Life's Better - Weta News - November 2018: Reports | Videos |Events |Tips, bits, tricks and tests

Life's Better - Weta News - November 2018: Videos | Events |Tips, bits, tricks and tests

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Upcoming Events

2018 Pan Pacific Masters Games
9-11 November 2018
Paradise Point SC, 25 Esplanade, Paradise Point QLD 4216

Queensland Weta State Championships
1-2 December 2018
Lake Cootharaba SC, 24 Boreen Parade, Boreen Point QLD 4565

Sydney Harbour Weta Challenge
12 - 13th Jan, 2019
Woollahra Sailing Club
Including the infamous Three Island Race.

More events here

Flouro tell tales

Now that cassette tape is getting hard to find, a good substitute is flagging tape which can be found for $4.00 at Bunnings and other hardware stores.

It's waterproof, lightweight and perfect for wind direction indicators on shrouds, jib window, masthead or screecher luff. Online suppliers have a wider range including polka dots! Thanks to Geoff Walden for the suggestion.

New Ama arm "Doughnuts"

The rubber protectors inserted on the end of the ama arms were always a problem because they would gradually loosen and inevitably get lost - either inside the arm socket or, more likely, on the ground.

Weta have redesigned the protectors so they are made of fibreglass with a replaceable pad on the outside and they can be firmly glued into place. Available from Weta dealers.

Geoff and Paul's mix up at the leeward mark.

Race 1, Day 2 of the World Masters Games for the Weta Class held at Torbay Sailing Club. April 2017.

Yardstuck

The 2018-19 Yardsticks are now out and the unchanged Weta yardstick (86) assumes the Weta is foam core, sailed solo, with an SQ 9.3 mainsail.

Therefore if you enter a handicap event, it’s important to tell the race committee if your boat spec differs using the following modifications: 2 up +3; 8.3 Pin-head mainsail +3; Non-foam hulls +2. So the yardstick for a standard non-foam core boat with a pinhead mainsail sailed solo is 91 and 94 sailed two-up.

This means that in a handicap event, we have to beat a B14 (94), Flying Dutchman (93), Sharpie (95) and 505 (97.5).

If we want to change this figure, you need to encourage you club to return their results (with finish times) to the Australian Sailing Yardsticks Coordinator via sailingservices@sailing.org.au. More info here

Forestay Shocker

If you have any trouble getting enough tension on the forestay or find the line starts to bind when you have a couple of turns, try adding a small Ronstan Shock to the bowline which you use to tie the tensioner line to the loop on the end of the forestay.

Then take the line from the forestay through the ring on the forestay bridle, back up through the forestay loop and back to the ring. Take the second turn through the Shock and pull downward. You'll find it really easy to tension, take some turns around the line loops and finish with a couple of half hitches - to untie, untwist the turns so the line slackens before undoing the hitches.

Aldi Boat Covers

The medium size Aldi boat cover may not fit the Weta exactly but at $89 they are cheap and will protect your Weta from UV, debris and rain. Probably best not to tow your boat too far with it on and the straps have to be tied all the way around rather than under the hull. Available from 27th Oct at Aldi stores nationwide.

Daggerboard fluff cures squirt

Boats built by XSP (#1000 onward) have a much better daggerboard slot that comes with a fluffy gasket strip on the top and and bottom of the slot. Over time this gasket can get compressed allowing water to squirt out of the slot and the board to rise during tacks - or more worryingly, to fall through the slot if you capsize. Some have tried velcro but it's a bit thin compared to the proper stuff which is now available from Weta dealers.

Hinged mast step now available

After a few problems with suppliers, Weta have now managed to source a supplier for the stainless steel hinged mast step designed to make it easier to raise your mast if you have difficulty raising it by lifting it into position. You'll need a pole or yoke to start raise the mast a bit to start and then an extension of a line from the forestay through the bow and back to where you're raising the mast will do the rest.
Tip: Standing in the boat to raise it may be easier than alongside.

