World Tasar Class Association
Minutes of the World Council Meeting held at the Darwin Sailing Club, July 4, 2005 at 7:30 PM.
Present:

World Council Members

Observers

Regrets

1.  Introductions
Chris Parkinson took the chair and introduced those present.
2. Agenda
The agenda was adopted
3.  Minutes
The minutes of the World Council meeting of June 23, 2003 as posted on the web, were approved.
4.  President's report.  Chris Parkinson
Chris thanked Peter Chilman and his committee and helpers for organizing a superb World Championship, noting that 131 entries was the most for any Tasar regatta, surpassing Woolhara and Yeppoon. He noted that all the rule changes proposed at the 2003 World Council meeting had been approved and were now in effect. He thanked Frank Bethwaite, Duncan Robertson and Todd Blumel for their efforts to make the Tasar manual available as a PDF file. The manual is available on the Tasar website, and will be available on disc in Australia.
Chris acknowledged that while the Technical Committee established in 2003 had not really got going, a group in Victoria had taken the initiative and developed new ideas to revitalize the Tasar class, including mylar sails. Chris thanked Richard Spencer for his work as Executive Secretary, and Chief Measurer Dave Bretherton for doing an outstanding job, including working with the local committee in Darwin to ensure measurement went smoothly for all 131 entrants at the Worlds.
5.  Regional reports
Europe.  Constantijn Udo reported that the Tasar scene in Europe is small. The German fleet at their last German championships had a turn-out of 8 boats, of which two were Dutch boats. Interest from other classes in the Tasar is creating demand for 2nd hand boats. They are looking forward to a European championships to be held in Germany by next year. In Holland the interest remained the same as previous years. There is a small fleet of 4 Tasars active and most of these have never entered a major event like a UK Nationals. It is due to this that the hosting of the worlds in Holland turned out to be an impossible task. In Belgium two Tasars are trying to establish a fleet. Their efforts so far have not produced any results. The new mylar sails may be effective in increasing interest in the class.
UK District. John Lawton submitted written report on behalf of Tim Knight, President of TAUK.
Australia.  Chris Parkinson reported a resurgence in Tasar activity in Australia. 16 new boats have been delivered in the last 6 months, most in Victoria and South Australia. This in turn has made more second hand boats available. The 2004 Australian Nationals at Mission Beach saw the largest fleet since the Nationals at Sandringham. Chris noted that while the size of the entry in Darwin shows the current strength of the Tasar class, some decline in interest after the Worlds must be anticipated, and is a concern.
North America.  Bruce Gage reported that the Pacific North West Tasar fleet is stable in numbers and continues to be strong. The Tasar appeals to families and collegiate sailors, and more would join the fleet if more second hand boats were available. NATA is getting 15 to 25 boats at major regattas, and a number of co-op owned Tasars in Vancouver are helping to maintain the numbers in BC events. There have been no measurement problems, and thanks go to Gary Brandt for his efforts as measurer.
Japan.  George Motoyoshi said he would be making two written presentations, one on the next Worlds, and one on voting procedures.
5.  Executive Secretary's report.
Richard Spencer thanked each region for collecting their share of the ISAF dues, which are currently £150, which was assessed from a total of 462 members in 2005. All rule changes proposed in Victoria, BC in 2003 were approved by the class, submitted to ISAF in September 2004, and were effective March 1, 2005. Crew weight continues to be an issue in some regions. NATA continues to waive the rule requiring crew weight ballast in all events. JTA has prepared a submission in support of eliminating the crew weight rule, which will be circulated for discussion at a future date. We adopted formal Tasar class requirements for World Championships in Victoria, BC in 2003, and Richard wondered if we should now consider requirements for time limits while racing, and the points to be awarded to boats finishing outside time limits.
7. Measurer's report.
Graham Hanna reported on behalf of the measurers' committee. All regions were represented when the committee met. Minor issues arising and resolved at the Worlds included profiled centreboards and gooseneck dimensions for one or two booms using 29er sections. A non Tasar jib was rejected. John Lawton, representing the UK presented the following statement from Tim Knight on all up weight:
Why does the class not have one? It was discussed then dropped before the Melbourne worlds without a vote. Crew and hull weight are the focus of so much detailed attention at championships. There is little point weighing a hull to half a kilo if the rest of the standard equipment can vary by 1-2kilos. Booms, Masts, Foils, sheets, tillers and extensions and now sails, all have considerable variations in weight that are ignored by the current and proposed rules. We are sure the data exists in Australia to enable an all up boat weight proposal to be made instead of 68kg very quickly.
There was nothing additional to report from the ATC or NATA. Fumio Kaneko has prepared a very comprehensive analysis of the effect of crew weight ballast. There was a feeling that more information may still be needed, and other countries were asked to help collect it.
The measurer's committee proposed two changes in specification. First, to use a block and swivel (e.g. Ronstan RF5) to replace the clamcleat for the downhaul. The designer agreed to consider specifying this fitting, which is relatively inexpensive and can be retrofitted to existing boats.
