Saturday 22nd January 2000 at 2pm at Calshot Activities Centre, Southampton Water

1. APOLOGIES — from: Brian Hills, Rod Wiltshire, Ken Brown, Johnny Adams. 50 members attended.

2. MINUTES of the 1999 AGM.

Were printed in the summer Bulletin and taken as read. There being no queries, their adoption was proposed by John Kuyser, seconded by John Adye, and carried unanimously.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

None except those covered in the Agenda.

4. REPORTS BY OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.

4.1 President - Roger Barnes

Of the various innovations floated by the president at the last AGM, some of the most popular are now buoyant aspects of the Association’s activities, others are back on the stocks, (and will be discussed again later in the meeting) while the less popular ideas have quietly sunk beneath the waves.

The DCA Internet web site has gone from strength to strength under the experienced custodianship of Johnny Adams (who is a professional web site runner, as well as a dinghy sailor). We now have our own dedicated domain www.dca.uk.com, rather than camping in the Salford University web site. This means that our site is easier to find and is secure for the future. The web site is a growing point of contact for new members joining the Association, and is a useful resource for existing members with the requisite technology.

A growing activity among computer users is the discussion group. There is now an Open Boat discussion group, with members from round the world constantly exchanging views, ideas and anecdotes about dinghy cruising. Although not a DCA initiative, this too is run by the tireless Johnny Adams, and is also proving to be a good contact point for DCA members.

The non-computer owning membership may well be feeling rather bored by these innovations in cyberspace, but out in the real world the DCA has been active too. A talk given by the President to his local sailing club on dinghy cruising was well received. The Drascombe and Wayfarer associations were contacted and journals swapped.

DCA participated in the excellent Boats ’99 at Beale Park near Reading.

Talbot Kirk has been battling with Inland Waterways and, it seems, losing — commercial traffic on his local canals leaves no room for dinghies.

Colour Brochure — a mock-up was shown around — and production will go ahead.

4.2 National Secretary — David Jones

Nothing new to report from the ‘back office’. If there is someone out there who wants to take over (after 9 years), step forward…

4.3 Treasurer — Jeff Rogers

Hon Treasurer reviewed the Accounts for the year to 31st March 1999, copies of which had been issued to members present. In a note to the accounts, Jeff pointed out that the surprisingly large increase in subscriptions compared with the previous year was explained by the dates on which batches of cheques were banked.

Appointment of Hon Auditor: Hon Treasurer proposed and John Adye seconded the reappointment of Gerald Levenson. Carried unanimously.

RNLI subscription/donation: proposed by Keith Holdsworth, seconded by John Kuyser to increase the DCA’s giving to RNLI to £50 p.a. Carried.

Hon Treasurer’s research has confirmed again that Direct Debit and Standing Orders are not viable payment means for our size organisation.

Hon Treasurer has procured an audio loop system to help deaf aid users at meetings. This is available on loan from Jeff.

Adoption of the Accounts was proposed by Peter Small, seconded by Liz Baker and carried unanimously.

4.4 Membership Secretary — Roger Gingell

The Dinghy Cruising Association currently has a membership of 502, which compares with the figure of 476 members, which I reported at the 1999 AGM.

During 1999:- (1) 53 Members did not renew their subscriptions or resigned (2) 87 new members joined the DCA

From the above it will be seen that overall we can record a continued increase in membership. Over the last years an average of 47 members failed to renew. On the plus side, we have gained an average of 70 members over the same period. As in the previous year the majority of members renewed their subscription in time to take advantage of the £11 renewal fee, subsequently 72 members paid the £13 fee.

To try and reconcile the total amount of money received in subscriptions for a given year I have, from the cash sheets I pass to the treasurer, arrived at the following figures. These figures cover the last five years 1995, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99 and represent the total amount received for the given membership year.

1995 Received from 399 members £4316 1996 Received from 407 members £4363 1997 Received from 428 members £4610 1998 Received from 464 members £5389 1999 Received from 476 members £5603

These figures include amounts from some members for more than one years subscriptions. They also include small donations.

4.5 Editor — Joan Abrams

A bumper crop of contributions had been published in No.165 and lots have been received for the forthcoming 166. In 1999 in addition to rally reports, and titbits, there had been 13 cruises, 13 technical, 7 places, 5 boat descriptions, 10 others, and 18 letters. Hon Editor appealed for information to be up to date about places and based on extensive experience with a boat. Impression is that fewer people are doing extended cruises these days.

