WHISTLER

WHISTLER
Whistler, otherwise known as "The Yellow Boat", is a Beneteau First 31.7, a 31 foot cruiser racer designed by Groupe Finot/Conq. Lovingly maintained by the Skipper, she was launched in 2000 and is fully equipped to meet the requirements of ORC Category 2, although most of our racing is either ORC Category 3 (Channel) or ORC Category 4 (Inshore). Safety equipment includes EPIRB, liferaft, lifejackets, safety lines, personal torches/strobes, lifebuoys/slings, drogue, etc.
 
We run B&G Network Quad instruments (speed, log, depth, wind information), a GPS/Plotter, AIS and Navtex - all of which is interfaced with a laptop running SeaPro navigation and performance software.
 
She carries a full wardrobe of sails from Quantum and Sobstad, with headsails from a Light No:1 through to No:4, main, a selection of spinnakers (0.5oz Runner, 0.75oz AP and 1.5oz Reacher), storm jib and trysail. For 2007 we have dropped the No:1s as they are rarely used in passage races and we can improve our rating!
 
Whistler "lives" at Premier's Gosport Marina, (formerly Camper & Nicholson's).

 
PROGRAMME  
We generally tend to follow a similar programme each year (perhaps getting set in our ways - although we are always ready for any suggestions!)
 
The mainstay of the season is racing with the Junior Offshore Group (JOG). Races generally start at the JOG line off Gurnard (Cowes) and tend to fall into two categories:

• Offshore - start on a Friday evening and either across the channel to France (Cherbourg , Deauville , etc) or the Channel Islands (Alderney , St Peter Port), or along the English coast (Dartmouth).
• Inshore - a Saturday morning start and either around the cans (Solent Race, Nab Tower, Yarmouth) or a short passage (Poole , Weymouth).

  Other key features of our season are:

• The Round the Island Race - organised by the Island Sailing Club, the classic race around the Isle of Wight with 1,600+ competitors!
• Cowes Week - a week of hard sailing on the water and hard partying off it!
• Autumn or Winter Series - which one depends on how keen the skipper is to have Sunday afternoons in front of a roaring fire, with a bottle of red!

The skipper can also be forund doing short-handed sailing, particularly the RSYC Double Races, which are either around the cans or longer passage races.
 
 
TEAM WHISTLER  
We generally sail with a crew of 6 for Offshore races and 7, occasionally 8 for Inshore - and of course only 2 for Double-Handed!
 
The team spirit is "Corinthian" with the emphasis on racing seriously but still arriving in time for the all important eating, drinking and merry making!
 
The key principles behind the team are:

• Fun - the whole point of racing is to enjoy it
• Teamwork - if we work together, the boat will go faster
• Communication - we want our sailing to be as safe and enjoyable as possible; that means not being afraid to speak up, ask questions, offer - or receive - advice!