Glad all are well, Lucky pants on I think is the only thing you could say here apart from well done to the Irish RNLI for such a good job.

Video Credit: Pete and the refit team.

Following what could only be described as a small very small inperfection on the Hull following light use over the years in local regattas, (it said in the Brokerage sales report) Like any old ageing Super Model of a certain age “Thunder Bird” needed to have the treatment. Botox, Surgery and Steriods. Now as you can see from the video, she has a new lovely pert / hard bottom again and has been stiffened up like a 18 year old, a new splash of make up (Paint Job) Taller rig and deeper keel should help her to pull again like any good 40′s something should. (someone’s going to get HUMPED)

Well done Team Thunderbird

All images taken by Marc Turner of PFM Pictures www.pfmpictures.co.uk

TEAM JACKAROO  2011 Scottish Series Winners

The Jackaroo crew,Hamish Mackay, Peter Cameron, George Purves, Billy Russell Jr, Jon Fitzgerald and Roddy Anderson, all along with owner  Jim Dick.

For the grown up story follow this link

Photo Credit : Marc Turner http://www.pfmpictures.co.uk/

Some great sorry stunning photo’s from Marc Turner at the above link from Scottish Series. Who’s going to win the TURNER PRIZE this year?

Photo Credit Marc Turner http://www.pfmpictures.co.uk/

To many compeitors Scottish Series has been the best in  memory. The new format of One Race a day and off to the pub for Magor other sporting events is proving very popular indeed and not only for the pub owners.

Sundays race was sailed in the very strongest of very windy very challenging type of conditions with the lulls down to 34kts and the gusts up at 44 kts. It was as you might think a big boys days out by all accounts.

 IRC One was by all accounts a fan fair of wipe outs and bad shit happening mostly on the down hill legs. The big proper boats of the class Tokoloshe and Antix, showed everyone that could see them just how it was done both up hill and brilliantly down hill with the Antix fore deck even showing what to do when it all goes wrong with not clipping the down haul on…..couple of seconds later it was all sorted and  back up to MAC 3 speed with everything they had. It was however not enough and after a faultless sail By Tokoloshe and its perfect crew / boat handling where doing MAC 4 and won the Golden Shot followed by Antix. In third place was local boat Zephyr now sailing on thier correct handicap (Down 7 points) having a very good series. Owner $tevi Cowie, was said to be having a absoulute fuckin ball and really enjoying the Series, Not a man known for generating a lot of wind power but what he does know is how to harness it and max it out to his advantage.He will only be looking at the two front runners in the fleet to make up his mind whats on the shopping list for next season, now he ‘s got the hang of it. Some say the back of the boat they canny sing, but Ive heard there main sheet trimmmer whinnning like a burst dog at Karoke night before, but not on this occasssion when he was lucky not to lose his head (which is much bigger than a finger) during a little issue with a jammer cleat, only breaking his Harken sunglasses in this instance, ego still intact bashed on losing more than a pint of blood to the finish. I have no predictions for who’s going to win this class.

IRC 3  It just gets better, Grand Gru 2 (Know now as Grand Larson2) turned up the noise today and claimed that yestarday was only the satrt of something much bigger (And thats not going to be a head sail, is it)? Yes they burst through when it counts and stole first place for the second day in a row. “Salamander who” was the cry from the after gaurd who will be looking for a repeat performace tomorrow to take them into prize list, maybe collecting something overall from the lower shelf perhaps? It looks like that Marine Blast anti foul removal over the winter has not hindered you to much. (Ego’s firmly stroked)

In second place was the J109 Tigh Soulis 2 also a Marine Blast Anti foul removal customer managed to pump the other J109 Storm on this occassion. Owner Dr Grant was delighted with the days performance on the water and looked forward to Mondays racing where winds will be only gale force.

IRC4 had a new winner today in the form of “HOPS” an lovely example of a old IOR 3/4toner, they set a frantic pace round the cans and where rewarded with a narrow-ish win over Class leaders Jackaroo J97 in second and Iain Laidlaws Sky Walker also a J97. HOPS is seriously for SALe to a good home or it was until today maybe.With only 6 boats starting in a class of double figures it was sad for Equinox after having such a good series lose her mast during the day.

Good Luck to all tomorrow…………..

