Chairman George Blanchard called 13 members (gradually increasing to 18) to order at 1730. Secretary, Fred Black, moved that we accept last year’s minutes as printed, and this was seconded by Peter Kozak and adopted.

George distributed his Chairman’s Report, summarizing the 2003 season, and looking ahead to 2004. Appended were the lists of executive members, fleet captains, and measurers whom he had lined up. One gap in the slate was that of vice-chair, but no one at the meeting had a nomination.

The financial statement showed the association began and ended 2003 with around $6500. (Treasurer, Mike Codd, was sick at home, as was Darlene. George noted the work both had put into tonight’s meeting preparation.) The acceptance of the printed reports was moved / seconded by Al Schönborn / Richard Sibley, and carried.

Al presented the only rule change up for our consideration. The Wayfarer hull, with floors in, has a 402 lb. minimum weight. The change would further specify that for boats with removable floor boards, the minimum, with floors removed, is 372 lb. This is to prevent heavy flooring being used to legitimize underweight hulls. Bill Fyfe seconded Al’s motion and it was approved.

Al gave us an update on the World's. Only it's not going to be called that, it will be the Wayfarer Internationals, since the WIC hasn’t the budget (nearly a thousand pounds) to purchase a “Worlds” status from the ISAF. The "Worlds" entry fee is pending sponsorship negotiations, but will be in the $100-200 range. We already have 61 interested competitors, with many local sailors still to declare.

There have been 7 requests for borrowed boats. If the owner carries insurance, will that cover its use by the borrower? Fred will get an opinion from Robertson & Robertson, the most widely used local underwriter.

All boats are to ensure their measurement is current prior to the event. There will be on-site provision for measurement of mast bands, foils shape, sails, and hull weight, but it is likely that the sail won’t have to be remeasured if the certificate is dated in 2004. We will need a separate meeting in the near future to firm up measurement procedures.

Our class librarian, Doug Gilchrist, sent word that there had been no call on his resources in 2003. This may be because on-line data has largely supplanted his printed logs, photo albums, and reels of film. Doug Netherton undertook to look into what of our library could be brought on line.

The meeting adjourned by 1800 so that 35 members and friends could mingle and then enjoy a fine roast beef buffet. It wasn’t until 2020 that George drew our attention to the awards:

Al Schönborn and his crews, David Schönborn, Marc Bennett and Frank Goulay retained the Storer Trophy for top aggregate from the four major N.A. W events
The Raudaschl Rookie for 2003 was Alan Hallwood
The Red Herring Wayfarer spirit award went to Doug Netherton and Françoise Brossard
The Queen City YC tray for the past year's Most Improved performance was won by Bob Kennedy
The Lansdowne Spittoon for the year's outstandingly questionable piece of seamanship was snagged by Peter Ayres who rounded a moored Shark in full flight on a dead run but failed to note the mast lying on the Shark's deck and sticking out its transom by a few feet. The resulting quick stop with W1991 hanging from its mainsheet was entertaining to many and fortunately not damaging to anyone.
The George Smith Trophy for long and outstanding service to our Class was won by Sid Atkinson who has been an enthusiastic and helpful Wayfarer for nearly 40 years. Congratulations, Sid!!!
The Ted Davis Memorial Trophy for the best cruise log of 2003 was won by New England's Tom Graefe for his fine record of a week-long cruise on the coast of Maine with Dick Harrington in early September. Neither last year's winner, Dick Harrington (Cleveland) nor Tom were able to attend our AGM due to bad weather and the Trophy will be presented with due ceremony at this summer's International Rally at Killbear Park.
And a Bronze Wayfarer Spirit Award was presented to CWA Membership Secretary, Kit Wallace.