June: Race and Cruise events begin!

Secretary’s Minutes March 13, 2004

The Commodore opened the meeting at 5.13 pm. Twelve members were present.

1. He requested a motion to accept the secretary’s minutes of the February meeting as presented in the March Newsletter: Proposed by Dick Bentzel, seconded by Peter McCrea. The “ayes” have it!

2. Absent the treasurer, the Commodore conveyed essentials from his written report: viz. Dues receipts are $6,215 (68% of budget), dinghy dock income $2,400 (60% of budget). Operating Fund is $19,955.12 and The Reserve $7,432.37. No unusual costs incurred. The Commodore asked for acceptance of the treasurer’s report: So moved by Diane Hebert, seconded by Rene Hebert. The “ayes” have it!

3. Membership Secretary: Diane Hebert reported that membership to date is 128, composed of 53 family, 13 single, 7 associate and 2 honorary memberships. Three more renewals (at the meeting) brings total to 131. On March 14, 2003 membership was 109. New members are Alan MacDonald and Judy Turner.

4. Absent the Race Sub-Committee chairmen, the Commodore spoke for them. In response to a request from Dave Jones, the Executive Committee has proposed that the Race Sub-Committee receive $350 to fund organization of the “Hunger Race” (see March Newsletter), which sum will be repaid from the entry fees. Race date is June 21 and repayment expected by July 15. Bruce asked for a motion to this effect: Proposed by Mike Sodano, seconded by Charles Falkingham. The “ayes” have it.

5. A message from Gust Stringos: The Down-East Race (Gloucester to Rockland) starts August 1. Volunteers are needed at the finish line August 2.

6. The Commodore reported on a discussion at the last Executive Committee (EC) meeting concerning a “new member fee” to offset the expense incurred in signing up new members. Bruce stressed that any change can be effected only by majority vote of the General Membership and that this will be on the agenda for the April 18 meeting. Bruce

mentioned that the EC considered $25 appropriate and invited members to comment. Those present raised no objection to the fee in principle but Peter McCrea suggested something higher but include a “free burgee” for the new member. Mike Sodano agreed and said $45 should cover it.

1. The Commodore advised that EC was also considering a penalty for late renewal of membership since this increases club expenses. Bruce also reminded members that those not in good standing have no vote. This will be on the April agenda.

2. Web Site: Bruce announced a change of carrier. The domain is switched from Network Solutions to Midcoast who charge $20 per month, a significant savings. In fact the cost of the site is defrayed by sponsorship advertisements by Pope Sails, Gemini Canvas and Leisure Maine – to whom we are grateful. Other businesses are welcome to participate. Taylor Vaughan has agreed to continue as Web Master.

3. Discounts for RYC members: Bruce advised that Rockland Boat, now owned by Hamilton Marine, no longer offer a discount but Midcoast Marine Supply (Rt.1 Thomaston) offer 10%. Show your RYC membership card.

4. Moira Bentzel announced that a “Women’s Cruise” is planned for June 28-29. Natalie B and at least one other boat will participate. More are welcome! Contact Moira for further information.

There being no further business the Commodore requested a motion to adjourn! So moved by Rene Hebert, seconded by Charles Falkingham. The meeting closed at 5.38pm

Respectfully submitted, Ivan Hills, secretary

Notes from the Saturday, March 13 Race meeting (AIF means all in favor)

1. Season Schedule of All Races?Ken Priest will take responsibility for Islesboro race

2. Crews and Boats for the Race Committee' Conductof the Races? A. Fees B. Tuesday Races

C. PHRF Weekend Races

D. Who renders the PHRF results and how?

3. Communication with the Race Fleet

AIF

All boats must have a VHF radio on board All racers must let the committee boat know that they wish to be part of the race

