small SigneT line drawing Printed from SigneT Class Owners Association website at www.sailsignet.org.uk

Chapter 6: "Is it the End or the Beginning?" by John Panting

The build is at an end, it's time to begin to race. The SigneT ST 924 ‘SunseT’ floats.

SunseT was launched at Aquarius (AQSC) on 25th April 2010. Her maiden voyage was uneventful. The club members in attendance (there were many) were generous to a fault with their kind remarks plus their hints and tips on improvements, which I could make. I have spent the last three weeks making all seventeen of them.

Straight away I am entering as many races as I can manage. Some are restricted by my availability and others my (lack of) fitness.

The results so far have been:

  • (DNS) Did Not Start.
  • Never made the first mark. The river flow exceeded my sailing ability. (Place 24th with 5 others).
  • Capsized at second mark. (DAO) (Down And Out).
  • Blown into the trees on a lee shore (RTD) Retired.

    • So I guess that’s the first four items on page one of book one dealt with.

    Some of you guys and girls have been sailing for over 50 years and some sailing SigneTs since the 1960s. You are at one with the dinghy. You sail like a bare back horse riding circus act. Whereas I feel as though I am clinging on to one hair of the horse’s tail by one hand while being dragged along at a gallop. I estimate I have got at least a year of learning how to come last.

    This weekend Brenda (social) and I (helm/crew) are off to Paxton Lake for a SCOA National meeting - six off one hour races in all. So, sorry I must end now as I need to begin learning the RYA ‘Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012’ (Waterproof’ version of course).

    By John S Panting, Alias "JP"

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