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Minutes of the Joint DSC and WMYC Cruiser Forum 2007
Dabchicks Sailing Club November 4th 2007
Chair: Roger Sydenham (RS)
Minutes: Toby Ramsay
Apologies: Julian Lord (JL)
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks:
Minutes of 2006 Forum Accepted
2. Cruising Format for 2008:
RS: Only the Heybridge & Harwich Pursuit races planned so far
Graham Frost (GF): The later than usual scheduling of the Heybridge Pursuit race was because of other scheduled events and tides.
3. Draft Racing Programme:
(i)
RS: Drew attention to the 3 series. Spring, Summer and Autumn Points.
Richard Hayden (RH): Asked if points from races in special events such as Commodores and Centenary Cups could count towards the series points. There was general agreement on this point and it was suggested that perhaps one race from each event could count towards the series. To be discussed at Sailing Committee meetings.
(ii)
Allan Jones (AJ): Asked why Cup races are longer?
There was general discussion about the length of races, and an agreement that some races should be longer than others.
Nick Glanville (NG): Proposed a sub-committee be formed with cross section of members to reflect diversity of cruiser-racers to review current course card to seek improvements and cater for range of expectations.
This was generally agreed.
ACTION: NG
(iii)
RH: Raised the subject of developing more methodical way of determining course headings. He has produced a ready-reckoner that could be used in course design and to assist OOD’s. He announced that he would supply the cards to those interested, for £2 donations to the Cirdan Trust. RS: proposed, NG: seconded, Agreed
(iv)
AG: Stated that he thought the best courses were those that were devised on the day.
NG: Stated that courses can (and sometimes are) set by the OOD on the day, but a clear brief needs to be provided to the OOD for this. Courses need to be kept appropriate to the needs of the racers and the event. He asked whether it would be possible to set up a Pin & String board to assist.
Peter Fitt (PF): Advised that there is a Pin & String board at WMYC.
ACTION: NG
(v)
Rob Gozzett (RG): Suggested that Brian Bolton efforts be recognised by way of a collection.
NG: Agreed and stated that the committee at WMYC had previously noted that Brian’s commitment should be acknowledged too.
RG: Suggested the £10 per boat would be appropriate and the money to be put on his account at the Chandlers, to which there was general agreement.
ACTION: RG
(vi)
Joshua Warren (JW): Raised the point that there are no dates for the Local Handicap series. There were only three boats on the water that qualified in 2007; Waterlily, Dura and Prevalance. Waterlily is likely to be rated IRC in 2008, so there is unlikely to be a Local Handicap championship for 2008. Should dual scoring be continued?
RH: Stated that the dual scoring system has contributed to the increase in numbers and he considered it should be maintained.
RG: Wondered if there is a case for splitting the fleet into slow/fast handicap.
AJ: Suggested this may work if there were two different courses.
There was general agreement that the fleet should not be split as turn out was not high enough in most points races.
(vii)
RS: Suggested, in the light of the good weather being experienced in October and November, that the Autumn series be extended. This was met by general agreement.
JW: Pointed out that this would have an impact upon the scheduled WMYC presentations of related trophies including the Overall Champion’s Cup, which occurs at the Laying-Up Supper in November.
RS: Then suggested that there be a three race Winter Series with a separate prize giving.
Vic Prior (VP): Raised the point of a need for a Race Officer.
A gate start was suggested. RS: Proposed, Allan Vince (AV): Seconded, Agreed.
ACTION: RS/GF
(viii)
Kay Linscott (KL): Spoke on behalf on Julian Lord regarding the popularity of the Short-handed Wallet Cup. JL has suggested that there be a short series of Short-Handed races on Saturdays.
VP: Agreed that this is a good idea.
RG: Suggested that members who weren’t present at the meeting were very likely to be interested in this idea, although the event would need to be communicated clearly to encourage participation.
John Clifton (JC): Pointed out that there are many cruising boat sailed 2-up anyway.
RS: Respectfully suggested that KL in best position to initiate via WMYC.
