Steve - you are correct on anchor chain. This is the excerpt from the clarification under class rules para 6.5
The anchor shall be stored in the anchor well. A minimum of six feet of chain shall be attached to the anchor or the anchor line.
Here's the measurement checklist link from the 2008 NAs. I sent Larry Christy a proposed update for 2009, but I don't know the status between him and the 2009 NA organizers on the list they will use. The only rule changes for 2009 that may change it is associated with required and optional safety gear. The race organizers have more leeway in 2009 on what can be considered optional.
What we didn't see on the required list is the center cabin table ... and the sliding table top over the ice chest. If anything is removeable and is not on the checklist ... we don't need to keep it installed?
it also talks about the "lids" for the storage compartments, but not those heavy plastic liners ... I am not concerned for 2009 but am thinking of 2010 at Marblehead.
I didn't realize till a couple of weeks ago that the door to the vee berth just pops right off and on at the hinges ...
The center cabin table is certainly not required equipment. Mine hasn't been on the boat since I delivered it from Green Bay.
The sliding table over the ice chest I believe is not generally considered removable... nor are the "wing" tables by the settees. The "bulkhead door" is on the 2008 checklist, and not removable, as are the cushions.
The plastic liners however are not original and can be removed.
Sounds like Marblehead will have a pretty good turnout!
I'm thinking the liquor cabinet which has a million screws holding it in is "not removable" but yet the check list says it has to be there ... so what would the difference be for the sliding top? which slides off with the removal of a couple of screws? and is a tribute to poor design using those dumb nylon slides and placing it so someone may damage it if they accidently step on it when it is half open. Getting a beer is like opening a safe!
The four plastic liner bins were original on #505 when I bought it new and were actually touted in the sales material. They were also on #327 when I bought that one. Now those I think have way more value than the ice box sliding table. on #526 there were only three plastic bins because that boat had an extra water tank.
But it really comes down to once you make a list of exactly what is needed the automatic logic is that if something is not on the check list to be checked off ... it doesn't need to be there/ Like the lids for the storage compartments and the plastic windows for the cabinets which are on the list. It is not like the list is hundreds of items long . it is a short simple list and in my mind absolutely defines what needs to be on the boat.
The checklist for the NA inspection is merely to help make things go quickly. The class rules are what dictate the requirements.
5.3 Interior Equipment supplied with the standard boat from the factory may not be deleted or substituted for except by equivalent items of comparable weight or as specifically authorized below. Optional equipment offered by the builder or comparable equipment installed by the dealer or owner is permitted as are other items such as shelves or drawers to personalize the interior. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- 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)
stove (In lieu of the original stove a replacement single or double burner stove is allowed that fits where the original stove is located. Adjustments to mounting may be made to accommodate dimension variations, as long as the original intended location is maintained. The replacement stove may use alcohol or gas (butane, propane, etc.). The replacement stove and associated cover / cutting board with fuel shall weigh 18 pounds minimum with weights permitted to augment as required.) bulkhead door
water tank
holding tank
folding tables except main cabin table
storage bin covers
Optional interior equipment includes the following: