Speed Sails have put together this Mirror tuning guide to help you set your boat up close to its ideal settings. These settings should be regarded as a starting point for fine tuning as individual boats and crews may need to alter them slightly for best performance. When you have your boat set up, remember to mark everything so that the settings can be reproduced quickly.

Speed Sails Mirror Tuning Guide

Speed Sails have put together this tuning guide to help you set your boat up close to its ideal settings. These settings should be regarded as a starting point for fine tuning as individual boats and crews may need to alter them slightly for best performance. When you have your boat set up, remember to mark everything so that the settings can be reproduced quickly.

Speed Sails Merlin Tuning Guide

Sign up to the Speed Sunday Offers Newsletter, The Newsletter is a weekly event with all the Offers being Online Exclusives only and most running for a Week Only.  Featured in the Newsletter will be primarily Offers we have on certain lines, New Products coming into stock, Offers on Sails, Covers, Class Spares etc..

An Enterprise Fleet of 32 launched for the first Race of five Races in this Championship, in gusty 5, but steady wind of 3-4. This was also the first appearance, at an Enterprise Inland Championship of four new Enterprise Mark III Rondar Raceboats – helmed by Paul Hobson, Ges Brown, Dave Staniforth and Mark Lunn.

Sails were flapping and the initial launch saw quite a few competitors hesitating on the shore line. Not the case with two newcomers to the Enterprise Fleet, both were eager for this new experience. Sam Pearce an U21 Helm with Dad Alex Pearce from Burghfield SC crewing, was not phased by these windy conditions. This also was the case for Mike Heffer with his son (under 16) crew, Jake Heffer. Jake is of slight build and after the race helmed the Enterprise back to shore, which was ‘no mean feat' in these windy conditions.

These conditions are ideal for planing/reaching Enterprises. It was a spectacular site as Helms and Crews disappeared in incredible waves of white water and spray. All this was captured by Photographer Peter Newton on Saturday.

This 2 Day Championship, because of the weather conditions only took place on Saturday, when 2 races were completed. The competitors came prepared to sail on Sunday although the predicted weather forecast was very poor – strong winds and rain, but it was hoped by the Race Officer David Rollands and team, to find a window midday/early pm. Two wind readings were taken, steady force 4/5 and unbelievably as I am writing this report at Rutland SC gusting 11!!

Dave and team did an excellent job and the sailing on Saturday, although tiring, was much appreciated by the Enterprise Fleet and his judgment was supported to abandon all sailing on Sunday. The first 6 positions were strongly contested with two ties in the first 6 places. Jonathan Woodward/Alex Halliwell and Tim Sadler/Richard Sault tied on 6 points and Pete Lawson/Gareth Balfour and Paul Hobson/Libby Allen tied on 13 points.

Once the 'plug was pulled' on Sunday racing the Southworth Race Office (excellent room provided by Rutland SC – thank you) was quick to produce the final prize list for this event so competitors could leave for home. Prize giving took place at 11 00 am. Prizes were presented by Commodore Peter Ashworth – Rutland SC and Commodore Paul Young – Enterprise Association. The winner of the Enterprise Inland Championship, Nick Craig who was Yachtsman of the Year 2011, concluded the proceedings by thanking the Rutland SC, bar, catering staff, Race Officer and team for an excellent weekend despite the difficult sailing conditions. Nick also thanked the Enterprise Association sponsors Noble Marine Insurance and Rondar Raceboats.

