Fleet Newsletter

 July 26, 2000

Dear Soverel 33 Racers,

My name is George "Mark" McCarthy, current driver of the S33 2 Thirsty (Hull #21). The owner John Coughlin and myself wanted to provide an update on what we are trying to achieve for the class and where the class is headed.

First, for those of you who missed Block Island Race Week for the Soverel 33 Nationals, it was a great week filled with every sailing condition imaginable. Monday and Tuesday was 0-10 mph and shifty. Wednesday started at 13-15 building to around 20mph, the perfect southwesterly. Thursday was foggy around the island. Friday was perfect 10-12, and sunny, a redemption day for us. We certainly learned a lot as the week went along about how to make a Soverel 33 go faster, that is the idea of one-design sailing. After, we went home and certainly showed our very competitive 10 boat PHRF fleet our new found knowledge, taking a second and a third the first Wednesday nights back.

Second, the NOOD in Larchmont, NY on September 9-10 is a perfect opportunity to show that Soverel Participation rates are growing because of class organization and interest in racing the Soverel 33's in a one design arena. I believe, although communication is key to participation, commitment from each boat owner to travel at least once a year is also necessary to promote the class. That is why I am writing to you, can you please let me know if you are interested in doing this event? We currently have 6 boats already committed in writing to racing this event (2thirsty, Saucy Girl, Deviation, Whacko, Gryphon and Celeritas) which will guarantee our own start. We are looking to get as many boats as possible, to start to consistently show the class participation levels increasing. Please let me know if you are coming, for more information check out http://www.sailingworld.com/nood/ or contact Larchmont YC at 914/834-2440. The NOR on the site states that there are free moorings at Larchmont from 9/8-9/10, on first come first serve basis.

Lastly, at the NOOD, we would like to get together a meeting to discuss ratifying some one design class rules and Fleet 1 - Northeast. Each owner will have a vote and say on the class rules for one-design racing as well as class representatives. This will be the first step towards making this an official class and creating structure/organization to improve Soverel 33 one design racing. Any owner who commits to this event will be sent a copy of some "suggested" class rules. It is up to each owner participating in this meeting to amend these rules and propose a vote on the amendment, which may or may not be ratified into class rules. Basically, it is up to the owners present to come to some type of an agreement on one set of class rules to promote participation in one design sailing.

Please let me know if you would like to join us at the NOOD, and I will put a "committed" list together to provide further details on the class meeting.

I look forward to hearing from all of you in the future.

Sincerely,

George "Mark" McCarthy

"2 Thirsty" - Hull #21