World Tasar Class Association
Minutes of the World Council meeting held at the Cape Panwa Hotel, July 3, 2007 at 3:00 PM.
Present:

World Council Members

Observers

1.  Introductions and welcome
Chris Parkinson took the chair on behalf of George Motoyoshi and introduced those present.
2. Agenda
The agenda was adopted
3.  Minutes
The minutes of the World Council meeting of July 4, 2005, as posted on the web, were approved.
4.  President's report.
Chris Parkinson noted that the adoption of mylar sails has been an over whelming success, and has rejuvenated the class. Chris thanked the group that had developed the proposal, and those that had worked to promote the use of mylar sails.
5.  Regional reports
Europe.  Pete Ellis reported that the class is doing well in the UK. 36 boats competed in the UK nationals at Whitstable in 2005, 46 competed at Babbacome in 2006, and 50+ are expected at Lymington in 2007. The adoption of mylar sails has hepled this resurgence, and 75 sets of mylar sails have been sold. There are now big fleets in Scotland, and new clubs are adopting the Tasar. As a result of demand, the second hand market has dried up. On the other hand, the 2006 Europeans were not a great success, and included one boat that was out of class. Participation in the Worlds is increasing - there was one boat, plus the Navy at Darwin in 2005, and there are three boats here at Phuket.
Australia.  Jonathan Ross reported that interest in the Tasar has been consistent over the last decade, and the prices of second hand boats have remained fairly high. Mylar sails have been well received, and are now universally accepted. New boats are being manufactured in Indonesia - Jonathan has one, and is very happy with it. The latest boats have a revised thwart and a recessed mounting for the stay slide tracks, which provides better alignment for the slides. The Nationals were held in Perth in Dec 06/Jan 07, with 39 boats, the largest ever Tasar fleet in Perth. If not for the Worlds in Phuket 6 months later, there would have been over 50 boats.
North America.  Richard Spencer summarized a report submitted by Tony Norris, which is available on the web.
Japan.  Fumio Kaneko presented the report from the Japan Tasar Association, which is available on the web.
6.  Executive Secretary's report.
Richard Spencer thanked Jonathan Ross, Paul Ridgway, Alistair Murray and other members of the 2007 Worlds organizing committee for stepping up at short notice and organizing a major regatta at a resort which had never previously been the site of a regatta, and was in another country. They have done a fantastic job.
Richard acknowledged that the tasar.org website, which gets a passing grade as an information resource for the class, needs to be improved for promotional use. Jonathan Ross has provided a template for a new website using Joomla technology, and this should be the basis for a new website. Richard thanked Bethwaite Design for collecting royalties on mylar sails and forwarding a total of £3,982.01 to the WTCA for distribution to the regions. A summary of the WTCA financial transactions, and of class statistics submitted to ISAF, were distributed.
7. Chief Measurer's report.
Graham Hanna's reported that the smooth adoption of mylar sails was a credit to the class, and had been accomplished with very few issues needing to be resolved. The optimum arrangement for the jib halyard is still being considered, and input and suggestions for alternatives to the current approved arrangement would be welcome. Interpretations 35 and 36 addressed two issues (repairs to fix leech flutter, and removal and replacement of jib battens) relating to mylar sails.
Interpretation 34 allowed ClamCleat Keepers and a specification change allowed the use of a swivelling block with cleat for the downhaul. A drawing showing chord dimensions for foils, included in the Class Rules until 1989, was circulated to measurers, and used to resolved issues with wooden foils that have been repaired.
Measurement for these worlds has gone smoothly, and the use of the pre-regatta checklist simplified the process. Most hulls were under the 68 kg weight limit. Graham commented on some issues that had arisen with boats imported into the UK, but these appear to have been resolved. Graham's written report is available here.
It was moved (Frank Bethwaite) and seconded (Graham Hanna) that interpretations 34, 35 and 36 be approved - carried unanimously. These will now be submitted to ISAF for their approval.
Graham reported that nine people were present at the measurers meeting. The following items were discussed:
*  consideration should be given to using a stronger leech tape to reduce flutter as mylar sails get older *  the designer should consider including an opening midway along the jib batten pockets, to allow them to be replaced. * some mainsails are pulling out of the lower mast, apparently because the bolt ropes are too small. * the construction booklet supplied with kit boats in Australia should be updated to cover the new boom section and the location of fittings on the full - some of the dimples are in the wrong place. * Fumio Kaneko suggested that some boats should be permitted to carry recording GPS units, sealed in the hull, to record the sail track for later play back. It was agreed that this would be allowed in this regatta.
8. Designer's report.
The Designer's report had been made available on the web. Frank Bethwaite drew attention to the section contrasting "natural" and "fast" sailing techniques, which is a real breakthrough in understanding why some crews can sail so much faster than others. He showed the new cast aluminum rudder stock which will replace the current version.
Frank conveyed Julian's apologies for not being able to be present, and described a proposed regatta 2 years from now for the 49er, 29er and 29er XX classes at Lake Garda. He asked if the Tasar class would like to be part of this event.
Frank described development work being done by Bethwaite Design on carbon fibre spars. A carbon Tasar mast could be built from two tapered tubes, with no spreaders, and with the join where the spreaders are now. A carbon fibre mast would weigh about half as much as the current mast (which weighs 11.65 kg) and could be built to rotate, and have the same bend characteristics as the present mast (so it would work with the current sails).
Chris Parkinson suggested we publicize these ideas and get the reaction of the class.
9. Site of the next World Championship.
The Japanese Tasar Association proposed holding the next World Championships at Wakayama, Japan, from 19 to 27 September, 2009. This was moved by George Motoyoshi, seconded by Richard Spencer, and approved.
Pete Ellis reported that Weymouth has been booked for August, 2011 as the venue for the next Worlds after Japan. No decision was required from the World Council at this meeting, and Pete agreed to consider other possible venues.
10. Other business.
Voting. At the World Council meeting in 2005 the JTA presented a position paper, outlining their concerns with how votes are allocated to Regions and Districts for voting on rule changes. At that time they agreed to bring a specific proposal for change to the 2007 World Council.
They now proposed two alternatives.
a). Weighted voting
* voting would continue to be by district and region, as at present * the district or region with the smallest number of members would have one vote. * all other districts and regions would have additional votes, in proportion to the number of members in the region or district.
For example:

