Your committee has been considering alterations to the general format of our annual regatta and several options are available to put to yourselves as the members for consideration in order that the regatta day becomes more entertaining and interesting.

From the comments made by several of you at various times our regatta has basically become a very staid and boring day full of un-necessary recording, rules, regulations, hanging about doing nothing, waiting for judges decisions etc.  Indeed instead of a fun day to end the season it is a totally negative day; also the basic format has not changed for the last 30 years, and your committee believe that a change should be made.

To this end your committee have had meetings, consulted, as you are aware, John Chalmers, who has a great knowledge of the running of the regatta and indeed presented a paper on his thoughts which was most appreciated.

After much consideration the following suggestions are put forward for comment and consideration.

1. We have too many trophies for competition on one day and suggest that the following be temporarily suspended or put up for a separate competition during the season, viz:

    Newton Shield
    Junior Trophy
    Collis Anderson Trophy
    Fraser McIntyre Trophy
    Jim Miller Trophy

2. The remaining Trophy competitions could be competed for as follows:

(a) Alistair Stirrat TrophySteering Competition
No change to existing competition: any models accepted including Ready-to-run (RTR)

(b) NominationSailing Vessels
No change to existing competition: any sailing vessel including RTR

(c) Goodwin TrophySailing Vessels
No change

(d) John Murdoch TrophyScale ScratchGuest Judges Vote

No change

(e) Power Craft TrophyBest new modelGuest Judges Vote

This competition will be for the best new model in the club.

The entry should be presented as a model of any class less than 2 years old not previously displayed at the club competitions (although for the 1st year previous year display will be permitted)

(f) Club ChoiceMembers Vote

No change to existing

(g) Kit CompetitionGuest Judges Vote

Any kit built boat whether modified or not

For the avoidance of doubt, all models entered should be owned and built by the member entering.

All models with the exception of (e) above should be capable of sailing/floating on the pond.

It is envisaged that the above alterations will lead to the following:

A less complicated entry procedure

Less paperwork

Clearer entry qualifications

A more interesting day, particularly since other
          events are envisaged e.g.

Pusher Tug competition

Yacht race

Variation on steering course –
                                use another boat

Buddy competition –
                                steer blindfold taking
                                instruction from a pal

Normal sailing

Suggestions from members

Straight running competition

As this set of proposals has generated considerable debate, there will be a dedicated meeting to discuss these Regatta rules, on Sunday 11th March 2010