Life's Better - Weta News - October 2019: Reports | Videos |Events |Tips, bits, tricks and tests

Life's Better - Weta News - August 2019: Videos | Events |Tips, bits, tricks and tests
AGM Vote Results - New SQ Sail

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Wetas around Australia

After two years of being the only racing Weta in South Australia, Glynn Thomas has now been joined by Blake at Adelaide Sailing Club. "It was a good sight to have two Wetas on the water on a beautiful spring day" said Glynn. "Hopefully they can start breeding and begin looking forward to the inaugural Weta SA Titles!"

Weta in South Australia

Meanwhile Craig O'Brien has joined Nick Rutter at Gipsland Lakes Yacht Club, Victoria

Nick reports: "Great news....stop press...its been about 3 months or so since I purchased my wonderful Weta. I was informed on the weekend that there will be a second one at Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club. Could be the start of a revolution!!!"

Rules Quiz

Simultaneous Tacks

Description: Blue sails behind Yellow and then tacks. Yellow also begins a tack. At position 3, Yellow and Blue make contact. Both boats allege the other broke Rule 13.

Which boat(s) should promptly take a penalty? Answer

NSW State Titles - Spiers Point 27 Dec 2019 - 31 Jan 2020

Spiers Point SC will host the first NSW State Titles on Lake Macquarie over the 2019-20 New Year period. Winds permitting, we'll start with a Passage Race on 28th December to have lunch at Wangi Wangi RSL and back. There'll be a mixture of windward-leeward and triangle courses on other days.
There will be a opportunity to view the local New Year fireworks display after the prize giving on 31st December.
We'd welcome visitors from interstate and even overseas - even our Kiwi friends or Snowbirds from the Northern Hemisphere who want to thaw out.
Nearby accommodation includes Pippis at the Point hotel and restaurant or there are B&Bs, AirBNB, and hotels nearby. BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION NOW!
If you want to charter a boat, or have a boat available for charter (SQ sail upgrade offer!), send an email to ausweta@gmail.com
Details of the location and event proposal can be found here
Photo: Clubhouse with launch beach & flat water lake sailing

Upcoming Events

Nov 30-31 QLD State Titles - Lake Cootharaba SC, QLD
Nov 17-18 Bridge To Breakers (Clarence River Marathon), Big River SC, Harwood, NSW
Dec 28- 31 NSW State Titles - Speers Point ASC, Lake Macquarie, NSW
Jan 12 -13 2020 Sydney Harbour Weta Championship - Woollahra Sailing Club, Rose Bay, NSW
Jan 25 – 26 Ronstan Aust Day Regatta - McCrae YC, VIC
Jan 26 Botany Bay Aust. Day Marathon Race, Kurnell Catamaran Club, NSW
More info on the AWCA Events Calendar here

Shack All

If you have difficulty sourcing stainless steel fittings from your local chandlers, The 316 Shop may have exactly what you're looking for. Specialising in everything stainless steel including marine products from anchors to yacht fittings.

Get Back on Track

The SQ sail tends to jump out of the track because of the luff curve which may gradually cause the bolt rope to pull out - especially when hoisting or lowering the sail.
There is a stronger black sail track which has thicker sidewalls and a reinforced groove which doesn't open up as easily as the white track supplied with the Weta. The track is available by the metre from skiff riggers and 9er dealers such as NB Sailsports. In testing, a 30cm strip at the foot of the mast seems to be working better than the original track.

Weta Self Tacking Jib

Weta announced the development of a Self-Tacking Jib at the recent On The Water Boat Show in Auckland.

It's still in the prototype stage but it will appeal to anyone who has difficulty managing all the sails and the tiller at the same time while tacking or gybing.

The version on show required some modification of the deck but it's likely that the final version will bolt on without any modifications required apart from a slightly smaller jib. Photos: Sail-World

Better Bungee

Bungee or Shock Cord can degrade rapidly when exposed to UV. Now there are alternatives available which are UV resistant and won't degrade in sunlight. The Better Bungee/Perfect Bungee is made of polyurethane and can be found in Whiworths and DIY stores with a variety of hook, clip and loop ends.

Ultra-light and super-strong
Doesn’t become brittle and won’t break
Remains stretchy
Odorless
Color stable
Perform regardless of exposure to hot, cold, UV, saltwater, petrol, diesel, oil, hydraulic fluids, and most household chemicals.

Wetas for Sale

There's been a rush of Wetas changing hands from South Australia to Queensland - if you have one that's under-used or want to swap it for a nice new lightweight foam-core one with a SQ mainsail, send a mail with details to Ausweta@gmail.com to get it included in the newsletter, facebook and website.

New Foam Core Weta - save $1000
● Used for display at Pittwater Sail Expo
● SQ mainsail upgrade included
● Only available in blue
● Trailer included
● Ready to sail including trolley
Contact Weta Sydney on 0447 215 145 or email info@wetasydney.com.au

Is sailing a pain in the neck?

Get rid of neck pain with the Decathlon Belayer prismatic glasses - now you can see the sails without having to crick your neck.
● Cleaning cloth built-in to case.
● BK7 prism for brighter image.
● 3.4 cm wide prism for panoramic field of vision.
● Thermoformed shell protects glasses, which attach to harness.
● Steadier and more comfortable to wear thanks to rubber on nose and support strap

Shallow water Weta mod

If you sail in shallow water or in tidal areas you may find it difficult to right your Weta if you capsize because the mast touches the bottom and one ama port ends up below the water and the other up in the air where you can't reach them (aka the TV aerial position).
Patrick, who sails in very tidal waters at Rock in Cornwall, UK has solved this problem with a remote release for the ama float which is led forward to a release line under the tramp. His solution does look a little heavy - an alternative may be to run a line to these handle of these 4 inch Kayak hatches found on eBay.

Australian Weta Class Association Report

We are in the process of finalising the Class Rules with Weta Marine in line with the changes announced at the AGM. Registration and the NOR for the NSW and QLD State Titles will be available shortly.

To join the class or renew use the instructions below or contact Hamish for alternatives.

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.

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 Merchandise

Buy your customisable Weta Merchandise here - all profits go to running costs and trophies.

Life's Better with a Weta Performance Hat

New Customisable Weta Rash Vests Available here - Kids, Men and Women's sizes available

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