As a follow-on to the rules discussions documented in the 18 September 2008 Board of Governors meeting minutes item #7, Charlie Stoddard provided proposed wording for updating rules per below. Please provide specific comments by posting in this thread and refer to the paragraph number on your reply.

7. Additional Potential Rule Changes: During the measurement for the 2008 North Americans, there were a number of items discovered in the rules wording that were ambiguous. Charlie Stoddard will propose wording for the areas that are ambiguous. Specifically the items include:

7a. Measurement of main sail headboard width and whether it includes luff tape

Existing Rules
5.12.2.2 The length of the leech, measured in a straight line from the head to the clew, shall not exceed 12.395 m.

Proposed Revised Wording
5.12.2.2 The length of the leech, measured in a straight line from the head to the clew, shall not exceed 12.395 m. The straight line measurement shall be taken from the apex of the headboard at the luff edge, including the boltrope, to the apex of the foot at the clew, including boltrope. Refer to figures 5.12.2.2a, 5.12.2.2b, and 5.12.2.2c.
Fig 5.12.2.2a


Fig 5.12.2.2b


Fig 5.12.2.2c



Existing Rules
5.12.2.3 The width of the sail from the midpoint of the leach to the nearest point on the luff, including the bolt rope, shall not exceed 2621 mm.

Proposed Revised Wording
5.12.2.3 The width of the sail from the midpoint of the leach to the nearest point on the luff, including the bolt rope, shall not exceed 2621 mm. The midpoint shall be determined by folding the head point to the clew point and equally tensioning the two halves so formed. The measurement shall be taken with the sail smoothed without pulling or stretching the sailcloth on the bias.

Existing Rules
5.12.2.4 The width of the headboard measured at right angles to the mast shall not exceed 158 mm.

Proposed Revised Wording
5.12.2.4 The width of the headboard measured at right angles to the mast including the bolt rope shall not exceed 165 mm. Refer to figure 5.12.2.4a.

Figure 5.12.2.4a



7b. Review required safety equipment and refer to higher authority such as USCG requirements rather than discreet list of equipment that may be inconsistent with higher authority.

Existing Rules
6.4 Safety Gear and Equipment. In addition to safety equipment required by Coast Guard and local regulations, the following equipment shall be carried onboard for one design racing.

• Permanently installed navigation lights in working order
• Fixed non-electric compass
• Fog horn
• Two water resistant flashlights
• Two fire extinguishers of type and capacity required by local and Coast Guard regulations
• PFD for each member of the crew
• One throw-able lifesaving device within reach of the helmsman
• Equipment capable of disconnecting or severing the standing rigging
• First Aid Kit and manual
• Five soft wood plugs of size to fit each below waterline through hull fitting
• One permanently fitted manual bilge pump operable from the cockpit with all hatches, lockers and companionways closed. If handle is removable, it shall be tethered to prevent loss
• Two rigid buckets with lanyards having a minimum capacity of two gallons each
• One anchor and rode
• Radar reflector (with minimum diameter of 8-10")
• Depth sounder (or lead line)
• Radio receiver capable of receiving weather bulletins
• Distress signals meeting USCG requirements
• Heaving line (minimum 50' length) within reach of the helmsman

For local and national events the notice of race and sailing instructions may require additional safety equipment.

Proposed Revised Wording
6.4 Safety Gear and Equipment. As required by Coast Guard and local regulations or any additional equipment as required by the local organizing authority

7c. Reword use of second spinnaker while racing as intended; Only single spinnaker used in a race unless damaged; notify RC once this occurs

Existing Rules
6.2.1 The number of sails on board during a regatta series or race shall be four: #1, and #3 genoas , mainsail and spinnaker. A second spinnaker may be carried on board, but only used if the primary spinnaker is damaged. The #2 is optional.

Proposed Revised Wording
6.2.1 The number of sails on board during a regatta series or race shall be four: #1, and #3 genoas , mainsail and spinnaker. A second spinnaker may be carried on board, but only used in a given race if the primary spinnaker is damaged. The #2 is optional.


7d. Look at requirements at making reef points in main sail optional, as nobody uses them for racing.

Existing Rules
5.12.2.6 One reef shall be included at least 1675 mm above the tack at the luff and perpendicular to the mast. At least two intermediate grommets must be built into the sail on each reef. Additional reefs above the mandatory reef are permitted.

Proposed Revised Wording
5.12.2.6 Reef points are permitted, but not required.

7e. Investigate elimination of quarter berth cushions for racing similar to V-berth cushions. This needs to be thoroughly discussed on the forum.

Existing Rules
Under paragraph 5.3
Standard interior equipment includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• cushions for all berths and settees (V-Berth cushions may be removed for racing)

Proposed Revised Wording
Standard interior equipment includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• cushions for all berths and settees (V-Berth and quarter berth cushions may be removed for racing)

[This message has been edited by Rhapsody #348 (edited 12-17-2008).]