Pacific Northwest Model Yacht Club Annual Meeting of Members February 20, 2016, at Seattle Yacht Club At 11:00 AM Commodore Allan Van Ness called the meeting to order with 30 T-37 owners attending. A special welcome to eleven new owners attending. Commodore Allan Van Ness and Vice Commodore John Ive were re-elected to their offices. Dan Matthews was newly elected Secretary of PNMYC. Commodore Van Ness was also elected Treasurer for 2016. Philip Hubbell, Bates McKee, and Derek Storm were appointed Rear Commodores and their appointment was confirmed by the members. The Treasurer reported a strong balance of $1836.26; this was higher than the ending balance last year since we did not have the major expense of Rescue tug construction. Additional receipts are expected today for lunch expense. $580 is due to SYC for 29 lunches. Anticipated 2016 budget items include $400 for trophies (perhaps more to include the Canadian Nationals trophies and Port Townsend/Port Ludlow fleet trophies) and $250 for general liability insurance. PNMYC executive board strongly recommends individual membership in AMYA, noting the benefits to members of the quarterly magazine, representation, and regatta subsidies. Members are urged to take along PNMYC business/calling cards to distribute to friends and to anyone with a likely interest in the sport. The picture cards provide the information. Commodore Van Ness thanked the many volunteers who contribute to the club's success. He highlighted the work of Philip Hubbell in producing a useful club website at PNMYC.org. Upcoming schedule highlights include The Northwest Regional Championship Regatta on April 16 at Port Ludlow. Dan Darrow reviewed some of the features of the venue and aspects of travel and accommodations. NORs were distributed to all. Will Lesh spoke of the Clipper Round the World Race featuring new, amateur sailors aboard 70' ultra fast racing yachts. The fleet is to arrive in Seattle from China on or about April 20 and remain for public tours till April 28. PNMYC will host a T-37 regatta for one representative from each of the twelve "Clippers" on Saturday, April 23. Allan announced the rookie of the year, Satch Yarborough from the Port Townsend T37 fleet. Satch has been a very active participant in the fleet and has sailed very well. The annual Larry Shorrett Regatta on San Juan Island will be held on May 21st. Larry built a T37 after hearing about the mini America’s Cup from Allan and Will. Larry’s son Peter then built a boat, which led to the McKee’s building boats as well as Carl Buchan and suddenly the T37 fleet was active and competitive. Chris Brain has kindly offered his home in Roche Harbor for the after regatta dinner. A reminder to anyone that wants to participate: check for Ferry reservations as soon as possible. The regional championship will be held at Port Ludlow on April 16th. This is a sanc- tioned event so you must be a member of AMYA to participate. Philip Hubbell then guided a presentation and discussion of current rules. He has reviewed the different rules that apply to T37 racing and found that there is overlap and some contradictions among: • AMYA T37 National Class Rules • T37 “as provided in kit” Rule • RRS • RRS Appendix E Radio Sailing • Event or regatta rules • Local Rules These contradictions are highlighted in his document (attached). Allan proposed, and the fleet accepted, that no decisions about rules changes should be taken at this meeting, in part because the rule about changing rules require prior notification. Instead, the objective was to highlight what rules need to be reviewed as a task list for a Rules Subcommittee to review and recommend in advance of another Fleet meeting. In addition to the items that Philip noted, the following were suggested: 1) Sail Shape. All sails shall come from Tippecanoe boats and are the same. Sails should not be modified, including restitching or otherwise changing the luff curve. 2) Rudders are supposed to be 1/8”, thick but some are not. 3) There is not a specific rule about servo arms, length or two-sided. 4) The rules governing rudder shape and profile need to be standardized, publicized, and enforced. 5) The rules governing keel shape and profile need to be standardized, publicized, and enforced. 6) There is no explicit rule preventing the use of fiberglass (or carbon fiber) and epoxy on the hull and foils. Fiberglassing the keel does add strength and is more forgiving when finishing the surface. 7) Review the rules about jib boom length and whether it includes the weight and weight extension. 