Rules Issues Noted at the Worlds

From IMCA Technical Advisor David Chivers - A great deal of measurement and inspection took place at the recent world championships and although generally most boats were fine it is worth mentioning a few subjects that need attention.

BOWSPRITS
Sadly, despite a previous warning, some 10 boats had to remove shockcord from their bowsprit retraction. This is clearly covered under class rule C.6.3.4 – The bowsprit shall not be retracted by shockcord or similar. This is not a difficult rule to follow and we will be asking all measurers to keep a close check on this at regattas.

HIKING LINES
Helms obviously want to be comfortable when sailing and having a tight hiking line aft of the stanchion in their back may be painful. However, the rules are very clear on what you can do.

C.3.12: Padding may be fitted to the hiking lines to enhance crew comfort. The line may be either a continuous line with padding or two lines linked by a webbing section between the two stanchions used for hiking. The method of joining the hiking line is optional. The webbing shall be a minimum of 50mm wide.

This means that padding can be added to the hiking line anywhere. It does not mean that the hiking line can be in 3 pieces linked by 2 pieces of webbing. The separate webbing section must be between the two stanchions. Webbing might be stitched over the line as padding, but the line still has to comply with the rule and be in 2 pieces. Please read the rules before you act!

ADVERTISING
Please look at class rule C.8.2(i). This requires that an area 2.4m long aft of the bow numbers is kept free for event/class sponsorship. This is approximately level with the mast. Please ensure that your boat name or personal sponsorship does not encroach into this area. You will be asked to remove it as several boats found out in Hyeres.

KEEL
As with most of the component parts of the Melges 24, the rudder and keel fins come from one supplier out of an ISAF approved mould. The current pattern and the templates were made to ensure that we had a very high standard of consistency which was sometimes a little lacking in the earlier supplier. The ethos of the class is of course that we do not tamper, modify, alter or change components and the rules are very clear on this. The templates enable checks to be made.

Obviously owners want to keep their boats in good condition and will wish to repair superficial damage and polish hulls and keel fins etc. However, this does not mean that anything should be altered in the shape. The following class rules cover this:

E.3.1.2: Coring, drilling out, rebuilding, replacement of material, grinding or relocating standard equipment that improves moments of inertia, or changes the standard shapes shall be prohibited.

E.3.1.3: The sanding of the keel fin or keel bulb to reshape profiles or contours shall be prohibited.

E.3.3.4: The keel fin and keel bulb shall not be reshaped, faired or sanded except to facilitate the repair of superficial damage. If there is any doubt to the interpretation of “superficial damage” a ruling shall be sought from an official measurer or the technical committee before work commences and the item offered for re-measurement on completion.

To clear confusion now, superficial damage is just that. Minor abrasions and small paint chips, that require a very localised repair only. If the keel has had paint removed, filler added or has carbon showing through then it is doubtful if that is repair to superficial damage and should be re-measured. We will now be taking the templates to some regattas and doing careful checks on the keel and rudder. The tolerance on the templates is small deliberately to ensure that we have consistent items.

The recent growth in class numbers puts pressure on the class rules as sailors try to get the best out of their boats. However, please remember READ THE RULES FIRST AND ACT SECOND! If in doubt ask before you do anything and get it checked afterwards. This is a One Design Class. Building the e-mail list of measurers means that we can keep them informed of problems as they arise and they can work with us to help stop the problems spreading.

D. Chivers
IMCA Technical Advisor
19th September 2006.
E-mail daveis@dial.pipex.com