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While our “big boys” were racing the IOM Rankings in West Lancs on Sunday, the rest of us were lucky enough to get a good look at the latest (voluptuous!) glassfibre prototype of the Proteus.
Gosh, that boat is going to be light at the ends. Fantastic. Plus a proprietary Red Ant, faster thinner stiffer lighter Fin-Set. The main focus of discussion though on Sunday was the sheeting system. This version is the semi-under-deck system that we have on our F6 Marbleheads. Very neat it was too (clever under-deck sealed tubes). We had wide ranging discussion as to whether it should be totally under the deck and emerge at PTFE deck ferrules…. or indeed at the other extreme, have it all on deck so you can fix it in a hurry. Perhaps all three will be options, we shall see. It didn’t seem appropriate to photograph the somewhat secret section amidships, but suffice it to say that there is a 3D printed section within there with everything integrated and adding rigidity – making it a kind of ‘hybrid’ in a way. Very clever. Some development happening at the shroud anchorages too… and not visible in the photo there is one of those clever magnetic jib tracks, special sheet eye positions… just lots of trickle down technology from F6, and loads of unique IP in there. Without correctors, the boat is extremely light yet amazingly stiff. Really stiff.
As you probably know, it is being built by K7 Yachts. I believe there are several European orders placed already, but if interested you can put your name down quickly. Just hurry.
I did.
(You can contact K7 Yachts, by using the Club email address on the contacts page of this website.)
It was our host Club’s 50th Anniversary celebrations this weekend!! Good to feel part of it with them. They combined a few onshore celebrations with the 2026 Club Championships out on the water. Racing was greeted by a misty 5mph breeze, but looked pretty intense !!
Onshore there was meant to be a charity walk around the Reservoir (about 3 miles) but amazingly permission was withdrawn by the landlord – pity! Still we had the ladies run a Hospice shop – great jigsaws on sale!
The upstairs had been properly decorated and was looking great for the Championship prize giving not to mention the Bake Off Competition!
As it happens, five key members of Datchet Radio Sailing were competing away from home, leaving us somewhat depleted. The cool misty day would not have helped either – it wasn’t all that alluring!!
To make up for it, Graham brought a couple of stunning boats from his personal collection – with Howard and Richard there to give a hand, plus Phil consulting on the phone!. By the way, Richard 30 years a member and Howard even more than that !
The first was this amazing radio gaff rig cutter – quite a size actually. Superb craftsmanship as you’d expect – one of four built to the 15 metre rule for a group at Frensham. Technically very interesting to sail as there were three radio channels – main and jib sheets being on separate channels of the left joystick. (RJ thinking about some areas where the radio can help out – the joystick for jib sheet goes in different directions on starboard and port!)
Was this the first time a gaff rig had been seen at Datchet ?? Maybe!
The second boat was a converted Vane Ten Rater built to the old rule. That’s the one that stole my heart today – a gorgeous complete rebuild and running on radio now. Stunning and a whopping size. Stupidly I didn’t get photos of that as I had my IOM on the water on “rescue” duty in case we lost the gaff cutter … which happened a few times on saturday!! A small matter if the mainsheet not staying on the winch drum as intended!!
The IOM Rankings just finished at West Lancs. We had four Datchet team members enter – Craig, Nigel, Austin and Harry. Actually couldn’t see Harry on the results I dont think so maybe he didn’t go – jolly long way!!
Craig, Nigel and Austin all finished in the top third of a hot fleet – Craig says both he and Nigel lost a race each to weed in Ranking 1. Cross!! There’ll be a story to Ranking 2 as well I expect.
Peter Stollery doing well too.
Note Tony Edwards in the secret new Robot boat going well 🙂
Meanwhile, David L was down at Gosport for the Vane Marbleheads – great photos on MYA Downwind (16 entries) , but results awaited.
Datchet Radio Sailing - Making It All Much Easier !! 