The BOD at its winter meeting in January authorized the formation of an SS23 Class Rules Committee (see post following) to write and implement a set of Class Rules. The members of the committee are Paul Sollito (elected Chair), Bob Rude, Carter Hall, Bob Catani, and Brian Anderson) The draft is published in this post below.

There will be a comment period of approximately one month. Please send suggested changes with explicit language you would like to see in the rules and your reasons for your proposals to either Paul or any other member of the Committee (emails can be found in Membership List…all are from RI). The Committee will reconvene to consider submitted changes, and will promulgate the final set of Rules in May.

Here is the draft:

SEA SPRITE 23 RULES AND SPECIFICATIONS
(DRAFT FEB 11,2015)

Purpose: The purpose of these rules is to promote and develop Sea Sprite Class racing and to maximize and maintain the one design characteristics of the boat.

The Boat: The boat is a 22.5 foot fiberglass sloop designed by Carl A. Alberg in 1957, both Weekender and Daysailor configurations.

The Standards: The original plans and specifications, as drawn by Carl Alberg and now held by the Peabody/Essex Museum in Salem, Mass, shall be considered the official standards of the boat. All boats shall comply with said standards except as modified herein, so as to ensure that the one design aspect of the Class is preserved. Copies of the original line drawings shall be made available on the SSA website for a small fee.

Hulls: All hulls shall conform to the design and specifications as set forth by the Designer. Amplifications and exceptions include:

The removal of thru-hull fittings shall be allowed.
Hiking straps shall be permitted.
Plugging and/or filling of the outboard motor well shall be allowed. Exterior and interior bulkheads, bunks, etc. shall not be removed. Combing boards, toe rails and other trim shall not be removed.
No interior trim shall be removed.
Pulpits and life lines shall be optional.
Drag reduction films/hull etching/other texturing of the hull shall not be permitted.
Fairing flaps between the keel and rudder shall not be allowed.
Use of a compression post shall be permitted.
Spars: No change in the dimensions, location, weight, shape, material or configuration of the spars shall be allowed. Amplifications and exceptions include:

The spinnaker pole shall not exceed 7.5 feet in length.
A whisker pole shall be permitted for use with jibs and genoa jibs and shall be the same length as the spinnaker pole. A spinnaker pole may be used as a whisker pole. Use of the spinnaker pole and the whisker pole at the same time shall not be permitted.
Spreaders shall be no less than 28” long.
Standing Rigging: No change in the location or strength of the standing rigging shall be permitted from the original design. Amplifications and exceptions include:

An adjustable backstay shall be allowed.
Roller furling headsails shall be optional.
1X19 wire and turnbuckles shall be used on headstay, uppers (5/32” dia) and lowers (1/8 dia). Other materials and thicknesses are permitted for backstay and jumper stays.

Running Rigging: The layout of the running rigging, its material, and its associated tackle shall be at the discretion of the owner. Amplifications and exceptions include:

The fittings for halyards shall not be altered so as to change the point of attachment to the mast.
Internal halyards shall be allowed.
Halyard tails may be lead across the top of the cabin so as to allow adjustment from the cockpit.

Ballast: The use of additional ballast shall be permitted. The amount and location of ballast shall be optional. However, once placed at the beginning of the racing season, the amount and the location of the ballast shall not be changed.

Sails: Sail specifications are as follows:

Mainsail Sails shall be crosscut
Sail material shall be 100% woven polyester
Any luff attachment system may be used
Foot may be loose or attached
Four (4) battens shall be used
Batten length is optional as long as it is IMS minimum
or greater
Windows are allowed
Sail shall have a sail number
The sail insignia shall be a circle which encloses a double “S”

luff 27.00 ‘ foot 11.33’ MTW 4.30 ‘ MHW 7.36’
Genoa/Jib Sails shall be crosscut
Sail material is open, with the exception of no string (continuous fiber) sails
Maximum LP shall be 135%
Windows are allowed
Sail shall have a sail number
Maximum number of 2 genoas/jibs shall be used during a race series

LP 10.46’ HHW 5.23’

Spinnaker SL 24.87’ SMG 13.95’ SF 13.95’

Exceptions: It is clear that there can be significant variations between boats. Construction standards of the SS23 varied over the years as the boat was produced by several different boat building firms. Also, over the years, significant additions and subtractions to interior configurations often have been implemented by various owners to fit their own sailing needs and to produce a safe repaired old boat.

Therefore:

1. It is expected that owners will embrace the integrity of the design,
and shall make every effort to conform to the spirit of these class
specifications.

