Click on 'Weather' then 'SailFlow' to see a new link for wind info and related data. Click on the 'Today' link on the right sidebar to see more detailed info. The 'home site' in the upper right corner is set for Burlington; click there to view data for other local areas such as Colchester Reef.

A slight change in flag procedures for the 2006 season will go into effect with the first Wednesday race and will apply to all Wednesday and weekend races thereafter.

The standard blue Race Committee flag will be hoisted on the high center halyard before the RC boat leaves the dock. The flag will remain hoisted as the RC boat motors to the starting area and anchors on station. Approximately one minute before the first start countdown commences the RC will give an intermittent sound signal (an intermittent signal is a series of at least three sounds in quick succession, and is not a timed signal). Simultaneous with this signal the RC flag will be lowered so as to provide a clear and uncluttered view of the class flag and the the preparatory flag, and any special signals that may be required, during the starts. After all starts are completed the RC flag will be re-hoisted and will remain hoisted thruout the remainder of the race and the RC boat's return to the dock.

The names of the stewards and the launch schedule are now posted in the 'Club' category.

So that you will know one of the important things we are trying to achieve with this new site I am including here something I wrote recently to a club member in response to a question he had:

"Before I describe what I am trying to accomplish with the explanatory text of many of the sections let me give you some background. When I was club Secretary some of us on the board became concerned about how little most members knew about the history and traditions of the club. So I did a short research project to determine the average turnover in the club from its restarting in the 60's up to that time in the late 70s, a period of almost twenty years. The average turnover was 8 to 10%. I suspect that percentage still applies.

"That means that over any five year period one-half the membership is new, so unless steady effort is made to impart history and tradition they can disappear rapidly. Hence, whoever in the club writes anything, be it in the Binnacle, the website, race handbooks, or whatever, they should always assume that at least 10 to 50% of the membership will be learning something for the first time.

"In addition, the website is a window to the club for non-members who may have limited knowledge of the club, for example potential members or those sailors who may be thinking of attending one of our growing number of regional or maybe national one-design regattas."