J/22 Fleet #1 Discussion

Dave Cool Icebreaker

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This is a private J/22 voting member forum. But let’s keep it kind since nothing on the web is really private. Your comments and vote are being requested. Each J/22 Fleet #1 full or provisional member must have paid either the 2022 or 2023 fleet dues to vote. 

Hello J/22 Fleet One,

We have a great team pulling together plans for the Dave Cool Ice Breaker Regatta that will be held on May 6 and 7 this year. Everything is going well and we are looking for a really great turnout from the J/22 fleet. 

Due to low attendance from our fleet and the J/24 fleet in 2022, we failed to cover the costs of the regatta. While the fleet was able to absorb the costs, losing money on a regatta is not a sustainable model. We need to have a minimum of 15 to 20 sailboats participating to cover the fixed costs. One possible solution is to include the J/70 fleet. This will help cover the costs even if we add to the race committee (going from two committee boats on the water to three). 

The regatta organizing committee would like to bring this to the entire fleet for a vote. But we don’t want to waste too much time during the annual meeting on this one subject. Below is a forum to discuss any thoughts. Additionally, please vote on this matter here. 

NOTE: Although this is a private forum, it is electronic so anything that is said can (and probably will) be shared. So let’s keep the discussion neighborly and not make it personal.

VOTE

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8 responses to “Dave Cool Icebreaker”

  1. Scott Rosenbaum Avatar
    Scott Rosenbaum

    The J/70 fleet is really doing well and it seems like they would make a really great addition to our regatta. Here are a few additional points to consider:
    – The J70 fleet has volunteered to take over hosting the A Series party from us (its our year) which would really help us out since we have plans to help the Sonar’s with their hosting the nationals this year
    – The J70 fleet has promised two volunteers for the race committee and two volunteers for the social committee
    – Our plan would be to work with the race committee to add a third committee boat and a separate line so that our racing is not impacted
    – The J70 fleet understands this is a one year trial, if it doesn’t work out we can do something different next year
    – The J70 fleet has plans to organize their own regatta and are looking to have the J22 fleet participate (might not be this year, but they are trying)
    – The UGotta Regatta has done this for the last couple of years and it seems to have worked well, even with a single line

    Reply
  2. Judy Avatar
    Judy

    They can join our regatta as long as they don’t steal our mooring seniority.

    Reply
  3. KEVIN KENNY Avatar
    KEVIN KENNY

    The Sonar fleet was critical to helping us make our J/22 NAs happen including: – they moved out of their slips so we had enough parking spots in the marina,
    – they volunteered as scorer,
    – they volunteered on the race committee,
    – they volunteered on the protest committee, and
    – they volunteered in other ways too.

    My recommendation is to give the Sonar fleet the first option. If they don’t want to or can’t get 10 boats to commit, then offer it to the J/70s. But we owe a debt to the Sonar fleet.

    As the national J/22 fleet dwindles, we will need to hold the J/22 NAs more frequently. Don’t expect the Sonars to help, if we’re not willing to help them. They have their NAs this year and will need help for their regatta too.

    Reply
  4. John Dyer Avatar
    John Dyer

    The regatta has much better attendance when it is run after the first Thursday night race. This is because racers have their boats in the water, and it’s easier for them to decide to participate. The fleet has spreadsheets documenting this. Let me know if you need access rights.

    Reply
  5. Dallas Avatar
    Dallas

    What, nobody else willing to comment?

    I say if you’re willing to get out there early in the season, and pay the entry fees to ensure not too many boat’s per course, you are worthy. J Boats are more worthy, because everyone knows that. But if you’re willing to break ice, even a Sonar can be worthy.

    But no handicap boats. Real racing does not involve math. And you can tell Clay I said that.

    Reply
  6. Bob Leach Avatar
    Bob Leach

    I’m pleased we are having this forum. Adding J70’s will change the event and everyone should have their say. The Cool Cup is a special regatta for us- getting out early and remembering our friend Dave Cool who contributed so much to the success of our fleet early on.
    J22 Fleet #1 will still run the regatta and I’m confident we can manage change effectively, including good race courses and expanded social functions. More boats will help us deal with regatta fixed cost challenges- race management plus food and social for volunteers. I look forward to welcoming the J70 fleet to the Cool Cup.

    Reply
  7. Michael Bowers Avatar
    Michael Bowers

    I’m ok with being inclusive. Sharing the fixed cost across multiple fleets and adding good will are great. However, as John pointed out, for years we struggled to get a good turn out. After multiple years of losing money, we moved it later in the season. That was the only way we were able to make it a break even event.

    Or, kind of like we used to do with the “all in fee” that included the Ice Breaker and the Districts, just up the fleet dues to so that the budget will cover the regatta and do away with the entry fee for J22s. Maybe more folks will show up if they “already paid for it anyway.”

    Reply
  8. Chris Eisenberg Avatar
    Chris Eisenberg

    Date is too early. I’d move the race out a week or 2.
    I’d also open it up to the entire WYC community. The selective races do enable silos and potential animosity.

    I know Dallas may think other wise, but we are all sailors in the same WYC organization.

    Reply

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