Fundraising exceeds $400,000! – Since the December report, we have received 24 new pledges or gifts totaling over $50,000 so we now have total promises, including in-kind donations, of over $400,000 from 206 donors. Of this amount, we have actually received over $255,000 in cash. As promised - in this Log is an up-to-date list of the donors (spelling mistakes fixed and new donors added). Fishing Bay Yacht Club should be very proud of this effort and commitment by it membership to fund this fabulous project.

Thank you in advance for supporting our New Building Program. If you still plan to contribute, please send your donation in to your check payable to FBYC Building Fund to Bev Crump, P. O. Box 1463, Richmond, VA 23218.

Offshore Racing Program – This year we will try to rebuild participation in our offshore racing program. We have had excellent racing participation from traditional non-racers in the Leukemia Cup. We hope to duplicate many of the attractive aspects of that event for our normal weekend sailing events. We need to offer an alternative to windward-leeward courses designed for hard core racing sailors. John Koedel III will be Fleet Captain of a reestablished Non-spinnaker fleet. The class will have their own starts, they will be sent on family friendly courses, and everybody can assemble for the typical "re-race the race" party after the races at the new Clubhouse. Mayo Tabb, our PHRF measurer, and others will proactively assist the new non-spinnaker boats in getting the required PHRF certificates. Please refer to John's article "The Non-Spin Zone" and give him or Mayo a call if you wish to participate or have questions.

We will have several joint events with our neighboring clubs. One of our spring series weekend races will be held off Mosquito Point in the Rappahannock River as a joint event with the Rappahannock River Yacht Club Spring Regatta. And on the full moon weekend in June, FBYC and RRYC plan a long distance race - beginning at Mosquito Point and rounding Smith Point, I believe - designed to appeal to both spinnaker and non-spinnaker fleets.

New Rule 26 Starting Procedure– All our racing this year, except whistle starts, will use the new Rule 26 starting procedure. No longer will there be a 10-minute Warning Gun, a 5-minute Prep Gun and the Start. We will now have the 5-minute Warning Gun with the class flag, the 4-minute Prep Gun and "P" flag, the 1-minute horn and lowering of the "P" flag, and the Starting Gun and lowering the class flag. And the next start will not necessarily follow in 5 minutes. It will take some study - both for our fleets and our skippers - to learn the new system. Paul Howle is outfitting Mr. Roberts with more flag halyards and we should be ready to start! More information is available on our web site and http://www.ussailing.org/racemgt/rule_26_starting/index.htm

Events - Please join the upcoming winter program events at the Columbian Business Conference Center and the Bermuda High party. And save April 12-13 as a special weekend for FBYC. We plan a Commissioning Ceremony and big seated dinner party after Opening Day on Saturday April 13. When you see the notice, please promptly reserve your place at the table as we celebrate our new Clubhouse.

R. Strother Scott, Commodore

Of 804-780-3271 H 804-556-4066 Cell 804-405-5999