Prevent Trailer Hangover

If any part of your boat projects from the rear of the trailer more than 1.2 meters, you are required under most State legislation to tie a brightly coloured warning flag or piece of material not less than 300 mm square to it. And when travelling at night, the warning signal must be a red light that can be seen for 200 metres (battery operated rear cycle lights provide an inexpensive solution for short journeys).
Also the number plate must be visible as shown in the diagram below. Mounting it at the side may be a good solution otherwise mount a separate lighting board and plate on the stern.
Other regs may apply - see rules for NSW, VIC, QLD

Tip: Mount your plate on some carpet or a rubber mat bolted to the trailer so it flexes if you hit a kerb when offloading.

Weta price increase warning
Due to a price increase from Weta, resulting from the switch to foam core hulls and the Harken furler, and also the drop in the value of the Australian dollar against the US dollar (10% since January). Prices for new boats with the pin-head mainsail will increase to $20,990 on 1st January (or add $220 for SQ if ordered with boat).

Wetas for Sale (click image for more info)

Weta 764 $13,500

2012 model very good condition. White hull, Blue gennaker. Comes with registered trailer. $13,500.00.
Bundaberg, QLD

Weta 818, $12,900 ono

RACQ NQ Games winner. Comes with all standard rigging and sails, plus LR Sails monster 12 SqM mainsail worth $1200 for ultra performance. Also includes dolly with tow ball hitch for easy launch and retrieval. Trinity Park, QLD 4879

Image may contain: cloud, sky, ocean, mountain, outdoor, water and nature

Weta 967, 2014 model it in excellent condition.
Comes with custom road trailer. $14,500.00. Call Dave. Ph 0447544202
More here

Weta Trimaran 2013. Hull/Sail number 925 one owner since new. Yellow Hulls and Black Gennaker. Includes Dolly with Wheeleez beach wheels on a 2014 Boeing Galvanised trailer Reg. till Feb 2019. Good condition. $13000 or near offer. Always garaged. Hawkesbury Area, NSW. More here

AWCA Traveller Series – Queensland & NSW 2018-19 season.

17-18 November 2018 Beware the Bullets, Palm Beach Sailing Club, NSW. Contact Geoff Waldon
24-25 Nov 2018 Kembla Klassic, Port Kembla Sailing Club, NSW
01-02 Dec Weta QLD State Titles. Lake Cootharaba SC. Contact Hamish for any advice regarding accommodation and camping.
12-13 Jan 2019 Sydney Harbour Weta Cha++)llenge at Woollahra Sailing Club. Contact Geoff Waldon.
26 Jan Australia Day Marathon, Kurnell Catamaran Club, Botany Bay NSW. Contact Paul White
3 Feb Pulbah Island Marathon, Speers Point SC (Lake Macquarie), NSW. Contact Geoff Waldon
8-9 Feb ACT Multihull Championships, Canberra, ACT. Contact Geoff Waldon
9-10 Mar Bundaberg Sailing Club Regatta. Contact Glen Foley
30 Mar –1 Apr Maryborough Easter Regatta at Harvey Bay.
5 May Peter Loft Marathon, Bayview YRC, Pittwater, NSW Contact Paul White
19 May Bargara Bash, Bundaberg Sailing Club
25-26 May Tin Can Bay Cockroach Cup and Cooloola Cup (TBC)
8-9 Jun 2019 Wyvenhoe Winter Marathon. Book campsites early
27-28 Jul 2019 Humpybong Winter Bash
More events here

Australian Weta Class Association Report

President's Report

Hamish is still recuperating from his hip replacement but expecting his new foam boat to be delivered this week. The Queensland State Titles will be decided without individual handicaps.

Membership renewals are now due - To join or renew use instructions below or contact Hamish for alternatives. If you haven’t already done so, don’t forget to claim your free AWCA water bottle/ halyard holder

How to renew or join AWCA

Register and renew your AWCA membership through the A WCA Revsport website using your AS Number. If you are registered with a sailing club you will have a AS Number. To check your number click here.

Free AWCA Halyard Holder/Bottle Holder for new members worth $20 (while stock lasts).

Hamish Urquhart, AWCA Secretary
hamishurquhart48@gmail.com

Class Association website can be found at revolutionise.com.au/awca/ class documents can be found here.

AWCA Resources

Discussion Forum, Used Weta Buyers Guide, Weta Wiki - everything you need to know
Facebook Page - Public Page, Like for updates, share photos/reports;
Facebook Group - AWCA members discussion
Weta Events Calendar - Add your event or share which events you're attending.
News, reviews, tips and reports to ausweta@gmail.com