The Beaufort Scale for Sprint 15 Sailors

Wind Force Sprint 15 Reference Data
0 Sails to be left ashore other than in bright sun when used for shade. Do not go afloat without paddles, anchor and swimming gear. Alternative activity filling gelcoat is socially acceptable
1 Class fishing fleet puts to sea. Paddles recommended. Tow rope essential for long distance cruising. Inland sailors cut grass or buy coloured string from chandlery.
2 Typical Grafham Sunday racing weather. Do not admit to boredom afloat but pretend you're out for the mental challenge. Sprinters leave long tiller extension ashore. Cocktail cabinets may be filled with moveable liquid ballast and emptied during racing provided that none is discharged over the side whilst afloat. Class experts hike out leeward to gain shade from mainsail. Consider fitting bowsprit and kite.
3 Typical Grafham Sunday lunchtime weather. Trampoline ideal platform for lying full-length studying fullness of mainsail, mast bend, cloud patterns as recommended by most sailing manuals. Sailing in mixed fleets questions credibility of comparative Yardstick ratings of monohulls with big baggy sail at the front.
4 Sprinters get technical with long tiller extension, (short one to be left ashore). Expect to get sandwiches damp. Moderate care required when overtaking other boats at gybe mark. Aim to sail within range of photographers.
5 Perfectly sailable. Go for it. Fix 3 mtr strop to launching trolley to avoid wetting your elbows when launching in on-shore wind. Sprinters to take mainsheet and traveller strings outboard at all times when trapezing. Sunglasses to be tied on with coloured string. Popular with batten manufacturers.
6 Class training weekend weather. Expect to get wet. Antics of Sprint 15 fleet closely monitored from club bar by monohull sailors who claim they didn't plan to sail but have only turned up to drill holes in things, cut grass or buy coloured string from chandlery. We know they've wimped out. Checking the windspeed thingummy becomes socially acceptable ideally after sailing and accompanied with dismissive remarks - e.g. "Is that the time ?" or "This things fast !"

Pete Ansbro