4.6 Publisher — Peter Bick

After hearing about Hon Publisher’s and Paul Constantine’s researches into technicalities and costs, it was resolved that for the coming year’s Bulletins colour illustrations would be included to the extent decided by Hon Publisher. (Proposed by Keith Holdsworth, seconded by Werner Cook; carried unanimously). A note would be inserted asking for members’ feedback on the change.

4.7 Librarian — Mike Williams

The re-issue of the Library List with last summer’s Bulletin appears to have been a worthwhile exercise judging by the resultant upsurge in interest in the Library but, perhaps not surprisingly, that interest was not really maintained throughout the year. Be that as it may, I will continue to do my best to promote the Library at every available opportunity.

It has been a reasonably busy 11 months since the last AGM — in that time, I have sent out 179 books, leaflets, plans, etc. and 154 copies of the Bulletin — borrowed by just 8.5% of the membership; postage over the 11 months has cost around £205. For the second year running, I am pleased to report that no publications whatsoever have been lost — in transit, or otherwise and in fact, we have been able to reduce the ‘missing books’ list from 26 to 22 since last February. Some 35 books have been added to the Library, together with a number of pamphlets and leaflets; all have been itemised in the Bulletins. They include a number of up-to-date boat-type leaflets, which are much in demand, and also, four very different versions of the ideal equipment list for short and long cruising; two from members (Alan Glanville and Werner Cook) and two from the Internet.

In general terms, the majority of the books, etc. in the Library are in excellent condition, but it remains an ongoing task to make sure that they stay that way; I am currently going right through the Library to check the condition of its contents, and also to try and improve the information contained on the main database so that I can be a little more helpful when someone asks for a book, or for information, on a particular subject — Len Wingfield’s Bulletin Contents List is extremely useful in this respect but it does, of course, only cover the Bulletins. I am also attempting to put together ‘collections’ of extracts from the Bulletins on specific subjects — such as, for example, different types of boats, cruising areas, equipment and so on; I would welcome any suggestions on potential subjects in this respect. In fact, I would welcome any suggestions at all on how you think the Library — and the service offered — might be improved.

4.8 Public Relations — Ted Jones

We’ve shown the flag at two exhibitions in 1999.

First Sailboat ’99, where I did the organising and the crew were mostly East Coast men, and Boats ’99 where Roger did the lion’s share of the organisation and the support crew were from all over. Both were good, but for tangible results, Boats was better.

Thanks to all those who helped, especially to John and Jo Perry, who brought their boat along at the last minute and special thanks to Joe who was on duty throughout and who brought a special brand of charm to the stand.

We also showed the flag at Maritime Ipswich again, albeit in lesser numbers. Don’t plan to go again this year, but I have all details if anyone would like to.

I have continued to bombard commercial magazines with success. PBO were particularly responsive, giving us editorial coverage and many good mentions. They had a ‘back to basics’ year, with good coverage of dinghy sailing ideas, and we managed to fit in well with this. Sailing Now — the magazine on the Internet — gives us good publicity. We currently have 4 articles on it written by DCA members with full accreditation given.

Internet is good value since the articles stay there, unlike paper magazines which are discarded after a month.

We must thank Johnny Adams — our web ‘spin doctor’ — for his valuable contribution. Two other members have also set up pages, Jeroen Hoekstra from Germany, who tells us in words and pictures how he built a Roamer Dinghy, and Bill Serjeant — another Roamer man — who has a ‘Cruising Dinghies and Trailer Sailers’ page.

Returning to Paper Magazines, Sailing Today — a specifically cruising magazine — appears to have only published stuff for 25’+ boats. So I wrote to the editor recently, complaining and asking why. Had a telephone call the next morning saying that this wasn’t their intention. In fact they were — from March this year — going to include much more about trailer sailing and dinghy cruising. Not sure what form this would take, but Gull’s Eye — their harbour plans column — would be carrying launching site details. Am cautiously optimistic.

With Paul’s new leaflet, I plan to contact sailing schools as they are a likely source of new members. Up to now, lack of publicity material has not helped.

Lastly, please don’t forget why we spend our money on this publicity. To quote Peter Bick at the last AGM… “All of us must admit that membership of the DCA has added something to our lives. So don’t let us restrict membership in any way. We’ve all enjoyed reading articles we wouldn’t have read in commercial mags. We’ve all enjoyed getting tips and hints peculiar to dinghies, that we wouldn’t have read in commercial magazines. We’ve all enjoyed the companionship of others at our meetings. We’ve all made new friends as a result. Remember: new members are simply friends we haven’t had a chance to meet yet.”

