Chairmans Rantings
Sitting here watching England
trash Germany at football supping some red wine and writing the newsletter
so you'll have to excuse me if I rant more than usual!
Over the last 4 months the class has continued to grow in terms of
attendance at open meetings etc. The first event in June was the Datchet
Training day where we had 12 boats attending the 2 day training session
run by Mark Asquith, last years Nationals winner. The event was a
great success with the emphasis on sailing and on the water coaching.
The next open event was Eastbourne where we had 9 boats attending
including some new faces. All had a breezy sail and possibly the fastest
reach I have ever been on. And then there was Weston which is always
a great venue where we had the highest turnout of any Topper class
with 10 boats and had some great racing.
I must say that with the lack of enthusiasm shown by Topper or any
of it's employees eg lack of attendance at anything except local /
convenient events it is not surprising that many sailors from the
Topper range are moving on to other classes. Conversely the sponsor,
Bank of Scotland, have been present at all events.
However, the enthusiasm shown by the Boss sailors I meet at the various
events goes counter to this and I truly believe that the class has
a healthy future if we all work hard to make the class a success by
encouraging others into the class.
The next event is the Nationals at Stokes Bay 27-30 Sept. There have
been a number of new names who haven't attended events so far this
season who have contacted me and asked about details and there have
been a number of old hands who have also indicated that they will
attend if they can get their hands on a boat. Therefore the numbers
at the nationals may be the best for several years. Attached to this
Newsletter is an application form which I would be really grateful
if you could complete and send to me if you are planning to attend
the Nationals. The primary reason for this is so that I can ensure
that adequate resources are prepared for our arrival but additionally
it will act as your entry for the event and so save you completing
the paperwork when you arrive.
We are going to apply
the letter of the law i.e. the class rules for the nationals this
year especially in relation to the weight correction system as they
seem to have become a little relaxed over the last couple of years.
Please take note of the table later in the newsletter as previous
information may have been incorrect.
Make sure you have paid up your association membership before the
nationals or you will have to pay on the day. We will be insisting
on class membership as this is necessary to ensure that we have
enough money in the kitty to support your sailing.
Since the larger jib and masthead kite was introduced there have
been a number of suggestions that we need to adjust the handicap
/ pn. I will be speaking to the RYA about this in the next few weeks
with the intention of introducing it next year.
We will be having the AGM at the Nationals so if you want you voice
to be heard be there. A draft agenda is attached and is being sent
to members (and unusually also to non-members) prior to the nationals
so you can pen your thoughts if you can't attend the AGM.
Anyway, enough ranting from me. I hope to see you all at the Nationals
at Stokes Bay Sailing Club 27-30 Sept 2001.
Chairman - Julian
Cramp
PS The Association has Boss polo shirts for sale in medium and large
navy blue with Boss logo. If you would like a couple give me a call.
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The AGM Agenda
This is subject to amendments
but what I propose we cover at the AGM are the following topics. Please
let me know if you have any issues you wish to add.
1. Review of the minutes
of the last AGM.
2. Discussion of the year to date, in terms of the Class Associations
management of the class and communications with members and ways
to improve this for next year.
3. The Class Association Committee.
4. Event Programme for next year.
5. Class Rules - Discussion.
6. The Boat - Hull and Rig discussion.
7. Any Other Business.
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The Nationals 2001
As you will all be aware
the nationals this year is very kindly being hosted at Stokes Bay
Sailing Club on the 27-30 Sept 2001. I say very kindly because as
a small fleet it is not necessarily economically viable for clubs
to run such championships and not many do. This is principally thanks
to Mike Rayden at Stokes Bay our resident Boss sailor.
The venue for those who haven't been to Stokes Bay provides a great
sailing area and a very welcoming club. The club will also be providing
free parking and camping. For those who want to stay in B&Bs
we will be updating our web site www.bossracing.co.uk shortly with
as many details as possible.
The reception will be from 8.30am on the 27th and all crews should
report on their arrival for weighing and measuring. This is done
without your sailing gear on. Ie T-shirts and shorts and socks.
First race will be at midday on the 27th and the plan is to have
3 races per day. The second and subsequent days the racing will
start at 10.30am.
On the final Sunday there will again be three races followed by
a free late lunch buffet at the prize giving.
The bar at the club will be open every night and the committee will
be organising as many social events as people want!
We will be updating
our web site www.bossracing.co.uk with as many details as possible
so keep your eyes open.
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Remaining events for this
season
13/14 October
Multi Gala and Inland Championships
Datchet Water SC
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Pre Nationals Sailing
Tips
Tacking
Crew - Wait for the boat to start to tack, and as the power
comes out of the sails, stand up on the rack using the handle, and
unclip from the wire. Uncleat the jib and walk into the centre of
the boat. Pick up the new sheet at the cleat, and turning as you
move, grab the trapeze handle. Sheet the jib in as you move out
on the wire, and cleat it slightly looser than normal. With the
sheet cleated, your aft hand can now be used to hook yourself on,
after which the jib can be gradually drawn in to its normal position
Helm - Step in
to the boat, standing up as you go in. Ease the mainsheet slightly
then duck under the boom. Twisting your body as you move, take your
mainsheet hand behind your back and grab the tiller. Your new forward
hand can now come round the front of your body and take the mainsheet.
This hand is then used to hook yourself on, and you can walk back
wards out onto the rack sheeting in as you go
Gybing
Helm - Pre-set the genoa sheet on the new side, and release
the cleat on the old side, keeping the genoa sheets aft of the gennaker
sheets. Sail into the gybe with maximum speed and gybe the mainsail.
Crew
- As the boat bears away, use your front hand on the handle to pull
yourself up on the rack, and unhook as you walk into the boat. "Walk"
your hands in on the sheet to prevent it being eased by you moving
in to the boat. Then as the main gybes, give a small tug on the
old sheet and drop it. Quickly pick up the new sheet and set the
gennaker on the new side.
Helm - Luff the boat out of the gybe and get out on the wire to
balance the pressure in the sails. This will also flick the mainsail
battens on to the new side. Steer the boat onto the fastest course
as the crew joins you on the wire.
Courtesy of The Sailing Guide written by Paul Brotherton
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Weight equalisation system
The
weight equalisation system is set-up as follows:
|
Average
crew weight |
| Average
crew height |
Greater
than 76Kg |
77-69Kg
inclusive |
Less
than 70Kg |
| Greater
than 1.85m |
Inner
and no corrector |
Inner
and 6Kg corrector |
Middle
and 12Kg corrector |
| 1.75-1.85m
inclusive |
Inner and no corrector |
Middle and 6Kg
corrector |
Outer and 12Kg
corrector |
| Less
than 1.75m |
Middle and no corrector |
Outer and 6Kg corrector |
Outer and 12Kg
corrector |
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Race Reports
Eastbourne
Sovereign Multi Gala
Weston
SC Multi Gala
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