Racing Fleet Meeting Saturday, March 11, 2017 The meeting was called to order at 10:05. Attendance Morris Azar Ernie Schlesinger John Michael Nancy Bolan Lee Luce Kaprel Ozsolak Kieran Quinn Patty Lukes Rod Johnson Marco Moretti Tony Martin Topic Should we divide the Non-Spinnaker Division into two groups based on PHRF ratings? Last year there were 17 racers in the non-spinnaker division with a PHRF spread from 90 to 264. After much discussion, the group voted not to divide the non-spinnaker group into two divisions, but to encourage the Race Committee to make a longer starting line and extend the time limit from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Action Item - John Michael will request the Race Committee make the starting line longer (1.5 x number of boats x 30 feet). Action Item - John Michael will request the Race Committee change Sailing Instruction rule 15.2 (Time Limits) to Any boat that has not finished within 45 minutes.. This is a change from 30 minutes. Topic Should the non-spinnaker division start before the spinnaker division? The slowest boats are recognized to be in the non-spinnaker division. 75% of the courses between the two divisions have the same first mark and some felt a pile up, especially in light air, would occur at that mark significantly inconveniencing all boats. However, letting the slower boats start first might increase their chance of completing a race rather than getting a DNF. Again, after much discussion the group voted to start the non-spinnaker division before the spinnaker division on Wednesday nights. Action Item - John Michael will ask for a change in the Sailing Instructions to reflect a change in the starting order. Topic Could there be an award for most improved skipper? Answer - yes. Topic Should there be any changes to the race courses, such as allowing the Race Committee to decide which marks should be used? An example might be a down-wind fun start or on a dying wind evening. The group decided there is no need to change any of the courses. However, there should be a provision in the Sailing Instructions for racers to take their own finishing times at unattended marks such as they do in Haverstraw Bay racing, and provided for in the US Sailing Rules. Action Item - Kieran Quinn will recommend the wording to change the Sailing Instructions to reflect the new finishing time procedure, and John Michael will discuss the change with Dave DeVries. Topic Sailing Instruction 6.4 requires all boats to fly a streamer on their backstay, but nobody does. Should we scrap this rule or enforce it? The group agreed flying a backstay streamer has merit and should be enforced. Action Item - Morris will get enough material to make orange and green streamers. Other topics discussed R Please make sure to renew your PHRF now, not wait until you think about racing. R The Cruising fleet is going to start a Learn-to-Sail program in your own boat. We want to put experienced skippers together with those members who aren't secure with sailing. If interested, please contact either John Michael or Lee Luce. R The Ensign Fleet is looking for cruising boats to help with their Thursday Night Adult Sailing program. If interested, contact John Michael or Rick Feldman. The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 am. Respectfully submitted, Lee Luce Cruising fleet Secretary