⛵️ Don't Miss Our Easter Weekend Deals ⛵️
⛵️ Don't Miss Our Easter Weekend Deals ⛵️
Trusted For 11 Years
Over 45,000+ Orders Shipped
90 Day Risk Free Returns
Over 4,000 5 Star Reviews
Price Match Promise
🚚 Fast Dispatch and a 5 Star Rated Service You Can Count On ✅
August 08, 2018 3 min read
Trevor Chanter reports on his recent National 18 sailing on the River Blackwater.
The 18 English Championships was hosted at Blackwater SC over the first weekend in July. Having never sailed on the East Coast before it looked to present some interesting challenges with a narrow launch area into the tide, a relatively long sail to the race area off Osea island, varying levels of mud and it was breezy on the Saturday.
The sail out to the race area was fairly uneventful despite some strong gusts coming down the estuary. The 18s are split between the new and old designs and at the English Championships we were all sailing together despite the significant performance difference. This made starting interesting but once on the beat we were able to sail our own course, for nearly 20 minutes to the windward mark. Three races done and it was time to head back against the ebb tide. As usual we dropped the main within easy drift of the clubhouse, or so I thought. The wind dropped at the same time so we were heading backwards into the returning Optimist fleet until a light gust pushed into the shore. Sunday saw a little drop in the wind with another 3 races completed and the mainsail stayed up for the return. We were 1st Ultimate.
Two weeks after the Blackwater event the National Championships took place at West Mersea. We were pleasantly surprised by Mersea, the area was picturesque, the locals very friendly and West Mersea Yacht Club provided a good base for the week along with Dabchicks SC. Having arrived a little later than planned we sailed out to the practice race area but the race had started by the time we were there. We had four days of three races back to back with one rest day ahead so we did not stay out for too long. The loads on the National 18 can be large so saving energy was likely to be useful.
The tides presented a significant challenge when getting out to the sail area. We launched as the tide was flooding but still low so the channels were narrow and dotted with moored yachts, ribs, fishing boats, smacks etc. One day with the wind directly down the channel we were tacking every 10 seconds or so, only one 18 lost its rudder!
The other issue was seaweed. The race area seemed to have a lot, maybe helped by the warm weather, which meant checking the foils just before every race. We did forget once and were slower as a result.
There were a many highlights. We had been unable to beat a very well sailed, carbon rigged Ultimate from the Isle of Man until the final day. The wind had picked up in the second race and strong gusts were hitting every few minutes. As we approached the windward mark we were, as usual, 50 metres behind when I called out “gust”. Just ahead the “unbeatable” 18 ahead capsized and we sailed by. The rescue boat was already hovering and we could see three heads but it was going to take them a while to get going. Overall it was great to be racing against other 18s in a lovely sailing area.
We could not repeat the division win from last year at Hayling but secured second behind the carbon rigged 18 from the IOM.
The National 18 is a 3 person boat and requires a co-ordinated crew to get the most from its potential. Therefore I must thank William for his expertise at the front and Lucy Smith for her enduring patience in the middle. Also, A big thank you to SailingChandlery.com for their support,
Trevor Chanter
National 18 (346)
Perfect for the job!
These were recommended to put on over my Gill dry suit.
Bought a size bigger. We’re a bit tight but getting better, easy to pull on and off with the heel tab. Good soles and grip well on my board. My feet are so much warmer so I can go out most of the year.
Rope offcut easily ordered, as described, and prompt delivery. Good service all round
Delivered very promptly and well packaged, worth the shipping charge to not have to fetch it. Haven't sailed with it yet but have rigged it with the outhaul fittings and everything seems fine.
It is a good buoyancy-aid it has a nice size pocket and is really comfortable to wear. They also have fast delivery and great customer support thanks Jason.
I bought these hoping they be ok as prizes for our Topper Traveller, but was concerned they wouldn’t be robust given the price (in which case the 3 sailors in the family would get them).
I was happy when they arrived. They are more robust than I thought, and super lightweight, but with a grippy palm part. They’ll be great for use in the summer on their own (lighter than neoprene) but robust enough to protect hands, but also good enough to be used as a base layer in the winter.
Happy that we were able to use as prizes.,
It’s stretchy and can tie in knots.
Does the job
It’s blue, has an open bit at the top and holds stuff. Yet to try the dry feature.
Great service, quick turn around for the job.
nice neat job when it arrived. Would not hesitate to recommend to further members at our club. Well done 10 out of 10
I mistakenly ordered the wrong quick release pin for my Laser vang. Sailing Chandlery very kindly agreed to replace for the one I needed. Swapped out very quickly with no fuss.
Just brilliant, exactly what I needed and good quality. Fits perfectly. Fast delivery and usual great service.
Thank you, highly recommended
I use this tape to repair waterproof jackets and it is as strong and waterproof as many other alternatives and much cheaper :)
This cover fits easily over the boat with masts and boom placed on a set of spar holders. There is a neat velco opening to bring out a bowline to secure to the trolley.
A new innovation surprise is having clips on both sides of the cover. You can unclip from whichever side you are on.
Sailing Chandlery have listened to feedback from a previous purchase of the older design. Remains to be seen how it weathers, how breathable and water-proof it all is, but looking v smart from new.
Probably the most comfortable visor I’ve worn. I put it to the test in Dubai last week, it never budged, and wasn’t too tight or hot. The little clip gives added reassurance that you won’t loose it. I’m very pleased with the purchase.
Save up to 40%on your next order.