Club News for Feb 11, 2010 - by David Cook

Hi VMSS Sailors and Regional IOM Sailors,

Last Sunday saw 8 boats with light and fluky winds. I only say that because I didn't do very well and get this, I never even mentioned the 'marble' word. Almost everyone had their opportunity to lead and tail the pack. Dave Taylor probably did better than the rest of us. I'd like to welcome IOM newcomer Jim Harnden from Duncan to the fleet. Jim is a friend of Ron Ingalls who bought a Victoria Class kit boat. Thanks to Dave T. for lending Jenny's boat to Jim. I was worried for a minute or two when it looked like Jim was going to beat me in one race. Maybe that's why Ron kept on blocking my line of sight? Too bad Jim bought the Victoria and just didn't jump straight into an IOM.

On a sad note, I'm sad to inform sailors that VMSS member Ken Ensor passed away this past Monday. Ken was very special to me...he was a recent but close friend and my lofting mentor. Ken taught me how to design a boat using the 'old school' method using pencil, paper and lots of eraser. Ken was a perfectionist, problem-solver, inventor, had a passion for boats of all kinds, big or small, and was an awesome teacher. One of Ken's goals was to pass on his knowledge to someone younger which he did to me and I'm very grateful and feel honoured.

For several months Ken would come over to my shop and share his thoughts and techniques in lofting and boat building with me. Earlier on Ken was over most Thursdays between visits he would answer any question I might have by phone. Ken would watch me struggle using a tool and was thinking to himself how he could change or improve my method but would always let me try it my way first.

In memory of Ken I'll be naming my first boat after him and will be adding the letter 'E' to the growing list of letters that will make up my IOM design's name, now known as "HAM BEK DOG". Thanks Ken for sharing your knowledge, techniques and being a friend!

There won't be sailing this Sunday since Ken's celebration of life service is this Sunday afternoon from 1 - 4 pm at the Navy League of Canada Cadet Hall, 948 Dunford Road in Langford. Barry and I will be paying our respects to Ken and will be missing sailing as probably a few others will be too.

If you read this in time, Barry Fox will be giving a presentation at VMSS' monthly general meeting held at the new location at Garden City United Church, 4054 Carey Rd at 730. Please do not show up too early as we have give the previous group time to vacate. Barry will be talking and showing off his racy 'Goodneck' carbon fibre goosenecks and other 'trick' custom-made boat parts he's been working on this winter.

For VMSS sailors, it's time to give the club $35 to renew your membership. These fees help pay for our pond insurance, maintenance of the rescue/mark boat, meeting room rental and last but not least, our newly uplifted website. VMSS now has its own internet domain which is vmss.ca and website. A huge thanks to VMSS member and IOM sailor Steve Meredith for volunteering and doing all the work! If you have any photos or stories you'd like published on our website, let Steve, Barry or I know.

We're up to 19 boats for the upcoming first event of the spring series which will be at Beaver Lake. If you haven't told Barry or I if you're coming or not, please let us know. We'd like to reach our goal of 20 or more boats!

On March 7 VMSS will be hosting its first of 6 event club championship series open to any and all rc sailboats. We'll be using a delayed starting time handicap system which will (in theory) have all boats finishing together.

On March 13/14 there's the International COW Regatta is Renton, WA. which is being organized by Lawrie Neish of Saltspring. At last count he had 21 entries so that promises to be a great event.

See you next Sunday for our last practice before the big event!

Cheers

David Cook