IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome
The 'New Improved' Boss
Stop Press
Calendar of Events 2001
What's happening with the Class Association
Contacts
Boss Price List
Future Issues

Welcome

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2001 and the first from the new committee. In this issue of the newsletter we will be reviewing the developments to the boat and getting some feedback from long term Boss sailor Graham Childs who has been sailing with the new rig.

We will also be updating everyone who wasn't able to be at the AGM of what issues were discussed and what plans we have for this year.

The Boss committee is mad keen (possibly more mad than keen) to push the class to greater heights this year and have set a number of targets in relation to the Class Association membership and the number of open meetings we will be running. We are focusing on 5 main events including the Nationals and Inland Championships. Based on the feedback we have had so far we expect that there will be a good turnout and capabilities will range from the speedy to the goggles and flipper teams. So come on and join the fun. Also we are further developing our website www.bossracing.co.uk to act as a communications and information centre for the class.

This is the new committee's first newsletter and so if you don't like it let us know. Believe it or not we are open to your comments!

Hope to see you at the Sailboat and Windsurf Show 3-4 March.

Chairman - Julian Cramp

The 'New Improved' Boss

Over the last couple of years there have been a number of changes proposed to the existing design of The Boss. In 1999 the Class voted to accept the new jib configuration which certainly improved the performance of the boat in marginal planing conditions and in 2000 the Class voted to accept the new masthead asymmetric spinnaker. No more changes are proposed. Graham Childs has been sailing The Boss for many years and has recently moved to the new rig. He makes the following comments about sailing the Boss;

"My latest boat came with the new mast and new jib configuration. We sailed it without the bigger spinnaker at first, as this was not yet available."

"We set the boat up with a little rake and the lowers just tight. The sails go up and down the mast with ease, as it is generally a much better designed spar. On the water we noticed at once how much better the boat responded in the tacks and gybes. Before with the old rig, tacking was often a lacklustre affair, with the boat stalling out before getting back into the groove. The new rig is very different, a lot lighter and the C of G lower. It gives a better pitch moment so when a gust hits, you go with it rather than waiting while the rig takes the initial energy and then responds. Coming out of the tacks now requires more speed by the team. My crew (14 stone) can now wire when tacking without me having to yank in the main. The boat accelerates and feels as though it wants to go. We have sailed in most breezes up to mid force 4 and in seas from flat to bumpy. The Boss is fairy stable anyhow compared to others around, but the new rig has transformed the boat especially upwind. In the marginal 10 - 15 knots of breeze the boat planes to windward with ease. The new rig is easily controlled and can be powered up to suit, whereas the old rig never managed to excel and was difficult to control in any strong wind or sea. This was fine when you had class racing but handicap racing meant you suffered upwind and had to rely on the downwind legs to try and catch up."

"The new spinnaker is a dream to use. I thought we would have problems reaching but the new shape, much flater, takes the strain with the shoulders standing up there. Close reaches are now far more achievable and comfortable. We have only sailed three times with the bigger spinnaker but each time the boat has performed to a new level. I think that now with this new rig the Boss is a good all round boat and that if you can update, it is certainly worth while. Sometimes things are worth waiting for!

STOP PRESS

The Boss Class Association has been speaking to the manufacturers and has managed to reduce the prices for the upgrade.
So if you are dithering speak to Graham Eeles whose contact details are at the end of this newsletter. The more people we can get to place orders the better deal we can all get on the rigs and sails.

Calendar of Events 2001

One of the items discussed at the AGM was how many events we should be running during the year. What was agreed, was to focus on a smaller number of events so that there would be larger fleets on the water. Below is the list of events for this year. The events in bold are the ones that are designated class events.

We will be updating our web site www.bossracing.co.uk with as many details as possible including directions accommodation etc.

What's happening with the Class Association?

Lots, is the answer! We are currently trying to update our database of names and contact details for all Boss sailors. So if you have moved, changed your contact details or now have an e?mail address we could contact you on, please let us know.
If you are not a member of the Class Association please, please join now [a membership form is attached]. This will ensure that we can keep you informed of everything that is happening in the Class and also will mean that you will be able to race at the various events.

We are slowly but surely updating the Class Association website www.bossracing.co.uk to make it more user friendly and useful. We have a number of plans for the site such as a sailors database and more links plus a section on Boss sailing tips and advice. If you think you have a good idea for the site let us know.

We really want to get as many people as possible to come to the events this year. We have predominantly stuck to the Topper Gala Series but have our own training event in May and Nationals in September. If you know other Boss sailors encourage them to come along.

We are looking to get sponsorship for event prizes. Not just big ones for first but small ones for last etc so if you know of anyone who might be prepared to do this (we will do our best to promote them in the process) then give Julian Cramp a shout.
In the pipeline is a survey to canvas your opinions on which direction you want your class to develop. Also, if you feel that you would like to help the Class Association or have a skill that you feel might help us please let us know.

For those of you who have a Boss but don't get out regularly, or at all, we could help. If it's training you are looking for then we are having a training day in May. Don't feel intimidated if you don't spend much time upright on the water everyone in the class is very friendly and people are generally more than happy to help you out. For those who like to sail locally but hate packing their boat up to travel, we will be giving you some tips on how you can make this a less painful process.

Class Association Contacts

Chairman Julian Cramp 22 Balliol Avenue London E4 6LX 020 85290774 07932 074712 julian.cramp@btinternet.com Vice Chairman Graham Eeles 72 Lower Park Road Brightlingsea Colchester Essex CO7 0JX 01206 306393 0973 268416 grahamj@geeles.fsnet.co.uk Secretary Jerry Ibberson 01142 491 760 07967 093026 jerry.ibb@blueyonder.co.uk Treasurer Peter Bennett pbennetu@doh.gov.uk

Boss Price List

If you are looking to upgrade your rig or replace some parts here are the prices;

Give Graham Eeles a call and he will sort you out with the bits post haste.

In Future Issues

In future issues of this newsletter we will be including articles on setting up and tuning your boat and rig. Also we will be giving tips on how to sail in stronger winds or just stay upright! And, it goes without saying that we will be bringing you the latest gossip and racing results in the class.

If there is something that you would like to see us feature then let us know. We would like to make use of email to distribute the newsletter so if you have an email address that we can use to mail the newsletter let us know. Whilst this newsletter and possibly the next will be going on wide distribution, future issues will be distributed to Boss Class Association members only, so get your membership in now.