4.9 Technical Adviser — Peter Bick

I have had the usual queries regarding boats to recommend, epoxy glue techniques, anchors and rowing gear. This year I was asked to design a sliding tabernacle for a Mayfly dinghy, which seems to be successful.

I have sold the usual study plans for the Roamer and Rebell designs. I have also sold three sets of full size plans with instructions for the Roamer, but no Rebell plans. I think this may change this year as the couple who bought the original Rebell from Stanley Dean have written an article for Practical Boat Owner, describing cruises in her. PBO telephoned me the other day asking for details of the plans which I was happy to supply. The DCA is of course getting a mention.

During the year, the President, with malice aforethought, asked me to liase with Len Wingfield on reviewing the Boat Safety Recommendations. Those who remember our battles in the past will want to know whether the NHS were able to cope. I am happy to say that goodwill prevailed throughout. Len wanted to put more in, and I wanted to throw things out. Somehow we found a middle course!

4.10 Shop Manager — Ken Brown

President read out DCA Shop Report sent in by Ken. Details of Shop sales and expenses during the year 1999, with the 1998 figures in brackets for comparison:

Sales £520.38 (£811.40)

Postage & Packing £58.89 (£62.18)

As usual, the most popular shop items were burgees and sweatshirts, and Bulletin indexes continued to sell well.

5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2000

Existing office holders were willing to continue and there were no other nominations so John Kuyser proposed and John Adye seconded the motion that all the following be re-elected:

President Roger Barnes Vice President Joan Abrams National Secretary David Jones Membership Secretary Roger Gingell Treasurer Jeff Rogers Technical Advisor Peter Bick Bulletin Editor Joan Abrams Bulletin Publisher Peter Bick PRO/Exhibitions Ted Jones Auditor Gerald Levenson South Coast Secretaries Liz Baker Northwest Secretary Brian McClellan East Coast Secretary Peter Small Southwest Coast Secretary Roger Barnes DCA Shop Ken Brown Library Mike Williams 1903 This was carried unanimously.

6. NAYLOR NOGGIN.

This trophy is awarded annually by the President to the writer of the best cruising article to appear in the last year’s issues of the Bulletin. Out of a very close field the President as well as a majority of the committee have chosen Ed Wingfield’s article ‘Goosander’s Cruise 1998’ (Bulletin 162). This took the form of a traditional dinghy cruising log, with good hand drawn chartlets illustrating some of the ports visited on an intrepid cruise in unfrequented waters. The Noggin was filled by past winner Len Wingfield and passed over to his son to prolonged applause.

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

7.1 Launching sites guide — a start has been made on a new Launching Sites Guide by Peter Small, and various other members have volunteered to help. But we also need members willing to generate the hard information about launching sites — by writing in with particulars of their favourite sites. There will be further information about this in the Bulletin shortly.

7.2 RYA non-racing interest group keen to hear news and views from DCA.

7.3 Solent Protection Society — DCA will pay annual sub of £10. DCA member Roy Rolf spoke about the SPS.

7.4 Bob Lomas, co-ordinator of the West Wight Potter Group announced their Annual Lunch, on 20 Feb at Fleet, to which all DCA members were invited. John Reeve had sent greetings to the DCA.

7.5 Peter Small announced a Righting Practice Rally on Saturday 22 July at Oulton Water. Cost £8.50 per boat plus £3 per extra crew member. Boats participating are required to have Third Party insurance for £500,000.

7.6 Joan Abrams — Werner Cook spoke about Joan’s long record of service as editor of the Bulletin. He proposed and Mike Williams seconded a motion that Joan be made Honorary Life Member. Carried, with loud applause.

7.7 Beale Park — This very enjoyable boat show is happening again, and once again we feel that the DCA should be there. We can take as many boats as we like (at no extra charge) and it could end up as an inland DCA rally. In particular I would very much like to display a Roamer. If there is a member willing to let one be displayed, please get in touch.

7.8 Northeast Rally — contact Len and Ed Wingfield for details of a rally 26-29 May.

7.9 Bruce Longstaff proposed a vote of thanks to President and his Committee.

THE MEETING CLOSED AT 4.20 PM.