Letter from Commodore Chrisy Hughes - Nov 27, 2019
Seasons Greeting E Fleet -
2019 has been a very successful year for the E fleet. As the season closes E boaters competed in twenty-six regattas with over 430 boats represented. Eleven new boats were on the starting line this summer, and our used boat market remains strong.
This fall also marks the passing of time as Lon and Donna Schoor have retired. Since 2006 Lon and Donna Schoor have been acting as Secretary of the NCESA. For the last thirteen years they have made sure that the by-laws have been followed, scantlings are maintained, taxes are paid, budgets are balanced, investments keep growing, members pay their dues, National regatta is organized, trophies have beautiful boxes, Road Warriors are awarded, communication is sent, and the annual Board meeting happens with efficiency. On November 9th we had our Board meeting and we toasted Lon and Donna for their tireless commitment to the E fleet, their history with the class, and all the other odd jobs that we know nothing about. As a token of our thanks the NCESA presented each of them with a Shinola watch. Lon and Donna have done an amazing job and we appreciate all of their hard work and dedication. Please thank them when you see them skiing in CO this winter, or on the water next summer.
The Board is thrilled to welcome Julie Navin as Secretary of the NCESA. Julie brings a wealth of experience to the fleet. She, her husband Dave, and her son Kyle, all race E Scows, out of Delavan and Geneva. Julie has been the office manager at LGYC and currently also works at a local financial office. Julie knows our culture, she appreciates our commitment to high quality racing, and is a lifelong member and supporter of the E Fleet. We are in very good hands with Julie. I’m looking forward to an exciting few years working with her.
If you need to reach Julie, her email is: NCESA@e-scow.org
A bulk of our time at the Board meeting was spent debating and discussing the technical aspects of E Scows. We have a solid base and competitive fleet that the Board intends to support. The reason we are so strong is due to the fact that the boats are all the same. We have asked Committee members to look closely at the scantlings and by-laws to ensure that we are continuing to operate on a level playing field.
Right around New Year’s there will be a by-law and scantling vote. Please watch your emails and get your votes in right away.
In three short years it will be the 100-year anniversary of the E Fleet. We are currently putting together a team of volunteers to work together over the next year to create a vision, mission and strategy of what our 100th celebration will look like. There will be all kinds of committees and volunteers needed in the years to come. Stay tuned.
Rachel Goetting will remain on the team in 2020 as Communications Director. Rachel is handling all social media reports and coordinating with regatta chairs to get information online. If you have photos or things you would like to share, please send them to Rachel at escowclassmedia@gmail.com
Nationals at Muskegon was a great regatta, 78 boats exceeded everyone's expectations and Brett Hatton and Tom Munroe did a fantastic job. We are continuing to work with Bruce Golison and Charlie Harrett on ways to make our on the water regatta even better. We are one of the best one design fleets in the country and we are committed to having near perfect races. Already they are deep into plans for improving race management at Little Egg.
Winter can be long for most of us, but please don’t forget that there are two great regattas happening while the water up north is frozen.
Sarasota One Design E Regatta - March 20-22. Warm, sunny beautiful water - Friday- Sunday. Maybe leave your boat in the sunshine then you can retrieve it a month later and head to Charleston for their Annual Spring Regatta - April 24-26. I personally like the idea of E boating in four months, this season went too fast for me.
May 16-17 brings the Geneva Spring Regatta, where Melges will once again be hosting a one-day E Scow clinic. Look for registration midwinter.
Lots of E boating to talk and think about over the winter. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. If you have any E boat ideas or questions, please reach out to me or anyone on your NCESA Board.
Cheers,
Chrisy Hughes
NCESA Commodore
cbhughes@hotmail.com
Thank you Donna and Lon!
