National Squib Owners Association

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 2nd July 2015 at Howth Yacht Club

The Chairman, Steve Warren-Smith welcomed some forty members to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance and continuing interest in the fleet. 1. Apologies for Absence: Chris Stonehouse, Brian Pettitt, Jenny and Bryan Riley, Chris Rickman, Michael O’Connell (and most of the Burnham fleet who were otherwise occupied). 2. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 8th July 2014: Agreed as a true record (proposed by E. Harper and seconded by D. Wines). There were no matters arising. 3, Minutes of the Special General Meeting held on3rd October 2014: Agreed as a true record (proposed by G. Dyson and seconded by E. Harper and D. Batt). There were no matters arising. 4. Chairman’s Report "I would like to welcome you all to this AGM and thank you for taking the time to be involved in your Class's administrative affairs. Since I last addressed the AGM in Lowestoft, a lot of work has been done by the NSOA committee, and by fleets and Clubs across the British Isles, to make the Class as successful as it still is. Whenever I go to Squib events though, I am asked one question more than any others: "How is the new build progressing?" Paul Young has flown here today from London to tell you all about it, but as official minutes are taken of this meeting, I will give a brief outline of the state of play. As I re-read last year's minutes I realised what a challenging timetable we set both for ourselves and the builder, and it is fair to say that matters haven't progressed as rapidly as we had hoped. However this has been for several good reasons. We chose Rondar as the builder because we knew that they had the expertise, experience and knowledge to provide us with what we wanted. Their proposals and ideas for the new boat however were farther reaching than we were expecting, but still fitted with our ideal of using this point to upgrade the Squib to a 21st Century boat. All three parties in the process, the Class, builder and RYA, have seen it as essential to get the changes right at the first attempt, ensuring that the new boat is no faster or slower than existing boats, within the projected price target of £20k, but incorporating new materials and manufacturing techniques more relevant to modern processes. Of paramount importance given these far-reaching proposals, the RYA insisted that we had the Class member's backing. Last winter, with Tony Gibson's help on camera and technically with our first electronic vote, we consulted the Class on these changes, and received a 90.5% approval from the membership. This was a very important part of the process- to make sure that you the members were involved and that your opinion was taken into account. Only after this approval was obtained on 31st December, could the builder make the investment in time and materials to commence the project. It is fair to say that Paul Young and Rondar didn't know the exact form the new build would take. The hull and deck will not be altered in any way (except from a comfort perspective) but the internal layout is where the main developments are taking place. The first new hull and deck have been built and large portions of the internal layout are in place. In parallel with this work, the Class and builder have also been focussing on the keel shape and layup, with considerable technical help from Paul Handley (who has worked in Dragon, Etchell and K6 keels amongst others) and our own Sean Clarkson. An accurate scan of Squib 12, Perkers' keel, unaltered since new, has been taken, and amalgamated with the original drawings, to provide the most accurate and symmetrical shape for the new boats. We are close now to being able to cut a new pattern from which iron keels can be cast, and for Rondar to make the female mould to provide a consistent, accurate and maintenance-free final shape that no one will want to take a grinder to. The upshot of all this, and because we are working with a vibrant and busy builder for whom the Squib isn't his only income, is that the process is taking longer than had originally been hoped for, but for which the extra time spent will be worthwhile in ensuring the final outcome is right. The RYA are

