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International 470 & Laser Dinghy Sailing Section - aka 470 Section

Our dinghy fleet consists of ten International 470s and ten Lasers. Both are Olympic class boats and hence popular world=wide. Both are high-performance and hence exciting to sail. The Laser is available with three different sail sizes - to cater for beginner or youth sailors.

Events

The racing year is traditionally split into ‘river’ and ‘sea’ seasons. During winter months, when the surf at Panaga Beach often gets too big for launching dinghies, the fleet is based at KBBC and races on the Belait river in front of the club house. At other times, the fleet is based at the Panaga Beach Compound. Many sailors prefer the livelier conditions on the sea, but river sailing demands greater attention to currents, wind shifts and fast tacking abilities. The picturesque KBBC club-house is an integral part of 470 sailing, as is the traditional 470 tea at the end of the afternoon’s racing.

Event types range from the traditional Monthly Mug, where you can build up a pewter mug collection (or just dream about it), to pursuit, multi-start, long distance and team racing type events. Monthly Mugs are sailed on a handicap basis, which means that it is your relative performance against your previous efforts (and those of your peers) which matters most and the same people are not always winning. In handicap racing, the final order is often decided by seconds and is usually very different from the scratch result.

Team racing events are held against other sailing clubs in the region. The Stow and Van Dam Trophies are sailed against the Royal Brunei Yacht Club and the Piasau Boat Club respectively. Each year a team representing the KBBC enters the Borneo Interport Regatta - a team racing event for all the sailing clubs in North Borneo. These clubs also participate in an individual championship - the Mike Pike Memorial Trophy which is contested by the top helms and crews from each club.

Who can sail the 470s?

You can! Everyone is welcome to sail in a 470 as crew (i.e. no qualification is required). Just get in touch with the person who is organising the next event (or any of the committee members). Crewing is an ideal way of learning the basics of sailing. Many beginners crew for a few months before deciding to get their Helm’s Ticket. Sailing a 470 at top performance is a team effort and a very rewarding experience.

Experienced sailors can earn their KBBC 470 Helm’s ticket by passing a practical test that includes rigging up, capsize drill, man-overboard drill, knowledge of basic IYRU right-of-way rules, safe docking and rigging down.

Beginners’ courses are organised annually - usually in October or February. Theory sessions are held on weekday evenings and practical sessions are held on Saturday mornings. Each course concludes with a ‘New Helms’ race.

For those who prefer not to race, social sailing is also encouraged (provided that rescue boat cover is arranged and boats remain within sight of the rescue boat).

Safety

We require you to wear a buoyancy aid, supplied by the KBBC, whenever you are sailing a 470 or Laser. Club events are organised to ensure the safety of all participants. A rescue boat is provided in case a crew requires assistance. Additional precautions may also be taken, depending on location and weather conditions.

In the interest of safety, it is not permitted to sail a 470 or Laser outside of organised events, without prior arrangement with the KBBC Vice-Commodore/470 Section Member.

There are a number of right-of-way rules which are necessary for boat safety. However, the rules can be a fun part of the afternoon’s sailing and trophies have been won or lost through good knowledge of the rules (or the lack of it).

Maintenance

Every time you sail a 470 or Laser, you should note any defects and report these via the clipboards provided near the sail storage area. Repairs are usually carried out by the boatmen, one of whom is always on duty. If it is a major problem, the boatmen will also arrange for the repair to be carried out.

At the end of each days sailing, sailors must wash the boat down with soap and water (provided) and leave it covered on its trailer and parked in its assigned place. Sails must be removed from the boat, rinsed and hung up in the sail storage area.

Cost

A small fee is levied from both helm and crew to cover the cost of trophies and general boat maintenance. See the Charges & Fees page for the current fees.