Bow Numbers
Melges 24 Permanent Bow Numbering System
Approved at the IM24CA Annual General Meeting 2017 and approved by World Sailing the same year, being effective since 2018 as Class Rule H.3. Below you'll find practical information, how to get the permanent bow numbers to your boat.
A class rule proposal has been initiated in 2017, for the use of a permanent bow numbering system. The system proposed has been tested in championship regattas in North America with much success and approval of both sailors and race management. The system presents several advantages to the class, boat owners, regatta management and the environment, listed as follows:
- The bow number is to be the same as the sail number, and hull ID number. This eliminates confusion on the race course, increases identification for the RC and Media, and increases safety of boats crossing.
- The number style, size, material and coloration is fixed, and is to be the same for every regatta. As such, this eliminates cost and expense for regatta management to provide temporary event bow numbers. It also eliminates expense for teams, and the pre-race burden of temporary bow number installation.
- Temporary numbers are often compromised in material quality for economic purposes and may not adhere properly or last through the entirety of a regatta.
- Temporary numbers, are often installed under time pressured circumstances, without due precision and care in placement or effective adherence. Temporary numbers can therefore look poorly due to inaccurate installation, or may fall off, or loosen partly off, compromising the professional demeanor of the boat and regatta.
- With permanent numbers, installation can be planned and executed far in advance with appropriate time for accurate placement and installation.
- Temporary numbers that fall into the water are contrary to the sailing rules of littering, and, it is not an ecological ethical practice.
- The new permanent numbers as submitted and tested, present a strong aesthetic for the class. They provide an attractive distinction that builds class equity and recognition.
- Permanent numbers are being adopted by more and more fleets in racing, due to the many advantages that they present.
Here’s practical information how to get the bow numbers.
- Bow Numbers shall correspond to the number on the ISAF / World Sailing building plaques. Boats with sail numbers prior to 350 shall carry the number as issued by Melges Performance Sailboats;
- To preserve uniformity, the graphic art creation of numbers with spaces kerned, was performed by a class approved graphic technician;
- IM24CA has all pdf-files up to 855+ boats both for port and starboard (file are scaled to 1:10 - 10%);
- Original size of the number as per Class Rules: Height: 32.0cm ( 12.5”) +/- 1.0cm; Length: maximum 800mm
- The owner shall request the files of the sail numbers from piret@melges24.com
- In US you can find information about the Class-approved printers here.
COLOR of the number: On a white Hull, Number colour shall be RED. On a red hull, Number colour shall be WHITE. On other colours of hulls, number shall be RED, unless it is an insufficient contrast to provide immediate identity, in which case it shall be WHITE;
MATERIAL of the sticker: Stickers produced locally need to be made from the material requested in the class rules as follows:
- Material shall be of a high quality, exterior grade graphic vinyl, of pressure sensitive adherence, similar, or equal to; 3M 180C Controltac Graphic Film or 3M IJ35 Scotchcal Graphic Film
- Material shall have a life span rating that is 5 years or greater.
- Red material shall be; a solid colour matching to 3M 180C in #53 Cardinal Red, or Pantone PMS 186 Red.
- White material shall be; a solid colour matching to 3M 180C in #10 White, or a solid white colour with no tint or hue.
- Black material shall be; a solid colour matching to 3M 180C in #12 Black, or a solid pure black colour with no tint or hue.
- The material shall be of a quality that can be removed without damage or undue effort or maintenance to the hull.
The stickers shall be Die-Cut.
Die-Cut, or Decal Cut is a process whereby a solid color material cuts the numbers out by a digitally driven knife. The backing carrier material is left in place and the wastage material in between the numbers is weeded out. What is left over is just the numbers themselves, mounted on the carrier backing sheet. This applies to the boat with greater ease and perfection; also it is believed to be more durable in staying on the boat. The solid color material has greater UV resistance to fading, then a print. Lastly, this material can be specified both as supplier quality and color insuring exact class uniformity.
CHECK OUT HOW TO PUT ON THE STICKERS ON THE HULL
IM24CA special thanks goes to Paul Krak Arntson at Arntson Design Inc (Nikita USA379), Cary Siegler at GT3 Creative and Andres Rohtla at DAK (Lenny EST790) for their huge help in this project!
In case of questions, please do not hesitate to contact our IM24CA staff:
Branko Parunov – Chief International Measurer & Technical Advisor - E-mail
Mike Gozzard – Chairman of the Technical Committee - E-mail
Piret Salmistu – Administrator – E-mail
