Please note that the Looe 2008 Merlin Championship 80 boat limit has now been reached. We are really sorry that there is a limit and we have worked with Looe Sailing Club to see if there is anything that could be done to extend the numbers but there isn't the space for any more boats. (We too are gutted about the limit as we were really hoping to reach the magic 100 boat number hense the early publicity and push). Looe can actually host more boats but need to make arrangements with the local council well in advance.   

We can start a waiting list in case any places become available, so please do let us know if you would like to be added to the waiting list. 

We are now really focusing all efforts on making it as memorable as possible for all participants. We do however need to raise sponsorship, so any ideas please let us know. Also please note that the build up for the champs can now properly begin so please do keep an eye on www.bestchampsever.com for all updates.

So despite the advanced booking it came sooner than Looe expected then?

Hi Guys
One issue with offering sponsorship is that if a title sponsor comes forward, the only place  that the fact they are sponsoring the MR Champs can be displayed is in the dinghy park, club and results assuming the daily reports go in (which they desperately need to as last year they did not) and final report (what happened there) is also published in credible detail in the press. Last year was the classic example of where the sponsor did not get value for money. This is currently the Achilles heel when going out for sponsorship as the Sponsor is being offered much more from other classes and sports compared to the MR. As any accountant will tell you, some of the sponsorship is tax deductable but process has to be shown and not having those nice photos of boats sailing with the sponsors name on them, is a real downturn for any sponsor. For category C classes it is difficult and will be more so in the near future, so for the Merlins, it will be doubly so. When sponsorship is offered, it then becomes the class's responsibility to offer return on the investment and sadly that has not been the case in recent times. The better the class is at givng exposure the more likely the MR will get a qaulity sponsor as it has much to offer.
As busily involved in running the B14 class, MR for me is a means of escape form the admin and a way to enjoy a week's sailing without hassle. So firmly down to others.
Bye for now
Barnsie
PS guys well done on the marketing so far in getting all focused on entering early. Hope the money is in a high yield account.

People keep mentioning the sponsorship issue but unless something is actually proposed in advance of the AGM in time for it to get circulated etc. then this becomes nothing more than a discussion point.  

If we were to propose a change in category with certain strict limits on area and sizes then the class can discuss and then vote on the issue.  

Do people feel there enough support for the allowance of some limited sponsorship in the class for this to be worth persuing further?

Hello all.

I think there are several things to say:

1) Looe have been exceedingly helpful and have tried to accommodate our every need, however new sea defences and the width of the Merlin Rocket have conspired to prevent storage which is ordinarily used for large championships from being available.  There are car parks relatively close to the beach, and a quay, and they could have been used for boat parking.  Unfortunately the spaces are let to traders and the like a year in advance, meaning that for us to have secured their use, East Looe Town Trust would have had to consider it nearly 2 years ago.  Given the previous turn-outs at Merlin Looe championships, the club did not feel this was necessary.  This is certainly a heads-up to the committee to ascertain certain criteria when booking venues which are not 'traditional' Merlin locations.

2) The future role of sponsorship within the class is certainly up for debate, but please start a new thread (again) as this probably isn't the place to have it.

3) There are several key sponsors in place for the event, however more will always be welcomed!  We are well aware of the issues you raise Barnsie pertaining to sponsors value for money.  We have put a proposal system together for this championships which is being well circulated.  I think open criticism of previous efforts on here is perhaps unhelpful, especially if potential sponsors are reading.

4) Send in an entry form if you want to go onto the waiting list.  We will contact those who have done so in order of receipt of the form if/when a space becomes available.  Remuneration shall be taken at this point.

5) 18 places only remain for the dinner.  This is occurring in the splendid Hannefore Point Hotel in West Looe on the Wednesday of the champs, is black tie, and the �30 ticket includes half a bottle of wine and a band.  Great value!  Please see either Michelle, Andy or myself (Chris D - not the one who posted above!) at the forthcoming open meetings, or post a cheque with the names and number on the back to the address on the champs website.

6) Let's reflect on how fortunate as a class we are to have 180 teams pre-entered for regattas happening 3 and 4 months away.  The pre-entry is certainly helping us manage the event financially.

7) It's going to be fantastic!

