ATTENTION ALL BOSS
SAILORS
1st Open Meeting April 15
- 16 at Draycote Sailing Club (Directions - See bottom of page.)
BOSS creates Tremendous interest
at Dinghy Show
The BOSS certainly
generated a huge amount of interest at the show. The boat was a 2 ½
year old hull which had been factory reconditioned and looked just like
new. Congratulations to Graham Eeles and the rest of the team at Formula
White. Many of the visitors to the stand were stunned that a used boat
could look so good. The show enables visitors to compare boats of many
different classes. The RS800 the new boat from the LDC stable was given
plenty of attention and is sure to be a popular class. Of those who
looked at the Laser 5000, the RS800 and the BOSS most were of the opinion
that the BOSS represents by far the best value, and is of enviable build,
quality and proven reliability. To further underline this, Formula White
has sold all its factory-reconditioned boats and has a further 3 to
build following the show with additional firm enquiries.
New Kite
It was good to meet many
of you and chat about what's happening in the class and the association.
Much of the interest centred around the new masthead spinnaker whose
adoption will be balloted later in the year. Many BOSS owners were not
aware of the proposed changes, and showed concern that the changes would
incur extra unnecessary expense to modify their boats to comply. Once
the rational behind the modifications had been explained, all were in
support of the masthead kite, and understood the motive for moving the
BOSS class forward.
BOSS Online
The BOSS class now has a
web site, which can be found at www.bossclass.co.uk Jonathon Mitchell
has written an article about his experiences with the new masthead spinnaker,
which he has tested extensively with great success. Further material
will be added to the page over the next few weeks, including the Class
Rules and a tuning guide published in Yachts and Yachting back in 1995.
Any suggestions or relevant additional would be most welcome. Please
forward to Tim, Jerry or Vicki (email addresses are on the site).
Coaching
It has been suggested that
we arrange a coaching session for the class. Do you feel that this would
be a beneficial exercise? Mark Asquith has offered his services for
both class and individual coaching sessions. If you would like us to
arrange a class coaching session, please let us know. The time and location
needs to be arranged well in advance so we can get maximum support.
If you would like to speak to Mark directly, his number is 07787 530950.
Fun and Pro-motion in the sun!!
As a class and Association,
we need to make an effort to promote the BOSS beyond the Multi-gala
circuit, where, in effect we have a 'closed shop', where owners / sailors
of the ISO and BUZZ, have exposure to the BOSS and are more likely to
remain with a Topper range. The BOSS needs to appeal to a much wider
section of the sailing community if it is to improve its numbers and
continue in the increasingly competitive high performance dinghy market.
The introduction of the
RS800 and the slick marketing of RS / LDC means that we have to actively
persuade potential new owners to purchase a BOSS, rather than a Laser
5000 or RS800. Neither the Class Association, nor Topper have the funds
available to market the boat effectively. The most effective advertising
tools we have are the boats themselves and the people who sail them,
so it's up to us all to promote the class, and to try to persuade fellow
club members to go BOSS.
In addition, we also need
to attract people to the class by letting them see the boats in action,
and offer the opportunity of taking them out for a spin. The ideal opportunity
to demonstrate the boats both on the racecourse and off the beach are
the summer race weeks, of which there are many. In addition to the Multi
Gala events already programmed, that as many BOSSes as possible try
to make it to Abersoch Dinghy Week.
Abersoch Dinghy week is
arguably the ideal location for a family race week. At going to press
we have a confirmed 3 boats, which will compete in the Fast Asymmetric
Dinghy Class, won in 1999 by a BOSS. South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club
hosts the event held July 23 - 28. The week consists of 1 race per day
on the fantastic waters of Tremadoc Bay. There are plenty of Hotels,
B&Bs and campsites, suitable for families or individuals alike. Racing
generally finishes on Friday morning, allowing plenty of time to travel
down to Lee-on-Solent for the Gala event on the following weekend.
Further details are available
from the event organiser: Aubrey Allso, Glenwood, Lon Roslyn, Abersoch,
Pwllheli LL53 7BD Tel: 01758 713262 / 01675 442707 Or from the Class
Secretary, Jerry Ibberson on 0114 234 3955 (evenings).
Draycote Water SC Directions
The Clubhouse
is situated on the Southern side of the lake. Access is from the A426
Southam to Dunchurch road at Kites Hardwick. The club is well signposted.
A one-way system is in force through the boat park. When approaching
the club keep left up the hill and then turn right into the club road.
Then drop off your boat and equipment and park in the car park.