A. Channel 68

B. Flags

C. Race Board

4. Tuesday Night Schedule

A. Season Standing or Split Season (Series)Preferred?

B. Will there be races outside the Breakwater?

5. Weekend Racing

A. Is Saturday or Sunday Preferred?

B. Is 11:00 AM or 12:00 Noon or 1:00 PM StartTime Preferred?

C. How Many will Participate?

D. Review of the Race Course Outside Breakwater,Is it Agreeable?

E. Is the Skippers' Meeting Necessary before hand?

F. Can One Design Boats sail as PHRF.

G. Will there be sufficient One Designs to have theirown Start?

Nothing decided

Dave Hoy to spearhead these races. Saturday or Sunday okay, 12-5, suggested. Go whole season and choose best 3 races. No committee boat, just meet and set watches. # Interested unknown

6. Acceptance of PHRF Handicap System

AIF

A. Do we declare use of Spinnaker rating or not atbeginning of each race; or, must boat use its Spinnaker rating the entire season whether it uses spinnaker or not?

AIF

Tuesday night races: Declare at start of season and stay with it Other races - undecided

B. Current valid PHRF must be turned in by all boats.

AIF

7. Publicity & Announcements

A. How do we obtain crews?

Not discussed

B. When is Race Rules Seminar and where? Start sequence written up and displayed on dock at ACF also posted on web site and in Newsletter Race Agenda Continued: From co-chairs Dave Jones and Patti Dinse

1. Regattas

A. Interest in a "Benefit Regatta" to replace thescholarship regatta

AIF

Everyone liked the Benefit Regatta

B. Should it be combined with the solstice race to bethe "Solstice Benefit Regatta" or at another time? With the present schedule, it looks like August would be the best month if we chose not to combine them.

AIF

Combine the End Hunger Race this year

AIF

Way to get more boats to enter race…. give Aruba week to winner ????

C. Future beneficiaries of the regatta should bediscussed with the fleet (even if we just put it out for people to be thinking about).

D. Raffle, T-shirts, sponsors, timeline

E. Discuss Rockland/Bayside Regatta, volunteers, etc

F. Interest in a double or single-handed race. If so, date, etc.

AIF

Schedule double handed for September 18 (No trophy this year) Only Peter McCrea interested in single handed

G. Interest in weekend racing. If so, should they be done as a series of 3 each month with the best 2 scored, or for the season? Who would provide race management for this - committee boat, etc.?

2. Tuesday night races and racing in general

A. Managing the races to improve quality andconsistency (i.e. if we have difficulty finding an experienced person for the season to set the marks and line, etc., can we pick a few specific, consistent boats to do it before the race and just have the communication boat responsible for the times? Should these boats be responsible for deciding if there is to be another race?

AIF

Keep the manning of the committee boat the same as previous years Sign ups to date: ^st week Doug Pope ^nd week Ken Priest Last week Jeff Dinse Setting of markers: Committee boat will anchor, the first boats out will pick up markers from it and set them. Permanent markers were discussed.

B. Who should call races off/ postpone them, etc?

AIF

Committee boat will call the race. Priest/Kopp requested the call be made by 2:30 pm as they have so far to travel.

C. Should PHRF boats declare at the start of theseason if they are racing or cruising? If so, can they change that, and how many times?

Member’s boats for sale:

Saroca 1989, 16.5’ sailboat, fully equipped. Includes EZ Loader trailer. Will email picture and specs. See in Rockland by appointment. Ivan Hills, 207-594-8129 hills@midcoast,com

Neptune 16’ powerboat. Mike Duffy 207-596-5707 Very tentative cruise agenda - join in at the April meeting for the finalized schedule. Note that cruise dates and locations in August and September are subject to change and weather may force both date and/or location changes and possible cancellation with any cruise. Contacts for cruises will be listed in the May newsletter.

June 5 & 6 (Saturday, Sunday): Icebreaker

Pulpit Harbor for the night.

June 19 (Saturday): Progressive Dinner

Broad Cove, Owl’s Head Dinner in conjunction with the Solstice Racers. Interested cruisers to continue on a mini-cruise to somewhere close by. Location to be determined at the progressive dinner.