Special Meeting

Herring Island Sailing Fleet

April 15, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order by Head Herring Si Boettner at 1:30 PM as requested by 5 members of the club.  Seventeen members were present for the meeting.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the following four issues:

1)     Should we have separate spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes within the racing class for Saturday races?

2)   If a non-spinnaker class is agreed to, should the boats elect the non-spinnaker class for the season, by the series, or by the race?

3)    Should we continue to have adjustments within the spinnaker class for racing without a spinnaker or using a cruising spinnaker?

4)    If we allow adjustments, should we use 5%, 10%, 15%, or CORA?

Issue #1:  Since the original motion to consider separate spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes during the regular Saturday races was presented by Homer Lange, Homer was asked to speak first on the issue.  Homer re-stated his proposal that the two classes be approved and that members would declare which class they would commit to sailing in for the purpose of scoring points for trophies.  Various other members offered comments both pro and con on the proposal.  At the end of discussion, the Head Herring called for a vote on the issue.  The motion to have separate spinnaker and non-spinnaker racing classes on Saturdays was approved by a vote of 9 to 3 with 5 abstentions.

Issue #2:  Much discussion was then offered on the topic of, “Should boats elect the non-spinnaker class for the season, a series, or a race?”  A vote was taken on each alternative with the following results:

-         Declare for the season:  0 votes for, 0 votes against.

-         Declare for a series: 8 votes for, 5 opposed, 4 abstentions

-         Declare for each race: 0 votes for, 0 votes against.

Per the votes above, boats will declare their chosen class at the beginning of each series.

Issue #3: Should we have adjustments within the spinnaker class for sailing without a spinnaker or using a cruising chute?  After a short discussion, it was agreed by a vote of 7 to 2 (8 abstentions) that we would try going with no adjustments.  Everyone agreed that we can always revisit the issue later if it doesn’t work out.

Issue #4 regarding what type of adjustment should be used was no longer relevant due to the votes noted above.

The Flounder/Race Committee (Ras Apenes) was charged with re-writing the General Sailing Instructions to reflect the new changes.  Special emphasis would be given to the method of declaring a class for a series, and how the scoring will work for trophies.  Note: A straw poll at the end of the meeting indicated a general consensus that the non-spinnaker class should fly a blue flag.

The meeting was then adjourned for more important things like getting boats ready for the Spring launch.

Respectfully submitted