FRAMPTON MOTHS 2013

[Pie-eyed]

Frampton Moths have a new MOTH Hombre...Chris Latham.
He is bound to be better than the Idiot who ran the Show over the last couple of years but give him the support to kick off his reign as Frampton Moth Hombre Superiore...
You could always start and visit the Tropics for our Open at the end of March.
The Lathams are avid Moth supporters ...its a fact that Lathams have out numbered any other family at the Nationals for the last 3 years ... rumour has it they are still breeding !
Chris is a good sort,RYA Instructor,and pretrty quick with the right equipment on the water.
Although the Fleet at Frampers has got smaller the quality has steadily improved. ALL the racing Moths are top drawer and all well equipped..new sticks and rags. A mix of Old Gits,Seasoned Campaigners and new to Class Sailors who are keen to do well give a good balance to the Fleet ...plus a few Guest Sailors from time to time joining in the fun and no doubt Clubless New Boy dropping in occaisionally.
2013 looks like being interesting.
Good Luck Chris ...see you at the Bar [Mines a Speckled Hen !]

RW

[MothHombre]

Thanks for the introduction Roger.

Roger has eluded to the quality of the fleet at Frampton. Its fair to say that a lot of the improvements we have all made has been down to Roger. His undoubted enthusiasm has also meant that the class has retained a decent foothold at the club and we are now seen as a permanent fixture.

I think Roger's impact as fleet captain was also felt beyond the shores of Tropical Frampton and benefited the class as a whole. Its certainly big wet boots to step in to.

A big thanks Roger on behalf of the Frampton Moths! I dont normally buy people drinks because im tight, but maybe yours is a speckled hen next time we are at the bar...

Chris (moth hombre.....apparently!)

[RUM PIE]

Frampton Moths are off to Whitefriars S.C. for the Cotswold Federation Regatta on Saturday 20th April....Strong winds are not requested just some gentle Moth friendly breezes .
4 best boats to qualify in the Club event against 8 or so other Cotswold Clubs...a toughie.

[RUM PIE]

755 returns to Frampton to join the other Plycraft flyers Oak and Lilac Beauty.
Undoubtedly quick Moths yet down to weight and stiff.
755 originally named Damp Course and then changed to Fast One....who knows what Hombre Del Moth will call her now !

[RUM PIE]

Good looking Frampton bloke on the Home Page do you think ?
Well maybe not but for the fashion concious....

Hi Fits by SLAM
Spray Top and Boots by GILL
Gloves by MUSTO
Cap by AIRBUS INDUSTRIES
Hair by LAURA

[New Boy]

There is a good looking bloke on the home page pic. Its a real shame you cant see him as there is some old guy in the way
New Boy

[MothHombre]

The Frampton Moths have been fairly busy with some very close and enjoyable racing amongst the fleet. In the Wednesday series we have been putting ourselves about a lot, leading races on the water against Enterprises and Rooster 8.1s (they form part of our handicap race) and even catching some Solo's who have their own start 2 mins ahead of us. What's more is that we have done it in a variety of wind strengths, including last nights blowy conditions. The windy weather we have had has allowed me to start to change the perception of the class being a 'boat for drifters', gladly pointing out that (TOUCH WOOD!) I haven't capsized even in the really windy stuff, whilst Lasers, Ents, Solos, Phantoms and every other class, seem to have been quite keen to test the water out. What has been especially nice is the good spirit of the class has continued into the new season and we have all enjoyed some excellent racing. Long may it continue!

[mulgabill]

Thanks to the hombre for not mentioning my 2 capsizes and visit to the bushes last Sunday.

As 880 is in the boatshed for more remedial work on the gunnel edging, I was to sail his "old" boat on Wednesday. Only to find he'd "borrowed" too many blocks to supercharge the Fast One.

Undaunted, and the rain having stopped, I decided to take 360 for a first jaunt since its own protracted sojourn at home. I realised that I wouldn't be competitive, she is currently aft sheeted and the controls pretty basic. But she is intended to be available to inexperienced club members to get a first taste of our class.

However the controls proved pretty ineffective in the fresh winds, and carried the sail at a pretty jaunty angle, which didn't engender confidence. Half way through the race I reflected that the race had taken on the feel of a mini solo circumnavigation, in the way that to make adjustments I had to virtually stop, pull on the controls, and then restart. However I was holding onto a reasonable place on the water behind Chris (at some distance) but ahead of the only Ent that was out.

Until I reached the Southern Ocean (approaching White) and experienced the other extreme of these single handed adventures -

-I was dismasted!

All in slow motion - the forestay fitting pulled out, but the mast stayed upright. I tried to signal the rescue boat for help, and hailed the crew of the Ent who were thoroughly confused by my
"tactics". The mast and sail then slowly fell, pinning me into the boat.

Miraculously there was no significant damage, to me or the boat. Subsequent forensic examination showed the problem stemmed from a repair by a previous owner. A dowel joint had failed and pulled out on one of the fittings screws.

So tropical Frampton has also been quite exciting, and providing new experiences along the way.

Regards TONY

[MothHombre]

Three Moths out today enjoying some windy sailing. Our clubs weather station was at the most sheltered end of the lake but still read average wind speed of 20mph gusting 26. The narrowest part of the lake (round by green for those who have visited) was where the wind was strongest and we enjoyed a dead run and gybe. To add to the tension the safety boat, when not employed elsewhere on the lake, circled like vultures waiting to swoop on victims of a gybe capsize.

Each of us lead our Moth race, within the pursuit race, at one point or another and we enjoyed a good tussle. None of us capsized, whilst all the other classes seemed to fall victim to the conditions at one point or another. Hopefully that will show some of the Moth sceptics at the club that we can enjoy a good race in a blow. We certainly seemed to be smiling the most as we came off the water.