photo courtesy of the eastlander team

MARCH 2021

Photo courtesy of the Eastlander Team

New

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707 Class Newsletter March 2021 Page

Enthusiasm – it’s hard to keep it going - isn’t it? Dribbling along with events being cancelled and weekends away with your mates thwarted once again – damn it..

Don’t despair – imagine the full-on racing, chaos and fun we’re going to have when we do get back on the water! I’m really looking forward to that first windward mark……then more than one beer in the

clubhouse afterwards.

Aren’t you?

Chairmans Musings....

01


OK – we have had some cancellations but we are of course optimists and still hope that most of the seasons events will go ahead.

In anticipation of probable curtailment of events at the start of the season we have now added two new events later in the season to try to ensure that we get some good sailing. Both are on the Clyde – one at Rhu and one at Largs.

Event 01 Edinburgh Cup April 17/18th PEYCEvent 02 Kip Regatta May 15th/16th RWYC Event 03 Scottish Series May 28th-31st CCCEvent 04 Mudhook regatta 12th/13th June MYCEvent 05 707 National August 5-8th PEYC Championship Event 06 Royal Forth OD Regatta August 21/22nd RFYCEvent 07 Northerns September 4/5th SYCEvent 08 Upper Clyde regatta September 11/12th CCCEvent 09 P E Watersports Sprints September 25/26th PEYCEvent 10 Largs 707 Event October 9/10th LSCEvent 11 Scottish Champs October23/24th RNCYC

Class Events

Event News

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Latest updates from the CCC on the upcoming Scottish Series:

a. Entries open 2nd April

b. One Design fleets will be based in the Upper Clyde

c. No social Events are planned

d. It will be a 3 day event from the 28th - 30th May

e. Crew numbers to follow RYA Scotland Guidelines

Keep an eye on the Event website for further updates:

www.scottishseries.info

Scottish Series May 28th-30th

At the last count 14 enthusiastic 707s had already signed up for the event – including the bandits from Three Little Pigs from Wales who did so well last time they visited.

Event News

03


James Watt Dock Marina offer generous support on lifting and berthing to 707s

Graeme Galbraith manages James Watt Dock Marina and is the keen 707 co-owner of Old School. Graeme is keen to help us develop a fleet on the Clyde and is offering a great deal to 707 owners wishing to base their boat there.

They are are also offering to assist with discounted launching and berthing for Clyde-based 707 events including the upcoming Scottish Series - further updates to follow

One of the Class-owned boats also will be based there for this year – with great support from the team at James Watt Dock Marina.

If you are interested then please contact Graeme via [email protected]

Scottish Series - James Watt Dock

Event News

170 Fully Serviced Berths

Full tidal Access with +5m at MLW

Lifting and Yard Services

Petrol, Diesel and Calor Gas

WiFi and CCTV

Call: 01475 729838 Email: [email protected] Web: www.jwdmarina.co.uk

James Watt Dock Marina, The Sugar Warehouse, E. Hamilton St., Greenock. PA15 2UA

JWD A4_Advert.indd 1 12/03/2021 12:10

James Watt Dock

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707 Nationals August 5th-8th

The plan is still to have the Nationals at Port Edgar Yacht Club (www.peyc.org.uk) on the5th-8th August 2021. The format might have to be different but PEYC Committee are working hard on making it a great event.

More information will be on the 707 website (www.sail707.com) and on 707 Facebook as it happens.

707 Natonals Sponsered by:

2019 Class Champions - Seaword

Event News

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Largs 2021 October 9th-10th

NEW EVENTLargs Sailing Club 707 Class Weekend

9th/10th Oct 2021

Largs SC are delighted to welcome the 707 Class to LSC for a weekend of racing in October

It will hopefully will make up for losing some of the early season.

https://sail707.com/events-calendar/

More details to follow but in the meantime get it in your diary………!!

Event News

06


The Deserving Boat Scheme - Apply now to get a boat for the season!

The Class Association now has 4 boats which can be used by enthusiastic sailors such as youth and University teams and anyone we think will bring some keen sailing, and sailors, to the Class.We offer use of a boat to teams deemed likely to sail regularly in a particular area and help that Fleet develop.

The successes of the Deserving Boat scheme so far include:

Class News

Murray Macdonald brought together one of our first enthusiastic Teams for Autism on the Water

Glasgow Uni sailors sailed this 707 for two sea-sons and eventually they saved up to buy it.

Leeds University are sailing Miss Moneypenny at Scarborough and have encouraged Sheffield and York Uni sailors to join them

We are now looking for suitable teams to ap-ply for use of the boats in 2021. This is another unusual year and we are aware that the usual University sailing teams have been affected - especially if they are not even at Uni.

We’ve got 4 boats, one on each of the Forth and Clyde, one in Scarborough and one destined for Wales or somewhere where there is a fledgling 707 fleet.

