Sail in Stunning Northumberland

KWSC News Articles

(Article from June 2005)

And now for something completely different…

Among the hardy travelers who came to our open meeting were two Cherubs – one from London and the other from Aberdeen. This was the second year they have been represented at our open, and despite the extreme weather we have managed to throw at them both times, they like it so much that they have asked us to run a class open meeting for them, and like-minded asymmetric classes in 2005.

So when they invited Viola and me to go along and find out what Cherub sailing is all about at one of their ‘Blasting Days’, what could we do but accept?

So what exactly IS a Cherub? First a bit of background for the curious – feel free to skip.

Most of us who race sail ‘One-Designs’, boats which conform to more or less strict rules to ensure a level playing field. In the case of an Osprey, the rules specify very precisely the shape and size of the hull, foils and sails, but allow you a fair amount of latitude as to materials and fittings. In a Laser virtually everything comes as standard from one manufacturer and the rules go as far as limiting the number of purchases on your clew out-haul.

A Cherub, like an International 14, is a ‘Development Class’. The class rules are minimal and geared so as to actively encourage continuous evolution. For example they specify the overall length of the boat, and include one or two strictures to prevent you turning out with a catamaran instead of a mono-hull. They may place an upper limit on mast height or sail area, but such limits are regularly reviewed as new materials and sailing techniques make bigger rigs manageable. Innovations from Development Classes find their way into new production One Designs like the RS800 and Musto Skiff.

The first Cherub was built in 1951 to compete in the New Zealand 12 foot Pennant class. The modern boat is a full-on asymmetric skiff with twin trapezes.

I was aware of the International 14’s reputation as a boat for the well-heeled, with big money needed to stay at the front of the fleet. It was therefore intriguing to discover that Cherubs have quite the opposite approach. They are a home build class and homely virtues like thrift and improvisation are very much part of the culture. Shocked by the price of a carbon tiller extension? – try cutting down a pike fishing pole. Mast track? – caravan awning track does the job. Broken dagger board? Build your own of course – carbon fibre naturally.

Viola and I duly presented ourselves on the shores of Carsington Lake, in the Derbyshire dales, on a cold but gloriously sunny day, with an inviting breeze, to find boat rigging in full swing. Some more cultural adjustments were needed – they don’t believe in halyards, or launching trolleys. You lift the boat off its trailer and plonk it on its side. You then feed the mainsail in from the top of the mast, and tie on the jib. When ready to sail you lift it into the water and off you go. Happily it only weighs 50kg.

Our hosts then pointed out that we were supposed to be sailing, not gawking, and I found myself being prodded towards a startling red and blue cherub – Mango Jam, one of the state of the art boats, built and helmed by Gavin Sims. We were hardly off the beach when Gavin told me to hurry up and get the kite up. ‘It needs a hard pull’ he said. It did. Definitely out of breath, I clambered out on the trapeze and started sheeting in. When I eventually got settled and looked up, I think my jaw must have dropped. I have never found an Osprey spinnaker particularly small, but this thing was immense – 22.5 square metres as it turned out. The fact that it was flying on a 12 foot boat – 50% shorter and only just over a third of the weight of an Osprey – made it seem the size of a football pitch.

The next few minutes were busy. I was twin-wiring for the first time and my asymmetric experience is very limited. It seemed no time before the dam wall was rushing towards us and the kite had to come down in a hurry.

On the beat we had our first capsize, my unfamiliarity taking its toll in the gusty conditions and electrifying changes in speed, but after a couple more swims I was starting to feel slightly less shell-shocked. We made our way ashore to gather breath, with me feeling curious as to how the other half was faring!

Viola had gone out in Norwegian Blue, one of the recent Kielder visitors, belonging to Will and Lucy Lee. For a Monty Python fan, the fact that the boat is actually orange is simply the icing on the cake. They had a dramatic spinnaker capsize early on but then got settled in, frequently swapping roles. Will gave a running commentary – ‘We’re going faster than the wind now you know’, ‘Did you see their faces?’ (dwindling speck of a Mirror). Viola was also getting a crash course in twin-wiring. ‘Trapeze high’ advised Will. She over-did the adjustment and found herself hanging free in mid-air. ‘Bounce yourself off the boom’ said the sage, unperturbed. Needless to say, she came back grinning from ear to ear.

We each had a further outing – Viola with Lucy in Suicide Blonde (naming your Cherub is a strange business obviously), and me in Born Slippy with Neil Cardno, the North of England rep for the class. The wind was down a bit and we were both starting to feel more familiar with things. All too soon the sun was going down and it was time to de-rig the boats, and adjourn to a pub and curry. In that, at least, the class is strictly conventional.

So, will we be wanting to do more of this? I think so! I can’t agree with the chap who told me I’d never want to sail anything else after trying a Cherub. The sensation of sumptuous power when three-sail reaching in the Osprey, for example, and the feeling of fierce joy when the Contender really gets moving up-wind have far too strong a grip on me. However, if you like your sailing to be fast and challenging but also easy-going, inventive and economical (and I do), the Cherub demands attention. I don’t know of any other way of getting into high performance skiff sailing for the price of a second hand Topper!

Mike Scott

 

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