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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Greetings J24 sailors,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>The ice is off the
lake and many of our boats are in our driveways. It's going to be an
exciting year as we ramp up to the 2008 North Americans. This is an ideal
time to build our fleet and we're asking each of you to do your
part. We all benefit from having a big healthy fleet. There is
nothing better than having twenty plus boats on the line. We've had it
before, I believe it's achievable again.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Here's what each of
us should be doing:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Get the word out
about the North Americans. This is truly a time to brag!
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mention the ready
availability of boats of all levels. Yes, you *can* get into the J24
fleet for under $5k and some elbow grease but it's also easy to buy a ready to
race program for a very reasonable amount. We are posting J24s for sale in
our area on our fleet website: <A
href="http://www.wyc.org/j24/forSale.html">http://www.wyc.org/j24/forSale.html</A>
The bottom line is, if you know of someone who has even the slightest
interest in buying their own boat at WYC, be sure you mention how great the
J24 is. I will personally help anyone interested get hooked up with a boat
if you send them my way.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Volunteer for club
events. The J24 fleet will be co-hosting the A Series party. We need
to have great participation at this event. There will also be
opportunities to volunteer for other fleet regattas too. I'll be asking
you for help as these come up.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>If you don't know
already, the club is going to be equipped with a new optimal setup for
viewing Kattack replays. I believe that having our races displayed with
all our boats being tracked helps our fleet look good. This year, we
are responsible for owning our own <A
href="http://kattack.com/Support/HardwareRequirements/tabid/62/Default.aspx">GPS</A>s. I've
just purchased a <A
href="http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-eTrex-Venture-Handheld-Navigator/dp/B000F3DYUU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7115421-7674530?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176750141&sr=1-1">Garmin
eTrex Venture cx</A> on eBay for a great deal. You can certainly buy
the same unit from Amazon or many other web retailers too. The point
is, this is a great technology we can learn from
but only if we participate. WYC is picking up the tab for the
software so we should take advantage of it. You don't want to
have the Capri replay with twenty-five boats and the J24 fleet with
just three do you? It's just good PR to have our races spectator worthy at
the club. Order your GPS now!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Fleet dues for 2007
are $60 payable to J24 Fleet 1. Send your check to:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Chad
Olness</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>415 North Main
St.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>PO Box
106</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Lesueur, MN
56058</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>You can also give me
your check at the club if you'd like. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Get your fellow
crewmembers to sign up for this email list on WYC.org . It's the best way
to get the word out.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007></SPAN><SPAN
class=439260918-16042007></SPAN><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Feel free email or
call me anytime!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007></SPAN><SPAN
class=439260918-16042007></SPAN><SPAN class=439260918-16042007></SPAN><SPAN
class=439260918-16042007></SPAN><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT color=#808080 size=2>Tom
Rickman</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>Humble Fleet
Captain</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>612 696-7237
w</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2>952 926-3323
h</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=439260918-16042007><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="mailto:tomw.rickman@gmail.com">tomw.rickman@gmail.com</A>
</FONT></SPAN></DIV></BODY></HTML>