So do I. The articles in our Newsletters are great, but perhaps some people don't feel able to contribute at such length. For them, letters would be the way to go. Our original A5 Newsletters from aeons ago (downloadable from this site) used to contain lots of great, short, newsy letters from cruisers and dreamers far and wide. I miss these in the A4 mag, but I think that's mainly down to fora users reporting on them rather than writing letters. Maybe some of us could chip in with a letter now and then, if only to encourage those who haven't gone electronic to realise that their thoughts are just as interesting as ours.

Ash Woods wrote:

Tom Wallace wrote:

In his editorial to issue 66 of The Magazine, David Tyler writes:

‘Didn't anyone go cruising in UK waters this summer?’

Well, of course they did and one of them, Richard Brooksby, even contributed an article for that same issue.

Many others have had a similarly excellent sailing season but, it seems, choose not to submit their reports to the JRA Magazine. I will hazard a guess as to why that may be.

Whilst casting no aspersions whatever on the members who do contribute or their excellent articles, the Magazine has lost its old friendliness and, dare I say it, amateur quality to the extent that members feel a disinclination to be associated. Exhortations to stand up and do their duty coming from the Editor will butter no parsnips.  

 

Hi Tom,

As a  'one year old' member, and stuck half way between 'newby' and 'noboaty', [well not strictly true but it doesn't floaty yet], can i just say i found NL66 to be a very interesting read and source of information. much better by far than any other sailing publication i have read, to me the whole JRA brims with good will and friendliness. Everyone i have met could not be more willing.

I disagree respectfully with your contention " that members feel a disinclination to be associated."

No doubt, David the Editor, and you Tom are coming from the same direction - you both, [as would we all] would be interested to read of the experiences of others and to have a wide range of contributors - you are just coming at it from different directions. 

So I offer a few positive suggestions, I hope, to spur a few of our members into posting or writing of their cruising experiences for the Newsletter:-

Aboard Junks we undoubtedly experience many events, where a Junk Rig has effected an outcome for better or worse whilst we sailed the horizons, close and far. How about hearing of the reactions of other NON Junk sailors to our craft, how people are won over by its practicality and user friendliness, or the most commonly voiced criticism together with your stock answer.

Tom as you cruise your Virgo Voyager i would be interested to hear how your current sail compares with the  original Hi Power, how far did you get this year, have you broken new ground or water, let's hear of your mistakes and solutions, what went really well and any relevant differences the use of junk sail made?

Does anyone ever wish they had a jib to 'back' to assist in close quarters sailing, or how smug do you feel in being able to reef in the drop of a hat?

Do you find that with a mast so far forward and with a furled sail bundle offering drag, that when anchored she tends to blow her head off in gusts and sail to the limit of her anchor scope before she tacks and sails back again [ or even worse plucks out her anchor and keeps going] ,  has anyone tried a movable mini mast and a square meter or two of sail that can be mounted aft to help weather cock the boat and keep head to wind?

 Have you ever had to raise sail and scarper quickly from an anchorage - so much easier with JR, & have you ever had to tie a couple of fenders to your anchor warp or chain to drop it overboard for later retrieval - could you quickly cast off your anchor chain if it was  inadvertently collected by that nice passing dredger or was fouled, or would you have to go below and start undoing a rusty shackle that you had so carefully tightened a couple of years ago? I know i will rest better at anchor knowing i can get undersail so promptly.

I recon Tom, that if we met up for a drink it would be no time before we would all be recounting our stories, the reason we don't in a magazine is 'cos we are frightened to look like we are showing off, or showing our lack of knowledge, or that people  might think "what a silly question to ask"?...mmm.. Faint heart never won a fair lady.

So it is OUR JRA, OUR Magazine and is a reflection of OUR EFFORT and it is run by unpaid willing volunteers who do a fantastic job for little thanks.

Ok Tom, how about I will tell you about the time I moored a Contessa 32 called 'Starduster' - a Sail Training Vessel  by the spinnaker sheets to a large 'Big Ship' Red Can Buoy in the Western Solent, with all sail up; if you will tell me about one of your greatest or not so great moments, or bits of pilotage you found worked so well, or landfall that gave you most pleasure or relief? Are we on?

For our other 'shy' Newsletter readers, please tell us about your Junk fun,  we are interested and it's not difficult. 

If you would like to have a go but want to bounce it off someone first are unsure how to post  - send a quick email to some one in HELP or to me - found by clicking on My Profile and i will be glad to assist and encourage you if I can.

Best wishes

Ash

the Magazine has lost its old friendliness and, dare I say it, amateur quality to the extent that members feel a disinclination to be associated. 

In his editorial to issue 66 of The Magazine, David Tyler writes:

‘Didn't anyone go cruising in UK waters this summer?’

Well, of course they did and one of them, Richard Brooksby, even contributed an article for that same issue.

Many others have had a similarly excellent sailing season but, it seems, choose not to submit their reports to the JRA Magazine. I will hazard a guess as to why that may be.

Whilst casting no aspersions whatever on the members who do contribute or their excellent articles, the Magazine has lost its old friendliness and, dare I say it, amateur quality to the extent that members feel a disinclination to be associated. Exhortations to stand up and do their duty coming from the Editor will butter no parsnips.