I noticed the US was not a member of the International 5.6 mini Yacht Class Association. The deadline for the new rules are Oct 30th 2015. It's 20 Euro's to join. I can help facilitate US membership with some feedback from other US mini sailors asap. Here is an email via Alan Watson with their latest input -
<div>Hi Everyone
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<div>The latest meeting of the International Miniyacht (5.60) Class Association was held at the FISLY European Landsailing Championships in De Panne on Tuesday 27th Oct 2015.
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<div>The Miniyacht Class was introduced with the intention and mission of introducing people of all ages to the sport of sandyachting, it was hoped to be economical and easy to buy or build, easy to transport inside a car trunk and family orientated with simple specifications initially.
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<div>Miniyachts are now being built and sailed all over the world and each country has adopted its own version of yacht and its own type of competition, a success.
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<div>However it was always known that the class would develop around the specifications and that evolution would be swift with miniyachts and the simple specification. Evolution has been very fast and in the International competition arena miniyachts have evolved quicker than most people expected and into really fast sporting yachts, something that surprised many who at first did not consider miniyachts as anything other than funny toys , another success.
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<div>in 2012 there were 85 miniyachts from almost 20 countries in the World Championships, in 2015 there were 30 miniyachts from 8 countries at the European Championships, but each country reports that there are many many miniyachts sailing at home and most of these are of a simpler and less expensive nature and design than those at the 2015 Europeans.
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<div>The Challenge:
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<div>How do we go forward and have more than 85 yachts and 20 countries at the 2020 Championships ?
<div>How do we fulfil and revitalise the original intention and spirit of the miniyacht class as I outlined above ?
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<div>At the meeting we heard from each country about the current status of miniyachts in that country. We also heard from each country present about their thoughts on the future of the miniyacht class. All agreed that change is needed to get back to the spirit of the miniyacht mission and that the evolution has been good too, but what changes.
<div>Many suggestions were made and they will be communicated soon, they included the idea of a new design monotype starter miniyacht which could be built or bought ( made by many manufacturers ) and perhaps then the same chassis used to progress by adding pieces to a faster yacht, they suggestions also considered starting again from scratch and most would like to be able to include the current “normal” and “spirit” type yachts in our future.
<div>There was discussion on cost – some said maximum €4000 and most suggested €2000 max but whatever the cost we must consider that people like building miniyachts and we need to facilitate those who wish to build their own or want to buy the same yacht.
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<div>The first action agreed was that each country should decide who are the 2 representatives from that country who will be involved in the next stage of the review.
<div>It is now up to each country to nominate and decide who from your country will represent the views and aspirations of all of your countries miniyacht pilots. When I say all I mean those who presently take part in competition and also those who do not take part but may like to !
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<div>When you have decided who the two are advise your FISLY representative in your country of their names.
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<div>By the end of October the thoughts ideas and views of the way forward will be sent to me by the nominated persons , they will be shared and another short time deadline will be set for decisions after that.
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<div>The focus must always be on bringing new people to the sport, involving as many people of different ages and abilities in the sport and remembering the original spirit of the class -
<div>For those of us who spent many years trying to get a miniyacht classs started and adopted by FISLY it is great to see how successful our dream has become in a few short years, now we must revisit our mission and the original objectives and intention of the miniyacht when it was adopted by FISLY which is “the intention and mission of introducing people of all ages to the sport of sandyachting, to be economical and easy to buy or build, easy to transport inside a car trunk and family orientated with simple specifications initially”.
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<div>Our first deadline is 30th Oct 2015 with comments to be sent to Alan@FISLY.org
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<div>Some Ideas and comments are on the Facebook page International Miniyacht (5.60) Class Association www.facebook.com/groups/439120376133960/ and in the files attached to the facebook page as agreed in 2012.
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<div>Laurent Guerin Villeubreil has taken some minutes and figures and will distribute those soon.
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<div>How lets do some work and build a future based on all of the good work already completed.
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<div>Fair Winds
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<div>Alan
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<div>Alan Watson
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<div>Attached is the current status of what country has paid its association fees – payments can be made via paypal to allanwatson@eircom.net
I sadly believe that it wont matter a tot, what we reckon "down under" as we are such a small part in the overall scheme of things.
The Europeans have already made up their minds as to where this is going anyway. We can never change that.
Our "Lake Lefroy Mini yachts" cost us less than $600 AUS ($420 US, 370 Euro) to build and go like the wind. A very cheap entry level machine, that uses recycled materials. 2/3 of this cost is for the pulley blocks alone.
Our complete yacht cost, would be less than a buying a "competition sail" for a start. 
The factory sales managers will be well pleased with what's proposed in the rule changes. 
No cheap "ex windsurfer sails" or masts lads, got to get one of ours to compete. 
I race $ 30 rigs. My bigger rig was only this expensive because I shouted the previous owner a carton of beer for the mast and sail combination. (He didn't want anything for them, as the next stop was the tip). Thanks Rob.
It is a 2003 manufacture and still looks nothing like currently used, land yacht sails. 
The bit that really impresses me is the way everyone gets on down here in Australia and has a huge amount of fun together.
Who cares if a Blokart is out there racing in a 5.6 mini race. They fit the criteria and go like the wind!!!! It's brilliant!!!! 
Why bugger up something that aint broke. It WAS the only class that was truly experimental. 
I tend to agree and hope the experimental side of the class remains the same, the machines that are developing are awesome! At this stage I would support Mini5.6 splitting into spirit and spirit divisions, but no further dimensional/material class restrictions.
It sounds like the class will be split into Sport (the
original rules) and Spirit Class. The Spirit Class is a non
aero low tech tubular type. There is talk of making the
Spirit into a one design tubular chassis that can be home
made or bought from a manufacturer. The sail package and
skill is more about this class. They are thinking a simple T
shaped Chassis.
The US or should I say Burton paid the euro's to join the Association so we are now included with some input. Is there anything the Seabreeze group wants added to the rule change decision? I've heard some want only aluminum masts. Not a good thing for others around the sport. The rule change should be inclusive of everyone around the world and what materials they have to work with.
If you are going down the 'T' frame Aluminium mast class version.... All I can say is 'Your killing the sport'
Definitely no exclusion of (full length or 2-3 piece) windsurfer masts for one point! Another would be that they do not exclude recycled windsurfer sails, ie by limiting batten number.
Another thought that I will add is that a lot of prospective recruits will also be looking for a 'cool' looking yacht (at least this is what I've noticed) and I have to say (though hate to say it) the Potty style design is not it. FISLY need a good looking, simple yacht, that can be made from recycled materials if they are to draw members.
Please leave the rules alone, They allow for experimentation and are fun to sail and build, it is not hard to fit a bit of streamlining to a standard yacht, about the only mod needed to improve performance
i think andy parrssuggested rules would not be appropriate for Australia, Personally think limiting the height of seats would be an effective leveler, removing the wheel fairings good, leave the material choices alone. It would seem that once again australia just doesnt get it 
we got given some simple limitations and were having a cheap cheap happy fun time . what dont we understand.
I have to say though chook, ian and the team at Fisly are listening to what we say
Select to expand quotelandyacht said..
i think andy parrssuggested rules would not be appropriate for Australia, Personally think limiting the height of seats would be an effective leveler, removing the wheel fairings good, leave the material choices alone. It would seem that once again australia just doesnt get it we got given some simple limitations and were having a cheap cheap happy fun time . what dont we understand.
I have to say though chook, ian and the team at Fisly are listening to what we say
Sorry ALAN not ian , my oops
