Another event to throw on your J24 calendars is the J24 North Americans. This year they will be hosted in Halifax, NS. It looks to be a great event, awesome venue and is about the same distance as Lake George from Maine.

Remember that sailing in District 1 Championships, Northeast Regionals and North Americans confirm you a spot in the 2012 Worlds in Rochester, NY.

http://j24northamericans2011.wordpress.com/about/

As we near the start of the 2011 season, I wanted to follow up on a few items discussed at the annual meeting.  I have copied parts directly from the meeting notes and then added any additional information in BLUE as well as noted the update.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Hope to see you all at Oasis April 27th for Happy Hour 5 to 8!

Molly

4. Food-Shelly
Shelly presented the information about a new food option for summer 2011.  The cost would be the same as this year $260 per boat if we can guarantee 10 boats.  Since we saved about $450 on food last season, we could credit that to the coming summer’s food.  The list of menu items are as follows and would also include salad and rolls:
Meat Ravioli with sauce
Meat Lasagna
Stuffed Shells with sauce
Portabella Ravioli with Sauce
Mac and Cheese
Beef and Bean Burritos
Cheese Ravioli with sauce
Fried Eggplant with Ricotta and sauce

We polled those at the meeting and we currently have 8 boats that agreed to give the food one more try.  We need to get two more boats on board to make this happen.

We will also schedule 2 nights (one per month) of BBQ and bring in sides to change things up a little bit.  Sarah and Molly will coordinate and Steph, Andrew Stern, and Gretchen offered to help grill on those nights.

Update: At the Annual Meeting 8 boats said that they would do J24 food.  I would really appreciate an email confirmation to make sure you are in for the food before we make a commitment to Shawn.  So far I have heard from Hankey, Al, and McGee-please email me and confirm your food plan.

BBQ nights tentatively scheduled for July 13 and August 10.

3.    Race Committee
Talked about ways to improve our Wednesday Night RC.  Decided to keep it run by fleet members/boats.  A member from each boat is expected to attend either a Race Management Seminar or the J24 RC Management workshop (put together by Molly, Steph and others.) Attendance to the event will result in a 1st place scoring for the boat.  No attendance will result in a DNS for the first score.  The hope is to provide at least one “expert” on the Lindsay Lord to improve our Race Management.

In addition, Steph and Molly will draft a RC Expectation document that will be presented to all members of the fleet so that we are all on the same page as far as RC is concerned.

Update: The RC night will be held on June 25th during regular Wednesday night time.  Anyone that would like to help plan and present this please email Molly White mollyfrommaine@yahoo.com or Stephanie Helms returns5@gwi.net

5. Chase Boat
Erica had expressed the concern about not always having a chase boat present on Wed nights.  It is a safety concern as well as having a mark boat speeds up the course setting process.  We will look into purchasing a chase boat to share with the Etchelles and PYC RC.
Update: The Etchelles fleet captain, the PYC race officer, Junior Program Director, and Water Front Manager and I met to discuss the possibility of sharing a chase boat.  We came up with an agreement to share a chase boat between PYC Race, the Etchelles Fleet and Fleet 43.  The three groups will share the 18 foot Maritime Skiff.
This will be an advantage to the fleet for many reasons; After 4 Man-Over-Boards from J24′s (2 on Wednesday nights, we realized how crucial it is to have a second maneuverable boat on the race course, a chase boat will enable race committee to more easily adjust or shorten courses to improve Wednesday Night Racing, we will have a mark boat for DE, and we will be able to get great photos of out fleet in action.

6.    Dates-Launch/Haul & Start/End of Season
Proposed-
Launch: After a spring districts or May 21st (try to avoid Memorial Day)
Racing begins May 25th or June 1st and Ends Sept 7th
Last two Wed earlier starts. (8/31 and 9/1)
Double handed: August open weekend (Sat or Sun?)
Downeast : September 10th and 11th
Haul Out: Immediately Traveling boats at DE or Monday morning after DE with 2nd Haul out after Fall Series.  Boats can also haul out at Leafer’s if they decide to sail in the event.  Will ask Jay about an earlier haul out-but HSB may only want to do one Saturday.

