The Technical Committee (TC) was presented with a list of questions
by an A Class manufacturer in September this year for clarification. The TC discussed
and following a unanimous decision by all participating members a reply was
forwarded to the manufacturer. Our answers were obviously not what the manufacturer
wanted to hear so under a manufacturer’s rights, under ISAF regulations, he
presented a proposal to ISAF for clarification. They have now given their answer
and under ISAF regulations all members must be notified.
The correspondence to ISAF involved 4 questions,
3 will be addressed. The 4th question was a 49-question paper presented to
‘assist’ the TC in making its decision. Both the TC & ISAF did not respond
to the fundamental 49 questions that manufacturer could easily find answers
for.
1. A diagram was presented showing a hull appendage
entering from the top and exiting bottom of hull in terms of Rule 8.2. The
appendage goes outside the max beam of 2.3m (Rule 4) once exiting hull and remains outside
2.3 m for a portion of its travel to the fully down position when it fits back
inside 2.3 m. Manufacturer claims this
should be allowed, as board is not outside 2.3 m limit whilst racing. Both the
TC & ISAF disagreed with this.
Rule 4 is a measurement rule, which shall
apply at time of certification and at any time during an event within the rules
of the event. If an appendage is removable then the action of removing or
inserting that appendage does fall within the measurement conditions of Rule 4.
2. A
fixed hull appendage is bolted in place. Manufacturer claims he can remove
appendage after racing during an event. Both the TC & ISAF disagreed with
this.
Fixed hull appendages may be bolted in
place, but if so, shall remain in that condition for the duration of the event.
If a modification to a boat means that a measurement is changed (i.e. fixed
appendages become retractable or removed from bottom of hull) then the boat
needs to get permission from the Race Committee in accordance with the Event
Rules or Class Rules. Thus rule 8.2 applies at time of certification and at all
times while the boat is at an event.
3. Rule 8.2 states ‘ Movable and
retractable hull appendages shall be inserted from the top or be capable of
being fully retractable into the hull ‘ Manufacturer claims that due to wording
of rule if an appendage is movable but not retractable it should not be bound
by Rule 8. Both TC & ISAF disagree with this.
The wording “Movable and retractable hull
appendages” cover three possible combinations. 1. Movable hull appendages. 2.
Retractable hull appendages. 3. Movable and retractable hull appendages. All
fit within Rule 8.
The TC
& IACA is made up of volunteers representing the members of the class.
Through their time and efforts all members enjoy the class as it is today.
There are procedures in place under our constitution to change any rule and the
procedure that applies. As a class we
need to be proactive in going forward, not spending our time looking for
loopholes. If something is perceived to be wrong, let’s make suggestions to fix
it through the correct channels.
Graeme Harbour
Chairman IAC Technical Committee
Andrew Landenberger
President IACA
