Cruising Fleet Racing Meeting Saturday, February 27, 2016 Attendance John Michael Patty Lukes Deb Hertzog Michelle Babian Ernie Schlesinger Paul Kisala Marco Moretti Miriam Sorkin Nancy Bolan Joanne Smolen Eric Baumes Lee Luce Officers: Fleet Captain - Racing - John Michael Secretary - Lee Luce The meeting started at 10:10 am. Lee went over the racing schedule for 2016 emphasizing Sundays and Wednesdays. She noted two Pursuit races are scheduled - one mid-season on June 29th and one the first Wednesday in September. Notice of Race The group discussed the Notice of Race for 2016. The only change recommended, beside dates, was 2.1 Eligibility, should be changed to read: The Wednesday Night Series is open to Nyack Boat Club members and guests. Cruising keel boats will sail in one spinnaker and one non-spinnaker division. All other non-PHRF rated boats, dinghy and center-board boats will start in the Open division. Eric Baumes discussed HRYRA history and purpose, and the importance of PHRF ratings to our fleet for racing. Sailing Instructions No changes were recommended to the Sailing Instructions for 2016 except for date changes. Everyone should physically check where the marks are with their own GPS. As stated in the SIs, mark placement is approximate. When dealing with commercial traffic in the channel, always contact the captains on channel 13 for clear instructions. Morris wanted to change 13. Time Limits from 30 to 60 minutes from the time of the first finisher. The group voted against the change. Cruising Fleet Scoring Eric recommended we change to using Appendix T Alternative Procedures for Dispute Resolution in the USSA Racing Rules of Sailing. He feels that too many racers aren't as aware of the rules as they should be, and that there isn't enough emphasis on enforcing the rules. Eric briefly discussed the advantages of changing to Appendix T (emphasis on arbitration), and agreed to present his recommendations at the March 12th Cruising Fleet annual meeting. Action Item - Eric will make a proposal to use Appendix T in the RRS at the March meeting. Eric also recommended using the Cox-Sprague scoring system to identify the single best racer in the fleet. Action Item - Lee will look into it. Number of Throw-out Races There was a spirited discussion of the number of throw-outs for the 2016 season. Currently we throw out 1 race in 8 (12.5%). After discussing the group voted to change the throw-out ratio to the USSA recommended 1 in 5 (20%). The Scoring Rule will now read: "2. Number of Throw-out races per series One (1) to five (5) races per series will result in one throw out race. Six (6) to ten (10) races per series will result in two throw out races. Eleven (11) to fifteen (15) races per series will result in three throw out races. Sixteen (16) to twenty (20) races per series will result in four throw out races. Etc." Item 3 in the Scoring Rules was changed to: "3. A boat is considered to be competing in a race when she registers with the Race Committee while underway, not when she crosses the starting line." John Michael brought up the question of when a racer must have his engine off prior to racing. Eric is going to look it up, but felt that the motor must be at idle at the prep signal four minute gun. Action item: Eric will look the question up in the RRS and report back at the March 12 meeting. Definitions for Scoring Purposes The current definitions were discussed in detail. Lee proposed changing DSQ to the number of starters +3, but the proposal was voted down. 10. Race Committee/Race Patrol Duty A change was made to include time served for work service obligation. Changes in italics. "Those skippers assigned to Race Committee or Race Patrol duty for a specific race, even as part of a work service obligation, that are unable to race their boat because of that assignment, may receive their average racing score for the year based on the number of completed races. No more than 10% of your races may apply. Those not honoring their Race Committee or Race Patrol assignment will be given a DSQ." Other Topics Discussed Paul Kisala noted that he liked the article in the Telltale about using flags or pennants as trophies, rather than expensive glassware, silver, etc. The group agreed. Morris said flags would cost probably $4 -$6 each depending on size. It would take several years of winning to accumulate a significant number of dress flags which could be flown in parades, at the dock, or when moored. Action Item - Lee and Morris will come up with alternative, less expensive awards and a dress flag design. America's Cup - John discussed the America's Cup Louis Vuitton racing series to be held in New York Harbor the weekend of May 6 -7th. These are the qualifying races leading up to the next America's Cup in Bermuda in 2017. The New York event is expected to be huge, and several Nyack cruising boats have already reserved their slips at Liberty Island Marina to be in the thick of things. The Cruising Fleet, in conjunction with HRYRA, is hosting the America's Cup Trophy and the multi-media America's Cup Tour Presentation on Sunday, May 1st. In addition to NBC, other clubs of HRYRA include Minesceongo, Hudson Cove, Shattemuc, Chelsea, and Kingston Sailing Club. Plans are to have the event at the Hudson Water Club in Haverstraw from 6 - 10 pm with tickets starting at $45 each, including a light buffet dinner. Since this event will include six yacht clubs, it is expected that tickets will sell out fast. Fund raisers will include raffle prizes of America's Cup memorabilia (hats/shirts), autographed burgees from the six HRYRA yacht clubs, and whatever else the America's Cup Committee can come up with. Other clubs hosting the America's Cup Tour include American Yacht Club, Keyport Yacht Club, and Manhattan Yacht Club. This is a big deal, so make sure to buy your tickets early. Eric reported that the Board of Governors discussed, and was willing to host, the America's Cup Tour Presentation at the Boat Club but not the Cup itself. Future meetings The Annual Cruising Fleet Business meeting and election of officers is scheduled for 10 am, Saturday, March 12th. A final racing meeting prior to the first race will be Wednesday evening, April 13th, at 7:30 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 pm. Respectfully submitted, Lee Luce, Secretary February 28, 2016