Interpretation of the WIC boat
measurement rules and other matters. CWA reactions here Looking at the measurement rules and individual Association dispensations it is clear to see that there are differences between Associations. This has led to arguments and disagreement at International events in the past. I have put together some points for consideration by the WIC which will hopefully lead to an understanding between the Associations and generate guidelines for International events. There has also been correspondence on other matters which I have also included. 1 Where an Association has granted a dispensation then the boats from that Association should be allowed to sail under that dispensation at any event so long as the dispensation is not seen to be performance enhancing which may disadvantage other Associations. The current dispensations are listed below. Dispensations
registered
with the W.I.C. SWS Dispensation 2010 (click here for diagram)
13. ESSING SAMLINGEN UKWA, 2012: The UKWA
gives a dispensation to boats/ boat owners to use two
spinnaker poles but if a boat so chooses then that
boat may not carry a jib stick. Note, twin spinnaker poles have been incorporated into the rules so this dispensation can now be deleted. UKWA,
2015: The UKWA
gives a dispensation: Mk IV boats not
designated as racing boats are allowed to race without
a measurement certificate. All boats of whatever
mark must still comply with the rules including
buoyancy. 2 Our rules are closed rules which means if the rules do not state you can, then you cannot. Two instances come to mind. The first involved a person using a piece of rubber instead of a mast pin. This has been resolved. Rubber is not allowed. The second is the use of a tack strop instead of tack pin. Clearly tack strops are not in the rules so cannot be used whereas tack pins by custom and practice should be used and could be added to rule G.3.3(d) in red below as per David Chivers remarks in 5 below. G.3.3 Construction See also my notes at the end regarding tack strops and cruising. 3 What is the WIC position regarding gold, silver and bronze fleets? Should they all sail the same course and should they all start together? Should the organising committee of an event decide which boats go in which fleet? Are guide lines needed here? 4 Windows in sails. The rules have been amended so this matter is resolved. 5 Rope or wire jib luff. Again custom and practice would indicate wire is used for jib luffs. The point has been made that the wire size has already been increased form 3/32” to 1/8” also Dyneema and other man made fibres also “creep” and will stretch over time when tensioned. David Chivers very clearly
points out the way forward. Note David is the “go to” measurer worldwide
for measuring metre yachts and has written the
majority of the rule rewrites for the RYA`s
National Classes. He rewrote all of the Wayfarer Class
Rules but for some reason it was only Section G that
was passed into law. He is saying that all the
Class has to do to make the use of wire legal in
foresail luffs is to add it to the permitted list in
Rule G.4.2 (d) because historically wire was the
material of choice. To maintain a level playing field and for all the reasons mentioned by correspondents do we standardise on wire luffs for headsails by adding it to G.4.2(d) in red? What about Aeroluff reefing spars? This would need a rule change. G.4.2 Construction 6 Any other matters? In summary can the WIC decide on the following points: 1 At International events can boats sail under their own Countries dispensations? 2 Should we standardise on tack pins? This could be added without a rule change. Tack strops would need a rule change. 3 Are guide lines needed for gold silver and bronze fleets? 4 Windows in sails has been resolved 5 Should we standardise on wire luffs for headsails and make the change as David Chivers suggests (no rule change required)? Should we propose a rule change to add reefing spars to G.4.2(d) 6 Any other matters? Notes for item 2 tack strops. It is clear that there is a slight advantage to using a tack strop instead of a tack pin. From the perspective of someone who cruises a tack strop is a disadvantage. You may say that cruisers do not have to use a tack strop which is true but what of the sails that are sold on to cruisers? Also, what of the taking up of tack strops by cruisers who misguidedly believe it will help? As an example of why I think the use of tack strops for cruisers is a disadvantage, the following may help to explain. Matt Sharman and I were sailing to a safe haven in Scotland aiming to beat the foul weather that was catching us up. The wind was strong and we were on a broad reach going very fast. The wind was increasing and behind us and a black squall was quickly catching us up. We decided to get the sail down quickly so with the main halliard streaming out behind us Matt carefully put us into the wind and I just as quickly pulled the main sail down, removed the boom from the gooseneck and put the boom on top of the sail and pushed it under the foredeck. We then continued under genoa only and made a safe entry to the marina. For someone without our skills and forward thinking, a less experienced crew with a tack strop which they did not release early enough, could be in the situation where their sail could have come down quickly leaving the boom on the gooseneck. It is easy to see that the sail could then be blown over the side of the boat with all that entails. Not a nice place to be in 30+ knots of wind! Further. A recent development in reefing technique involves a tack pin that also acts as a reefing hook. This new product has been taken up by a considerable number of boats in the UK and its use continues to grow. These boats need a sail with that uses a tack pin so selling on racing sails could be more of a problem in the future if the sails have a tack strop. John Mellor. |