SAILING NEWS
Motoring
ON THE ROAD
YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST CARS FOR SAILORS
Chunky,
strong,
and full
of class
Volkswagen Touareg
ELCOME to the first
Sailing News motoring
column, where we will
be taking a regular look
at the best cars on the
W
road for sailors. Have
you noticed any inclination for any car from
any particular fleet of dinghies or vice versa?
We used to sail a Dart 18 when the racing
was sponsored by Saab and were sure that
there were more Saabs towing Darts as a
result.
That’s given us a starting sequence for our
new column.
MEAN MACHINE: The VW Touareg (2007 version). We’ve tested an older model – it’s cheaper to buy and still does the job
In recognition of the VW Touareg sponsor-
movie or closing down the boat in front with – one of the best driving positions ever. The constant MPG display can also slow
ing a Laser SB3 Class series to find the
a big spinnaker. And the great big VW badge That’s a hell of a relief two hours down a you down and chill you out.
“King of Cowes” (yes really!) at Cowes
has never looked better on this or a Laser motorway after a day of hiking out. If your As a final piece of practical detail, as you
Week we’ve decided to start with a review of
SB3 spinnaker. back’s really sore you can put the heated are sitting so high up it’s much easier to see
it.
If you like all that you’ll also have to go for seats on and the last resort is moving the seat where you are going and what’s behind when
At the end of a long wet season, dinghy
the bling bling blacked out windows alloy about into different positions as they are elec- you ‘re towing a dinghy.
sailor’s budgets are usually lined up for next
wheels and what they call a chrome pack – tric – that’s operated rather than “sparky” to Towing a dinghy?
years’ new boat so we’ve gone for the old
this car needs chrome like Mr T needs jew- those of you from Texas. Plus the cruise con- Of course!
model – a three year old 2.5 litre turbo diesel
ellery. Pity the poor owners who did not trol is very easy if you want to rest your right That’s why you need a 4x4; nothing to do
that would cost up to £20k .
realise it was an optional extra – without the leg after a day stuck under the toestraps. with looking like Terminator 4 surrounded by
There, we put the price in early so you did-
chrome it looks deadly dull and would make Inside, outside, what else? wood and leather.
n’t come down with a bump at the end of the
you appear like you only ever bought any- Ours had a great big plastic basin that lines Yes and it’s got a retractable tow bar
article – used petrol one with a few miles on
thing for practicality; and if you were like the boot and comes most of the way up the though fitting it needs a military engineer. I
it could be close to £15k.
that you wouldn’t have a 4x4 in the first sides of it .You can chuck in all your tools, recommend that once you have it in place
Don’t move on!
place. wet and dirty gear without fearing spending you leave it there so everyone knows you
We’re not gonna get into all that nerdy
Plus, these cheaper ones look just like the the rest of the week cleaning the thick carpet need a 4x4 to tow.
stuff you can get in a car magazine – we’re
5 litre diesel ones that cost twice as much. (you won’t get that if you have a company Towing/Touareg sounds a bit the same –
gonna look at why you would really want
So once you’ve seen one on the road and car). You just take it all out in one go on a that helps make the point.
one. that’s what you want to be jumping out of at Sunday night. So the “Sailing News” test: if it were a
It’s massive and looks overwhelming from the next open meeting – does the inside An important point; if you object to a 4x4 popular dinghy what would it be?
the front. match up? because you can’t afford one, don’t buy this Laser 16 - too big for the dinghy park let
If that doesn’t get you going wait until you Well it’s all wood and leather and incredi- car. alone the fleet. Frightening to small dinghies
see one in your rear view mirror – it fills it up bly indulgent. If Doctor Who’s tardis is big- Once it’s built up a head of steam, the 2.5 but great for the people inside it.
completely. It’s like something out of a B ger on the inside than out, this is an oilman’s litre turbo diesel can get you close to 30mpg OR If it were a less popular dinghy,with
movie – even more awesome if surging for- Texas ranch house on the outside and the provided you don’t want to go shopping in a that big VW badge on the spinnaker it would
ward – like being a Hummer in a US war smoking room of a London club on the inside town or joyriding. be a Laser SB3.
Beach bells take Dovey GP14 title
THE Dovey estuary, is home to the beach. The climate and position downwind sections. Competititors Wilkinson from Tollesbury secur- runs in the afternoons with George
Dovey bells and birthplace of the combined for exceptional sailing old and new and boats old and new, ing second. Meredith and Tom Parsons first and
GP14; hence the bell on the main- throughout this year’s open GP 14 some direct from the nationals, The final top six positions were: second overall plus Jack Bygott tak-
sail. As well as beautiful week of a morning race each day came from West London, the West 1 Claire and Hil Brunner, 2 ing the silver fleet trophy. GP sailor
Snowdonia National Park scenery from 20 to 24 August. and East Midlands with a strong George Rogers and July Wilkinson, Meryl Gover is the leader and inspi-
and a glorious beach, the Dovey In glorious sunshine, winds pre- contingent, plus support, from 3 Michael and Eileen Blamire- ration behind the Topper week.
estuary is renowned for its own dominantly from the north of 3 to 4 Tollesbury Sailing Club. Brown, 4 Mike Ribands and John Other activities included the single-
microclimate as a consequence of gusting 4 to 5 gave plenty of fast While Claire and Hil Brunner in Insall, 5 Neil and George Meredith, handed GP race won by John
the steep hills that protect it from reaches and challenging beats – 13600 from Dovey Yacht Club won 6 Tim Mack and Jack Bygott. Saunders with Tim Mack second
the north. gusting particularly at the eastern the week with a day to spare, The GP 14 week combines with and Andrew Mack third. Next year’s
The Dovey yacht club has an end of the courses as it blew the next four positions were Laser and Solo weeks in the morn- dates are now fixed for Monday 18
enviable south-facing position on through the hills, more predictable separated by a total of only 2 points ing. Three of the GP 14 sailors were to Friday 22 August with the 3 race
the waters edge and next to the at the western end for the fastest – George Rogers and July dominant in the Topper week that Open meeting on Sunday 17.
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