CLASS RULE CHANGES International Flying Fifteen Class 1 Rule B4 HULL MEASUREMENT and Rule B14 PROHIBITIONS B 4.6 The aft edge of the cockpit shall not be more than 1830mm nor less than 1540mm from the transom measured horizontally. The forward edge of the cockpit excluding the mast slot or fittings designed to locate the mast shall not be more than 3780mm nor less than 3630mm from the transom measured horizontally. The decks shall be constructed so as to locate the mast as provided in Rule B10. Spinnaker pockets may be installed but they shall not start within 280mm of the sheerline and must be aft of the breakwater. B 14.6 Spinnaker chutes unless they drain into the cockpit or overboard. B 4.6 The aft edge of the cockpit shall not be more than 1830mm nor less than 1540mm from the transom measured horizontally. The forward edge of the cockpit excluding the mast slot or fittings designed to locate the mast shall not be more than 3780mm nor less than 3630mm from the transom measured horizontally. The decks shall be constructed so as to locate the mast as provided in Rule B10. Spinnaker pockets and spinnaker chutes may be installed, provided they drain into the cockpit and/or overboard. Spinnaker pockets shall not start within 280mm of the sheerline and must be aft of the breakwater. Spinnaker chutes may be installed anywhere in the foredeck forward of station 2. B 14.6.. Delete this rule. Spinnaker chutes have been in common use for many years, and it is inappropriate for this rule to be listed as a Prohibition. (B 14.6 ) The rewording consolidates these rules and specifies the requirements of both spinnaker chutes and spinnaker pockets in line with current practice, and ensures their correct location within the deck area to prevent ingress of water. 2 B 10 MAST STEPPING B 10.1 The foreside of the mast spar at the sheerline shall not be more than 3860mm or less than 3710mm from the aft face of the transom measured horizontally. B 10.1 The foreside of the mast spar at deck level shall not be more than 3850mm or less than 3695mm from the aft face of the transom measured horizontally. Page 1 of 8
The position of the mast is controlled by three dimensions : (1) Mast to headsail luff B10.2 (a) (2) Mast to shrouds B10.2(b) (3) