Paddle Popularity On The Up
7th August 2006

Following the record breaking success of this year's Streaker National Championships (held at Pennine SC 24th & 25th June), as the class completes the first half of the Northern & Southern Paddle (Traveller) series, Streaker turnouts are definitely on the up and the class looks set to break attendance records all round.

At the end of the 2005 season, a total of 21 helms in the North and 2 in the South registered the nine scores necessary to qualify for their respective series. This year, total attendance's at the half way stage are up by 25% on 2005 and with six events gone and six more still to come in each series, 19 helms in the North and 3 in the South have already sailed enough races to qualify.

In more detail, Southern turn out is up 50% on last year's mid point and by comparision in the North, overall turn out is only up by 14%, but the number of helms sailing 9 or more races is up by a staggering 140%. Even more encouraging is that across the country another 17 helms only need to attend one more of the remaining events to boost these numbers still further.

This upturn confirms the resurgence of this traditional, but highly popular single handed class amongst dinghy sailors around the UK and despite the higher fuel prices, more Streaker sailors seem to be traveling to more events right across the country - keep up the good work chaps.

New Look to Streaker Site
28th July 2006

As anyone who has visited this site before will have noticed several changes have been made to it's layout and appearance. In particular, the navigation system has been totally overhauled to enable visitors to find what they are looking for more easily. New features have also been added and these include a site wide search facility, a video clips page (which already contains 24 clips) and a separate section for younger Streaker sailors that will be developed in the coming months.

These changes and additions are part of the Streaker Class Owner's Association's continual development of the site as it strives to provide the very best class resource on the web. The aim of this is not only to ensure a vibrant and well informed membership, but attract new blood into the fleet and continue the classes growing popularity.

Early visitor will recall that eight years ago the site simply consisted of an information page, events diary and an open meetings reports page. By comparison today's site has 7 times as many seperate sections containing nearly 100 times as much information.

As ever if there is anything that you feel you would like included, or you have any contributions you would like to make, photos, videos, articles, letters, the SCOA is always please to hear from you.

Sexy New Kit For Streakers
17th July 2006

At this years AGM, held during the National Championships at Pennine SC, 24 &25th June, two changes to the Streaker Class Rules were voted through. These amendments affect Rules 55, 56, 57 & 63.

Like the many other boats the mainsheet on a Streaker runs along the boom from the transom and requires a loop or sock of sailcloth attached to the boom to stop the mainsheet from lassoing the helm. To prevent this from happening the class has agreed that the Boom can now be tapered at its outboard end and a slot can be cut underneath the boom allowing the mainsheet to travel inside the boom. Hence doing away with the requirement of loops or sailcloth socks. Three Lightening holes have also been allowed.

Please see the Rules & Regs page for full details.

Streaker Site Gets Bigger & Bigger
30th June 2006

Anyone experiencing difficulties accessing the site this week might have wondered if the Nationals success had caused the Association to go into outer orbit. Sadly, even though everyone involved with SCOA was genuinely over the moon with how the weekend had gone, there was a far less dramatic reason for this interruption. It was simply that the Nationals proved so popular and there were so many photos that we wanted to add to the site, we suddenly realised that far more web space was needed than was available. From it's very humble beginnings eight years ago when the site consisted of three pages that took up less than 1Mb, we now have close on 40 pages of reports, photos and information that take up more than thirty times as much space, so it was time to move the site to larger premises.

The good news is that after a few teething problems and a slight delay in getting the Streaker domain name to propagate fully across the web, the new web space is now up and running. As a consequence, both 2006 and 2004 Nationals Photo Albums have now been added and the Association hopes this new feature will provide much fun and enjoyment for people seeing what their boat looks like on the water. In the course of the next few weeks it's hoped to introduce another couple of new features that will add further to the information and entertainment factor provided.

Sixty Streakers Set New Record
25th June 2006

For the second year running the Streaker fleet saw the attendance record for it's National Championships shattered when 60 boats took part in this weekend's event at Pennine Sailing Club. As if to demonstrate that the Streaker appeals to all ages and levels of ability, the fleet comprised of competitors from as far afield as the Channel Isles, with ages ranging from 15 to 75, ladies and gents alike.

Throughout the weekend the title was fiercely contested between the winner for the last 2 years, Ian Jones, Dovestone SC and Steve Cockerill, Stokes Bay SC. Steve ultimately clenched victory by winning a hotly contested final race with Ian a close second. A little further astern Tom Gillard, Rotherham SC, winner of the Under Trophy, was a commendable 3rd overall.