fully committed to the assessment process, with the Wolfson Institute at Southampton University, and their own in-house technical committee, overseen by Dick Batt, but managed by Paul Manning and the Volvo Ocean Race Chief Measurer, James Dadd, making every effort to keep the new boat true to our own specification. The Class has also been liaising, and building a closer relationship, with Contender, our cloth manufacturer, and on their perception of the strength of our Class, and our commitment to mace polypreg 5.52 fibrecon pro high aspect Dacron, brought their dying and finishing process in-house. My understanding from the two sailmakers at this event is that the cloth is an improvement on previous materials, and hopefully time and use will also confirm an improvement in durability. All this work has involved a considerable increase in spending by the Class, as we ensure we keep all the physical and intellectual property for Squib building in our own hands. This process was aided by the timely increase in subs at last year's AGM (for those in doubt, £35 Full and £30 Associate) and our huge thanks go to Andrea Holland for determinedly chasing all outstanding fees, and to you for paying them. I hope you can appreciate that they go to a lot more than two valuable and professionally edited Squibble magazines put together so capably by Eddie Harper, and you can encourage as many of your home fleets to join the Association. The sailing front has proved just as busy across the British and Irish fleets. Of particular note was the record turnout of 54 boats at the 20th running of the Inlands at Rutland, a superb East Coast Champs at Bridlington, a successful Nationals at Lowestoft and in particular their trial of a regatta fleet on the Broads, and the fantastic achievement of Malcolm Hutchings and Andy Ramsey for winning Cowes Week for the second successive year. Before I loose you all completely I would like to draw your attention to some exciting events planned for the future. After the South Coasts in Weymouth this year, the Nationals next year will also be at the same popular venue. For those with a wanderlust, next year's South Coasts are planned for Cazaux in Bordeaux, from 8-11 September. The Nationals in 2017 will be in Holyhead, and in the same year we have been invited to join the Vipers and K6s at the Rondar Regatta on Lake Garda. And as we approach our 50th anniversary in 2018, it was felt that the best location for that year's Nationals, to publicise this landmark, was the epicentre of global sailing, and to have the event, purely as a one off, as part of Cowes Week, and show the yachting world what a successful and vibrant Class we are. While on the subject of Nationals, I very much doubt we would have had such professional, well attended and well run events over the years without the guidance of our Championship sub committee, and I would like to thank Fran Blackburn, on all our behalf, for the work, time and dedication she has put into it over the last 7 years, as she steps down today, and hands over to Gerard Dyson. I would also like to offer the NSOA's thanks and appreciation to Emmett Dalton, Fergus O'Kelly, the Commodore Brian Turvey, PRO David Lovegrove, and all from Howth Yacht Club, for making this event so much fun on and off the water, and particularly for calling Tuesday so well, and persevering with such tricky conditions over the last two days. May I conclude by thanking you all for attending this event, this meeting, for your enthusiasm, advice and good humour in keeping the passion for the Class burning while we take the time to get the new boat right in every way at the first attempt. Please go back to your home fleets and inform, reassure and encourage the rest of them. The Squib Class has two of the best sailmakers in the business supporting and competing in it, and one of the best builders in the world close to completing our first new boat. The past two years have been difficult but we are close now to moving ahead again and building on this hard work in the future.” 5. Treasurer’s Report The report, presented in the Treasurer’s absence, is attached and forms part of these minutes. The report was accepted (proposed by T. Gibson and seconded by J. Lewis). 6. Election of Officers and Committee: Hon Chairman Steve Warren Smith Hon Secretary Marian Gibson Hon Membership Secretary Andrea Holland

Hon Treasurer Chris Rickman Hon Auditor Andrew Porteous Hon Technical Committee Malcolm Blackburn Hon Technical Adviser Tony Saltonstall Hon Publicity Officer Ricky East Hon Championship Co-ordinator Gerard Dyson Hon Editor of Squibble Eddie Harper Election of Committee The following, who were elected for a period of two years at the 2013 AGM resign and offer themselves for re-election for a further period of two years Brian Pettitt Medway YC Ian Waite Waldringfield SC Duncan Grindley Burnham Fleet The following, who were elected for a period of two years at the 2014 AGM, continue in office for a further year. Louise Bibby Anglesey Fleet Jill Fleming Irish Forum David Wines Plymouth Fleet Pete Richards South Caernarvonshire YC Tony Gibson Stone SC Peter Wyllie Aldeburgh David Biddle Dartmouth The following offer themselves for election to the Committee. Mike Probert Royal Corinthian YC Jenny Riley RN&SYC and Oulton Broad SC Simon Vines Weymouth SC Mike Barsby Rutland SC Chris Stonehouse Rutland SC Proposed by T Saltonstall and seconded by J. Fleming and voted en bloc. 7. Future Championship Venues The following venues have been agreed 2016 Weymouth (26th June – 1st July) 2017 Holyhead 2018 50th Anniversary: Solent / Cowes Week 8. Any Other Business: None 9. Open session with Paul Young of Rondar Boats Paul Young started drawing the attention of the meeting to the amount of work the Chairman, Steve Warren-Smith puts into ensure the future of the class. He had watched the racing with interest – giving a clear idea of how the boats are sailed. The new boat is just a few days away from becoming a boat. There will be a self-draining cockpit and work is now underway to get the seating right – a “U” shaped seat at the front of the cockpit will make life easier for crews. He is also looking at the rear seats. The floor will be the same height as the mast step (30mm difference to the traveller). He is hoping to sign off the basic structure with the RYA within 10 days following their visit to the factory on 29th June. Hopefully a boat will be available for sailing at the Southerns.

The self-draining system is a gravity one through the transom. Buoyancy is increased with extra buoyancy tanks in front of the mast. The foam sandwich construction also increases buoyancy. The new floor will be retro-fittable by taking the deck off. Note that construction of the whole boat will have to be adjusted to match weights. The hull, deck and interior have to be a minimum of 120kg. Dick Batt commented that a swamped boats should now be able to shed water. Peter Jackson commented that the self-draining system could place older boats at a disadvantage. Could electric pumps be installed? Malcolm Blackburn commented that it will be important to keep a level playing field and this would be looked into. Nigel Grogan commented that the DNA of the class is close racing and Dick Batt commented that there is an ongoing process to protect the one-design principle. It was noted that the first boast will need testing with a variety of sailors. Longevity: Paul Young commented that he cannot see any reason why the new boat shouldn’t last as long as the old ones. Sales Projections: Paul Young commented that there has been no overt marketing at this stage but there have been a number of expressions of interest with approximately 50% being from outside the current Squib family. There is a good potential market with yacht clubs. Rondar’s marketing is in-house with Strawberry Marketing and will include Ireland and a European dimension – possibly using the Rondar Lake Garda Regatta in 2017. Cowes 2015: photos are a possibility. Paul Young said that future developments would be a matter of discussion with all interested parties. Keel: Work on the keel is progressing with a symmetrical casting 2mm under size being produced with will be covered with fibreglass matting and epoxy resin. The whole keel will be encased so no water should reach the metal of the keel. It was asked whether older boats could be changed to make them self-draining. Malcolm Blackburn replied that the class rules will need to be rewritten and therefore older could be altered depending upon the rules. Price: It is still hoped to keep within £20,000. Factors affecting price include the number of boats built. David Wines proposed a vote of thanks to Paul Young for his update. It was noted that there was no binding contract between Rondar and the NSOA. A good working relationship between the class and the builder is important. There being no further business the meeting closed at 7pm

Firstly,   many   apologies   for   not   being   there   in   person   to   deliver   the  Treasurer’s   report.     I   hugely   regret   missing   out   on   a   trip   to   Ireland   and  especially   when   I   have   heard   such   wonderful   things   about   Howth   –   the  welcome,  the  beauty  and  the  oysters  !    Thirdly  I  hope  everyone  is  having  a  wonderful  week  both  sailing  and  socialising.    With   regard   to   the  accounts,   it   is  especially  disappointing   to  not  be   there  with  such  a  very  positive  set  of  numbers.        When   I   picked   this   up   a   year   ago,  my   aim,   in   line  with   Andrew’s,  was   to  support   the   Association’s   strategic   vision   of   increasing   revenue   whilst  reducing  costs  to:    

• Create  a  buffer  to  provide  some  security  for  the  NSOA  • Provide  some  income  to  promote  our  excellent  Squib  Class  especially  

with  our  50th  Anniversary  coming  up  • Generate   revenue   to  pay   for  capital  projects  we  need   to  undertake  

including  our  moulds.  • Improve  and  update   the  website   to  make   it  more  user-­‐friendly  and  

up  to  date.    

It  is  in  this  context  that  the  accounts  for  the  year  echo  these  aims.    The  year  on  year  comparison  is  strong  with  headline  figures  showing:    

• 68%  increase  in  our  bank  account  balances  at  the  end  of  the  financial  year.  

• Income  up  by  £3,600  and  expenditure  down  by  nearly  £720  • An  income  to  expenditure  ratio  going  from  24%  to  69%  

 As   you   will   note   from   the   Accounts,   we   have   been   able   to   allocate   an  additional  £3,000  into  the  ‘Moulds  Replacement  Fund’  and  £1,000  into  the  50th  Anniversary  Fund,  while  still  maintaining  a  healthy  Bank  Balance.  This  means  that  we  should  be  able  to  meet  our  anticipated  costs.    This   is  clearly  a  good  start  and  reflects  the  hard  work  of  the  committee  in  taking   hold   of   the   Squibble   costs   and   advertising   charges   plus   taking   the  very   difficult   decision   to   increase   our   subscriptions.    Central   to   this   has  

been  the  commitment  of  those  who  advertise   in  Squibble  (thank-­‐you  very  much,  to  all  of  you)  and  to  our  Membership  for  their  support  !!  There  is  still  room  for  improvement,  but  it  is  a  very  strong  start  :    

• Clearly  we  have  some  work  with  regard  to  getting  all  the  subscription  rates  sorted  out.  Andrea  Holland  deserves  particular  mention  at  this  point  for  her  unstinting  hard  work  as  Membership  Secretary  

• Although   significantly   improved,   I   do   think   we   can   do   even   more  regarding  Squibble  costs  and  clarity  regarding  the  advertising  –  but  I  guess   I  would   say   that   !   Thanks   to   Eddie  &   Peter   for   all   their   hard  work!  

• I   am   working   closely   with   the   Chairman   and   the   Committee   with  regard  to  moulds  and  anticipated  costs.  

• Good   progress   has   been  made  with   regard   to   the  website,   but  we  still  have  some  improvements  to  make.  I  would  like  to  thank  Sean  for  all  his  endeavours  so  far.  

• A  marketing  plan  around  the  Class’s  50th  Anniversary  still  needs  to  be  devised,  together  with  the  associated  costs.    It  would  be  fantastic  to  co-­‐fund   a   ‘Demonstrator   Squib’   for   events   such   as   the   Nationals,  Inlands,  Cowes  Week  etc.  to  further  promote  out  Class  

 As  ever,  if  there  are  any  questions  regarding  the  accounts  which  cannot  be  answered  by  the  committee,  then  please  contact  me  directly.    Finally,   many   apologies   again   for   my   absence   –   have   a   great   week   and  continue   to  enjoy  being  part  of   the  best,   genuine  one-­‐design   sailing   class  there  is  !  See  you  next  year  &  have  a  pint  of  Guinness  for  me  !!      Chris  Rickman  Honorary  Treasurer    30th  June,  2015    Email:  chris.rickman@btinternet.com  Work  :  01983  882640  Mob  :    07891  708826