The 4 Oppies are now complete thanks to the hard work of a few dedicated members over the winter, the sponsorship of the RYA's OnBoard Initiative and the kind help of Funky Monkey Boat Names who donated the vinyl names for them.

They were launched on Saturday 25th April, and were christened Black Pig, Black Pearl, Dauntless and Interceptor in line with kidz@pen9's piratical theme.

Funky Monkey is owned by Mark Kirton, son of the late Ian Kirton who served on Pennine's Committee for many years and donated the Kirton Spring Bowl trophy.

It was a chance encounter at the Dinghy Show that resulted in his becoming involved in supporting the project and we hope that members will show their gratitude by visiting his company website and perhaps ordering their boat names from him.

Further sponsorship from the RYA Volvo Champion Club scheme helped us provide our CRB-checked volunteers team polo shirts to wear on Friday evenings.

In addition part of our OnBoard package provided two Henri Lloyd Jackets and a buoyancy aid which were given to Peter Crossley, Gerry Dawson and John Hollis as a thank you for their work on the project. Thanks also to Sarah Richards who invented and made bow-bumpers for the boats, - which hopefully will give some added protection in case of collisions !

The club originally purchased two Optimist kits. and the jig around which to build them, to run as a winter project in the clubhouse.

The kits cost around £1185 and were built by club member volunteers.

Peter Crossley co-ordinated the work teams. Here is a picture of work in progress on the second boat, soon after the first one was more or less complete.

The project went so well that two extra hulls were bought later on.

Even the kiddies joined in with the jigsaw !

Four finished hulls, waiting for painting and fitting out.

More pictures on the following pages.