Week. Fortunately, our relationship with developer CT Central, allowed us to get most
of the systems running relatively quickly, although there is still damage to repair.
This year’s biggest improvement has been in the creation of a modern database,
with the help of Royal Lymington Member and I.T. guru John Tudor, and a case of
Chablis! The previous system was unworkable, and made it all but impossible to check
membership status.
The digital yearbook has been a success, with many favorable comments. At the end
of last year, the National Committee decided that the website access should no longer
require a login or password, to enable wider access to the content.
James Hoare was invited to talk to the membership about the Cowes Classic Week.
He competed in the 2016 event and found it extremely enjoyable and wanted to
promote the regatta to encourage more participation. It is positive to find something
different in the programme that gives different challenges.
The 2017 Regatta starts midweek from July 17 to 21st. Six to eight boats would be a
minimum number for a class start, but, the organizers see no reason why Folkboats
cannot race as a class within a class, which has boats smaller than 30 feet, and Folkboat
only results can be published. Such a class consists of similar boats such as the Twister,
South Coast One Design, Elizabethan 29 etc. Typically, 12-15 boats in total. A self-
declaring handicap system is used. The event is run by the Royal London as their
flagship regatta and is well organized. The entry fee is £250 but this includes tickets
for the crew to social functions. Shepherds Boatyard give a discounted rate and there
are swinging moorings available.
You can enter through the event website that is now live. It is possible to get a waiver
for inability to reef the mainsail. A ferry to and from Lymington in conjunction with the
XOD Class is being investigated, as up to 50 XODs also compete.
Technical Chairman’s Report - David Gredley
(presented by David Fox in his absence)
It’s been a long winter and here’s looking forward to another eventful racing and
cruising season. Most of my report relates to the NFIA’s rule changes which came in to
effect at the start of this year.
1. With effect from January 1st 2017 the NFIA made ve rule changes as follows:
8.20 A headsail device may be tted instead of a xed forestay deck tting. Furling the
jib is prohibited while racing.
8.60. No other devices than a topping lift and a rigid boom vang are permitted to
apply vertical lift to the main boom.
9.21 (addition to existing rule). The luff of the sail shall have a continuous bolt rope
which shall be within the full length of the mast groove or the luff of the sail may be
attached to the mast by slides. The foot of the sail shall have a continuous rope which
shall be within the full length of the boom’s groove while sailing.
9.24 Reference to mainsail battens is now ‘Top 800mm Lower three 1050mm’
6
Minutes of the 56th UK Folkboat Association A.G.M.
