www.ukballadassociation.org

1. NATIONAL BALLAD ASSOCIATION
2. Minutes of the Committeee Meeting  held at The Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club on Sunday, March 25th, 2012

Present: Mike Luker (Chairman), Janie Smallridge (Secretary and Treasurer), Cathy Noakes, Alan Harris, Paul Dixon (part)

1. Apologies: Chris Tyrrell
2. Changes to the BODA Rules:

 Emails from the Swedish, Danish and German Ballad One Design Associations were read. All, including the Dutch and Norwegian Associations have already, or are in the process of changing the ruling concerning restrictions on sail cloth and using different furling genoas during a race.

 This has been discussed at the last two AGMs and the decision had been not to immediately alter the rule, but to have a Committee Meeting to discuss the sailcloth issue.  This was based on the fact that so few of the racing Ballads take advantage of the rule to allow the use of Pentax/Mylar, with most still using Dacron.  It is agreed that Kevlar and other modern fibres are no more expensive than Mylar but will last longer and are faster.  Because of the IOR handicapping system not handicapping these faster cloths, those that use the more expensive Mylar would like to be able to use Kevlar instead.

 It was agreed that we should fall into line with all the other countries.  It was generally felt that the majority of boats would continue to use Dacron.

1. Rules to be Changed:

• No restrictions on sail cloth
• Different furling genoas maybe used during a race
• Cancel the weight demands of the engine.  No one is still using MD6 or MD7 Volvos
• Loose footed mainsails to be allowed

1. Procedure to be Adopted:

• Barry Quest to include these minutes in the newsletter which will go out in the near future
• A notice to be in the newsletter that an EGM will be held on the Saturday evening of the Championships to vote on the proposed changes.  This evening is a meal at Tamar Sailing Club.  It is planned to cut the discussions very short, but it was felt that most of the racing members who would be affected will be there.
• The newsletter will also include the Sailing Instructions and Notice of Race.
• The proposed changes would not take effect until the 2013 Championships.
• Mick Pindar will also put these minutes and the notice of the Extraordinary General Meeting on the website.

Janie Smallridge  Hon Sec/Treasurer

Committee Meeting Minutes