held at 10am on Sunday 31st July 2011

at the SVYC

 

 

Present: 27 members.

 

1.     Apologies for absence

Nick Stuart, Simon Broxham

2.     2010 AGM Minutes Adopted

3.     2010 EGM (September 9th) Minutes Adopted

4.     Matters arising from the last AGM

a.     Statistics – data for August average starters will be published on the website.

b.     75th Anniversary DVD – The DVD has been found and can be viewed via the Class website.

c. Class Constitution – As a result of reviewing the Class Constitution over the winter, it was discovered that the written relationship between the Class and the SVYC had become rather out of date. Before the 2012 sailing season the Committee intends to have a formal agreement with the Club. In the meantime, the SVYC has confirmed in writing that it has responsibility for all the racing activities of the SVOD class.

 

5.     Financial Report by the Hon Treasurer & adoption of Class Accounts

William Ramsay presented the accounts (year end 31 Dec 2010). See attached.  It was noted that Pandemonium (the Class boat) has not been reflected as an asset in the accounts.

The accounts were adopted.

Pippa thanked William for his work as Hon Treasurer.

6.     Captain's report

The captain set out her objectives as Class Captain:

1. To encourage racing that is friendly, fun, but competitive at all levels

2. To encourage the 18 – 30yrs old ages group to sail SVODs more.

3. To attract new members into the Class

4. To encourage existing owners to sail more often.

5. To continue the Committee's work to maintain the Class's one-design status

6. To involve a wider cross section of the Class in our social and sailing activities

7. To maintain and enhance the reputation of the class for wonderful parties.

 

SVOD Class Survey

There were a hugely encouraging 96 responses to the survey conducted in early 2011.  The results can be seen on the Class website. The main actions taken so far as a result of the feedback received are to:

1.     Improve the consistency of start times during the season

2.     Start the races on time, wherever possible

3.     Provide support for less confident sailors

4.     Retain the three-year minimum frequency for buying new sails.

5.     Re-introduce the Yacht Club Ferry service for SVOD class members to and from their Dinghies.  However launch users must pay for a sticker before they use the service.

Technical points:

•  Stainless Steel centreplates – Michael Warren has bought a new batch of 16 of these plates, made to exactly the same specification (and almost the same price) as the original batch. The Captain is encouraging all members to replace their galvanised centreplates with the stainless steel ones. This change is not currently being made compulsory but it is hoped that as many boats as possible, particularly those in the top 40, will make the change. Blake Simms pointed out that the bronze pin holding the plate is also liable to wear. Michael is now replacing the pin when he puts in new stainless steel plates.

• Trolleys – Michael Warren has asked that members buy their own trolleys where possible. If you do use one of his trolleys, then please do not leave your dinghy on it for any length of time. He does need them!

• Bailing – in the event of heavy rain, owners are responsible for bailing their own boats, or for instructing a named individual to do so on their behalf.  However, after huge downpours, when Dinghies are likely to be awash, please co-ordinate with Michael when bailing your boat. One dry boat amongst a lot of heavier boats can get damaged, as those that are bailed lie differently on their moorings than those that are not bailed.
  

• Launching and taking off the water – As has been said before, please provide Michael with adequate warning about when you want him to launch your Dinghy, and also tell him when you want him to take your Dinghy off the water at the end of your sailing season.
  

• Boats for Sale - Michael spends a lot of time getting boats out of storage, preparing them for sale and showing them to prospective purchasers.  If you subsequently sell your Dinghy privately, please speak with Michael about reimbursing him for costs incurred.
  

• Weighing boats – This summer around 20 boats will be weighed in mid August. A new digital scale has been purchased to use in conjunction with the 'Thursfield trolley'. Pippa explained that there have been some inconsistencies in the past in the weighing process. A new A-frame weighing trolley is being designed for next season, which will hopefully reduce these inconsistencies.
  

• Swaged rigging – there are three Dinghies currently with this type of rigging.  Pippa stressed that the Committee is in favour of developments to the Dinghies especially those that improve safety and longevity, but that further investigation is needed into the pros and cons of swaged rigging. Until a decision is made, no more boats are allowed to change to this type of rigging
  

The Current Season

Pippa gave a short preview of the current season.  This included:

• The introduction of a new team racing event on the Wednesday of the Village regatta.  Briefing in the Yacht Club at 4.15pm on Wednesday 24th August.  Please contact Gavin Simonds or Robert Evans for further details.

• Cadet Racing – two Cadet Captains have been appointed for this season. Jerome Mockett (14 to 18yrs) and Freddie Russell Jones (12 to 14 yrs). The Cadet race will continue to be at 4pm daily where there are 3 or more boats racing. If there are fewer than 3 entries, then the Cadets are encouraged to race in the Victory fleet. Where there is a specific Cadet Cup,  this will be raced in the 4pm Cadet race or, if there are fewer than 3 Cadet entries, in the Victory fleet race that evening
  

• Social Events – Pippa highlighted the 3 main forthcoming SVOD social events:
  

-  the Amber Cup drinks party on Saturday 20th August 

-  the Dinghy Dance on Saturday 27th August

  - the Captains Invitational and Worlds Regatta Dinner on Saturday 3rd September when we entertain all the very    special people who do so much for the Class and our enjoyment of our Dinghies.