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Boat Name Helm Crew Club R1 R2 Pts

1st 23170 TEAM GILL Nick Craig James Stewart Frensham Pond SC 1 1 2

2nd 23089 SIMPLY RED Jonathan Woodward Alex Halliwell South Staffs SC 2 4 6
3rd 23127 TIME FOR PLAN B Tim Sadler Richard Sault Yorkshire Dales 3 3 6
4th 19876 SUBSONIC WHINKLE Alan Johnson Paula Fisher SSC/SCYC 5 2 7
5th 22405 THUNDERBIRD III Pete Lawson Gareth Balfour Bass SC 8 5 13
6th 23270 KITTY Paul Hobson Libby Alle BCYC 7 6 13
7th 23015 WEDGE Nick Jackson Charles Bower BURGHFIELD 10 8 18
8th 23223 HEAVY PETTING ZOO Steve Graham Chris Blundell Northampton 9 10 19
9th 22702 ESPADARTE Jane Scutt Nick Scutt Middle Nene 4 17 21
10th 22439 FLOOZY Phil Bevan Laura Bevan Grafham Water SC 15 7 22
11th 22501 BLUE JOB Alice Allen Sharky BCYC 14 9 23
12th 22933 HRT Ann Jackson Alan Skeens Burghfield SC 12 11 23
13th 22929 BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS Calum Mackenzie Rory Mackenzie Ogston SC 16 12 28
14th 22102 David Porter Beth Porter WLYC 17 13 30
15th 21932 UM Ben Burrows Mike Radford West Oxon SC 22 14 36
16th 22901 OUT OF THE BLUE Paul Young Megan Ward Midland SC 21 16 37
17th 22620 Matthew Velamail Max Nicholson Ulley SC 18 20 38
18th 55 SPEED MACHINE Mark Lunn Steve Blackburn WLYC/Pilkington 6 DNF 39
19th 22322 KIRK UP CASTOFFS Keith Tyler Katie Tyler Hunts 24 15 39
20th 23248 Martin Bottomley Ray Ball Emberton Park 23 18 41

Enterprise Flyaway Pole System Kit

Now is your chance to buy our winning edge flyaway pole for the Enterprise dinghy. As used currently by Mark Lunns race winning Speed Machine - (he has upgraded to the carbon fibre pole). The flyaway pole is in effect an automatic jib stick, making the job of deploying and retrieving the pole very much easier. Also additional performance for the profile and shaping of the jib to the various angles you try off wind. The pole system comes with a number of components that you simply put together and fit to your boat. Please see the following youtube link to show the angles offwind for the pole adjustment.

Speed Team

Another Enteprise race, another Speed Machine victory! 2 out of 2 wins for the NEW Speed Machine.  Mark and Steve won race 1, came third in race 2 and won the 3rd race.

Staunton Harold sailing club hosted the Enterprise fleet for their annual open meeting on Sunday 22nd April. Thirteen Competitors were greeted by a blustery force 4 which fortunately for some decreased during the day.

Visitors Mark Lunn and Steve Blackburn sailing a smart new boat broke away from the fleet to take the winning gun from Alan Johnson after a close battle with Jon Woodward. Race 2 the tables the results were reversed with AJ claiming a victory followed by Jon and Mark. All was at stake for the last race.

With the wind dropping to a more gentle 2/3 Mark broke away from the fleet followed by Ges Brown and Julie Moore also in a new Rondar. Never be complacent when AJ has a poor start. Well down the fleet at first mark the charge began. Alan and Paula just kept going eventually overhauling Ges and Julie for 2nd. It was good to watch if you were in not front of them! Further down the fleet Nigel and Diana Pepperdine had a good battle just taking 4th place from Brian Garrison sailing with his brother.

A thank you to Tim Grey and his race team for running the event and Anita Ewbank and the galley team for an excellent lunch.

By Nigel Pepperdine

Results:

1st Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn, WLYC
2nd Alan Johnson & Paula Fisher, SCYC
3rd Jon Woodward & Chris Blundell, SSSC

The Speed Machine in action below:

Sutton Bingham Phantom Open

Saturday 14th April 2012 saw the dawn of the Annual Sutton Bingham SC Phantom Open. With the previous two years being hampered by light to no winds the competitors were greeted by the makings of a 10 knot breeze for the three race event.