2. Repairs shall be permitted that ensure the structural integrity of
the hull.

3. Reconfigured interiors and exterior trim changes shall be
grandfathered in as acceptable as of May 31, 2015.

4. Questions and concerns shall be directed to and adjudicated by
a Rules Committee appointed by the SSA Board Of Directors.
Such adjudication shall be guided by the intent of these
specifications that have been written to ensure the one-design
integrity of the class.

Effective date: These rules shall become effective on May 31, 2015.

Just a very quick reminder…membership dues! Thanks to those who have already sent in their 2015 dues. We count on only dues for support. The Sea Sprite Association is strong, and getting stronger. Please see the annual report of the BOD meeting for fiscal year 2014 posted just below for details.

Dues are the same as last year…$25. You can pay by check or PayPal. See To Join/Renew on the website.

And thank you.           Carter

Here are the minutes from the Board Of Directors meeting held last week on January 22, 2015:

2014 SSA Board Of Directors Meeting Minutes
January 22, 2015

The Sea Sprite Association Board Of Directors met Thursday evening, January 22, 2015, at the Country Inn in Warren, RI to review the year for 2014 and to plan for 2015. Present were Herb Brown, Dana Menillo, Bob Catani, Dejan Redeka, and Carter Hall. Chad Brown was absent. The following items were discussed.

OLD BUSINESS

Financial

The balance sheet for 2014 was reviewed. Net balance grew from $1169 to $2673. Income was generated by membership dues ($1925 from 77 members up from $1375 from 55 members last year) and race fees. Administrative costs continue low in the range of $250, but will be higher next year as initial 3 year prepayment of some costs expires.

Membership dues for 2015 will remain at $25. Our goal remains to have 6 years of operating costs saved.

Membership

Active dues paying members rose from 55 to 77 this year. For the past 2 years we have had a total of 98 members. States represented for the 2 years rose from 14 to 21. One email blast was sent and one web posting done reminding owners of dues. Several insertions were placed into the website suggesting users join the SSA. Membership may have grown because benefits were added for members only (10% off at Jamestown Distributors and Thurston Sails). Sea Sprite owners also joined to sell boats.

Dues as noted above will remain at $25 for 2015. Benefits will continue for members only, and a placement of a classified ad will still require membership.

Organization

The SSA remains well structured and financially intact. The website is active and fully accessible to all, with 75 visitors per day visiting 400 to 500 pages per day. Numerous rehab projects were documented and placed on the site. Bristol organized a How To Race Fast mid-winter seminar. Classifieds grew,with a total of 22 boats listed for sale in 2014 and 16 sold.

A suggestion was made to focus on enhanced PR. Ideas included promoting articles about the sea sprite in sailing magazines and about events in the Providence Journal, identifying local pr contacts to promote sea sprite sailing. Other ideas welcomed for sailing venues across the country.

Ads

The no ad policy continues. A Ship’s Store of limited items (no clothing to be offered) was added, and a fine arts print offered. The SSA will receive 10% of sales. Line drawings are also offered at cost. 2 local partners are promoted (Jamestown Distributors and Thurston Sails) as providing members with a 10% discount.

Current policy will be continued. No expansion planned.

NEW BUSINESS

Taxes

At current level of income, as a non-profit organization, the SSA will not be required to pay state or federal taxes. However, a determination by the IRS is required. It will cost a one time fee of $400. A yearly emailing declaration to the IRS is required as a tax report.

The determination fee of $400 will be paid this year, and a request for a tax-exempt determination review will be filed with the IRS. The email tax report will be filed for 2014.

Class Rules

The BOD directs that a Rules Committee be formed to develop class rules for the SS23. It will formulate a draft, submit the draft to the membership for review, and promulgate a final set of Rules And Regulations. The Rules Committee will have full and final responsibility for the Rules and their implementation.

Narraganset Bay SS23 Racing

Racing for NB was discussed. The current schedule is active and well received. However, there is some contention regarding high fees charged by Bristol YC for non BYC members to race in the weekly evening races. A meeting will be held this winter to review the planned fees by BYC for 2015 and to consider alternative racing plans.

New Board Members

Herb Brown has sold Scot Free, and wishes to resign. Paul Sollito will take his place temporarily until officially confirmed at the April meeting.

By-Law Changes

The following changes to the By-Laws will be drawn up and voted on at the Annual Meeting in April:

1. A Treasurer will be added to the organization and duties outlined.

2. A paragraph will be added delineating how SSA assets will be distributed in the event of the organization’s demise. The BOD proposes that assets would be distributed to a sailing non-profit organization such as The Herreshoff Museum.

These minutes have been reviewed and accepted by the Sea Sprite Association Board Of Directors on January 28, 2015.