7.     Ratification of Changes to the SVOD Specification.

Oliver Trefgarne presented three rule changes agreed by the Class Committee and now put forward for ratification:

a.     Tiller length: 3.7.6. The maximum tiller length is 40" (instead of 38"), measured from the front of the rudder stock, including a 5" hand grip. The tiller extension to have a maximum length of 30".

Proposed by: Andy Christie, Seconded by: Chris Simmonds. New rule unanimously approved

b.     Fillets and lans 3.4.8. Fillets to have a maximum thickness to allow a rod of 8mm diameter to touch the planks on both sides simultaneously when placed in the lands.  Dinghies which have had larger diameter fillets inserted pre- 2004 to be 'grand-fathered'.

Proposed by: Jonathan Haynes, Seconded by: Richard Hill.  New rule approved. (4 members abstained)

c.     Mainsheet shackle For safety reasons, the spring clip on the boom end of the mainsheet block must be replaced by a piston shackle or another equivalent shackle.

Proposed by: Caroline Simonds, Seconded by: John Claxon. New rule unanimously approved.

 

8.    To consider an amendment to rule 3.6.2 (no 'dry sailing' in August) - To allow a Dinghy to be taken out of the water and re-launched once only after 21st August or after 21 consecutive days on the water, whichever is the later date.

Pippa presented the ideas behind this proposed amendment.  A few owners who are not in Seaview after the Regatta have asked to take their boats off the water for safety reasons and then launch them again when back in Seaview later in August.

The amendment to the rule would allow a boat to be taken off the water:

•        after 21st August this year
  
•        if the owner is no longer in Seaview and cannot find someone to look after their boat
  
•        once only during August, otherwise they may be perceived to be 'dry sailing'.
  

Much discussion was had on this issue:

William Edwards - did not agree with the proposed amendment – due to the fact that most people do not have space to store boats and nearly everyone has family or friends to look after their boats. A rule such as this will only encourage 'dry sailing'.

Robin Higham and David Russell Jones also spoke against the proposed amendment.  Alex Charlton said that this was a matter of storm forecasting and risk management and should be addressed as such.  Chris Simmonds said we needed an improved process for communication with the Class on imminent bad weather.

Colin Simonds, supporting the proposed amendment, said that during the Europeans regatta weekend this year a freak gust blew three boats over on their moorings.   He disagreed that there is an advantage in taking a boat out off the water in mid August. He stated that this is a matter of seamanship.

Gavin Simonds and Robert Holbrook also expressed agreement with the proposed amendment.

A show of hands was held to show the general opinions of those present:

-    For allowing boats to be taken out (as per the rule above) = 6  

-    Those against = 8

-    Abstained = 2

Pippa concluded the discussion by saying that the amendment would be in place this year as a trial. She said that she would like to have the facts regarding the rate at which dinghies gain weight after launching and the rate at which they lose weight once taken out of the water. It was also noted that this rule will be more relevant in years where the Regatta is earlier in August and more people leave Seaview for a week or so before returning for the August bank holiday weekend.  The Committee will review the proposed rule during the winter months.

9.     Election of Captain and Vice Captain of the Class.

The members present voted to re-elect Pippa Walker as Class Captain and elect Robert Holbrook as Vice-Captain.

Pippa thanked Richard Hill for his support as Vice-Captain and wished him every success in his new role as Rear Commodore (Sailing) of the SVYC.

 

10.  Election of Committee members.

William Ramsay expressed his wish to retire from the committee.

The other committee members (see below) were voted in.

Lucinda McArthur  Nick Foden-Pattinson  Christopher Puddick Oliver Trefgarne Elizabeth Windridge

Co-opted Nov 2010  John Claxon  Robert Evans   Gavin Simonds

Nominated for election Simon Broxham Jessica Higham Charlie Proddow

 

11.  Any Other Business

a.     Colin Simonds raised an issue with the Class Rules. He stated that there were discrepancies in the rules (eg rule 1 and rule 4.3.2) and that some rules had 'crept in' without ratification. He suggested that all the rules need to be ratified by the class at the AGM. He also had an issue with the transparency of the 'Measuring Committee' and questioned what its powers are.

 

b.     Robin Higham requested that a list of boats and their owner(s) should be published on the website.

 

c.     Caroline Simonds said people needed help on various aspects of their rigging, for example the placing of tweaker arrangements on their jib sheets.

 

d.     Colin Simonds asked if blocks on jib tweaker lines were allowed.

 

e.     Caroline Simonds said she would like to see not more rules, but more guidance on the rules.

 

f.      David Russell Jones asked that all top 40 boats should be forces to have stainless steel centreplates.

 

g.     Chris Puddick asked that an email should be sent to all class members reminding them of their responsibility to look after their boats. Robert Holbrook highlighted that the dinghy insurance has a condition that an arrangement needs to be made for someone to look after the boats, if the owner is off the Island for more than 48 hours. 

h.     Robert Holbrook also reminded the members that insurance does not cover any items (such as the rudder, tiller etc) that are lost if a SVOD is swamped.  A copy of the policy should be put on the Class website.