I know it is not long since the previous newsletter, but there are a few issues I wish to circulate. As usual feel free to pass this on to any of your crews or others that may be interested.

A few of you replied to my last plea for some feedback, thanks (you know who you are). For those who were going to but forgot try again! This was generally positive and the separate starts on Wednesday evenings were seen as successful. There was a suggestion that some form of 707 crew rota would be useful (see below).

I know that there are still plenty of races for 2003 but the planning for 2004 has already begun, in some cases well advanced.

For Wednesday evenings, there is a suggestion to change the start order, swapping the 707 and Fast handicaps. Is this good or bad thing? Let me know.

What can we do to encourage more weekend sailing, particularly at the West Forth Regatta and the One Design Weekend. Both of which would have had windward/leeward or Olympic courses.

Where should we hold the Scottish Championships next year? I suggest there are three events which could qualify, Bell Lawrie Scottish Series, The One-Design Weekend at Granton or the Carl Dyson Regatta. Are there other options?

I know some boats have a regular crew. Some of us are not so fortunate. It has been suggested that we organise a crew pool for the 707s. At least skippers will get crew who know the boat and the crews should be familiar with the boat layout. I am happy to try and organise this. For the rest of this year I'll do it manually, if successful it could be automated via a website. This is intended to supplement the white board and allow crews to be organised in advance.

If potential crew send me their details I can maintain the list and then if skippers are short of crew I'll send them a copy of the list and they can contact them direct. I would encourage this list can be used by regular crews when their boat is not sailing, or by those who have taken their boat out early but fancy a sail.

Crew Details : Name, e-mail address and/or phone no, dates available (and AM, PM or both). Optionally add what position(s) on board you usually do.

The Hunter 707 is one of a handful of one-design keelboat classes supported by the RYA. As such it does no need to be physically measured but does need a rating certificate. If the details change (owner, boat name) or the old one has expired then send it with the appropriate fee to the RYA and they will issue a new one. Via the 707 association I get notified of the boats they don't have valid certificates, so may come chasing.

The certificates are valid for 5 years. There appears to be a problem that the RYA don't always put the expiry date on the certificate even though there is a space for it (a poll of 2 certificates showed neither had the expiry date). I suggest you note the expiry date to avoid any hassle later.

While on the subject of certificates, it is a class rule that all owners (including co-owners) must be members of the class association to compete in 707 events.

The current standings for the One Design Trophy are available on my web site.up on my website, go to www.whippersnapper.org.uk and select the PEYC One-Design Series button. There are two races to go, and if both are sailed there are two discards to help your results. I was asked the question by one boat so others may be uncertain, It is the afternoon races that count.