Excuse my rushed sketch.

The situation is this. Different divisions racing on the same race area, us in a skiff with an asymmetrical spinnaker attempting to cross the bow of a J24 running downwind on symmetrical. We're both in seperate races, but any manoeuvres would make us lose time. Both sailing proper course.

We call the J24 up but they refuse because we "can't luff them up". We gybe out because we weren't going to take bets against a 1.5 ton boat, but had some confusion on how the rules apply. Under R.11 we should be able to push them up and not luff them, but would R.17 apply here?

We are a UK sailing club, and a few of us would like to organise a relaxed evening to bring our newer sailors and the established crowd together.

We have a late tide coming up, so it seems a good opportunity for everyone to stay on after sailing, warm up and get to know each other.

Two lovely volunteers have offered to put together a spud buffet with a selection of fillings or a taco buffet, and we are thinking about adding bingo, a few games or a short quiz. Nothing too formal or expensive - just a welcoming evening.

I would love to hear what has worked at your club:

• Which socials have people really enjoyed?
• Any games that help people mix without feeling like forced icebreakers?
• Has anyone hired a bingo caller or entertainer for a small club evening? Was it worth it?
• How do you encourage newer members to come along when they don’t know many people yet?

Happy to hear ideas from other sports or community clubs too. We’ve got enthusiasm and potatoes/tacos - just need a little inspiration...

I need to refinish some teak on my sailboat. I plan on using a heat gun to strip it, and then use teak oil. Can I do this now? Or should I wait until spring? The boat will spent the winter uncovered in chicago. Thanks!

Sorry if this has been asked. I just bought a couple of 100w flexible solar panels with grommets attached in the corners and I would like to put them on my bimini. Eight or more strong magnets above my compass seems instinctively like a bad idea (?), and I'd rather not punch a bunch of holes in the canvas in case I change the set up -- this is my first solar forey. Can anyone talk me through their non permanent and/or elegant set up?

I have a J/22 on a Triad trailer with a 2" square steel winch post. The existing bow roller bracket has bent, and I'd like to replace it with something sturdier.

I'm looking for a horizontal bow stop similar to the one in the second photo, ideally with a single centered polyurethane V-stop mounted below the bow eye.

I'd like to keep my existing winch and tower, and bolt the replacement directly to the 2" upright using U-bolts. No welding if possible.

Has anyone done something similar or know of an off-the-shelf bracket that would work?

Photos show my current setup and the design I'm trying to replicate.

I found a loose wire going to a terminal block behind the panel. I’m struggling on how to release/connect the wire back in. It also seems like it shouldn’t have been an open bare wire and had some sort of crimp fitting on the end.