From: Phil Walter [apwo03@dsl.pipex.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 9:37 PM
Subject: The Hunter 707 Newsletter
Hello All,
 
Here is my latest offering of news from the Port Edgar Hunter 707 fleet. You may have noticed I have dropped the 'unofficial' from the title, not that it makes any difference to the contents.  At the AGM Geoff's Teflon shoulders slipped the duties of sportboat representative.  After arm twisting from him and Bruce I was elected to take over (if I had refused they were going to set Jim on to me!).  I have distributed this to the boat owners (plus potential owners), please feel free to pass it on to your crews.
 
So what's new?
 
New Boats
'For Sale' has been renamed 'Breaking Wind' is this an indication that we should keep up wind of Stephen and his crew?   I am not aware of any new 707s definitely coming for the new season.  However there is one group actively looking to buy one and Jock has some on his brokerage page so there must be some more interest out there.  Hopefully this will result in a couple more boats coming to swell the numbers.  Let's make sure that they are welcomed.
 
Coaching Weekend
You will all have had the various e-mails on the coaching weekend.  This is still very much 'on' for the 17/18th May.  There will be a short note in the forthcoming Beamer.  I know some of you may be short of crew on the day (I probably will) so I have invited non 707 sailors provided they can find a place on a 707.  Please let me know if you have spaces and I will try and match up.
 
 
Junior 707 Sailing
Dee, who run's the clubs youth sailing is looking for a day when she can organise some racing for her youth sailors.  In her words :
 " the young sailors are split up with one experienced and one not so.  They are allocated a yacht and race it - there should be a minimum of adults onboard and naturally the owner retains command and can step in whenever (s)he wishes for reasons of safety.  However, although the adults may suggest tactics, sail trim etc in order to teach the young, the "young skipper" should take decisions, the young tactician talk tactics and so on.  I appreciate depending on conditions the owner may need to take the helm. I have the following dates on offer : 4th May, 15th June, 13th July, 20th July and 3rd August."
 
Any takers, or comments?  In particular which date(s) would be better?  If someone would like to take on coordinating the 707 involvement in this please let me know.
 
 
One-Design Trophy
Thanks to all who have offered to contribute to a one-design trophy for the club.  Your names are stored away for a later contribution collection!
The comments received in response to earlier newsletters indicate that picking a number of existing events throughout the season and making the best 'n' to count is the best way forward.  Therefore I am proposing the following races be nominated.  I have picked a variety of races including one event at Granton (since it will be filled with PEYC boats).
 
Sunday 27th April - Bosun's Locker Trophy Race
Wednesday 7th May - Wed A Series
Wednesday 11th June - Wed A Series
Wednesday 16th July - Wed B Series
Wednesday 13th August - Wed B Series
Wednesday 10th September - Night Series
Sat/Sun 27th/28th September - One Design Weekend (overall to count)
Sat/Sun 4th/5th October - Carl Dyson (overall result to count)
Sunday 19th October - Autumn PM Series
Sunday 9th November - Autumn PM Series
 
For a race to count at least 2 Hunter 707s must be competing.  Results from open events will be adjusted by removing non-PEYC boats.  Club races have been chosen to avoid those with a 707 for OOD.
 
There will be 7 races to count, if 10 qualifying races sailed; 6 to count if 8 or 9 races sailed.  At this time I propose to apply equal weighting to all the events.  Comments welcome on the number of races counting and the relative weighting of the races.  I would like to get this agreed before the season starts so we all know the rules and they cannot be set to favour one boat or another.
 
While we all wish the 707 fleet to be dominant at PEYC for many years to come, there will come a time when another one-design fleet will take over.  This is why I have referring to it has a 'one-design' trophy and not the 707 trophy.  It should be awarded to the class with the largest number of one-design boats.
 
 
Bell Lawrie Scottish Series
For those who are planning to go, a gentile reminder that there is a late booking fee that comes into effect from the 1st April, so you should be doing something about it before the sailing season starts.
 
 
Sails and Compass
In case you didn't see the e-mail from Jock, the Bosun's Locker can match the prices for the Tac-tic compass and he listed the current prices of 707 sails.
 
 
Now where have I hidden the anti-fouling that I had over from last year.....
 
Phil Walter
Sportboat Representative.
 
---------------------------------
Phil Walter
Hunter 707 - Whippersnapper - GBR7043N
Web site : www.whippersnapper.org.uk