Sharpies

By Craig Mann:
After December and January was spent drinking, getting fatter most of the Sharpies have just started back on the water to prepare for this year’s States at Mandurah over the Labour Day long weekend. What better way to roll the arm over with Veterans skippers day. With a hundred or so old farts up in the bar telling stories on how good they used to be 9 old farts including a couple of ring-ins hit the water to steer a Sharpie around a few laps of the bay. Leading the charge was that self confessed Hero Laurie Chivers barking orders to Tim Reger. After two hours of wiggling and 3 bottles of baby oil later he slipped into the 1981 Flouro wet suit, front zip and all. What a site looked like he had not only packed in the lunch box but included a double door fridge with ice maker. Rube Gabrielson was on the wood of son Ash Gayboys boat Vita Brevis which still is no match for the Phantom of some 40 years ago and who needs those big kites a flattie was much quicker. Bill Quinn (three Liddle Pigs) made his regular appearance both on the water and in the bar with great distinction. Gordon Mac dragged another of the talented McKerchers, Mal out and may have found a bit of speed in the process. Cow Rock dragged Warren Keating out for a spin and showed were Conner’s talent stems from. Bryan Howells was took an unnamed boat for a spin with an unnamed crew bring the boat back in one piece so the owner will be none the wiser. God only knows who sailed Magic Bus but he did not look like a veteran. Kim Taylor had Black Sun on the water and buy all rights should have lead the field. Orville Roberts jumped on Impact as our skipper was stuck in the bar on his 15 middy by race time. Orv has not steered a boat for nearly 30 years and it is easy to see why. As a crew his hands are full and usually can only manage a couple of cans a race. Well with only a rudder to pull on that opens up a lot of drinking time. Needless to say the dozen cans he took were all but gone mid way through the race.

Chivers nailed the start as always, Kim Taylor barged his way in and was lucky not to take the bow off Impact, effectively stuffing there start. Anyway the Pelican it was Chivers by a couple of boat lengths to Black Sun and Impact. The McKerchers and Cow were not far behind making for good close racing. Bryan Howell and the boys were try to work out which string did what and where lagging behind, Rube Gabrieson was battling away on the Vita Brevis rocket with little success. He was convinced Phantom would have been quicker. In the End Chivers on Five limped over the line 50 seconds in front of Impact (Orville Roberts), Kim Taylor (Black Sun) Warren Keating (Cow Rock), Mal McKercher, Billy Quinn, Rube Gabrielson, Magic Bus and Bryan Howells.

Of course many more stories and lies were told on the lawn and in the bar afterwards. Maggie Downing handed out the winners Pennants and a few Kisses after.
The bell was rung by several skippers along with the starter Andy Curnow for a slight hiccup with the start sequence.

Labour Day long weekend the Sharpies are down at Mandurah for the 08/09 State Championships. Tim Reger has dominated proceedings so far this year and will start a very short priced favorite. Vern Tidy has punted on light weather and installed a light weight wireman, Keysie is looking to go one better than last year’s second and become to oldest winner in living memory. The new Team Vicious are sailing well as is the ever green Graham Hill. With a bit of luck 15 plus boats will be on the water and we survive the 7 races over 3 days. Sharpie sailing is easy it is the Après sailing that takes its toll.