SI 3.3 Yachts racing at PEYC must be equipped with either an inboard or outboard engine capable of manoeuvring them out of the shipping channels in most weather conditions. Individual exemption from this may be granted on application to the Sailing Committee.

With most of our courses criss crossing the shipping channels this makes sense. I know that last year some boats were sailing without a working outboard, within class rules but would now contravening the club's sailing instructions. So if your engine is not 100% now is the time to get it serviced.

Safety Rules

There is continual pressure on the sailing organisations to make sailing as safe as possible. To this end FYCA have reviewed the safety instructions that will be applied to FIG series races, and they are encouraging them to be adopted by the clubs on the Forth. In general terms the new rules will bring them into line with the Clyde Cruising Club and North East Sailing Safety.

You can download the draft instructions from the FYCA website http://www.fyca.org.uk/ -> Racing and ECSW -> FIG -> Safety Regulations.

The intention to introduce these for FIG races, and club level trophy races, these would be Cat 4 races. Regattas would adopt the Cat 4R class. The safety rules are still in draft form and there are a number of points that affect the 707. I have compiled a list of points where a 707 meeting class rules would not meet these rules and these have been sent to the committee for consideration. For example the lifelines are slightly lower than the minimum specified in these safety rules. The likely outcome is that 707s will be restricted to FIG races which are west of the Fairway buoy, this would allow racing around Inchkeith but not further east but I expect some safety items (e.g. foghorn) will become a requirement. The discussions about these are still in progress.

(For those who went or are planning to go to the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series, these are sailed to the Cat 5 safety rules for the sportboats, which are suitable for more sheltered waters but are less onerous.)

Watch this space and see what develops.....

East Coast Sailing Week

This year East Coast Sailing Week (http://www.ecsw.org.uk) will be held in Granton 17-23 July. Just a short sail down the river so no excuses for not going. How many are interested in going? The notice of race is going out soon and I believe it will include a Hunter 707 class. We need at least 5 entrants to keep the class status. I am planning to go, so 4 others?

Feel free to circulate this newsletter around your crew or other potential 707 owners. Talking of which I am told that Spike, GBR7001 is up for sale (details on request).

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Phil Walter
Hunter 707 - Whippersnapper - GBR7043N
Web site : www.whippersnapper.org.uk