Hurricane Class Association AGM 2024 Minutes
Hurricane Class Association AGM 2024 Minutes
Apologies: John Donovan, John Ready
Intro Ben Cutler-Sharp: Thank you all for attending. A positive year with difficult economic circumstances.
Accounts: Adam Charlesworth
Nationals continue to be great value + Carnac was a success £4331 credit with further £120 to be paid up by end of event. Strong membership + new faces adding to class favourites. Lots of interest with new boats coming to market and encourage to events
Events: Julian Reichart
4 event format 2024 proving its worth, all well attended
Carnac: 12 boats, great time by all, would like to return. Maybe every 2 years due to costs and time commitments involved
Stone: home boats always travel so good to return the favour
Starcross: 16 boats. Great club, people are awesome. Hunter is now clear favourite of the travellers!
Bridlington: 25 boats. Weather has been temperamental but an amazing club all around, in every aspect.
2025:
May event: Not confirmed yet but options of Rutland 17/18th inland nationals or Stokes Bay. SB need additional classes (nacra/unicorn/a class/etc) invited as need 30 boats minimum. Members asked to think up ideas of classes to encourage. General consensus of Stokes Bay preferred among members present
June 20/21: Stone SC TT – confirmed
July 18/19/20: Paignton nationals – confirmed Green area next to beach for boat storage with security but no parking or accommodation on site directly. Dates are set so recommend start looking for accommodation soon.
August 23/24: Thorpe bay TT – confirmed
Dinghy show: Agreement with Spinlock who would like to share a stand and pay for the stand. Spinlock also coming on board to sponsor the nationals 2025. Dates of show are 22/23 February at Farnborough. Volunteers from the fleet would be needed to help out and man the stand.
Rules and tech:
Sails materials and supply back to as we were pre supply issues in 2022/23. Main and jib (class owned) here if needed. Digitalised numbers made up + have manufacturers instructions for application and location on sail making changing numbers on sails changing hands now easily possible.
Remote adjustment of jib tension being tested, can improve friction reduction. John and Geoff both working to retrofit so not too expensive.
Tiller extension open to whatever you choose. Ben has an option from USA (Malcheski), one UK made that Andy has seen, Goat Marine in Devon have ability to make, but JD working with them to customise prototype.
No additional changes have come forward from committee.
Alex Farrall: sails, beams and masts: how are we looking?
AW: Masts not an issue still with several years supply. Main beams have a good supply, other classes have tried to buy the stock but are protected for hurricanes by suppliers. Rear beams with new french supplier who changed traveller specs, sorted now but seem hesitant to supply. Currently have one good and one in “seconds” condition available immediately. Other options available being looked into, preferably UK made. Topper to be contacted.
Main, jib + tramps available new and used. 3 week turnaround for new stock. Prices have not come down and still a 10 day delay on slow shipping due to routes. Winter deal on bulk buy, AW looking into what can be offered.
Phil Pannett. As new member money being spent on sails abroad and costing more as the only option to compete is not acceptable. Committee has to look into UK made sails. Being forced into buying from abroad which is not acceptable.
Ben: Looked into 2 years ago and not viable to bring production onshore due to contingency issues, longevity, time frames from uk sailmakers, uk costs, etc.
Dan Tindale: looked into by so many people over past 20 years, look into history of club to see extensive work already done on this issue.
AW: also brings copyright issues, legality issues etc.
Adrian Bunting: Everyone in room agrees we would prefer UK made but all aware of committee efforts over past years which proven it is not an option.
Ben: First event at Bridlington using new standardised class NOR SI which will be used going forward at all events.
Kev: is there a max wind strength?
Ben: Difficult as who do you ask, heavy/light crews? Is it minimum or average? The water conditions also dictate a lot. Committees view last year is that the decision should be made by race officers. Minimum/maximum speeds don’t necessarily work as based on conditions/location so best judged by race committee and race officers. People on water with concerns find and tell committee members on the water who will go to race committee boat. Long committee discussions following last years nationals and decided to keep decisions with race officers.
JD is in process of updating class rules.
Commitee:
Ben: I have not been well for past 18 months so am stepping down as chairman as it’s too much to both sail and organise. Focus on getting better to get back to sailing and return to being an active member. Events sorted for 2025 and I will still be around to support. Nobody in place as of right now to take over. Volunteers to approach committee. Great role, get to speak to and meet lots of people. Working with the committee is great fun with a great team. We have new sponsors, locations, people, all set up for next year already.
Numbers are down slightly this year but is same in every class.
Greg Reed: how up to date is list of boat owners and locations?
AW: Geoff has the lists but very out of date, not knowingly updated. Need a census? Ideas needed for how to connect with hurricane owners not attending events? Boat is not in production any more so need to save boats from being broken up/destroyed so need the info to pass on to potential new owners. Keep boats going/costs down. Ask members to connect with people, if you know of any unused boats pass on info/ask if owners need help.
Ben: I made a list of 105 boats that I know of that are active in the UK and abroad.
AC: Association has one membership per boat with 40ish in total. 4 unpaid to be chased up before end of event.
Jack Tindale: thank you to Ben from all + applause
Any other business:
Rich Robinson running 5k every day for a month (including race days!) to raise money for MS charity. Info here to donate.
Ben Cutler-Sharp