BYRA opens for the 2012/13 season and the Phillips were there

The sailing season opened yesterday at BYRA with a bang.  She is shining inside and out with a new paint job courtesy of the many winter members working bees.

No one is more excited about the start of the season than, Freddy Phillips, who was heard to say on the day.  "when I die I want to come back as one of my kids"  Probably because the family had just returned from a lovely ski holiday in Thredbo and was on Pittwater the next day.  She sure is a gorgeous country with so much opportunity and fun to be had.

The biggest Beach House Brat looked like he never had a break over winter

He took his sister out for a spin but she preferred daddy's steady hand.

It was  a lovely day and we are hoping for great things this season, so stay tuned.

Manly Junior under Construction at Dinghy Sports for the Dransfields

So what's happening at Dinghy Sports in Manly Juniors?  The Dransfields have a new boat under construction. They visited on Saturday to check out its progress and will be picking the boat up next Saturday.  Here's Mark gluing in the deck supports.

In the mean time, Dog Eat Dog got a new false floor last week.

The Beach House Brat dropped in to say hi during the school holidays.  Can't wait til the season starts.  Hugh will be sailing MJs this year too!!!!!

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Dinghy Sports Manly Junior Special Price For June & July 2012

Dinghy Sports is offering OVER $1000 OFF for a complete MJ sail away.

That's right, new hull complete, 46mm mast, roll over wheely cradle, Scott Sails, NEW shape Freddy Foils, Dinghy Sports fit out (same as Baz), foil bags.

*$8200 sail away*

To achieve this special prices, I asked my suppliers to do their best possible prices and I am passing them on to you at trade prices.  Dinghy Sports has not increased prices this year, despite materials price rises of 12-15%.

We have made new "Freddy Foils" for MJ's so it's no longer necessary to buy expensive hand made foils.

See MJ Price List here for break down of part prices.

Please contact us via email        dinghysports@iprimus.com.au      to order

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Heron One Piece Deck Mould

Here is a mock up of what a one piece deck mould would look like.  I haven't put the floor board supports in yet, so this represents the "future" boats.

A boat built with a one piece deck and no floor boards would reduce build time by approximately 15%, or to put it another way approx $1000.  I reckon it looks great, a very clean and modern look for the old girl.

What do you think?  Have your say in the comment box below

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The Heron Sail Boat Enters A New Era

Things are progressing here at Dinghy Sports, as Australia's newest Heron is nearing completion. This boat promises to be light, strong and stiff,  giving a potential owner a cutting edge boat, that is very fast.

It is a first for the Heron class, that a builder has committed to provide a complete boat ready to sail away. Stay tuned for the finished product, which will be launched on this blog.

Mark  from Dinghy Sports, would be very intersted to hear your thoughts on this boat.  Any questions can be placed in the comments box below and will be answered on this blog.

Although it is difficult to have a finalised price list on this boat until it has been completed, an estimated price list, which is pretty close, is currently up on the Dinghysports website,  click here to see it.

Mark will be bonding the hull and deck very soon.  Check back to watch the boat progress

Like Dinghy Sports on Face Book here as I will be updating there as well.


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Dinghy Sports Boats Take First 4 Places in the Most Recent Mirror Nationals on Port Phillip Bay

Hugh (crew) and Mark(skipper) Phillips had a very successful campaign at Williamstown.  The first four places were won by Dinghy Sports Built Boats. Words and photos by Rob Cruse posted on world sail.com Mirror Class Australian Championships – A Family Affair 'Anita Scott-Murphy and Ben Cruse in 'Bob' on their way to a clean sweep in the Mirror Nationals - Mirror Class Australian Championships' Rob Cruse Click Here to view large photo The 46th National Championships for the International Mirror Class dinghy has been completed at Williamstown Sailing Club in Melbourne, with Victorian mother / son combination Anita Scott-Murphy and Ben Cruse in 'Bob' comfortably winning the regatta after taking out first place in each heat. In a close tussle for second, another family team (this time father / son) Mark and Hugh Phillips from NSW sailing 'Sponge Bob Square Boat' took out second place overall, after a close final heat with eventual third place boat, Tara Foster and Celia May in 'Jazze' (also from NSW). Mark is also the class boatbuilder in Australia, with his Dinghy Sports hulls filling the first four places. As always the Mirrors featured a huge range of ages amongst competitors, including three boats with junior skippers and adult crews. A shining example was Optimist sailor turned Mirror skipper Lucy Ede (10 years old) who had her father, Fireball regular Nick sailing up front in 'Hello Kitty'. They took out the Classic trophy (gaff rigged) to the delight of the crowd on presentation night. Lucky Ede skippering 'Hello Kitty' with her father, Fireball regular Nick up front - Mirror Class Australian Championships - Rob Cruse Click Here to view large photo Although Anita and Ben managed to record eight straight heat wins to take the National title, it wasn’t all plain sailing as Mark and Hugh Phillips were first over the finish line in Heat 2, only to be scored OCS. As Mark recounted on presentation night, when they crossed the line to a silent finish boat only to see 'Bob' cross behind them and receive the gun, it was 'one of life’s learning experiences' for his son Hugh (age 8). Although their hard work in that heat came to nil, they were still were rewarded for a very consistent regatta with the Frank Buxton family trophy in addition to second overall. The Mirror class in Australia is now looking forward to the 2012/13 Nationals in Tasmania which will be the selection regatta for the Australian team to the next Mirror World Championships, to be held in Ireland on Lough Derg in July 2013. Hugh and Mark Phillips in 'Sponge Bob Square Boat' - Mirror Class Australian Championships - Rob Cruse Click Here to view large photo We Support Aiming to change the perception of Cancer from life threatening to curable

Heron Nationals 2012

Hugh and Mark first to the top mark in the Invitation Race

Good start Heat1

'Stop eating lollies Hughie this is getting serious'

Beep Beep Beeping good speed here

Photography courtesy Melissa Yeomans

Going For Gold at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat Victoria

The Dinghy Sports boys went for gold on Port Phillip Bay in the Mirror Nationals at Williamstown Victoria over the new year and found silver instead, but there's more than one way to skin a cat..

An afternoon spent panning for Gold at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat had the desired effect.

We probably earned more that day than we do in a whole day at the boat factory.  It was more fun too.

We found six or seven chips like this, which was very exciting.  Gold fever set in and we were there for the duration.

Despite the heat wave, we could cool down as it's very thirsty work.

The Beach House Brats loved the history oozing out of every corner of this place.

The streets cleared as these guys marched into the centre of town.

Hugh was chosen at the gold pouring demo to hold the gold bar worth $160,000.  A minute before this shot was taken the gold had been molten hot.  It was very pure as they had used the same gold in the demo, since the 70's.

We went underground to try our luck as well.

Everyone came away a winner.  Next up some great shots of the regatta.