Get your boat ready!

                                                       IT'S TIME TO GET READY!

 

Tomorrow is May 1.  Phil Hale had already been sailing. It's time to get ready!

 

The Holmes Hole Board met in October, got organized, named some committees and assigned off-season chores. What follows are a few words about things done, things in the works, things to look forward to this summer.

 

We have an interactive website! www.holmeshole.org offers news of all sorts….race results, safety matters, pictures and whatever you may wish to add. "Interactive" means you can publish your views right now with no middleman. As you read this, the 2012 circular is there for you to read, download and print. You can even pay your dues!  Look for the green button to link to Regattanetwork.com, follow instructions to pay your dues with a credit card or pay pal.  Or send a check as usual to Kathy Logue our new secretary/treasurer.     

 

While you're on-line check the weather on MV Shipyard's site…MVShipyard.com.

Also, the red button at the HHSA site will link you to Phil's weather station located right in Vineyard Haven Harbor.  Real time wind reports and history and forecasts are available.   The shipyard also has a webcam the presents a real time look at the harbor.

 

Another accomplishment was the survey of the membership. The Board asked itself  "How are we doing?" and that led to discussion of schedules, formats, safety, training, other things and, best of all, to a survey of the membership. Survey responses were generally positive….especially about Thursday evenings. Sunday racing got some mixed reviews and some suggestions for improvements.

 

Mike Loberg undertook to lead a review of survey comments on Thursdays.  We will be seeing some ideas for more fun at the after race gatherings and an actual prize for the Thursday evening winner.

 

Roger Becker led a Sunday group which dealt with more ambiguity….can we shorten the day?  Do we have to do the triangle so often? Can't we improve the rendezvous races? Why don't we have upwind starts? These are all valid questions and they are also matters about which good people can disagree. This year's circular will make no radical changes on Sundays but the season will reflect openness to trials and, probably, to improvements.  We will add two half season awards for the first place boat for June and July and then for August and September.  Do well in just 4 races and you might score!

 

Phil Hale volunteered to develop some plans to make us safer on the water. He is assisted by Diane Hartmann and we shall hear from them about PFD's, workable flares, use of VHF radio, knowledge of the Rules of Racing. Stay tuned.

 

Dan Culkin