Home
Report from the NATA AGM
Eighteen people were in the CYC clubhouse at Shilshole Bay in Seattle for the NATA AGM on November 19, after the first day of racing in the Turkey Bowl regatta. Bruce Gage welcomed everyone to the meeting, and moved to voting on the proposed rule changes.
Proposed rule changes approved. NATA approved all the proposed changes to the class rules, voting unanimously (including two email ballots) in favour of fixing the minimum hull weight for racing at 68kg, and for all the changes required for the introduction of mylar sails.
Mylar sails can be used in all regattas. NATA decided to encourage the use of mylar sails by voting to allow them to be used in all Tasar events, effective immediately..
Crew weight rule. Thilo Giese (who was not able to be at the meeting) had sent a proposal for a modified crew weight rule. Thilo suggested that lighter crews should carry ballast equal to half the difference between their combined weight and 130 kg, to a maximum of 6 kg. However, if the wind at the start of any race is more than 12 knots, the ballast (which could be carried as water) could be jettisoned. He also suggested that lighter crews should be allowed to lengthen their forestay by 10 mm for each 2 kg of ballast, which would give a maximum increase of 30 mm.
After considerable discussion, Thilo's proposal was not adopted.
NATA voted to continue not requiring crew weight ballast in NATA events.
Forestay length. Thilo had suggested that a longer forestay could help lighter crews in heavy air. Richard Spencer suggested that for a 12 month trial period, NATA should not restrict forestay length. The optimum length in the design wind (10 to 12 knots) is usually within the range allowed by the class rules, but lighter crews (and others) could see if using a longer forestay in heavy air would help them be more competitive. This suggestion was approved. (Note: Rule C.8.1: "The overall length of the forestay and shrouds may only be changed while the boat is either on shore or at a dock " still applies.)
2006 Schedule. NATA will promote about nine regattas, probably including:
- The Tasar North American championsip, to be held at Lake Wenatchee. Bruce will select the date and make the arrangements.
- The US Nationals, at the CGRA Columbia Gorge One Design regatta in August.
- The Tasar BCs, Sept 9 and 10.
- SOCKS.
- The Jericho Classic, June 3 and 4
- Other regattas given favourable mention were the Desert Regatta at Lake Charboneau in early May (a great bush regatta site), the Kits YC regatta in Vancouver in July, and the CYC fleet championships.
- The CanAm events will be the NAs and US Nationals in the US, and the Jericho Classic and Tasar BCs in Canada.
- all events and dates are tentative at this stage.
Class Promotion. Carol Buchan suggested several ways in which the class coud be promoted more effectively. CYC has a one design class promotion day, and the Crowsnest allows class promotion. The Tasar class should take advantage of these and similar opportunities in Seattle and Vancouver.
The class should find owners who would allow their boats to be used by people who want to try sailing a Tasar, and arrange to match these sailors with available boats. College sailors might be available to crew in Tasars when there is no collegiate racing. Email lists are the best way to coordinate these activities.
In light of the high price of new Tasars, we should encourage people who own Tasars, but no longer sail them, to offer their boats for sale. A good supply of second hand boats is essential for maintaining the strength of the class.
Carol will had a draft of the NATA newsletter, which will be published within the next few weeks.
Possible 2007 Tasar Worlds at Kaneohe. A Tasar World championship at Kaneohoe Yacht Club in Hawaii in September 2007 is being considered. We don't have firm information on costs, but estimate about $1000 to ship a boat, and around $600 in entry fees (Kaneohe would provide all race committee, support and rescue boats and staff). Both figures woud vary, depending on the number of boats competing. There was general support for both the venue and the timing, although the cost would make it difficult for many Tasar crews to attend. Carol suggested we could do some fundraising, and we might be able to get support for US entrants from US Sailing.
NATA Dues. Richard Spencer suggested we lower the annual membership fee to $5 (US or Canadian), and require NATA membership for all NATA sanctioned events. This was approved.
Officers. The slate of officers for 2005/06 is:
President - Bruce Gage
Vice President - Guy Wall
Secretary - Jeff Castleberry will be asked to take this on.
Treasurer - Diane Dronsfield
Promotion and Newsletter editor - Carol Buchan
There was a vote of thanks to Bruce for his leadership, and to the rest of the outgoing and incoming team.
Report by Richard Spencer.
Posted 2005-11-14
Home Site
Map A-Z Index New
Archive
News>2005>Report
on NATA AGM