February | San Francisco Etchells, Fleet 12

Fleet 12 Newsletter

January 2003

In This Issue:
1. Fleet 12 Schedule is now Carved In Stone
2. First Regatta is 3/29-30 now includes Vince Brun Clinic
3. Boat Show Update - Pacific Sail Expo - We need your help!
4. Annual Meeting Debrief
5. Fleet Membership Form Attached (Again)
6. The Camet Sportsgear Midwinter West Regatta
7. Letters, we get letters...
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1. Schedule is now Carved In Stone

The new schedule is attached and will be posted on the website at
www.sfetchells.org, too.

The main change from the previous one is that the fleet run regattas move
back to Saturdays, and our clinics will happen the following Sundays. Mark
Sloane has done a great job getting some talent to lead these clinics, and
we should all get a lot out of them. More on that later in this newsletter...

There is a change on the Marin Regatta, it's been moved back one week from
the previous schedule, and it might change slightly again if MYC wants --
we'll keep you posted.

We also added a "Last Regatta of the Year", as many people wanted to sail
later into the year, and the Richmond YC Race Committee was right there at
the Annual meeting to say they'd host it.
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2. First Regatta is 3/29-30 now includes Vince Brun Clinic

The first regatta of the year is a fleet run event, to be run by Kers
Clausen on Saturday March 29.

Mark Sloane [966] has successfully got Vince Brun to lead this event. Vince
is the 2000 Etchells Class World Champion from San Diego, and the main
sailmaker at North One Design, just outside the gate of SDYC. Vince is also
a great teacher, and he leads annual clinics for the San Diego Etchells
fleet every year, as well as clinics for many other boats. This will be a
great clinic.

The plan is for Vince to watch our races on Saturday, and videotape the
action. Sunday Morning, Vince will do a video debrief, plus a chalk talk
using the North One-Design package and his own knowledge of Etchells. Then
Sunday we'll go out for some more racing, with Vince doing on the water
coaching. He'll be using a VHF radio, so you should bring one on the water
with you on Sunday.

Here's the West Marine page for VHF handhelds starting at $90.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&categoryId=542

Mark Sloane has prizes (beer and maybe more) for these races on Sunday
which do not count toward the season championship. We hope everyone will
attend this clinic.
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3. Boat Show Update - Pacific Sail Expo - We need your help!

One of the problems facing Fleet 12 is the constant need to attract new
members. This year we're doing something special, participating in Pacific
Sail Expo, in Alameda on April 25 and 26. Pacific Sail Expo is THE west
coast sailboat show, and you'll read all about it in Latitude. Literally
everyone in Bay Area Sailing will be there - you should be too.

The chairman for this activity is Ed Kriese -- Here's his description:

With Pacific Sail Expo, Fleet 12 has a fantastic opportunity to raise the
awareness level for Etchells and Fleet 12. Kers has promised to have 10 -
12 boats sailing on Fri - Sat. Each boat will have up to two on board and
will be able to take on sailors from the public who are interested in
experiencing an Etchells first hand. We will provide buoys and a race
committee in preparation for multiple short races. This was discussed at
our fleet meeting held earlier this week where the fleet committed to
participate.
There are a lot of people racing in other classes who've always wanted to
experience Etchells racing, and this is their chance, on the protected and
easy waters of the Alameda Estuary.

The event will be promoted and covered by Latitude 38 and I've even
confirmed two Farr 40 owners who will be participating - they're interested
in buying Etchells.

The boat show has made arrangements with Protector to provide several of
their boats to do race committee and crash boat duties. In case you you've
never been on a Protector, they're very cool and de rigueur for the Farr 40
crowd.

To make this event a success we need your help however:

First, we need you to bring your boats down on Friday and home on Saturday.
We'll have tow boats from Richmond and Tiburon for anyone who needs one
Friday morning and back home Saturday afternoon. Each boat will have the
owner or an owners representative on board, we'll use old sails and
engage in some friendly, short, fun, no contact scrub races.

