The direction of the tiller remains a mystery to me, still a little going forwards, but totally mind blowing in reverse!! I am that guy… as I frustratingly curse myself for getting it wrong once again!!! The truth be known, I’m no sailor….yet!! I feel privileged, yet somewhat unworthy writing this brief story to members with such impressive sailing and racing pedigrees. However, the breeze appeared to favour us on Friday, so here we are, I humbly bow in all your presence, and will no doubt trail pitifully at the back of the fleet from here on in, so I’d best grab the limelight while it’s here!
Revenue Cutter crossed fourth online on Friday’s rum race, making her winner on handicap. I must confess once again, I have no idea how that handicap works, but as with the entire focus and reason for us owning her, we are here to learn. I dream of a breeze, the ocean, and categorically no watch! A future free from appointments and schedules, non-dependent on fuel, drinking red wine and eating olives is my goal. I would have to confess that my inexperience and naivety pales in insignificance in comparison to the mountain I must climb to persuade my beloved, Kat, that this is a good idea, (if anyone with a really big flash boat wants to take her out for G&T’s one gentle evening, please let me know … I’ll buy the gin!)
A lifelong fizzboater, my journey to the breeze began a few years ago on an Academy intro keelboat course. I had zero interest in racing, it was all about ‘the journey ahead’, right up until a sailboat came alongside, and four budding sailors began to feel the burn, as we collectively ‘tested’ our stations wondering “What happens if I do this?” Needless to say, the boat sailed on by effortlessly, but we did make it go a little faster, and I guess at least one new yacht racer was conceived. I was grateful for the encouragement to join Dave Roberts and the Airship crew, on my first trip out on the Grads program, but a dying breeze put a premature end to the day’s racing before we left the berth. Dave’s hospitality was very generous, but it proved no match to the alure of the HUGE carbon fibre steering wheel on the back of Bullistic, which became my second home for the rest of the season.
I can safely say, I flopped around that boat like a kipper out of water, I knew that I was a liability, and if I knew I was, then I knew that James knew too. A rock to crawl under would have been really nice at that point, and the safety of said fizzboats (which I had much more understanding of) seemed very appealing. However, with the generous support and encouragement of Paul Davies, this bruised and battered kipper, to my amazement, was offered a place on the crew. Almost nine years in the Household Cavalry taught me to keep my mouth shut and my ears open. This proved a useful tool for the season, and an abundance of instruction and instructions progressively steered me towards a better understanding of sailing.
A new business venture proved challenging to balance time on the boat, with many Saturdays being lost to work, and alas, my gear bag was assigned to the spare room to collect dust. Last year my fiftieth birthday proved enlightening, as it soon became apparent that if that dream is to become reality, then I needed to learn to sail. A steady trawl through TradeMe delivered many boats to my watchlist, but none seemed quite right, or were elsewhere in the country, demanding all the logistics and experience that would be required to bring one to Wellington.
Earlier this year, Revenue Cutter was advertised via the Port Nic Facebook page. She was in town, tick, she was reasonably priced, tick, she was sailing and sailable, tick, and on first visit, most importantly, Kat liked her! Tick!!! Where do we sign? Okay so now we had a boat that we didn’t (still don’t) know how to sail … now what???? As excited new owners, Kat and I took regular trips to Chaffers to spend time on the boat and make her our own so to speak. The reality is though, now there were two kippers floundering around the boat, with little to no knowledge as to what to do next. The familiar face of Stu Park (from my time on Bullistic) floated passed as our neighbour, Roger Cook skillfully backed Zimmerframe into her berth.
After Stu’s great enthusiasm for our purchase, and some encouraging support, we’ve managed to put together a Messenger group of former Bullistic crew, and anyone else that happened to have any loose interest or connection to sailing, experienced or otherwise. Included in that group is Tim Hampton. Both Tim and Conny Rohr were incredibly generous with their time and knowledge on the Bullistic crew, and once again, both continue that support to this day, but the reason I point specifically to Tim, is that after weeks of not leaving the berth, Tim would not take ‘the rot that needs fixing’ or ‘yep, but I’m pretty busy at work’ or anything else that I could conjure up, as an excuse not to go out. We were going, and that’s that!!
“This is what it’s all about Gav!” was the call from Tim and we heeled over for the first time and the boat lifted upwind. She surprised us all how comfortable she was close hauled. A respectable mid fleet finish was a fantastic introduction to Rum Racing, and I was extremely grateful for the unwavering kick up the arse that Tim justifiably provided. An abandoned rum race the week prior left Cam Hodges and I, along with the majority of the fleet collectively bobbing around like corks from a party boat, and was my first experience of ‘sailing’ backwards …
Following the unexpected departure of Zimmerframe’s boom last week, the decks of Revenue Cutter were graced with the presence of James and Stu, alongside grads Karen and Paula for Friday’s Rum Race. A good start put us in clear air as the tighter fleet battled for the breeze. Revenue Cutter pulled ahead, and under James’ careful guidance and great work from the crew, we pulled away, and with the exception some sharp work and an overtake from ZigZag, we stayed there. We’ve never even considered flying the kite since we’ve owned the boat, and had no intention of flying it that evening either, but it’s incredible how ‘brave’ you suddenly find yourself when you see your clear lead narrowing. Needless to say, the kite went up after some swift and creative sheet running.
I am truly humbled to receive that bottle of rum (thanks again to Lola Stays for their continued support of our sport). I’m not sure I deserve it, but the crew definitely do, they did a superb job. The recurrent theme throughout this long and protracted story, is a long list of people who support, encourage, and enthuse those of us who wish to sail, and for those of you who are on that list, I thank you and am truly grateful. The free breeze still awaits, but in the meantime I intend to have some fun, and with a bit of luck and good favour, a drop or two more rum.