DF65 Club Racing – 2nd August 2026

5 of the normal Skippers were joined by Chris Hodson and his new nice and shiny DF65 to sail in dwindling water levels in the sunshine. A building North Easterly breeze starting around 5 knots kept the temperature down to a pleasant level. I say north easterly, it did swing regularly further east before returning again.

Due to the water levels, skippers equipped their boats with the short keels for this club race. These proved invaluable in launching and retrieving the boats. They also made for some interesting racing with the different handling and rigging needs. For those without Buzz and Ian very kindly leant their spares.

An initial course was set: 11 & throw-in green, Yp, 13p, 12p, 13p, finish 11 & green. This was later changed to X instead of Y, due to the wind shifts. All skippers started the day on A+ rig.

A break was had after race 4. Unfortunately Buzz’s run of bad luck was only just starting. Having missed 2 races due radio gear replacements, A+ rig issue, and then battery issues. Buzz rejoined for race 5 with his A rig fitted.

This proved to be a good choice of rig as the wing gusts steadily build through the next 5 races, leading to a lot of nose diving. Where the A+ would normally have coped, with the shorter keels, an earlier rig change was needed to cope with the increasing gusts and sideways leeway that was being caused.

Lunch and rehydration awaited after race 9, and an opportunity for the much needed rig change. All boats selected an A rig, except Glenn who rigged a B by mistake. A mistake that proved very useful, winning 3 of the following 7 races.

Buzz’s bad luck returned, with the boat not responding as soon as it was launched, and too fast for anyone else to catch, he visited the dark side before race 10. Buzz sailed 299 in race 10 while Phill recovered his boat from the dark side.

More bad luck followed at the beginning of race 12, when Buzz’s main halyard parted leaving his sail halfway down his mast. This forced a change to B rig.

It was great to try these little boats on their shorter keels, and everybody had to learn the differences in boat handling very quickly. From being quicker to get moving to being more lively downwind, particularly in the gusts. It kept the competition open and exciting.

There was some very close racing with only a bumper between some boats, not only at the front of the fleet, it throughout. As is always the case with the fleet, discipline was excellent.

Despite all of the bad luck and frustration, Buzz won the racing today 2 points behind is Chris taking second place, with his shiny new boat. Glenn completes the top 3

Thank you to all the skippers who attended for a great days racing and socialising. Thank you also to Buzz and Ian for lending your spare short keels to the fleet who needed them.

For those coming, see you at next week’s prize giving 9am at the fort’s cafe.

Phill