RS Aeros - The Bowmoor Bubble - Fleet ‘Lift-Off’ weekend

by Peter Barton on 19 Nov 2014 23 sailors pitched up to be enlightened on ‘Everything Aero’ on the class association organised Bowmoor Fleet ‘Lift-Off’ weekend. The fourteen-boat fleet consisted of twelve owned boats and eleven eager demo sailors took it in turns over the weekend in the two demo boats provided by RS. Fleet Captain, Dave Lynall, generously lent his boat also.

Two brand spanking new boats were conveniently delivered that morning to their excited new owners for use that day. With a few Bowmoor ‘old hands’ ready to assist, the two boats were quickly rigged and readied for action. It was a foggy windless start to the day but that was no issue as we had plenty to talk about!

Alex Southon of RS started the proceedings with an informative run through the boat; rigging, launching, boat care and design. Whilst the ethos of the Aero is simplicity it remains packed full of small design features that are all there for good reason!

Peter Barton then took over the sailing side of things; sail controls, technique and boat handling – describing many Aero specifics where the lightweight 30kg hull and responsive carbon rig may vary from previous classes sailed.

Still no wind, so inside we went for an early lunch. A quick chat on Class plans; Winter Series, 2015 Nationals, 2015 UK Series, Aero5 Squad, the Class Association and general Aero Admin!

Only a slight sign of breeze now, so enough time for a run through of the three main forms of capsize; ‘dry, wet and turtle’. Like most things in life; if it is hard you are likely going about it the wrong way! Some simple instruction of each method followed and a description of how conventional techniques need small variations due to the super light 30kg hull and carbon rig. As they would when you change between any two boats.

By now, bang on cue, a gentle force 1-2 was spreading across the lake and a quick change and rig had all the boats on the start line ready for some coached short series racing. We were incredibly fortunate to squeeze in four two-lap races with simple 30 second delay pursuit style starts between the different rig sizes. The approximate ratings worked well over an 18-20 minute race, with a mixture of rigs through the results. Prizes and Birthday cake followed!

Eight Aeros joined in the fast fleet’s two club races on the Sunday with more new faces enjoying the force 2-3. The RS Aeros took out both race wins; Dave Lynall in the first and Harry Joyce in the second.

All in all, it was a most enjoyable weekend with some very positive feedback. We certainly made the very most of the conditions that we were dealt.

Results of Saturday's ‘Bowmoor Bubble’ – Four races, One discard

	Club	Rig Size	Sail number	R1	R2	R3	R4	Net Total	Posn.
Al Keck	Bowmoor SC	9	1068	4	2	1	1	4	1
Paul Robson	Reading SC	7	1079	2	3	2	2	6	2
Phil Wright	Frampton SC	9	1135	7	8	4	3	14	3
Doug Roberts	Bowmoor SC	7	1006	8	7	5	5	17	4
Antony Lynall	Avon SC	9	1007	1	1	DNS	DNS	21	5
Peter Lewis	Avon SC	9	1010	10	12	8	6	24	6
Kate Tustin	Bowmoor SC	7	1008	11	10	7	7	24	7
Robin Harwood	Bowmoor SC	7	1012	12	11	6	8	25	8
Derrick Page	Bowmoor SC	7	1009	DNS	DNS	3	4	26	9
Shaun Curtis	Bowmoor SC	9	1023	3	5.5	DNS	DNS	27.5	10
Fi Lucas	Bowmoor SC	7	1009	5	4	DNS	DNS	28	11
Bryan Smith	Bowmoor SC	7	1000	6	5.5	DNS	DNS	30.5	12
Richard Miller	Avon SC	9	1134	9	9	DNS	DNS	37	13
Maggie Dunn	Lyme Regis	7	1000	DNS	DNS	DNS	9	47	14
Primrose Salt	Chew Valley Lake SC	5	1023	DNS	DNS	DNS	10	48	15
Harry Joyce	Bowmoor SC	9	1064	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	57	16
Andy Warren	Avon SC	9	1011	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	57	17
Cathy Batram	Chew Valley Lake SC	5	1023	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	57	18