Royal Tay Yacht Club

Jim Saltonstall sings the praises of this club overlooking the Tay estuary on the east coast of Scotland

Wind direction

The prevailing wind direction is from the western sector during the summer months. Starting with the flood tide you will be beating with the tide, so don't get to either the starting or windward mark lay lines too soon. Stay in the stronger tide up the beat, mid-channel, slightly south of centre. If the windward mark is in the area of the docks, the wind tends to veer slightly towards the apex of the beat, so final approach needs to be from the top right hand side of the course. Downwind, you will be wanting to cheat the tide, so you will be heading for an edge and shallower water.

Local knowledge tells us not to add too much distance by getting to the shallows if there is a good breeze as the tide is not that strong on the flood. Look out for shallow patches just to the west of the center slipway off the club, also off the old lighthouse west of Tayport on the south shore and in west ferry bay at low water.

Easterly
Most common is the seabreeze coming in off the north sea. This normally comes in at around midday, after all the normal signs from early morning, with little or no gradient wind predicted. This normally builds and fills in until around 1700hrs. With the tide flooding, don't get too far away from the starting line, especially in the lighter winds. Also make sure you are well above the lay line for the windward mark, so that you do not get swept onto it.

Beating against the tide means tacking up the shore in the shallower water, so watch out for hitting the bottom. The course is normally set so that the majority of the fleet end up short tacking along the north shore. Local knowledge also tells us to keep the tacks short between Stannergate point and the clubhouse, making them progressively longer as you progress towards the lifeboat shed. As you approach the end of the concrete prom, just east of the club, the wind tends to back a little, lifting port tack.

There is also a back eddy of tide which runs close inshore from 500m west of the lifeboat shed to the first wooden pier just to the east of the lifeboat shed. If you are going to be beating past Broughty Castle stay close inshore as the tide runs strongly round the point, however be aware that Castle Rock is submerged at high tide: don't hit it - it could be expensive. It reminds me of racing in the Solent.

Northerly
As with any offshore wind, watch out for shifts and gusts. Use the shifts all the time - keep your eyes out of the boat looking for them, tacking on the larger headers as always. The tide is now running across the wind, do not forget to allow for your lay lines, and do not get caught out by getting to the port end of the starting line too early with the flood tide pushing towards it. With the ebb tide you can safely lead into it, controlling your speed of approach better. During the running leg lookout for the gusts coming off the shore and gybe into their path whenever possible to gain the advantage over the rest of the fleet.

Southerly
Theory is the same as for the northerly, except that with the wind now coming over the hills further to the south the wind is not as gusty and the shifts will not be over as wide an arc and will be less frequent. As you would expect, the wind is lighter towards the apex of the beat as you approach the windward shore line. Don't forget also basic theory, as you approach a windward shore you will initially be lifted on starboard tack, as the wind sheers to the right after leaving the land, whereas close inshore you will be lifted on port as the wind is backed more over the land.

These are the key points about the Royal Tay. Enjoy it as it is another great club, with some excellent racing. When talking to the locals seeking advice, a bottle of the pale yellow stuff works wonders.