First 40.7

Chicago Beneteau First 40.7 Fleet

Minutes of Skipper's Meeting

Oct. 20, 2007

Members present at the meeting:

Absent Members:

Meeting Presided by:    Ron Buzil

Location:                   Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club

1)         State of the Fleet was given by fleet captain Ron Buzil.  The state of the fleet is very good.  We had a record number of 12 boats for the NOOD Regatta in June which was also our North American Championship.  A record tying ten boats participated in the Columbia Colors Regatta, eleven in the Verve, and thirteen in the Chicago to Mackinac Island Race.  A record tying 10 boats participated in the Area III Buoy Boat of the Year and a record 10 in the Area III Port-to-Port Boat of the Year.

There were also a record average number of boats on the starting line for the two Area III series:  9.5 for the buoy races and 7.4 for the port-to-ports.

Looking ahead, we have 12 boats going into 2008, one less than in 2007 due to the loss of Barracuda. 

2)         Fleet Development.  We ran three advertisements for the fleet in Sailing magazine, one each in the spring, summer, and fall. 

            Mailing to Area III and posters around Area III did not happen.

We will get a booth at Strictly Sail 2008.  George Papagiotopoulos will coordinate the booth.  Gary Powell offered graphic support.

3)         Treasurer's report (Dave Tarson).  Report not available but we're in good shape with about $1,800 in the till.  No need to collect more money right now.  Major expenditures are for parties, award flags and the LMSRF BOLM fee. 

4)         Area III report (Jay Muller).  Next year's Tristate Regatta may be the "Bi-State" with a return race from St. Joseph to Chicago on Sunday. 

            The preliminary Area III schedule for 2008 is not published yet. 

Jeff Comeaux volunteered to act as Area III observer after December when Jay may not be able to do it any longer.

5)         2008 Schedule.  Deferred discussion on this until the Area III schedule is published.  We can either do this by email or another meeting before February.

6)         Fleet Vote:       Crew in class events shall not exceed 12 people.  Motion carried (9-0-1).

            Aye:                 Cancan, Collaboration, Das Boot, Excalibur, La Tempete, Mojo, Spanker, Turning Point, Vayu.

            Nay:                 (none)

            Abstain:            Tsunami

7)         Fleet Vote:       Immediate family members of owners who are non-Category 1 sailors may race in class events.  Motion carried (10-0).

            Aye:                 Unanimous

8)         Fleet Vote:       Limit number of sails aboard for all regattas at eight. Proposed by Dave Tarson.  Motion did not carry (5-5).

            Aye:                 Excalibur, La Tempete, Mojo, Tsunami, Turning Point

            Nay:                 Cancan, Collaboration, Das Boot, Spanker, Vayu

9)         Fleet Vote:       Repeal last year's vote to allow a 1.5 oz. spinnaker as a 9^th sail for the Mackinac Race only.  Proposed by Dave Tarson. 

                                    Motion did not carry (4-5-1).

            Aye:                 Excalibur, La Tempete, Tsunami, Turning Point

            Nay:                 Cancan, Collaboration, Das Boot, Spanker, Vayu

            Abstain:            Mojo

10)       Fleet Vote:       Require ISAF certification for crew at major events.  Proposed by Bob Vickery.  Also discussed were various modifications of this, such as emailing of crew list to a fleet coordinator, making a crew list for the season, trying this for one year only, and the fact that the fleet has always been run on the honor system.  It was also pointed out that there has never been a concrete case of any non-Cat. 1 sailor aboard a boat at any event. 

                                    The actual vote was on the above proposal by Bob Vickery. 

                                    The motion did not carry (5-5).

            Aye:                 Mojo, Collaboration, Das Boot, Vayu, Spanker

            Nay:                 Turning Point, Tsunami, Excalibur, Cancan, La Tempete

11)        The next scheduled meeting will be Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 at Navy Pier in conjunction with Strictly Sail.

            Pending when Area III releases the proposed 2008 schedule, there may be the need for a fleet meeting, face-to-face or by email, before February to vote on the 40.7 schedule.