Yachts & Yachting - July 2018

ON-GOING SUCCESS

So what’s the formula behind the boat’s

continued success? “he key thing about

the Squib class is the closeness of the

one design racing,” says class chairman

Nigel Grogan. “We are fortunate that

the boats all go pretty much exactly the

same speed, so even in club racing you

are always within striking distance of

the boats in front and behind. Wherever

you are in the leet it’s never boring.

“he class is renowned for not being

about cheque-book sailing and is the

better for that,” Grogan adds. It’s possible

to ind a boat capable of winning the

nationals for less than £10,000, while mid

leet boats can be bought for £2-4,000.

As an example of what’s possible, a boat

bought for only £1,000 won a race in

a recent East Coast Championship.

“Having ofered close racing for

50 years, there are big leets at clubs

around the country, plus a good, but not

too extensive, programme of opening

meetings and championships,” he says.

“We also introduced a travellers’ trophy

around 10 years ago that is eagerly pursued

and is a very valued trophy to win.”

he biggest leets are currently at

Burnham on Crouch in Essex, Royal

Victoria YC on the Isle of Wight,

Abersoch in Wales, Weymouth,

Plymouth,PortsmouthandatOulton

Broad/Lowestot on the East Coast.

Although intended as a two-person boat,

smaller teenagers from RVYC have had

encouraging results racing three-up.

he boat is easy to handle on shore

andtheeaseoftowingisafurtherpart

of the class’s popularity. Although some

Squibs are dry sailed, most clubs sail

the boats from moorings. It’s possible to

careen a Squib to 45 degrees using the

spinnaker halyard in order to scrub the

bottom, which helps to contain costs.

“hey can be brilliantly simple boats to

sail,” adds Grogan. “You can step of a

club launch, rig the boat quickly and be

ready for racing in only a few minutes.”

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS

For the national championship the

class has tended to alternate between

clubs with established leets and other

iconic locations that help to provide

variety. he long-term average is more

than50boatsatthenationalsandthere

were89boatsatthe40theventhosted

by the Royal Victoria YC in 2008.

“Forthe50thanniversarywewere

looking for something special,” says

Grogan. “Lendy Cowes Week is a

very sociable event – that has always

HOW TO WIN: LENDY COWES WEEK

Steve Warren-Smith was class winner at last year’s

Lendy Cowes Week, sailing his 50-year old boat,

Aquabat, with Stu Rix helming. He says: “All the top

boats will have sorted bottom preparation, sails,

trimming, training well in advance,” but he adds, “but

Cowes is unique in other ways.” Here are his top tips:

1) Keep your head out of the boat. Spot other

fleets that might be crossing you – or shipping,

which can come up very fast. Then make an early

plan to avoid drastic last minute changes.

2) Look for wind signs: other fleets on a diferent breeze;

clouds on an island or mainland shore; kites filling from

a diferent direction. Again it’s ‘head out of the boat’.

3)It’s easy to get bogged down thinking about tides,

and miss big wind changes. Last year young Alex

Downer (15) won a day by keeping out of Norris, in

worse tide but good breeze. We never saw him again!

4)The most important is your team. You are going

to spend 30+ hours in a two person boat during the

regatta, so sail with someone you get on with: work

well together, talk and update. I’ve sailed with Stu Rix

for a few years now and the dynamics just work well.

5)Always bepositive – there’s no time for

negative news. If you enjoy it you will do

well, and if you do well you’ll enjoy it!

PHOTOS: PAUL WYETH/COWES WEEK LTD

July 2018 Yachts & Yachting 65