Day 2 Scottish Series will go down as a very busy day in the pubs. With only one race managing to be sailed, the boats were back and tied up for lunch.
In IRC 1 (formaly known as IRC 2) it was again the big hitters Antix with one bullet followed by Tokoloshe in second and Playing Footsie in third place closely followed by what would have been a first in Class 2 Zephyr. The overall results for this class just show the top class one boats in 1,2,3 positions followed by the  boats from what was Class 2.
So that class One make your own mind up there.

IRC3 As said in day 1′s report anything might happen in this class to upset a string of bullets and some would say that was just what happened. The top spot went to the Grand Gru 2 team who in horrendous conditions pulled off a fantastic result. The team spokesman said it was all in the planning and have been out working up the team over the winter and feel that they have worked out who drinks what now, and are going for it big time. That sort of commitment you just don’t see any more. A source close to Jamie and it might actually have been him that said “Having now been forced to sail in a competitive class and not prepared to listen to D Ralston wittering on, were reallly looking forward to the BIG Sunday Race” Salamander xx were reported to have a massive broach and some on lookers thought that their facial expressions told a story of not actually knowing what to do as it may have been their  first mistake in many years. Although the boat was under the water onlookers were glad to see that Mr Corson did not actually get his feet wet…..Followed by Bengal Magic and Sloop John T.

Class IRC4 Another first for team Jackaroo J97 avaliable from Big Peter at Key Yachting, contact detail from The Marine Blast Marine Industry Directory apparently. No you have to say that Jackaroo did sail a faultless race in thier own conditions, it may have been windy but not for these boys. Where you have a team where everyone has BIG infront of their name off the water except WII Roddy that is (but I think that’s for other reasons) you have to expect them to go everywhere better do you? It was only gear failure that could stop these boys. Two tooth paste companies are trying to sign them up such was the smiles after the first race when the first bullet was shot. Followed by Mr Ross McDonald in Equinox aptly named for the series. In third place was Wildebeast 2 a little projection with lots of living space, sea view and close by amenities, rarely on the market. They had a great race and finished third with some time to spare. It’s amazing how some people will always look like an estate agent where ever they are, commented someone from a faster boat. All to play for in this class yet, well second and third places anyway.

Antix, and another boat Tokocusha or something like that along with Playing Footsie all class one boats at birth where given a hard lesson from The two Bendy 40′s ELf 2 and Zephyer taking top three slots on both races. It was said Elf 2 sailed a brilliant race from start to finish and won the first race hands down and not the best looking crew in the world  apart from Mrs Murray that is, they did shine and could be a force to be feared (both on and off the water) so all to play for in that class.

IRC Class 3 looks like where the action is, and with some talent in that class too (Suzi A) Animal for One. Its a big Class and has some real fucking battelers in it who could upset some pre booked  placings as the days go on if you know what I mean. There’s five boats that could win that class with the forecast that is, Acrewed Intrest, Keith Lord, Team Carmen who have many years experience in Tarbert and can make a boat go when the winds up. Bengal Magic, Tighsoulis 2 J109, and the mighty Swan Sloop John B always sailed well. Im told teh Class is wide open and all the pressure on last years overall winners SalamanderXX as Im sure they will do again and again.

IRC Class 4 is also a tough class, well for five boats anyway, all eyes are on Jackaroo sailed by Hamish McKay two times something or other winner in the past when he was good (another boat helm said this week) I did look where he finished in both races, and it looks like you may alway be shit, you know who u are Dickhead. Mr McKay and although an aging crew of prob over  a couple of hundred years at Scottish Series combined is going to be a tough guy to beat. Iain Laidlaws Skywalker J97 is always sailed well and lets face it its going to be windy and anything can happen. Sorry got to go Mrs Marineblasts got my crisps waiting…….Good luck everyone…

photo Credit Trawler Jean Francis

The well loved Maxi Yacht owned by Car Salesman Arnold Clark Ran Aground in Oban. I think everyone that has seen her sailing up and down the Clyde over the years will feel only sadness for this lovely old Maxi. On lookers watching the developments could not agree who to call. The AA or Direct Line, so just Called Arnold.

I’m sure that this big bus will get going once again, as she has been through a lot worse than this. All the best of luck in your efforts.

“It’s just a ding” and any of your body shops will have you back on the road in hours. FREE PHONE………… ARNOLD CLARK.