Draft minutes of

31st October 1998

AGENDA

1. Apologies from Patrick Blake (GBR) and Marrku Hantinen (FIN)

2. Minutes of last meeting (Jan 1998) approved and signed

Items 10 and 7 were then taken as a priority.

10. X-Yachts plans for future production and pricing.

There was a concern that the price of the boats had increased and the volume of production decreased. Was there any potential problem that X-Yachts were about to discontinue production?

Niels Jeppesen reassured the meeting that there was no plan to cease production, and that there had not been any deliberate increase in cost. He confirmed the previous undertaking that he would warn the International Class Association and Board if X-Yachts make a decision to stop building so that the moulds and building rights could be transferred to an alternative builder.

7. Status of recognised International class and relationship with ISAF.

The week prior to the meeting the Secretary had received a communication from ISAF who were concerned that the agreement between the Class Association, X-Yachts and themselves remained unsigned. This could result in loss of ISAF recognition for the Class. The agreement was re-examined at the meeting. The Board and Niels Jeppesen for X-Yachts were now satisfied with most of the changes, specifically the change in fees which is now 0.4% for the first £20,000 and 0.2% on the next £70,000 for a standard boat ex sails and tax. This was agreed by all. The minor changes we are requesting from ISAF are that this will not be backdated as it would be difficult to apply this to boats already sold. Also as only 15-20 boats are being built quarterly reporting to ISAF seems excessive and we would like to be allowed annual reporting at the end of each year. We would also like clarification in Clause 6 as to the exact nature of the 'Management Group' quoted.

Subject to these minor changes we have provisionally signed the documents. . We also hope to get approval for a relatively simple measurement form for the Class Examples were circulated from the H-boat and Soling which seemed exhaustive but somewhat difficult to use. At present with only one builder we thought these were probably over complex. The existing weight certificate seems satisfactory. NJ will re-examine options for rig measurement.

3. Class rules

i. Wind speed limit - proposal from Denmark, Holland and Sweden. (a) Upper speed limit at events. After some discussion a majority approved a recommendation to organisers of specific X-99 events that racing should not be started when the mean wind speed is 28 knots (14m/sec) or greater.

(b) A similar proposal for a wind speed limit on the use of the No 1 genoa was rejected

ii. Adjustable Genoa cars. Examples of systems for use on new and old tracks were demonstrated by NJ but Denmark, Germany and Switzerland voted against. This will be raised again at the next meeting

iii. Sailcloth, Proposal for No 3 jib and / or mainsail in Mylar/Pentex REJECTED

iv. Proposal for new design No 4 jib (dacron) REJECTED

v. amendment of the safety equipment, ? to carry anchor ball and motoring cone. REJECTED

vi. adopt ORC Cat 4 REJECTED

vii. Proposal for 6mm Dyeform forestay REJECTED

viii. Only one set of new sails per 18 months (stamped) REJECTED - very difficult to police - but to be raised again.

ix. Weight checks, ?identity control Suggestions but no resolutions

4. International Class finances and administration.

£200 per annum ISAF subscription. Otherwise few expenses especially as few rule changes and therefore no requirement to re-print Rules which was this year's major expense. Keep fee at £3.50 per boat p.a. for 1999.

5. Worlds in Sweden Informed of 'warm-up' regatta in Marstrand 15-17 July 1999. also European Cup in Haderslev 28-31 July.

6. Worlds 2000 and 2001 after some discussion it was agreed to hold the Worlds in 2000 in the United Kingdom in Ramsgate, and in 2001 in Denmark in Copenhagen.

8. Election of Class Officers The Secretary expressed a desire to resign but agreed to continue to the next meeting

9. International Measurement Certificate, previously discussed with ISAF topics

11. Amateur Status - no recommendations

12. Consistency in application of Class rules. Sweden wants us to discuss how to check and follow up that the class rules really are followed, levels of tolerances, if any, and what to do if boats and equipment do not meet up with the rules, especially in a World Championships. It was suggested that there would be less emphasis on pre-championship checks with more stringent random checking during the event.

13. International Ranking List - not feasible