My last notes ended with me changing my wheel bearings and hubs in preparation for the Southern’s at Hayling. It’s a fairly simple, if messy job – gloves are essential and if I can do it, you can. I used 4” hubs with a product code HU4 and got them delivered from Western Towing, they come complete with bearings . If you want to change your rims and tyres too, try product code WR3 and look at 145 R10 69T tyres that are rated to 118 mph – Baxy would just be changing up out of 3^rd gear !

Anyway, you’ll be pleased to know we made it to a sunny Hayling where we watched Greg Wells & DT  sail an awesomely consistent series in a very tricky offshore northerly in their brand new boat to be our Southern Area Champions.

Now you’re road ready, how about coming to our Nationals? We’re offering two events dependant on the age of your boat.:

1. Classic & Silver Nationals

We have one month to go to the Classic and Silver Nationals at Bassenthwaite SC on the 5&6^th of August. This event is being held as part of Bass Week, and entries are open now on the Bass Week website 

Remember that you can enter just for the championship on the first weekend, but are welcome to stay for the rest of the week to join in. Weekdays have individual races so you can mix and match your sailing with exploring the area in this beautiful part of the Lake District. You can stay at the club with your tent, caravan or motorhome and enjoy the hospitality provided by one of the friendliest clubs around. If you have never been to Bass before, you will be hooked by the club, the scenery and a lake over 4 miles long and almost a mile wide, where no other boats are allowed. A fabulous place to sail.

Access also couldn’t be easier. Just take the A66 west off the M6 at Penrith and the club is around 200 yards off this road at Dubwath at the northern end of the lake.


The NOR for the event is the same as for the rest of Bass Week, but if you are in doubt as to whether your boat qualifies as a Classic or Silver, then Classics are up to sail number 2700, with Silver from 2701 up to 3400. There are exceptions for boats with Silver numbers built to older designs, mostly Wyche & Coppock and Copeland, which allows them to sail in the Classic fleet. If you want to check where your boat fits the exact definitions can be found here

2. UK Global Flying Fifteen British Isles National Championship

Four days of great racing in Weymouth Bay/Portland Harbour between 21 - 24 September 2023, weather dependent, with a full social schedule.
Courtesy of our headline sponsor, UK Global in conjunction with Haven Knox Johnston, Adam Bowers will be in the dinghy park and on the water to offer pre and post-race observations, along with hints and tips to move up the leaderboard, on 21st, 22nd and 23th September. Adam will be here for all sailors, not the leaders. Adam’s a great encourager, our aim is for all competitors to come away from this event better sailors.

Have a look at this video from his Youtube channel for a taster of things to come:

Launching from the Academy’s flat boat park into the sheltered marina is easy, there’s a wide shallow ramp and a crane for those you wanting to keep your feet dry..



There’s a choice of 2 race areas: Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay. Bill Chard will act as the voice of the fleet and be our point of liaison between the race team  and competitors.

We have three socials planned during the week:

• a sailor's supper on the 21^st;
• a BBQ on 23^rd; and a
• Championship Tea on 24th prior to competitors leaving.

All of which are included in your entry fee.
Speaking of which, there is an early bird discount of £250 until 31 July 2023 . Please enter at UKFFA Nationals Entry 2023 and then transfer funds to the British Isles Flying Fifteen Association bank account using your Boat Number as the payment reference.

Entry via this form saves the association money over using the W&PNSC PayPal method and so saves you money which we’re ploughing back into the event. Please enter early, it really helps us.

Finally, I’d like to that our sponsors or providing further great prizes which will be presented throughout the week including, Sarah Hornby Art, Salcombe Gin, Ovington Boats.
More Sponsors will be announced closer to the event. I know Ian Pinnell’s just having lie down after being approached by Christina and Geoff.

Look forward to seeing you on the water.

Good sailing
Cad.