b). Direct balloting.
Each individual member has one vote, and individual votes are counted for the World Tasar Class Association, regardless of country or region.
There was discussion of these proposals. It was pointed out that direct voting by members would require the World Tasar Class Association to maintain a central register of all paid up members, conduct all votes, and count all ballots cast. This would be difficult to implement at this time.
It was moved by Richard Spencer, seconded by Chris Parkinson: "That Tasar class members be asked to vote on whether to adopt the proposed method of weighted voting for changes to the World Tasar Class Association constitution and class rules." Carried.
Regions and Districts will  now be asked to vote on a change to the voting procedures in Section 17 (1) of the WTCA Constitution and Section B.4.2 of the Tasar Class Rules. The Executive Secretary will prepare a statement explaining the proposed change, and circulate it for voting.
Crew Weight. Fumio Kaneko presented a revised analysis of the correlation between crew weight and finishing position in regattas. This analysis shows that the ideal crew weight is 130 kg. Crews who are lighter or heavier than this will be disadvanged in certain conditions. It was agreed to analyse the data from the 2007 Worlds to see if supports this conclusion, and to discuss this issue again when that has been done.
11.  Election of Officers.
The following were elected: President - George Motoyoshi, President, JTA Vice President - Next chair of TAUK (Pete Ellis pro tem)
12. Appointment of Officers
Measurer - Graham Hanna, ATC Executive Secretary - Richard Spencer, NATA
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm.