PHRF SKIPPERS MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 25, 2006
Attendees: Don Duley, Ty Kretser, John Pytlak, Brian White, Bob Bunnell, Kjell Dahlen, Mike Parsons, Craig Meyerson and Dave Bashaw
Scheduling Issues:
>Do we want one or two Wednesday series?
Consensus: Two
>How many and how long to we want Sunday races?
Consensus: Sunday races are to be selected from Race Course # 5-30 with preference on those that run out of the bay conditions permitting except Eisinger and Turtle which shall remain the same (#1-4)
>Do we want a long distance race?
Consensus: No change to the current program in terms of adding a long distance race.
>Do we want to keep holes in our schedule for LCRC races?
Consensus: Yes.
> Comments on the proposed race/OD schedule
Consensus: Concern about how a permanent OD for the Tuesday Solings would affect PHRF races – would Soling sailors continue to OD PHRF races?
Race Issues:
>What kind of courses do we want to race?
Consensus: More triangle type races Wednesday nights when conditions permit setting a good triangle course.
>Are the race marks in the right places?
Consensus: Yes.
>Thoughts on a permanent mark being placed in the center of the bay
Consensus: Good idea.
> How many drops (throw outs) are right?
Consensus: The current number of throw outs of one per Wednesday night series and two for the Sunday series are good.
>Is it OK for Solings to race PHRF?
Consensus: Any boat with a PHRF rating may race in any PHRF race.
>Is it OK for Cats to race PHRF?
Consensus: Any boat with a PHRF rating may race in any PHRF race.
>How long should the starting line be?
Consensus: Longer lines are to be favored. Rule of thumb is add the length of the boats participating plus one additional length with a minimum line of 100 yards. No redress on line length shall be allowed.
>How can we improve race management?
Consensus: Race Committee to conduct OD & rules seminars before the season begins. Race committee makes final decisions on course selection, starting line length and position, general race conduct and should be assertive in this regard. Race committee members have right to alter starting line position prior to the starting sequence and instruct and overrule OD’s. Race committee should discuss race plan with OD prior to going out on the course for each race.
Rule 30.1 remains in effect for all races without signal.
Race Classes: Due to the size of our fleet, only one class at this time. This can be changed at anytime during the season to accommodate an influx of Jib and Main boats or various PHRF categories. Solings are invited and encouraged to race PHRF but there will not be a separate start for Solings should more than one or two Solings PHRF race.
>Thoughts regarding a paid OD?
Consensus: No discussion about a permanent OD for PHRF. Concern about how a permanent OD for Solings will affect PHRF races – will Soling sailors continue to OD PHRF races? Concern about the loss of training new sailors for OD duty if a permanent OD instituted. Concern about what happens if the permanent OD bails in the middle of the season or misses a race – what is the contingency plan?
>Should a PHRF skipper be a member of VSC’s racing committee?
Consensus: Yes. There is one. Current Race Committee members are Ty Kretser (chair), John Trombley, Craig Meyerson, Mike Parsons, Dan Inhelder. Race Committee is looking for another PHRF skipper or sailor to join the committee.
Scoring Issues:
>Should there be a minimum number of races per series a boat must participate in before it can be scored as part of the series?
Consensus: No.
>What scoring system works best for our fleet?
Discussion about using Sailwave to calculate race results and change the wind categories for time on time correction factors to conform with those used by MBBC and LCYC (0-10, 10-15, 15+ kt categories instead of our current 0-6, 6-15, 15+). Our current factors are believed to be more accurate in relation to wind to boat performance and fairness to the mid-fleet boats.
Consensus: The current system will remain in place. Excel calculation system works well for us. More research is needed into the accuracy and fairness of other wind correction factor categories before a change can be made. Time on time scoring for all races except the Cracked Pot which is time on distance.
Rating Issues:
>Should any of our boats PHRF ratings be reviewed?
Consensus: Any requests for review should come from individual skippers and not the fleet as a whole.
>Should a PHRF skipper be a member of VSC’s rating committee and LCPHRF committee?
Consensus: Yes. Current rating committee members are John Pytlak (chair), Dave Bashaw, Brian Dowling and Craig Meyerson.
Awards & Trophies/Social Gatherings:
>Should the PHRF fleet be awarded permanent/annual 2nd and 3rd place trophies/plaques for each series (none were given out at the last banquet)?
Consensus: The club should obtain permanent 2d and 3d place trophies for each series as finances allow.
> Should we present the Sunday race trophies at the Naked Turtle immediately after the Sunday race?
Consensus: Race results should be announced at the Naked Turtle immediately after each Sunday race. Trophies will be given out at the fall banquet.
> Should we re-introduce lunch raft-ups after some Sunday races?
Consensus: Add a Sunday fun race that goes outside of the bay, perhaps down around Pray’s, with raft up in one of the bays at Valcour Island and encourage friends and family to participate. Suggested date is August 6.
> Should we hold a cruising type race?
Consensus: Yes. Add a Sunday fun race that goes outside of the bay, perhaps down around Pray’s, with raft up in one of the bays at Valcour Island and encourage friends and family to participate. Suggested date is August 6.
Promotion Issues:
Due to the length of the meeting these issues were not fully addressed. They were touched upon briefly with no general consensus except for the Sunday fun race.
>How can we get more boats to race with us?
>Thoughts on promoting a Plattsburgh Race Week to coincide with the Mayor’s Cup Festival?
> Thoughts on holding an open to the public sail?
> Should the Naked Turtle Race coincide with PBB’s open house?