Tinker Open 2008

The interestingly named Tinker class made their annual visit to Bala SC on 21st & 22nd June. (The original Tinker was designed by a certain Fred Benyon-Tinker). These boats, which may be single or double-handed (even triple handed), have an inflatable hull which can be folded up small enough to fit into a car for ease of transport, and a mast that breaks down into two sections also to facilitate this. With their twin hulls these dinghies sail a bit like catamarans.

The Tinkers are a nomadic fleet, without a home sailing club, but with meetings roughly once a month from March to September at various venues scattered over the country, from Bassenthwaite in the Lake District to Chichester on the south coast and Bala in between. The members come from all over the British Isles and put the emphasis on the social side rather than taking the racing too seriously, although they do abide by the RYA rules!

Eleven boats, a mixture of single and double handed, came to Bala this time. They had three races on the Saturday in variable winds (in terms both of strength and direction). After sailing they had dinner in town and came back to the club later to enjoy the music of Mann Alive i.e. Paul Mann and his guitar, accompanied by his son and/or various volunteers from the audience on bongos and tambourine. Sadly gale force winds on the Sunday prohibited any racing at the club at all.

Results Overall: 1st Malcolm Elwood, 2nd Stewart and Barbara Warden, 3rd Dennis Aldred, 4th John and Val Allen, 5th John Rogerson, 6th Arthur Clive, 7th Nic Derbyshire, 8th Graham Eaton, 9th Peter Cross