the TT second place.

Stuart Ede also went into the final event on top of the 2018 Handicap Leaderboard  but with only five points covering the first three. Chris Phillips was a clear handicap winner with his upwind speed throughout the Grafham weekend taking him to a clean sweep of firsts, ahead of Syd Gage, but they could not displace Stuart from the top, and his second podium place for the 2018 season. Syd was just 4.5 points behind, and further back George Evans and Alastair Forrest tied in joint third.

CATAPULT END OF SEASON LUNCH AND PRIZEGIVING We returned to enjoy the hospitality of the Noel Inn, Whitwell in  Rutland, on Sunday November 18th. The traditional good turnout was again enlivened by Syd Gage's video compilation, giving irrefutable evidence of events through the 2018 season!


(Below: John Terry, Northern Championship event winner, leads the start of Race 1 at Bridlington.) (Photo RYYC Rib with thanks.)

DVDs FROM CATAPULT EVENTS; LIST AVAILABLE Syd Gage has worked on the output from his and George's on-board cameras (photo further below) to produce great videos of Catapult action, including a season roundup. The list and details are here

               HYPALON  TUBE REPAIRS Puncture? Leaky tubes? Seams coming unstuck? End caps need replacing?
Paul Stubbins offers a high quality professional repair service. Paul, now working as a sole trader (with therefore no VAT to pay!), has many years experience working for RIB manufacturers.Paul offers a nationwide service from his base in Hull.
 Have a word with Class Secretary, Stuart Ede, to see if he can arrange for pick up and delivery through the membership network to save on transport costs.
Contact Paul at paulstubbins23@gmail.com or on 07429 754392.

 (Below: Tight racing in the Nationals after the short first beat, Saturday, with Nationals winner Gareth Ede leading again. Photo BSC Rib with thanks.)

 
INTERNATIONAL LINKS

 CATAPULT WANTED IN USA. Rick, living in Pennsylvania is wanting to buy a Catapult in trhe Eastern US. He can be contacted at milkweed33@gmail.com
 
CATAPULT CONTACTS IN EUROPE?  Ed Barclay has a Catapult in Switzerland, and is interested in linking up with other Catapults in Europe. He can be contacted at edward857@gmail.com

(Below: Close racing at Carsington in the light breeze and sunshine, Saturday, as the fleet turns through the gate. Photo CSC Safety Rib, with thanks)

 SPARES AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS Through the generosity of past Catapult sailor Admiral Sir Robert Hill and previous Secretary John Peperell, the Association has a good supply of spares to keep the fleet afloat in cases of breakage or damage.  John Terry manages the store: list of spares here and guidelines on availablity here
 
(Below: the fleet at Bassenthwaite streams across  in front of Scafell, in Saturday sunshine. (Photo BSC RIB, with thanks)

   NEW REPAIR ADVICE Syd Gage has added to his stream of practical advice and detailed instructions with a new article on DIY Puncture-free PU-foam-filled Tyres The article here shows what to buy, and Syd’s excellent photos and instructions (and personal setbacks) show how to change the steel roller bearings to nylon ones (more suitable for water immersion).  Many more are  here, the latest on  Repairing frame bolts  beam repairs, mast buoyancy, and halyard options.  
 
 (Below: Syd Gage's camera mounting, picking up the opposition ahead as he concentrates on catching them.) (Photo Paul Hargreaves with thanks.)

CATAPULT CRUISING  Justin (below) uses Catapult's shroud adjustment to dip the mast and negotiate the New Cut bridge between the Waveney and Yare rivers on the Norfolk Broads: more ) Get in touch with Alastair (at alastairforrest@hotmail.com ) with cruising plans or reports to add to the Cruising write-ups (and see his recent tidal Thames cruise.)

   
Jon Montgomery: Designer of Catapult: 22nd February 1935 - 9th June 2009.

 A tribute to Jon here.