The case is, we could make Chris' life much easier with some lateral thinking and limited Category C sponsorship. It is something that I have discussed with many people in the class and the older generation tend to be against it, my generation dare I say the middle group tend to be 60% for it and the younger generation as a whole, lets give it a go. People are looking into it and hopefully their will be a proposal put to the committee and put forward for the AGM this year.
Chris, we both know where we are coming from and to secure sponsorship, the class association has to first take reporting the Nationals on a daily basis, seriously if wishing to secure sponsorship as it is a two way thing and last year's was not value for money from the sponsor's point of view and future sponsors will look at the last couple of years as a bench mark.
What we need to do is look at it with an open view and not with blinkers as the world has now moved on and potential sponsors whether for individual boats or class associations look for value for money and that means quality exposure and some nice pictures with boats carrying there logo.
If the MR association want to achieve a properly structured sponsorship deal there is only one option other than finding a local or well off funder who fancies a flutter. 
The class is strong but many will find funds tight over the next couple of years, so probably numbers at evets will drop across sailing as a whole. How do you attract boats, give value, assist in expenses whether as a class or individually and so enable people to attend events.
Those who say we will an arms race, are ill informed and have been wearing blinkers for years. When I last sailed regularly in the class, you had Phil King and Will Rainey with what seemed unlimited funds being chased by Rich, Mike and I on limited funds. NO fleet member would ever have access to funds like these guys were spending in the 1990s if sponsored under limited category C. Change is possible and we need to look at it to help maintain the health of the class and assist those that wish to travel and compete in championships the opportunity to do so with possibly a little bit of assistance.
The other benefits potentially are, more quality secondhand gear, more secondhand boats, more sailors and possibly more sponsorship for primary events.
So lets be brave and move things forward with guidance from those with knowledge of how it works and open up the class to make it more appealing to sponsors.
Failure to do this will make sponsorship for the Nationals etc more difficult year on year and restrict some people from joining the class due to lack of supply and possible sharing of some running costs.
Time has come for some limited change and it is up to us as the membership to discuss in open forum and put a proposal forward.
BFN
Barnsie

Will start a new thread if no else does in the next few days.

Has anyone made the world of sailing aware that we have reached the limit so early. The GP14s have on Y&Y etc and think we are missing a trick here.
BFN
Barnsie

Andy is writing an article, dont worry.

I am slightly unsure why the merlin class has decided to choose looe as a nationals location, considering the growth of the class and increasing numbers of new sailors. It seems ridiculous to me that looe was picked, with an 80 boat limit that has filled up so quickly, we could have had 120 boats perhaps and a much better event. I believe that there are many clubs around the country who would be more than happy to accomodate larger numbers of boats, making for a better champs

Just a thought

If you are a member of looe sc and happen to race at nationals and sign same notice of race then not part of total numbers quota from council

Ps Looes sc membership was very very reasonable

Just a thought

Tosh

Thanks Catgut.
I assure you that the Nationals planning is very careful thought through.  There are actually relatively few sites that suit the Merlin's aspirations in our experience. There are a number of highly travelled sailors on the committee who have detailed personal experience of many of the large and popular UK sites.  However, we would welcome your suggestions as we are looking for practical alternatives.  Currently, we have planned venues out to 2013.  Funny enough, 2012 is proving a little difficult!

Cheers
steve

Has anybody who is a contender for the top ten been excluded? 
I am sure not; any more than anyone would not plan a week off work in the holiday season; a few months ahead, and thus enter early. 
It is I think true that the limit was a condition of Looe accepting the class and it was not kept secret even if it was hardly trumpeted, as is to encourage early entry. The organisers from the class seem to be putting everything into it; and it will be very good; if they walk as good a walk; as they talk a talk. No reason to believe they will not. Championship venues are not two a penny these  days clubs tend to be rather more commercial than they once were and health and safety with risk assesment make it far from a trivial exercise. I think next year is at Whitstable which has a fifty year track record of running the very best dinghy racing, it would be good perhaps to get a least a statement of intent to attend as early as possible. With Whitstable Councils draconian car parking these days and the beach being the only dinghy park now the harbour is restaurants it might help Whitstable and whoever gets the task of running next year. It is increasingly fascilities ashore that limit not just attendance but early arrival and late leaving. Viz Pwhelli last year. A word to this years organisers if it's as good as it seems it will be you may get the job again! 
I doubt the Looe S.C. mebership pig would fly, the limit is boat storage ashore?
The pianists are playing a good tune....

I know's it's Whitstable for next year, what's the plan for 2010 onwards that's already in the diary? 

Just wondered so I can get my entry forms in ;-)

Have a look in the yearbook Chris.

2009 Whitstable; 2010 Penzance (!); 2011 Hayling.

Don't leave it too late!

Just a comment on CatGut's "we could have had 120 boats perhaps and a much better event". I am not sure where the magic extra 40 boats would come from, the list seems to have all the usual suspects, from the front mid and back fleet teams. Personally, I was warned several times that it was about to be 'full' and left it very late (given the warnings) and just scraped in. 

In my opinion, 120 would not happen this year without the limit, with lots of extra promotion and badgering of reluctant travellers, it might have made 85 or 87 boats.

Looking at events held at Prestwick sailing club over the years it looks as if that is a venue that could cope with large numbers as they seem to host championships and travellers.  Seaside town so accommodation not a problem I would hazard a guess.  There is an event there next weekend so it will be interesting to see what interest they generate.

I agree with Alan, 90 would have been acheivable given the popularity of the venue in the past and 100 could maybe have been acheivable at a big push given that if you look at the entries there are quite a few club/midland circuit goers entered who wouldn't normally go and there are only a couple of "borrowers" entered as opposed to 5 or 6 usually.

It's a shame about the limit but thats where we are. I still think Phil Scott's angle grinder and welder could have been enlisted but maybe Looe council didn't like that idea!

I think Alan F speaks good sense (On this occasion any way!-attempt at light hearted joke.)Anyway size isn't everything, so we are told. I can only think of one absentee and he wouldn't have come anyway. - He's won it so often its a habit; and he's reprioritised his life for now. If by anychance you really missed out look foreward to Whitstable - the true home of British Dinghy Sailing - book the restaurants now!