9th Issue of APT is AVAILABLE NOW!

The APTCA is pleased to announce the publishing of the ninth issue of the national newsletter for the Paper Tiger Catamaran class in Australia. You can download it HERE!

8th Issue and other previous issues also still available.

All previous issues of the national newsletter of the Paper Tiger Catamaran class in Australia are still available. You can download them HERE!

Garry Williams wins 2012 Nationals

Garry Williams (NSW) has won his fourth Australian Championship. It was a convincing win by Williams, who showed great skill and speed in the often tricky conditions at Mannering Park on Lake Macquarie (NSW). Williams' previous titles came in 1984, 1985 and 1988. Runner-up was Bryan Anderson (Vic), who has previously won six Nationals in the class. In third place was Greg Williams (NSW), Garry's son, who is himself a two-time Nationals winner.

For a more detailed report, click here.

For some, a bent or broken mast can be a rude introduction to Paper Tiger sailing. Here are some basic steps that can be taken to reduce the risk .

If you have been around PTs for a while you will no doubt have seen the occasional on-water mast realignment. You may even have engaged in this form of non-productive rig adjustment yourself. If the result is a "nice" even curve in the mast where there shouldn't be one (and there shouldn't be one anywhere) then the problem may well be fixable. If, on the other hand, the curve in the mast is interrupted by a sudden change in width and direction, then it is probably time to be philosophical - at least you shouldn't have to sell one of your kids or a spare body part to afford a new one. In my 30 years of racing PTs I haven't destroyed a mast on the water and have only curved one on a few occasions in strong winds. So it is not a given that PT sailing equates to broken masts, but luck can play a part in this. Getting caught out in  severe conditions may not end well, especially if you and your boat part company.

In the previous issue of “apt” I attempted to cover all the maintenance issues relevant to Paper Tigers which had the potential, if ignored, to result in a DNF  when racing. In spite of all my zeal I overlooked one of the most important maintenance areas – hiking straps.

Talk to a group of PT sailors and there will very likely be at least one of them who has suffered the indignity of plummeting backwards off their boat at some critical moment during a race because a hiking strap failed. I recently suffered this indignity myself (not the first time I might add) because the stitching on new straps that I installed last season wasn’t up to the task.

There is one thing about sailing a Paper Tiger that can be a real pain. Yep, you guessed it, hiking.......

Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case.  Some thoughtful setting up of your boat, correct technique, and the addition of “hiking pants”, could significantly improve your comfort whilst racing.

If your newly purchased Paper Tiger is your first experience of sailing, the following fundamental steps may help to keep you coming back for many years of drama free enjoyment. The Paper Tiger Catamaran International Association produces a series of guidelines specifically for beginners which are available through the Secretary, David Stumbles. These are recommended reading before you get wet.

Your first State Championships!  Results in your first two races in light conditions were better than you’d expected. You’ve  just rounded the bottom mark and tacked onto starboard for the final beat to the finish line. The entire race has been a close, intense battle to cover a regular rival who is normally ahead of you at this stage of the race. The wind is freshening, the waves are getting bigger and victory is in reach when “THWAANG!!!!!” ... The jolt goes right through the boat, and you.