Update: All these dates have been set please visit the fleet calendar www.j24fleet43.org

7.   Downeast Regatta-Event and Chairs
Jess Harris has offered to return as Regatta Co-Chair.  We are still looking for other individuals to Co-Chair or learn the ropes.

We are currently running an “Early Bird” Discount on DE entries from now until November 19th of $200.  Sign up now!

Update: Monday April 11th we will be meeting at Rich Ketchum’s house (Old Power House rd. Falmouth) to work on Downeast Regatta planning-all are welcome!

“Early Bird” $200 Downeast Special ends on Friday April 1st!  Sign up now-we already have 10 boats.

8.    Nominations-this year and next
There were no nominations for this season so the officers will stay the same: Molly White-Fleet Captain, Shelly Paules-Treasurer, and Steph Helms-Race Officer

This will be the last year for all three, so the fleet will need to be looking for the 2011 officers during this next year.

Update: Looking for folks to work on nominating new fleet officers for the 2012 season.

Summary of Notes from Board of Gov Meeting December 2010

1. A proposal to lower the all-up sailing weight to 1130kg was approved. This will allow for items to be dropped off of the optional equipment list and will not require the issuance of new measurement certificates, merely a change to Part C of the measurement form.

2. A proposal to allow a wire strop attached to the mast support beam to the deck of the boat was approved in principle and the final wording of the rule will be circulated for approval by the NJCAs prior inclusion in the new rules.

3. A proposal from the Technical Committee was approved requiring all NJCAs to institute a system to scan all racing boats for illegal materials. The details of what tools will be used and the method for scanning boats will be distributed and it is expected that a large portion of boats will be scanned by the end of 2011.

4. 2014 Worlds will be held in Newport, RI

5. The World Council approved a proposal to make the entry for the 2012 World Championship (Rochester, NY) open to all members in good standing of the J/24 Class with the stipulation that all helmspersons were also members in 2011 and helmed in at least one District or higher level regatta in the calendar year 2011. (District, Regional, National or International level regatta during the calendar year 2011.)

2011 District 1 Championships will be Round the Rocks in Beverly June 18-19

2011 Northeast Regionals TBD (I think CT)

2011 North Americans Halifax, NS August 18-21

6. 2011 Worlds in Buenos Aires, Argentina

E Faust stated that there was significant interest from U.S. sailors wishing to sail in the 2011 Worlds. There are still berths available and anyone interested should contact the class office for further information. Berths available from all NJCAs once again include one women’s team and one youth team. Colin Leon, who represented the U.S. as the youth representative at the 2010 Worlds is interested in participating in the 2011 Worlds. E Faust said it would be good to also have a women’s team in attendance and all leads should be directed to the class office. A small cash grant from the US SAILING Foundation has been arranged and will be distributed to the youth team and the top amateur team from the U.S. An email vote will be arranged to determine the recipient for the top amateur grant.

The Road to the Rolex hosted by the Marion J24 Fleet is open to all women racers.

The price is $120.00 per person, which includes continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinners on Friday and Saturday. If you have a team of 4, you can sign up together and the price is then $110.00 per person.

Clinic coach will be Amanda Callahan, head sailing coach at Roger Williams University.

There are 10 to 11 boats available, sailing 4 people on each boat to make it more like J22 racing.

Clinic Schedule:

Friday, June 24, 2011: afternoon registration at BYC then dinner at a private home.

Saturday, June 25, 2011:  Drills on shore, drills on the water, wrap up on shore and dinner at BYC.

Sunday, June 26, 2011:  Drills on shore, drills on the water, 2 or 3 short races then awards and wrap up at BYC.