8 local club boats supported by 5 visitors started the first race at the bottom end of the lake. The Race officer Dave Thomson and his team set a fairly short line causing a few shouts as the boats set off in a growing and shifting breeze. Local boy Ian Jay set the PACE with Simon Hawkes (Wimbleball), Tim Hemlsey (Frensham) and Nick Orman (Castle Cove)hot on his heals. Through out the race the lead changed hand a number of times depending which side of the beat you went up. Nick Orman was looking good for the win when he stuck it in on the last beat in a growing breeze. It was then a fight to the line where Ian Jay secured the honours closely followed by Hawkes, Hemsley and Orman.

Following lunch the second race started in a breeze that was now showing 20 knot guests. A barging start by Tim Hemsley saw him forced into penalty turns and a place at the back of the fleet for the first beat. Once again the same contenders battled for the front of the fleet this time with the addition of Nick Mason (Island Barn Resrvoir) exchanging 4th and 5th place with Tim Hemsley each beat as he worked his way up the fleet. Line honours went to Hawkes followed by Jay, Orman, Hemsley and Mason.

After a quick break the final race was on. With Ian Jay and Simon Hawkes both carrying a first and second place, this was the decider. There was a good 15 knots gusting to 20 as the fleet got away. Hawkes immediately established a credible lead which he did not relinquish giving a master class in flat boat sailing in gusting conditions and taking the event overall. Jay was 2nd followed by Hemsley and Mason.

A great days sailing in sunny and windy conditions. The Phantom Fleets Southern Series now moves on to Island Barn Reservoir SC for their next event on Saturday 21st April 2012.

Final standings.

1st - Simon Hawkes (2.0)
2nd- Ian Jay (3.0)
3rd - Tim Hemsley (6.0)
4th - Nick Orman (7.0)
5th - Nick Mason (9.0)
6th - Chris Bottomley (12.0)
7th - Jenn Botterill (14.0)
8th - Tony Cumberbatch (14.0)
9th - Richard Cumberbatch (14.0)
10th - John Bower (15.0)
11th - Steve Joyce (21.0)
12th - Nick Hendry (23.0)
13th - Phil Bailey (24.0)

for more photos and information please visit 

http://www.suttonbinghamsc.net/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

Enterprise’s at Toddbrook Sailing Club

Round 1 of the North West Top Helm Series

15 ^th April 2012

As 17 competitors arrived at Toddbrook, Whaley Bridge in the high peak in between Stockport and Buxton we enjoyed a sunny day with a cold northerly wind. The wind was 8mph gusting to 14mph. . Dave Staniforth (Ulley) was sailing his brand new Rondar mark 3 Enterprise. Mark Lunn was sailing the brand new Speed Sails Mark 3 Rondar Enterprise. After a Bacon Butty and a catch up with all the sailors who haven’t seen each other since the end of the season, we set sail for two races back to back.

Race 1, the start line was difficult to execute because of the northerly wind direction. Everybody seemed to get away from the start line cleanly. Mark Lunn and Steve Blackburn WLYC created a gap on the first run to the bottom of the lake. The wind came from behind and Alan Johnson and Paula Fisher SCYC overtook and held first for the remainder of the race. Mark managed to hold onto second place. Sam Woods and Richard Hayton (Etherow) sailed extremely well to finish in third with his father Tony Woods with crew Charlie Berry (Etherow) in fourth place. James Morley & Gary Benton (Ulley) finished in fifth.

We soon started race 2 and all credit to the officer of the day the course was excellent with good long beats and superb runs, just what Enterprise sailors need. Tony woods had the best start and extending his lead finishing in first. Alan Johnson sailed very well after a slow start he overtook 3 or 4 boats on the to finish second. Mark Lunn didn’t have the best time on the first run but managed to pull himself up to third. Richard Critchley & Izzy Sowley (Pilkington) had his best result of the day and came in forth with a good strong second beat. Alison Payne and Kev Law Toddbrook also had their best result of the day finishing 5 ^th with a solid performance.

