Paulabrooks8

We wish to award a Victor Ludorum or annual prize for the most successful skipper in our RC Group. We have about 30 odd skippers (the number is 30 odd - not the skippers of course!) who sail as variety of boats - Ten Raters, M, IOM, DF65 over variety of event types, which broadly match across classes - but not exactly. We want it to be factual and not just awarded by a jury - so an IT solution sounds probable. Anyone got any ideas or even better a system they use to do this? Many thanks in advance. Paul

Hi Darin By a “list of vacant roles” you mean like the list that appears in the only communication method sent to all members - that is the Newsletter?! It’s quite hard to reach any other conclusion than that the members are apathetic to what’s needed to run the MYA as those members want it run. Sad really. Paul

Hi Steve I write this with tears rolling down my cheeks because you have got it spot on, in my view. What is the point in forcing club/casual/social sailors to get their boats measured by the same tortuous process as required (quite reasonably) for those wanting to race in National etc events? Talk about tail wagging dog! A two-tiered approach to both measuring/lack of it and indeed to the MYA itself seems appropriate - which will, with proper organisation, free up resources where they are really required and allow casual sailors to get on with enjoying their sailing. Of course there is nothing to stop a club check-measuring boats like IOMs to ensure fair competition as, after all, who measures a DF65 when its sails are replaced? Also, a club sailor who then wishes to enter a District or National event should expect to get his or her boat “officially” measured. Paul

I am really sorry if you think I am in any way having a go at you Richard - I am not! All I am trying (possibly unsuccessfully) to say is that the hugely complex measurement rules for such an intrinsically simple class formula seems a great pity and likely to diminish the popularity of the class. Let’s all just try to enjoy sailing them.

Sadly, all this excruciating set of posts convinces me is that I’m so lucky not to care a fig whether my 10R measures or not! More seriously, it is very upsetting that those who wish, above all, to enjoy sailing their boats have been forced to endure the gradual over-complication over time of the 10R rules. Seems totally ridiculous and can only speed up the disintegration of the class for these wonderful yachts. I am just watching the rugby Ireland v Italy and here again due to the ludicrous over-complication of the laws, one side has been reduced to 13 men. Another example of how to ruin this one game and gradually discourage people from watching let alone playing the game. PC and rules fanaticism gone mad again.

As a follow on from the MYA Public Liability précis of cover in the last e-Quaint, consideration was given to devising a boat insurance All Risks scheme. However not only was there seemingly a low level of interest among MYA members but the cost would probably be a lot more than via Home Insurance cover. However, as part of this review, Walker Midgley (a Broker in Sheffield) were helpful and currently offer what seems to be required. I think the cost is about £10 per £1,000 of specified value of asset (boat hull, rigs, RC kit etc) - but this cover is available to individuals. Hope that helps. Certainly care needs to be taken to ensure that, if you use your Home Insurance policy to cover your boat etc, you tell the Insurer that the boat will be used for racing - assuming it will be!