Interpretation of the WIC boat measurement rules and other matters.

CWA reactions

Hi, gang:

 

Here is a summary – slightly tweaked by me in green from our Minutes - of the CWA Board’s discussion last night of John Mellor’s paper on our rules:

 

6. Other Business

 

• Class rules

◦ a discussion document authored by John Mellor was circulated prior to the meeting;

 

◦ 1. Applications of National Association Dispensations: suggested alternative wording “At international events the organizing authority shall indicate in the NOR, which, if any, national dispensations apply. Such dispensations shall apply to all boats entered in the event.” (moved by Scott, seconded Jan); carried.

 

◦ 2. Assertion that the rules are closed, and the effect of that being the case; there was some disagreement on whether this assertion is true;

▪ only the elements of the class rules that reference the Equipment Rules of Sailing (e.g. the measurement rules) and the class rules that specify the construction of the sails (section G) are closed; all other aspects of the class rules are open, permitting changes that are “within the spirit of the class rules”;

In our Class Rules, only the Rules borrowed from ISAF > World Sailing, i.e. are closed.

Section G - Sails (general)

G.3. Mainsail

G.4 Headsail

G.6 Spinnaker

Just checked the Class Rules: I can agree that Section G rules are closed, but – unless you want to sail without jib sheets, spi sheets, cupholder, spi bags, compass, etc. - the rest of our Rules are and must be open and limited only by the “spirit of the rules”. So there!!

▪ regardless of the above, the boom tack pin is not a part of the sail and should not be included in rule G.3.3(d); the committee is in support of allowing tack straps; so that sails purchased that are designed for tack straps are not disadvantaged – if we were to change our Rules to disallow tack straps, existing sails designed for these should be grandfathered.

 

 

◦ 3. Seeding boats into gold, silver and bronze fleets: preference for a common start and course, however the organizing authority must have discretion to manage the fleet as necessary based on number of entries, size of the water, etc;

 

◦ 4. Sail windows have been resolved;

 

◦ 5. Foresail luff, wire vs rope; permission to use a luffspar furling rig;

▪ there was some question about whether a rule about wire vs rope is necessary; Al argued that the luff is wire is not part of the fabric of the sail and does not belong in rule G.4.2;

 

▪ luffspar: no reason not to allow it without a rule change

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

Uncle Al  W3854