It was now time for lunch, Jacket potatoes with variety of toppings from Chili, salad, and cheese and dessert was Apple crumble and custard swallowed down with a lovely cup of tea. We were certainly treated to some great food.

Race 3, the course had been changed slightly with a very starboard start line; the bias start line caused trouble for a few boats colliding into each other. Mark Lunn and Tony Woods again started well and exchanged places on the first and second run. Mark pulled away a little on the second beat and finished first. Tony came in second. Sam Woods had another great race finishing third. Fourth place went to Alan Johnson who sailed his way through fleet after a poor start. Adam Loveday & Rachel Berkitt (Rotherham) had their best result of the day finishing fifth.

The racing at Toddbrook was very close, it didn’t matter if you were 17 ^th or 1 ^st many of the Enterprises were exchanging places right to very end of each race. You couldn’t even split the top three with all three sailors on 3 points each. First place was achieved by final discard. The hospitality from Toddbrook was first class. We are looking forward to next Open at Winsford flash SC Sunday 22 ^nd April, Followed by the Noble Marine Inland National Championship at Rutland 28 ^thand 29 ^th April.

Results:

1 ^st Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn, Speed Sails, WLYC 3pts
2 ^nd Tony Woods & Charlie Berry, 23196, Etherow 3pts
3 ^rd Alan Johnson & Paula Fisher 19876, SCYC 3pts
4 ^th Sam Woods & Richard Hayton 23165, Etherow 6pts
5 ^th Richard Critchley & Izzy Sowley 22814, Pilkington 10pts
6 ^th James Morley & Gary Benton 21566, Ulley 11pts
7 ^th Adam Loveday & Rachel Berkitt 22977, Rotherham 13pts
8 ^th Alison Payne & Kev Law 22564, Toddbrook 13pts
9 ^th Calum & Rory Mackenzie 22929, Ogston 14pts
10 ^th John Berry & Erica Hayton 21983, Etherow 19pts
11 ^th Tim & Jackie Finch 23050, Chester 20pts
12 ^th Paul Young & Alex Homer 22901, Midland 21pts
13 ^th Mike Maddocks & Carys Done 22117, Chester 23pts
14 ^th Dave Staniforth & Matt Dyson 23272, Ulley 23pts
15 ^th Richard Heemingway & Chris Morton 19755, Etherow 28pts
16 ^th Chris Barnes & Chris Hunt 22325, Toddbrook 29pts
17 ^th Chris Gay & Richard Thorpe 13719, Toddbrook 32pts

More photos of the Speed Machine in action can be seen here

Sorry for the lack of posts lately guys, we've been kinda busy. Some news to come to later this week though on all things Speed Sails!. In the meantime check out this nice little picture we took of one of our new Phantom Aeroweb 3D Moulded Sail

Phantom Aeroweb Sail now available 
Phantom Mainsail Dacron now available
Phantom Mainsail Laminate Maxx 04 now available

We've been busy lately adding Milanes Foils to our website for many classes.  So if your looking for a new Rudder, Centreboard for your Boat, Milanes foils are the way to go!.  Heres a bit about Milanes

Milanes Foils have been manufacturing centreboards and rudders since 1975, helping dinghy sailors achieve top results in Olympic and National classes. Our foils have, for example, won Olympic silver (Finn and FD) and Gold (Finn) as well as World Championships in 420, 505, Contender, OK, Enterprise, Cadet, to name but a few, classes. We have also achieved National Championship wins in over 20 other well known Dinghy and keelboat Classes. We also manufacture and supply rudderstocks in various materials, including wood, foam, glass, and carbon.We have templates for most of the National and International classes and within specific rule limitations we endeavour to produce the most efficient shaped foils taking into account minimum drag and maximum lift characteristics.

View our Range of Milanes foils