Here is how to get to the registration site: http://www.regattanetwork.com/

Click on “Calendar”

Scroll down to “6/24/2011 BYC RTR”

Click to “Register”

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is hosting the Bermuda International Invitational Race Week from May 1^st to May 6^th, 2011. Bermuda International Invitational Race Week has become an established international yachting fixture each spring – attracting top skippers from many countries. All classes with an active racing program in Bermuda are invited to participate – this includes Etchells, International One Designs, J105’s, Comets, Lasers, Snipes and J/24s.

If you have a team from your club that would be interested please have them contact me for more details! Its a great sailing regatta, warm waters no currents or tides! And excellent dock parties!!!

The regatta fee is $550usd! All you need to bring is your sails and the Bermuda J24 Class provides you with a free charter boat! We also do our best to house nearly everyone who wants accommodation!

Overall it’s a great week! We would love it if a representative of your fleet would be interested in putting for a proposal for an invitation (see attached)!

I look forward to hearing from you,

Jodi Valentine
Vice Captain, J24 Bermuda

www.j24.bm
race.week@j24bermuda.com

Hey Everyone,

Don’t forget to RSVP for the Fleet 43 Awards coming up on November 19th.  This year they will be hosted at Andrew Carey’s house at 44 Old Mill Road, Falmouth starting at 6:30.

Hopefully you all received the Evite that was sent out and have shared it with your crew.  If not, it will be a potluck with lots of Sailor Jerry rum and Gritty’s beer.  Fun photos from the season and maybe a cheesy game or two!

We look forward to seeing you all before we settle in for the long Maine winter.

Thanks,
Molly

In Attendance: Steph Helms, Kaighn Smith, Andrew Stern, Sarah Helming, Brent Sullivan, Jeff Smith, Gretchen Sullivan, Mark Klein, Andrew Carey, Tony Jessen, Molly White, Shelly Paules, Jess Harris, and Rich Ketchum

1.    Treasurer’s Report-Shelly
Great year for the fleet, between the Rules Seminar making $500, the Double Handed making $400, more boats and sponsorship for Downeast, didn’t lose money on apparel, and less money spent on food.

2.    Tonini Series-Regattas and scoring
We will keep Tonini Series the same: Pilot, Double Handed, Downeast and Wednesday Night Series 1 and 2.  The drop will also stay the same as 2010.

To try to promote sailing in the PYC Fall Series, Rich Ketchum will donate a J24 trophy for the series.  Hope is to get 5 boats out each weekend and ask Tim Tolford if we can be scored as our own class.

3.    Race Committee
Talked about ways to improve our Wednesday Night RC.  Decided to keep it run by fleet members/boats.  A member from each boat is expected to attend either a Race Management Seminar or the J24 RC Management workshop (put together by Molly, Steph and others.) Attendance to either event will result in a 1st place scoring for the boat.  No attendance will result in a DNS for the first score.  The hope is to provide at least one “expert” on the Lindsay Lord to improve our Race Management.

In addition, Steph and Molly will draft a RC Expectation document that will be presented to all members of the fleet so that we are all on the same page as far as RC is concerned.

4.    Food-Shelly
Shelly presented the information about a new food option for summer 2011.  The cost would be the same as this year $260 per boat if we can guarantee 10 boats.  Since we saved about $450 on food last season, we could credit that to the coming summer’s food.  The list of menu items are as follows and would also include salad and rolls:
Meat Ravioli with sauce
Meat Lasagna
Stuffed Shells with sauce
Portabella Ravioli with Sauce
Mac and Cheese
Beef and Bean Burritos
Cheese Ravioli with sauce
Fried Eggplant with Ricotta and sauce

We polled those at the meeting and we currently have 8 boats that agreed to give the food one more try.  We need to get two more boats on board to make this happen.

We will also schedule 2-3 nights (one per month) of BBQ and bring in sides to change things up a little bit.  Sarah and Molly will coordinate and Steph, Andrew Stern, and Gretchen offered to help grill on those nights.

5.    Chase Boat-Erica
Erica had expressed the concern about not always having a chase boat present on Wed nights.  It is a safety concern as well as having a mark boat speeds up the course setting process.  We will look into purchasing a chase boat to share with the Etchelles and PYC RC.