Don’t hesitate to ask if you might be suitable– we just want good, keen people who enjoy full-on competition and fun socials.

Contact David Smith [email protected] or call 07779 251 989.

Deserving Boat Scheme

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Website updated and Tuning guide added

We’ve been changing the website to be a library for all the information you might want to know about owning a 707. We encourage you to use it and provide us feedback if anything else is needed. Please let us know.

We understand that many of you will not use Facebook and so we will try to ensure that all of the answers can be found on the website:

www.sail707.com

Class News

Website

WANTED - 707 Publicity Officer

There is an opportunity to help the 707 Class Association to develop our image within the sailing community.

We are looking for a Publicity guru to be part of the dynamic 707 Committee and be active for us on social media by adding Website and Facebook postings of events, news, results and happenings.

Interested? Contact David Smith [email protected]

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Class News

Membership

707 Class Membership

Only £30 for the year

Please send your fees to:707 Class Association Nat West. Sort code 60-13-37 Account 49572164

Please add your name to the bank details so we know who it is from.

Crew Membership – why not join us!

Get a free 707 beanie!

We already have some boats with all of their crew as Associate Members. They feel part of what we do and are pleased to support the Association.

So, we are encouraging Associate Membership, and for only £10/year, you help support the growing 707 Class.

Fees to: 707 Class Association, Nat West. Sort code 60-13-37 Account 49572164

This could be yours.......

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Got the gear and no idea?

We’ve teamed up with a young and enthusiastic clothing supplier/embroidery company in Stonehaven to supply 707 branded sailing wear. We like making it easy for you..These prices include your boat name and the 707 logo:Polo shirts £12.75Rugby shirts £22.95Fleeces £22.50Scarves £6Beanie hats £6

Example of a fleece – see the website for other items:

Debra Henry is the new owner and is keen to offer Class sailors a range of items.She is looking forward to putting on the various boat names with a smile..Please deal directly with Debra and mention the 707 Class Association for a good deal.

Stitch N Print StonehavenTel: 07837 560117Web: www.stitchnprintstonehaven.co.uk

Class News

Class Clothing

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Class News

Port Edgar Yacht Club

Port Edgar YC is encouraging 707 sailors to join

Port Edgar Yacht Club has supported the 707 fleet very well over the past few years as 707 sailing has grown and you may think that you might want to support them in return.

As you can imagine PEYC has spent much of its cash re-sources to help build the new clubhouse which should be completed in mid May. Obviously there has been a small dip in membership in 2020 due to the Covid restrictions.

Yacht racing starts on 19th May and the sailing calendar will be put on the PEYC website.

Another three 707s will arrive at PEYC this year so expect the 707 club racing to be excellent in 2021. The Club’s Plan is to consolidate PEYC as the biggest 707 fleet in the UK.

Would you like to support PEYC?

Ideally, the best thing you could do is to help PEYC to attract more new members. If you are local then Membership is not expensive at £75 in the first year , but if you live away from the area then you may wish to consider Cruising Membership which will help top up their coffers and has a host of other benefits for just £55.

The key features are:- unlimited cruising- can race 4 times- can hire PEYC club 707s (subject to accreditation) - no race duties- easy to join online via website, pay by direct debit

It's a pretty cheap way to sample PEYC whilst also helping the club. Hopefully some may also decide to join the club as full Members and participate in the club-organised racing.

PEYC

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New sail material from Hyde

Hyde have now confirmed that any new sails will be made in a slightly different material as the previous specification is no longer made.

Hyde commented:‘The cloth manufacturer is dropping the film/LiteSkin version of the cloth we use for the mainsails and headsails on the 707 sails and replacing it with a LiteSkin/LiteSkin option. There will be price implications but the advantage is the sail will be much more rugged and last longer with only a negligible weight gain. The film/film version is still being produced so the appearance of the headsails will remain unchanged.’

The 707 Committee discussed this at length and although we are disappointed so soon after the decision was made to appoint Hyde as an alternative manufacturer, we don’t think there will be any benefit in terms of boat performance.In fact the new cloth will probably be more like the Elvstom material – heavier and more durable. So, perhaps we are back to the Class wanting to use both manufacturers again.After all we are a One-design class and no-one should have any equipment advantage so it will be good if they are as similar as possible.

Sails

Technical News

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Constitution & Rules

Changes to the Constitution

We’ve been working on bringing the Constitution up to date, removing even more old references and aiming to have it reflect the way we sail and run the Association. An EGM will be called soon to try to get this finally sorted. An email vote will be requested by Members.

Rule changes

A few items also need updated in the 707 Rules. We shall be asking you to vote on the changes – ideally prior to the season’s racing.

