News from the Malacca Straits
Peninsular Sailing Club Squib fleet
Greetings from Sunny Malaysia !
Our Squib fleet has increased to 18 boats , we have enhanced the standard of the boats we are purchasing because we are now very aware of the affect of our weather on the only vulnerable part of our boats …the plywood floor , one of the first owner Rainer Kloberg with Teutonic efficiency replaced his floor on with local so called marine ply , it lasted 18 months , by then we were aware of the problem and purchased at GBP 120 a sheet some fibre board resin coated which we think shouldn’t rot , Rainer has found a cheaper option but boats with UK standard replaced floor or best fibre glass floors are a better option
Two of the latest boats have replacement decks too , many thanks to RSYC class captain Dan Wastnage for his help in locating the boats , we also purchased his scruffy Buck Up to find parts missing including the entire running rigging , fortunately during the time that the shop at Rice and Coles had just about everything Squib related we had purchased 2 spare masts , no breakages so far but a good source of rigging and parts We have lease/ sold Buck Up to the Malaysian Seascouts their leader Com Hilmi is now a PSC club member , to date they have not raced her but they practice , we are hopeful we can generate many more sailor with 120 plus members ranging from 7 to 24 years old
Our every Sunday racing has shown reduced in fact disappointing numbers , the class captain using 2 boats Cabaret 7 formerly Millenium and Wombat finished first and second
A feature of sailing in Malaysia is the sailing members turnover , expats going back and local interest can be patchy , at the last count we had 1 Belgian ( HE the Ambassador ) 4 Germans 2 Dutch 2 Filipina 3 Irish 6 British and 7 Malaysian !!
Obvious highlight will be our 4 th Malaysian Squib Nationals from 13 th to 15 th June , the Class Captain will be defending his title but we hope for more competition
An unusual event at our marina was the launch /inauguration of the Mobula an ocean cleaning boat destined for the East Malaysian City of Kota Kinabalu , the plastic pollution in Malaysia is horrendous , we are fortunate with virtual no pollution but the other club whose pontoon catches bottles etc can be a foot high that without what is happening underneath. It was fun to watch and Ihe Inauguration Ceremony was attended by the Malaysian Minister of the Environment , the local Mayor , the Swiss Ambassador ( the Swiss financed it and the French built it ) and almost 70 other dignitaries plus the local press. They had a good view of our Squibs in the marina directly in front of the club house all fully rigged for the occasion
In closing we wish all Squib owners and crew a great 2025 and wish we were attending the Nationals ! As we always say we would love to see some UK Squibbers in Malaysia , not much wind but lots of sun
Very best wishes Jeremy Camps
Acting Squib Class Captain and Commodore
Peninsular Sailing Club Selangor
Pulau Indah , Malaysia
4/4/ 25