Minutes of the Ajax Association AGM 2022.

 

 on zoom on 15.12.22

 

Mike Clayton requested approval to Chair the meeting in Gordon’s absence. No objections.

 

1 Present: Mike Clayton, Amanda Portway, Martyn Osborne, Gary ?, Dan Teubert, Guy Ashton, Gavin Watson, Tim Archer. Richard Townshend, John Howard, Mike Eastwind, James Skellorn, Jenna Robbins, Kyran Hooper, Paul Scullion, Doug Sharps, Toby Claridge, Graham Aubrey, John Williams, Ian Woods, Sian Goodman, Alister Main, Jeannie and Richard Bown, Abi Richard. (25)

 

2 Apologies, Gordon Sutton, Richard Merriweather

 

3 Minutes of the previous AGM and EGM– both agreed.

 

4 Chairman’s Report. Accepted. No questions

 

5 East Coast Report. Accepted. No questions

 

6 SW Report. Accepted. No questions

 

7 Accounts. M. Clayton proposed that £750 be distributed to both fleets as just under £4k in bank.

Agreed, no objections.

 

8 Election of Officers

 

a. - Gordon Sutton unanimously re-elected.

b. -Mike Clayton as treasurer proposed by John Williams, unanimously agreed.

c. - Amanda Portway, Honoury Secretary standing down.

 

Paul Scullion agreeing to be Secretary. Unanimously agreed.

 

9 2023 Nationals.

28-30 July’23. Promotion started with the local SW fleet (PS and KH); enthusing people and some positive feedback. Aiming to support East Coast entrants with boats and  moorings. Interest  being shown by the ‘younger generation’ in the East Coast fleet.

 

10a​Rule changes. 

Rule 14 Underwater Surfaces. 

Change proposed by Sian Goodman

 

Sian explained that she wanted to promote a choice about anti-fouling as other alternatives now exist e.g.’sonihull’that are less toxic to the environment. The intention is that no one is to be disadvantaged by choosing not to anti-foul and that all boats comply with their local Club’s environmental policy.

Discussion followed around the risk this could push boats to ‘dry sail’ This is not the intention of the rule change and various solutions discussed including that the performance issue could be covered by including alternatives in a clause that covers ‘extent/timing’ of haul outs etc as well as the choice to antifoul or not.

Needing to scrub the boats underwater surface more if not applying anti-fouling was noted.

In summary Mike suggested the following rewording of the rule change:-

 

4 Underwater Surface

 

14.1​It shall be at the discretion of the Owner whether the underwater surface of their boat (including the rudder and skeg) be painted with a commercially obtainable anti-fouling compound or anti-fouling paint. No wax or other friction-reducing compound shall be added to the Anti-fouled or painted underwater surface thereafter.

 

14.2 Rules may be made by local fleets and contained in any Regatta Rules on the frequency of hauling out and for scrubbing or laying ashore.

 

14.3 Local fleet rules and Regatta Rules should be made at all times with reference to the host Club’s current environmental policies and procedures and any existing environmental protection legislation.

 

VOTE RESULT - 4 (including proxy for Ben Briggs by GavinWatson) against, All others in favour.

 

Rule change adopted.

 

10b​Rule change to 17.1.11. Proposed by Gordon Sutton

The discussion about the current rule being out dated started at the AGM in St Mawes earlier this year. 

Discussion followed which included a view that cheaper more effective options exist for supporting navigation which include the boats position on the start line. Allowing the fleet to move forward and embrace the available technology was at odds with the current proposal for the new wording for this rule.

Jon Williams has checked other Class Rules and limits are usually included on what electronic devices can be used to assist racing.

This leaves the issue of ‘control’ verses the freedom to use the technologies still unresolved by the suggested rule change.

 

The vote for the current proposed wording resulted in

12 against including 1 proxy vote. 

 

This rule change as written is not agreed. 

 

Concern was expressed this issue remains unresolved and it is now over a year since it was raised as a concern. 

M Clayton suggested that Gordon Sutton liaise with John Williams and Paul Scullion and re-circulate another version for discussion via What’s App Group to result in an agreed rewording and then an EGM can vote this change in. For conclusion before the start of the sailing season in 2023

 

11​AOB.

Paul Scullion mentioned there are 3 or 4 interested buyers in SW for Ajaxes. Can the two fleets please share information on what boats are for sale as it would be useful information to share. This ultimately is the boat owner’s choice. Request noted.

 

Minutes by Amanda Portway