The second proposal was to replace the current brass shroud slides with roller mounted cars, with a swivel to allow alignment of the shrouds. This would also be retrofittable, but would cost approximately $350 AUD for two cars and tracks, and would require cleats to stop the cars moving forward under load.
The committee was pleased with the new rudder boxes being supplied, which include the improvements made in North American rudder boxes.
8. Designer's report.
Frank Bethwaite said he would not favour replacing the current brass shroud slides with roller bearing cars - plastic balls are not the answer for the loads that these have to carry. Plain bearings are a better solution.
Frank reviewed the recent history of sailing in the Olympics, and the efforts to make sailing more attractive to TV audiences. He welcomed the initiative of Alistair Murray and others to re-image the Tasar, and was pleased with the work he (Frank) and Ian MacDiarmid, with input from Julian, had done in developing mylar sails. He felt they had done everything they could with the existing spars. Frank noted that dacron is becoming hard to get, and felt mylar sails would be very effective in re-imaging the class.
Frank outlined the changes in hull weight over the years, starting at the original 130 lbs, then increasing this to 147 lbs when a triple skin was used on the bottom, and finally going to about 155 lbs to address some problems with decks. New fibre glass cloth allowed Frank to reduce the weight to 140 lbs in the mid 1990s. Tasars are now being made in Indonesia, and as pointed out by Julian in a letter to the class, this has required raising the target minimum hull weight from 64 kg to 68 kg, which is the current minimum for racing. Chris Parkinson introduced the proposed rule change to reflect this change.
Moved Chris Parkinson, Seconded Frank Bethwaite: That the proposal to amend rule D.3.1 and delete rule D.3.2. be voted on by the class as provided for in Class Rule B.4. Carried.
It was noted that builders in other countries can continue to build at or below the 64 kg weight, as they do at present.
9. Mylar sails.
(a) Approval of specification change. Chris Parkinson referred to the position paper on mylar sails that had been circulated.
Moved Chris Parkinson, Seconded Bruce Gage: That the World Council approve the specification change from dacron to mylar sails in accordance with Class Rule A.1.2.
The following comments were made during the discussion: • mylar sails came out of a workshop held to discuss updating the Tasar, and the results are magnificent (Alistair Murray) • the change is being made to extend the life cycle of the Tasar (Jonathan Ross) • some concern at losing ability to furl jib (Fred Ackland). In response, Frank pointed out that we could now drop the jib. • changes that can be retrofitted are less controversial. Most people do replace their sails, and so will be able to move to mylar. (Rob Gilpin) • some form of handicap or equalization should be considered (Duncan Robertson). • there could be a prize for the top finisher with dacron sails in a regatta, during the transition period (Chris Parkinson) • it will probably take 12 months or so to adopt mylar sails at the club level (Martin Sly) • what is the life of mylar? (Fumeo Kaneko). Frank Bethwaite said the ultimate life is unknown, but the racing life would be longer than dacron.
Frank Bethwaite confirmed that this is a specification change, which has been approved by ISAF.
The motion to approve the change in specification was carried.
(b) Rule Changes. The rule changes that had been circulated were discussed.
Moved Chris Parkinson, Seconded Richard Spener: That the proposed changes be voted on by the class as provided for in Class Rule B.4. Carried.
10. Voting procedures for the World Council.
George Motoyoshi presented a position paper from JTA, outlining JTA's concerns with a number of voting issues, including how votes are allocated to Regions and Districts for voting on rule changes.
Frank Bethwaite agreed that this is a serious issue, and suggested that JTA submit a specific proposal to the Executive Secretary, for discussion and voting on at the next World Council meeting.
11.  Venue for next World Championship.
George Motoyoshi presented a statement from JTA, summarizing the events that had led to JTA agreeing to host the Worlds in 2009. JTA has now received a late request to step in and hold the Worlds in 2007, because plans to hold them in Europe, as agreed in Victoria, BC in 2003, have not progressed.
Constantijn Udo said he had first looked into a regatta held over a stretch of water in Holland. However, it turned out that passage through the locks would not work. He then looked at organizing the Worlds in Cascais, Portugal, but they cannot hold them in 2007. Finally, Constantijn pointed out that if the Worlds were in Europe, everything would have to be organized by two people.
Fumeo Kaneko said that the JTA general meeting would be held in the next few months. He said it was unlikely that JTA could host the Worlds in 2007, but they would be able to hold them in 2008. They would confirm their position after their general meeting.
There was some discussion of other alternatives, including finding an alternative venue for 2007, and asking JTA to host in 2009, as they had originally agreed to do. These possibilities will be investigated and clarified as soon as possible.
12.  Election of Officers.  The following were elected: President - George Motoyoshi, President, JTA Vice President - Tim Knight, President, Europe Region Measurer - Graham Hanna, ATC Executive Secretary - Richard Spencer, NATA
The World Council thanked Chris Parkinson for doing an outstanding job as President, and Dave Bretherton for his excellent contribution as Chief Measurer.