New Look to 2006 Southern Paddle Series
21st January 2006

Many of you will have noticed that over the last few years there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of competitors taking part in the Southern Area Paddle Series. In an effort to reverse this trend the Association has decided to include two Sunday meetings and three non Streaker specific General Handicap events as part of the 2006 calendar.

Additionally, to further promote the series and help more competitors qualify in the overall Paddle series, we are also holding four bonus events where an extra race score, equal to a competitor’s best race result in the event, will be awarded – see Rules & Regs page for details. This will effectively give each competitor four results for the three races sailed at Alton Water, Ardleigh, Deben and Stewartby. To keep things nice and simple for race officers and competitors alike, the bonus results will have no bearing on the overall open meeting result, they will only count towards the Southern Paddle series - for details please see the 2006 Events Diary and the Southern Paddle page.

In addition to holding this year's Northern Championships on the 2nd July, to further promote the Streaker class, West Lancashire Sailing Club are also holding a joint Streaker & Challenger event on the 18th June, 2005. Further details are available from either www.wlyc.org.uk or Damian Chisholm on 01704-878120.

As agreed at the 2004 AGM, held at Pennine SC on 26th June, the Streaker Class Owner's Association has now published an updated 'Guide to Measurers & Builders' in an attempt to bring about greater clarity and conformity to the Association Rules of Measurement.

This guide is available as either a download direct from the 'Rules & Regs' page on this site, or as a hard copy from the Association Secretary.

44 Boats Take Part in Pennine Nationals
28th June 2004

Over the weekend the second highest number of Streakers ever at one event took part in the 2004 National Championships at Pennine SC. Despite some very testing, and it has to be said very wet conditions on Saturday, Sunday saw the 44 boat fleet enjoy near ideal weather in the Yorkshire moors (see report in full).

New Rooster Streaker
28th June 2004

After a slight delay Rooster Sailing launched their first Streaker in fine style by taking a well deserved win in a hotly contested battle at this year's National Championships (see report in full). Although Streaker new boy Ian Jones was still frantically screwing fittings on the boat less than 12 hours before the first race, 1571 proved quick out of the box & scored a commendable 2 seconds & 3 firsts to take the title from Streaker regular Alan Gillard.

NEW KIT STREAKER TAKES TO THE WATER
6th July 2003

Following the earlier report, detailing changes to kit Streakers, the first of the new "Beasley" kits has just been launched.

Encouragingly, since taking over production only a matter of weeks ago, Ron Beasley has been delighted with the huge interest shown and the number of orders already placed.

As can be seen from the photographs below, not only does the first completed kit feature a raised floor, it has also been fitted out with a concealed, single ended, central control line cleating station (with the cleats neatly located under the dagger board capping) to maximise the available cockpit space and keep string to an absolute minimum.

To find out more about kit Streakers click here or contact Ron Beasley Tel: 01922-495397 or E-mail

NEW STREAKER KITS
11th June 2003

The official Streaker patterns for wood boats are now back in business for the first time since Jack Holts closed their factory at Todmorden, Lancs.

The Streaker Class Association has enlisted the help of Ron Beasley, builder of world championship wooden Cadets, to collect together, identify, and refurbish the patterns with a view to producing new kits for home construction.

Some of the patterns have had to be repaired or replaced to complete the set, but Ron has now developed the kit for epoxy building and re-designed the building instructions to make things easier for the amateur builder.

Ron intends to supply kits with some of the more difficult jobs already undertaken, Bottom, chine and side panels scarfed together, Daggerboard case and centre spine (hog) pre assembled to give the correct shape and eliminate leaks in this critical area.

In creating the kits careful consideration has been give to;

Weight - Many builders have said it was not possible to build a Streaker down to minimum weight using a Jack Holt Kit. Careful selection of plywood and hardwoods will ensure a much lighter boat.

Strength - Use of epoxy resins in glueing, coating, and filleting will create a much stronger boat that will last for many years. No need for most of the copper nails and brass screws of the previous kits. Some of the vulnerable joints can be strengthened to prevent leaks. Again, careful selection of top quality ply and materials will produce a strong stiff hull.

Appearance - If you are going to build your own boat you should be proud of the results.
A professional finish can be achieved by hiding joints, scarfing long panels to achieve a fairer shape, and using the best materials such as Sapele ply for decking. All of this can be made possible by subtle changes to the build process.

Ease of Construction - The Streaker has always been a simple boat to build. Jack holt designed it around the stitch and glue method which has allowed hundreds of DIY builders to get sailing. However, Epoxy resins have revolutionised boat building over the last 20 years, and the Streaker can be made better by adopting some of the techniqes that are common to many other classes.

Cost - For a kit of wood parts, resins and additives is £1000.