Welcome to the BOSS class Spring newsletter.
Happy new Millennium !

The committee have been working hard through the winter to make 2000 a good year for the class.  As we write, all the event venue€s and dates have now been confirmed, details below. My thanks to Vicki for all her efforts.

We are all encouraged by the enthusiasm within the class at the moment.  It is hoped this will be reflected by turnouts at the events.  We now have more membership of the class than ever before.  Second hand boats are selling well.

With some good support from you all, selected advertising and media coverage and excellent well organised events, we hope to increase awareness of the class and grow the membership of the association.  In return this will offer some of the best twin wire racing in the Country.  Come on everyone, lets get behind it!

The Events

The events for the 2000 season are as follows :

In addition to these we also have the option of having  a class start at the Buzz, Iso, Spice Nationals which is at Salcombe from the 26^th to the 29^th of August along with the opportunity to race at Carnac from the 12^th to the 15^th of August.  Can you please let us know which events you will be attending and whether you would be interested in going to Salcombe and Carnac by contacting Vicki Watling.

Her e-mail address is mail@vicki3c.freeserve.co.uk

The New Rig

As detailed in the Winter Newsletter, the New rig is proposed to be adopted from the 1^st September.  The latest news is encouraging.  White Formula have designed and tested a converted carbospars rig with a second set of spreaders, a section of which will be exhibited at the dinghy show.  They are happy with the masts durability,  the only thing to be finalised is the final position of the fixing of the wires.   It will also be for all to see at the first events of the year where we hope everyone will get to sail with it and try it for themselves. 

The Masthead spinnaker design has been formalised and the cost will be similar to the existing size.  The only thing to be finalised is the tape down patches. This kite is the same for both the old and the new rig.  It increases the sail area from 33m2 to about 41m2.  This improves the performance of the boat no end  and will make the boat a more attractive proposition to those people wishing to join the fleet.  It does not make the boat any harder to sail.  In fact, with the recent bow modifications and the respective larger chute the spinnaker is easier to launch and retrieve than the existing arrangement. 

Graham Eeles from White Formula is offering a demo of the newly rigged boat for anyone interested.  He can be contacted on 01206 306 393.  Graham can also be contacted for every service requirement, boat parts, repairs, tuning and services. 

Please find attached a price list for the new rig modifications along with an order form.  A guideline price for the conversion kit including a second set of spreaders and wires for the carbospars mast is set to be in the region of   £ 100.00.

Voting

The committee have decided to hold on before putting this issue out to vote, on the basis that it is not proposed to be adopted until the 1^st September.   If we leave voting until the middle of the year, everybody concerned should have seen the rig and be much more happy about the proposal.

Dinghy Show

We will be exhibiting a new boat at the dinghy show at Alexandra Palace on the 4^th and 5^th March.  We would appreciate people to help on the stand.  Could you contact Vicki who is co-ordinating this. Please find attached pre booking forms.  We hope you will attend.  We are planning a night out on the Saturday which I am sure will be a good laugh.

Web site

We are in the process of registering the Boss class website.  We are sure this will be very beneficial for class awareness.  It may also tempt individual or class sponsors.  We would appreciate any ideas concerning the format  At this stage we are thinking about including a list of members and boats, results, media coverage, hot news and list of venues.

Membership Renewal

Please find enclosed a membership renewal form which we would like you all to complete regardless of whether you have a direct debit set up.  This will enable to keep our database up to date.  Perhaps you can get your crews to join the class as well along with anyone else you know of who has a Boss but is not a member of the association.  Membership enables them to compete in Boss events. The more membership we have the more we can do to promote the class.  This is in everybody€s interests.  Please could you send your completed membership forms and subscription to Jerry Ibberson at Wadsley Grove, Worrall Road, Sheffield,   S6 4BE.

Other

Everything in the press is raving about the RS 800.  After speaking to people who€ve seen it perform, it is a tiny boat - not for the likes of Boss sailors.  Having spoken to top class sailors in the trade who€ve sailed the boat it is better suited to the light weight crews.   At the Bloody Mary a Boss beat the demo RS800 round the track. 

With the demise of the Laser 5000, the Boss really has a chance to put itself back on the map.

Finally if you were not aware of the class contacts, here they are. 

See you at Draycote Water.

Tim Cunliffe