04/06/2026
The Warwick Sailing Club has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sailability Leslie Dam and we stand by them to facilitate providing on water experiences to people with disabilities.
Following is a debrief from a recent trial conducted by Sailability Leslie Dam FYI.
Good Morning,
Recently, we tested the modified trailer with the winch and sling fitted, as Neil Stiff had completed the modifications. We used the shore at the sailing club (not the ramp) as part of the test criteria to establish that the skiff could be launched and retrieved, with client on board, without using the easier-access ramp.
Also, we used Glenn as our "crash dummy" as he was the heaviest to further test the stability of the trailer.
I am delighted to report that the test was very successful. Glenn was fully kitted out including a life jacket, and was lifted by the winch into the skiff without any movement of the skiff on the trailer or any movement of the trailer itself. Four people were easily able to push the trailer and the skiff into the water, float off the skiff, move about freely on the bow line, returned to the trailer, secured, pulled back onto the sand, and unloaded onto a chair without a hitch.
I am of the view that we would be able to perform this operation with any client.
This means that we should now be in a position to undertake further tests including a launch, limited sail event, launch and power up the safety boat, retrieval from a sail event and return all assets to the shed.
Once these tests are completed and the results obtained, I am confident that we will be able to establish a proper working roster for a sail event and expect to be in a position to commence activities in the spring.
On the safety boat matter, there was an issue with the outboard motor. This was found to be a carburettor blockage. We have cleared the blocked jets and got the motor started and running. It is currently being checked over by Shane Baker (outboard mechanic) to ensure its serviceability and expect it to be back in service this week.
We are planning to hold our AGM after June 30th and would like to table all outstanding issues which may remain so that we can achieve our accreditation, affiliation, and plan to commence sailing events later this year. I would like to ask Peter Mullins, Geoff Grace and others from Sailability Queensland to assist in getting these matters tabled and addressed. I understand that a MOU has been agreed to by the WSC and this needs to be formalised, but there may be further matters on accreditation (other than the working roster, names and Blue cards for volunteers) which are required. Could I ask that these issues be brought forward please.
I would like to thank Neil Stiff in particular for his outstanding work in engineering to get us to this position. Also, members of the Warwick Sailing Club, who have remained enthusiastic and supportive in this matter and were in attendance at the recent test event.
Best regards,
Peter Stacy
Secretary
Sailability Leslie Dam Inc.
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