Second, we need your help organizing things at the show, getting those
who'd like to sail out & onto the boats and of course, running some races
on Friday and Saturday between 1 & 4 PM. Basically I'd like everyone who
can to volunteer a couple hours either or both days. It'll be fun and we'll
have refreshments and boat rides on Etchells and Protectors for all who
want to go. Bring your kids, family and friends.

Volunteers of course get in to the boat show as exhibitors at no charge.

Boat Show Dates are April 23 - 27, 2003
Wednesday 12 - 7 PM
Thursday - Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM
Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM

Here's the boat show web site: http://www.sailamerica.com/SAILEXPO-Pacific.cfm
Here's what Latitude 38 says: http://www.latitude38.com/features/sailexpo.htm

We also need help manning the Fleet 12 Etchells booth during show hours and
with sailing events Friday and Saturday afternoons from 12 - 3 PM. The
booth will be your first opportunity to buy the new Etchells fleet 12 hats
and shirts. These are the shirts and hats which advertise our 2005 Worlds.

I'll be organizing the schedule for volunteers so please email me
(kriese@oceanracing.com) with sailexpo in the message line, times and days
you can help out and cc Scott Gordon (scottst@well.com).

Everyone who volunteers will be on a list at the gate to get in free of charge.

Pacific Sail Expo is a fun event (if you've never been, you should
go--EVERYONE in Bay Area sailing is there) and it's fantastic that Kers has
gotten Pacific Sail Expo behind us in a big way. This event is an
important, low cost bit of PR and the only marketing Fleet 12 plans on
doing this year. With your help this will be a big success for us.
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4. Annual Meeting Debrief
The Annual meeting was held Thursday January 23, and it was actually fun!
We had a great turnout - 25 people, and enough beer and pizza for everyone.
Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed. The range of experience
and ideas in the room was very positive. A good kickoff to a great year.
Thanks, Kers, for your hospitality.
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5. Fleet Membership Form Attached
The fleet membership form is attached. Go ahead, print it out, fill it out
and bring it to the meeting, or else send it in as soon as possible. Put
your crew on the Associate Member list. Then they'll get the magazines.
Make sure your emails are all up to date, then you'll get this newsletter
all year.
See 2003 Fleet 12 Registration Form.doc
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6. The Camet Sportsgear Midwinter West Regatta

Attached is the Notice of Race for
The Camet Sportsgear 2003 Midwinters West Regatta Held in San Diego on
March 8th and 9th.
Mike Held
Etchells Fleet 13 Regatta Coordinator

See NORMidWest03-bw.pdf

Attached is the Registration form for The Camet Sportsgear Midwinter West
Regatta In San Diego on March 8th and 9th

See RegistrationFormMidWest03.pdf

Kind Regards,
Mike Held
Event Coordinator
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7. Letters, we get letters...

From: "Derek van der Vorst"
To: "Scott Gordon"
Subject: USA 529
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2003 19:41:51 -0800
Hi Scott,
Just wanted to let you know the latest: Today I sold USA 529 to Mike Laport.
All parties (Brat, seller and buyer) are very happy!!
Cheers, Derek

From: BobTollenaar@aol.com
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 23:47:13 EST
Subject: Etchells bowman for use and abuse!!
As you might know, Derek has finally gone and sold his boat. So it is time
for me to find another boat to join. If you guys need a bowman or know of
someone who does, please let me know. I have enjoyed sailing with this
fleet, and very much would appreciate the opportunity to continue doing so,
from start to finish, every race. Hope to hear from you! BobT
My weight is 175, height 6'3''.

Bob will also be on the crew list at www.sfetchells.org until he gets a
steady ride.
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OK. End of another one. Amazing how they all seem to flow together, isn't
it? Then you end up just sitting there like Homer Simpson, mumbling
"Sai-LING" to yourself until someone notices and physically wakes you out
of your stupor. Here's something to think about. Have you worked on your
boat yet this spring? It is spring, isn't it? Time to mess around in boats.
OK, until then, back to the stupor.
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