Date: //
Name: Dan Bornarth
email: dbornarth@gmail.com
subject:Class rules
As a national class if we are to have any respect from the sailing community we need to have a set of one design class rules that are void of loop holes and are enforced at regional and national events. If we do not do this we can not hope to build participation and we only open the door for manipulation and interpretation from one area of the country to another. For instance Rule 3.4 Article IV #1 states that ..kick up rudders are permitted, but must be secured in the down position while racing. What is the interpretation of "secure". When I was getting my boat set up to this rule I was told that bungi cord was considered a securing device. I never before considered bunji cord a securing device in this context, but did not question the interpretation and my rudder along with most of the local rudders are "secured" in the down position with bunji. In a previous life I had the opportunity to participate in numerous one design world championships as crew as well as a couple U.S. Olympic trials. I can tell you that those classes involved took the measurement requirements extremely seriously as there was a lot riding on the integrity of the event and the class. At one World Championship our new Soling was too long overall by a little less than an inch. The chief measurer took out a hack saw and cut the bow of our boat off. Not saying we need to measure to the level of an Olympic class boat, but we should preserve the class integrity and keep the boats as level as possible with in the level of tolerences the boat were built to. Rule 3.0 Article 1: General #6 is a cover all that gives the chief measurer the power to rule on interpretations. We need to abide by these rulings. Seams to me that the rudder issue could be put to rest very quickly with a concise statement as to how rudders SHALL be measurered if needed at a national event. Overall the rules are very good and understandable in their intent, but in this day of empowering lawyers and manipulating loop holes we need to continue and build a strong leadership role with the chief measurer in the class. Especially as new people come into the class like me who really like to tinker with their boats and have a lot of experience from other classes. I am still amazed with the large tolerences between boats how close the racing remains. At one mark rounding at the 38th Annual Fred Latham regatta last Friday we had all ten boats overlapped at a leeward mark rounding. These were boats of all levels of preperation and sailing abilities and we had one of the best San Juan 21 events I have been in yet. Just goes to show there is no substitute for time on the water - no matter what your rudder shape is.
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