8) Suggestion that the Fleet fabricate profile measuring tools like Philip’s tool for measuring the bow bumper and Seattle fleet’s Plexiglas hull holder that works as a keel length measure. There was then a discussion about Sail numbering. The issues are • The font • The font size • The font color (as it contrasts to the sail color) • The numbering system The Font size should be 3” tall and in a bold block font. Impact font is approved. Color of numbers must contrast with sail color, no light blue on dark blue There was then a discussion about having a second numbering system so that each boat had a unique number but with fewer digits so that the RC could call starts and record finishes easier. There was general agreement that rather than creating a new numbering system, the sailors should only call out the last 2 digits of their current sail number unless there is another boat with the same 2 digits, then call out 3. The RC will record by this. There are some boats that are not in compliance with the font and color. It was decided that grandfathering of non-compliant sails will be deleted from the 2016 local General Notice of Races and General Sailing Instructions. Enforcement at Regionals will be at the discretion of the local hosts. The rule will be strictly enforced at Nationals. Dan Newland won the T37 National’s last fall. Asked to explain his success he reviewed his experience and came up with these take-aways: • Relax. Arrive rested and with low expectations. • There is a certain amount of luck that is needed including staying away from weeds • Turn when you can. Look for clear air. • He sailed with full sails in the morning. As the breeze picked up he tightened but that seemed to backfire so he loosened everything up again despite the increased wind. Allan and Philip reviewed the wealth of information that is available on the web site, PNMYC.org Bates then gave an excellent presentation with video of his experience serving as strategist on Seattle Yacht Club’s entry in the New York Yacht Club’s Invitational on Swan 42s last September. Will Lesh spoke of the state of the T37 Class highlighting the continued sales success of the boat, including internationally. Will also reviewed the strength of the community’s support for T37 builders. Dan Newland’s YouTube site was discussed although most of the attendees were already familiar with it https://youtu.be/8kiroNIBJ4E as well as Will’s own site at https://youtu.be/YDtLGml-Z0s Will established a Master Craftsman Award for T37 builders, awarding • John Ive (Anacortes) – has built 6 boats, all works of art • Dan Newland (Port Townsend) – not only has built boats, but has run workshops for other builders and posted a very thorough YouTube video for others • Rob Mulder (West Vancouver) – has built several boats, all look like racing machines with carbon fiber hatch covers and bold graphics. • Carl Miller (Hawaii) – made a T/37 that looks like a mini Kettenberg Will then took questions. Topics included: 1. Transportation and packaging discussion. Commodore Van Ness brought airline golf club luggage that he proposes to convert into a carrier for two boats. 2. The T37 fleet in northern California is doing well. In fact, they are planning a regional regatta at the end of March in Foster City. 3. Patrick Estenes came up from Portland to attend the meeting (Thanks, Patrick) and announced the schedule for the Portland area group which now can be found on our own site or at http://rcmsc.org/ 4. Discussion about the best way to protect electronics from salt water damage. The two products most recommended by the attendees were BoeShield and CorrosionX There was an invitation to share advice and tips, known as Pearls (of Wisdom). The club posts Pearls to the PNMYC.org website. Direct link to the Pearls list is: http://www.sailset.com/PNMYC/Pearls/PearlsListPNMYC.html Derek discussed the Zepsus magnetic switch that allows you to turn off the power in the boat without opening the hatch. Get the 7A model to match the power and wiring of the T37. John Ive and Dan Newland spoke of how to finish the boats. More can be found on the web site. John’s approach is to use Rustoleum from Home Depot but key is to let the enamel set up, wait up to 3 weeks if you can. Then hand sand or use a Ran- dom Orbital Polisher, he recommended one from Griots Garage. There was a general discussion about the hydrologic flow difference between a finely sanded (polished) hull and sanding to a rougher finish. Some of the attendees have professional training and careers in related subjects but no conclusion was reached. Dan Newland discussed keel shapes noting that there are standards known as NACA for the precise cross-sectional shape of the keel and rudder. This started to become a rules discussion so it was tabled. John Ford discussed his approach to sailing on the course (stay away from other boats) and practice. Just practice! Meeting adjourned. Attachment follows: ________________________________________________ A point-by-point listing of the items derived from the narrative-style official national class rules: CLASS RULES & ONE-DESIGN OBJECTIVES 1. evenly matched boats, so sailor skill decides winner 2. maintain seaworthiness, strength, and durability 3. maintain affordability: no costly modifications HULL 1. built according to the instructions 2. using materials in the kit 3. minimum panel thickness fixed 4. chines - maximum 1/4" radius SAILS 1. Tippecanoe sails only 2. no sail modifications 3. reefing not allowed * (? less costly vs heavy air sails) 4. may sail without mainsail 5. headsail may be mounted on separate mast * (kit?) 6. battens and telltales are allowed BALLAST / KEEL FIN 1. no size, material, or weight changes to kit-provided ballast casting 2. Keel fin profile only as provided in kit 3. Keel fin min. thickness .220 inch (7/32”) for 1/4 of chord length, top to bottom * 4. Keel fixed, not movable * RUDDER 1. min. thickness 1/8” top to bottom 2. rudder depth same as kit-supplied (6.0" - 6.5") 3. profile shaped to suit builder 4. rudder shaft min 3/32”, of any material 5. only one rudder allowed 6. cannot switch rudders between races WEIGHT Minimum sailing weight, with batteries, is 5.0 pounds RIGGING 1. Shrouds and backstays of any material 2. forestay must be kit-provided nylon tubing 3. shrouds and backstay must be easily detachable 4. shrouds and backstay may be adjustable by hand MAST / BOOMS 1. wood or carbon fiber spars 2. supported only by two shrouds, a forestay, a backstay 3. spreaders are allowed 4. mast must be fixed, not moveable * 5. masts not tapered 6. masts min. ¼” diameter 7. even minor, easy post-build changes require prior approval 8. fixed or manually adjusted boom vang allowed 9. forestay may be attached to deck 10. forestay may be attached to jib boom, with deck attached to forward 1/3 of jib boom SERVOS 1. higher torque sail servo permitted, still attached to top of standard RC platform 2. must not stick up higher than deck 3. RC platform not mounted lower than kit standard (i.e., no lower=mounted or larger servos) 4. batteries must be atop the RC platform 5. sail winch not allowed 6. sail servo control arm no longer than kit arm 7. double-throw pulley system is allowed OTHER CHANGES 1. no other changes unless approved by T37 AMYA Class members and Tippecanoe Boats 2. no changes will be approved which affect the basic objectives (above) of the Class Rules Address all questions to Will Lesh at Tippecanoe Boats _______________________________________________ T37 AMYA CLASS RULES supplemental Items derived from Kit Instructions (© 2012) DIMENSIONS Hull L.O.A.: 37.5” ?? Masthead to bottom of keel, max.?: 5’ ?? Beam at deck, min.: _____” TBD Beam at hull bottom, min.: _____” TBD Nylon forestay tube 42” Rudder “approx. 6 inches x 2-1/8 inches” Sail servo arm, pivot to eye, centerlines: 3” Radio control deck: 5.25”x2.75” SPARS Mast spar 48” Mast length above deck, max.: _____” TBD Main boom spar 17.5” Jib boom spar 13” MAST BASE IS FIXED and BOTTOM-MOUNTED: “The mast sleeve tube is set in a mound of thickened epoxy on the bottom of the boat.” KEEL Hull bottom to ballast bottom, max: 10-5/8” TBD “maintain 1/4 inch thick”: [vs. 0.220” above] for 1” at bottom for 1.5” at top for 1/4 chord length, top to bottom Keel profile cannot be altered. Install keel so that each tab has an overlap at the front and back of the keel slot. Align ballast castings with the shape of the bottom of the keel fin. Fill ballast screw holes with thickened epoxy. ALLOWED MATERIALS West System epoxy 105/205 West 105 thickened with colloidal silica Phenolic thickening powder Paste wood filler (mentioned for finish) Assigned hull number to be mounted . Action Items - These need to be addressed, implemented, or clarified as a one-design Class. HULL DIMENSIONS Hull, L.O.A.: 37.5” ?? Beam at deck, min.: [6-11/16”] TBD Beam at hull bottom, min.: [5-3/16”] TBD Masthead to bottom of keel, max.?: 5’ ?? MAST Mast length* above deck, max.: [45-3/4”] TBD *(not perpendicular height) RUDDER min. thickness 1/8” top to bottom necessary to bottom? KEEL Hull bottom to ballast bottom, max: [10-5/8”] TBD “maintain 1/4 inch thick”: define "maintain" reconcile 1/4" vs. 0.220”(7/32") allowed materials for fairing SAIL NUMBERS . . .