Technical News

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The Technical Committee is steaming ahead and having some really useful input into a number of areas :

a. Lifting eyes – we need to ensure the boats can be lifted as safely as possible and we are currently reviewing the lifting eye and keelboat attachment.

b. Electronics – we are reviewing the use of electronics on board 707s as technology has changed significantly since the current 707 rules were written, and we are assessing the appropriateness of the rule along with alternatives. This will be one of the items put to a vote if a change is deemed appropriate.

c. New Measurement check-form has been produced to enable boat to boat peer reviews of adherence to the Rules –this will be issued shortly.

d. New Safety check form produced to enable boat to boat peer reviews of adherence to the requirements – see next page:

Technical Committee

Technical News

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The Hunter 707 Class Association

Boat Name:

Sail Number:

Owner:

Check By:

Boat Name:

01 Safety Checklist

The below items are mandatory and shall be carried at all times when racing

No Item Yes No1 A bucket, minimum capacity 9 litres, with lanyard.

2 A manual bilge pump

3 An anchor, which may be fitted with anchor chain the combined weight of which shall be not less than 6kg in weight, together with an anchor warp of not less than 10m in length nor less than 8mm in diameter

4 Personal buoyancy for each crew member to the minimum standard EN 393 or ISO 12402 5 (Level 50). (Minimum 50 Newton Foam Buoyancy Aid)

5 An outboard motor of minimum weight 13kg carried in the cockpit engine housing or a metal weight of not less than 13kg fixed in the cockpit engine housing

6 Fire extinguisher, dry powder, marine type, readily accessible to the cockpit.

7 First Aid kit carried in a waterproof container

8 Lifebuoy with a drogue or life sling (without a drogue), readily accessible to the cockpit and ready for instant use

9 A rescue quoit or throw-bag with at least 15m of floating line readily accessible to the cockpit.

10 A marine VHF radio with channels 16 and 37

Safety Check List

Technical News

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(Your dedicated Committee has tracked one more for sale in Burnham – awaiting details.)

Boat News

Boats For Sale & Sold

Boats for sale .........

GBR 7033 - Baby Beluga – has now been sold to a new owner from the Clyde – awaiting details…

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Fleet News

New Members

John Colegrave and Richard Gibson have bought 7068 Bangers and Mash and renamed her Isbean. She sat in Port Edgar and once the trailer was certified fit for travel and the standing rigging replaced,I towed her north to Stonehaven for some fitting out. I was lucky to arrive as it happened, one of the trailer tyres was al-most completely shredded after only 100 miles – it looked fine for tread and pressure on leaving and check-ing half way but it was 9 years old and had just had it, so please check age as well as condition.

First job of refit was to remove the antifouling which had been painted some 6” above the wa-terline. I chose Owatrol for the job and needed 3 litres to complete the task. Some 20 applications, followed by power washing, has certainly made her look like a racing boat rather than a cruiser! Mind you, to witness us racing her you may think we are cruising…..we’ll hopefully find out this season!Spending time on the internet looking for parts – compass, vhf, anchor, battery – all the things needed to comply with the racing rules has been great fun – I opened an account at Largs Chan-dlery, Jane could not be more helpful. Best part, albeit most expensive, has been buying a new set of Elvstrom sails! The jib arrived in time for the cancelled racing at the 2020 Scottish Champs in Helensburgh and now we wait for main and spinnaker sometime before March.Rudder was next – happily sitting in my garage all filled and rubbed down waiting on a fresh coat of antifouling.

707s are so robust that there is little a good scrub or power-hose cannot sort – see the innards before and after in the pics

Before... After....

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Autism on the Water continues to expand

Murray tells us what he plans for 2021

Despite what has been a difficult year, 707 enthu-siast Murray MacDonald has continued to thrive with Autism on the Water and has used the lock-down period to make plans and developments for the charity. Aotw now has a new boat - a Colvic Victor 34 cruising yacht. The purchase of this boat has been a massive development for the charity with Murray raising the required funds in a re-markable 27 hours! No mean feat! The yacht will be used for Aotw to provide more regular outings for autistic people of all ages providing a more sta-ble and accommodating experience with indoor and outdoor steering facilities and a ketch rig to give more options for weather conditions.

However, if you think the Charity’s 707 is no long-er racing then think again! Murray will be back on the racing scene in 2021 to continue the aware-ness drive for Aotw with a newly trained crew of British Keelboat Academy sailors.

Murray Macdonald and Autism on the Water can be contacted via [email protected]

Fleet News

AoTW

If you have any interesting 707 news / projects you wish to share - email [email protected]

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Your 707 Representatives for 2021

Any queries on how to sail 707s, and how to find out about your local Fleet, just contact one of these helpful sailors:

Chairman: David Smith [email protected]: Mark Robertson [email protected]: Emma Ward [email protected]: Debbie De Boltz [email protected]: Rudi Barman [email protected] East Gerry Fitzgerald [email protected] West Dan Challis [email protected]: Jan Gwilliam [email protected]: vacant

707 Committee

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photo courtesy of the eastlander team

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