Technical Committee Update On Hiking

From IMCA Technical Advisor David Chivers - Many of you are aware of the ongoing discussion on hiking in the class. There have been many views expressed in emails and on the Scuttlebutt forum, both for and against the various methods we use.

At this time the IMCA Technical Committee has no intention of proposing a specific rule change as currently there are many differing opinions being expressed and there is no clear direction emerging from the discussion. We do hope however, to see ongoing discussion on the Melges 24 Class forum.

It may well be that the class members will wish to re-evaluate the hiking allowed and for example two suggestions that have come forward so far are:

1. The hiking lines should be tightened to give a minimum of 300mm (12 inches) clearance from the deck.

2. Ban hiking out facing outboard and require all crew to face inboard and lean back against the hiking lines.

At present the Technical Committee would suggest that these be tried by sailors to establish the effectiveness of these ideas. Perhaps you could set up some opportunities to try them in an informal race with 3 or 4 boats trying the different methods.

The discussion is going to continue and we should look at all the different methods that people are using including tucking their feet up onto the gunwale and crouching on the deck edge whilst leaning out hard against the hiking lines.

On the matter of hiking belts, again we see no way at present of banning (as has been suggested by some) an item of clothing which is available to all. It is very difficulty to ban a certain use of this type of clothing, which can be equally well done by a PDF. We cannot start selecting types of PDF.

We look forward to seeing input from all of the class on this subject so that should there be a rule change proposal from a National Class Association the class as a whole will be well informed to assess the proposal and advise their World Council representatives on how to vote at the AGM on their behalf.

D.Chivers
IMCA Technical Advisor
February 2006