6.    Dates-Launch/Haul & Start/End of Season
Proposed-
Launch: After a spring districts or May 21st (try to avoid Memorial Day)
Racing begins May 25th or June 1st and Ends Sept 7th
Last two Wed earlier starts. (8/31 and 9/1)
Double handed: August open weekend (Sat or Sun?)
Downeast: September 10th and 11th
Haul Out: Immediately Traveling boats at DE or Monday morning after DE with 2nd Haul out after Fall Series.  Boats can also haul out at Leafer’s if they decide to sail in the event.  Will ask Jay about an earlier haul out-but HSB may only want to do one Saturday.

7.   Downeast Regatta-Event and Chairs
Jess Harris has offered to return as Regatta Co-Chair.  We are still looking for other individuals to Co-Chair or learn the ropes.

We are currently running an “Early Bird” Discount on DE entries from now until November 19th of $200.  Sign up now!

8.    Nominations-this year and next
There were no nominations for this season so the officers will stay the same: Molly White-Fleet Captain, Shelly Paules-Treasurer, and Steph Helms-Race Officer

This will be the last year for all three, so the fleet will need to be looking for the 2011 officers during this next year.

9.    Fleet Awards Night-November 19th
Awards Night will be held at 6:30 pm on the 19th at Andrew Carey’s House.  It will be a potluck.  Rich has offered to supply the booze (we’ll see what that entails.) Evite to come.

10.     Volunteering at SailMaine and PYC
SailMaine Leafer’s Regatta, JOs (next summer) and Shake Down in spring
PYC Fall Clean Up Oct 30th   7:30-noon
PYC Race Committee for the coming season

Over the past years the fleet has been great about helping out SailMaine and PYC when the occasion comes up.  Above are some opportunities to help out both organizations that give a lot to sailing and support our fleet.

It would be great to see our J24 garb floating around SailMaine and PYC during clean up and regattas.  If you have some free time please help out!

11.     Gift to Club-Ideas
Each year the fleet gives a gift to PYC in thanks for the use of the facility and the Lindsay Lord.  If you have any suggestions for this year’s gift please send them to Molly.
One idea would be a gift over two to three years of adding to the deck canvas on the Junior Deck-thus increasing classroom space for Junior Sailing and Downeast Regatta party space. Other thoughts?

12.    Other-Thoughts of what to do with our earned money?
Buy one more mark-yellow or green.
Canvas on the Junior Deck
Scholarships for Travel, Fleet involvement or Junior Sailing
Marketing
Other suggestions?

Gift for Jimi Cullum for his RC volunteering-Ideas for gift would be welcome.

Hope to see everyone (skippers and crew) at the Fleet 43 Annual Meeting!

When: Wednesday October 13th
Time: 6:00 pm
Where: PYC Captain’s Room

This is where the fleet can come together, reflect on the closing season and make plans for Summer 2011.

Currently on the Agenda:
Treasurer’s Report
Food
Tonini Series
Nominations
Dates-Launch and Haul
Downeast Regatta 2011-Chairs
Chase Boat
Volunteering
Race Committee
End of Season Awards

If you have anything you would like to add to the agenda please let me know-before the meeting.

Where:  PYC Captain’s Room

When: Wednesday October 13th

Time: 6:00 pm

Who: Anyone that sails on J24s-please share with your crew!

What: This will be our annual fleet meeting where we can discuss how the season went and plan for the 2011 season.

Meg Fenderson has offered to organize any new nominations for fleet officers.  If you feel that it is time for a change, please contact Meg Fenderson  (mfenderson@windwardpetroleum.com) with any nominations.  I am willing to stay on another year as fleet captain unless there are other interested parties.

Among the things to be discussed:

Budget, Food, Tonini Series, Race Committee (how to improve), Downeast Chair (looking for one or co-chairs), New Officers (if nominated), Annual Awards/Dinner

If you have anything more that you would like to add to the agenda please email mollyfrommaine@yahoo.com and let me know.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the 13th!