ACTION: KL
(ix)
RG: Raised some points of detail on the Programme. Sail East Felixstowe should be shown to cover 2 days only. Queried whether the Overton Trophy/ MAP race should be included in the Mersea Sail East event.
PF: Pointed out that the Sailing instructions, Classes, Safety Regulations conflicted between Sail East and points races.
JW: Advised that it was scheduled as such because of the difficulty of fitting it into the programme. Should the Overton Trophy be moved to the MAP1?
ACTION: RS/GF
(x)
RH: Made the suggestion that Friday Nights be scored under IRC and Local Handicap.
Ed Taylor (ET): Stated that he put forward the trophy for Local Handicap boats only, and sought opinion on whether IRC should be used on Friday Nights.
NG: Agreed this would be a good idea, if it were possible to have a separate trophy.
RS: Stated that the result could be extracted.
VP: Concurred that this would be easiest if the result were extracted at the end of the series.
ET: Suggested that Team Racing could be introduced for Friday Night racing.
Rachel Ramsay (RR): Suggested that this may prevent newcomers, as it added a complication to a growing event.
JC: Agreed it would complicate the racing.
AV: Suggested that the last race be a team race, instead of the Pursuit Race that has lost its appeal for some. There was general agreement for this amongst those present.
ACTION: RS/GF
(xi)
RH: Stated that the Handicap Committee was to continue, and that a measure of success was that he had only been approached once in the year by a disgruntled racer.
4. Joint & Major Events:
(i)
RS: Proposed the use of IRC within Mersea Week.
ET: Queried why not the whole week?
PF: Explained that it was not included in the programme because of big speed drifts e.g. crusader/ sonata. It was agreed that the class would be advertised, on the understanding that if there are insufficient entrants to make a class, then they will be split into slow/medium/fast handicap.
(ii)
ET: Asked whether the races in Mersea Week could be improved.
PF: Explained that the courses are devised to cater for large numbers and diversity of classes, to ensure no problems arise in relation to mark-rounding and line crossings.
NG: Suggested this could be something that may be addressed by the Race Course Sub Committee.
(iii)
RH: Thanked participants for support for Cirdan Sailing Series. He advised that he is seeking to persuade participants BJRC to join.
RG: Suggested race starts up river may encourage new entrants.
RH: Agreed, and pointed out that the tides are a problem, but RH would persevere.
ACTION: RH
(iv)
RS: Raised that point that the Sail East events remain popular, although numbers are dwindling.
RH & Martin Wiggins (MW): Stated that the Ramsgate Sail East event would be incorporated into the ‘IRC East Coast Championship’. It was hoped this would generate more interest for 2008.
NG: Offered WMYC assistance for Sail East DSC.
5. Zone Championships 2008
GF: Raising awareness of the event. 27th & 28th September, 150 entrants last time, liaison required regarding arrangements for parking, joint event with WMYC, Destiny one of the committee boats. Volunteers required for a variety of tasks.
6. Open Discussions
N/A- covered Item 7.
7. Any Other Business
(i)
Simon Clifton (SC): Asked that the brief for the Race Course Sub-committee be confirmed:
NG: Had noted request that course card to include selection of courses with shorter legs, more corners, less fetching
Race Course Sub-committee members:
Alan Vince, Simon Clifton, Rob Gozzett, Alan Jones, Ed Taylor, Graham Frost, Nick Glanville, Richard Hayden
(ii)
RS: Asked if any one knew the whereabouts of the Uncle Stanleys’ Mug Trophy.
RG: Advised he had it and would return it for the prize giving.
There was general discussion regarding the tracking of trophies and the need to improve the system.
ACTION: GF
(iii)
RS- Announced his resignation as Cruiser Captain to take up the role of Chairman of Cadet week. As such, the club requires a replacement.
ACTION: GF
(iii)
JW: Suggested that events need to be promoted well next year.
AJ: Stated that youngsters should be encouraged to participate.
RG: Commented that we should encourage other boats out, and suggested that the owners of ‘Cracker’ and ‘Jedi Knight’ in particular be approached and encouraged to attend points races.
ACTION: RG/GF
Meeting closed at: 12:22pm
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