Date: 1/20/2010
Name: dan bornarth
email: dbornarth@gmail.com
subject:
Class rules and rudders


It is unfortunate that we are tasked with challenging our local fleets to judge on the validity of our members rudders (and other parts) when we are desperate to get participation in our events. There are plenty of "home made" rudders here and I could not tell you they all meet the class rules (although I would bet they they are close). I have not seen any speed advantages that could be attributed to the rudders here in our local fleet. This may be a more localized problem elsewhere hopefully.

This really becomes a hard choice. I have spent a bit of money to rebuild my trailer. I have purchased a new spinnaker and plan to order a new main sail and jib in the next couple weeks.I have rebuilt a good part of the boat in accordance with the rules and I am hoping to participate in some events outside our fleet and would love to attend a national level event this summer. I would seriously think twice before I spent more money and burned precious vacation time to travel to an event and compete against boats that are not "class legal" because they did not correctly interpret the class rules based on Section 3.1 Article 1: general, number #4. There needs to be a level field within the class rules at national events. If local areas choose to make exceptions for their local events then they can do it through the NOR or SI's. This way people like me can chose to attend if they like.

It is my opinion that it's nessecary to hold a firm hand in regard to the class rules if we are to have any legitamacy as a national class. This may cause some to move on, but in the end the class will grow stronger. If this chink in the armour continues it will just grow to other areas. I prefer to set up my boat up within the spirit of the rules and work on my personal abilites by practicing.It is a matter of respect from my fellow sailors. I do not ever want it said I won an event because I have a cheater boat. I want to earn the respect of others for having a well prepared boat and having worked hard to achieve my success.


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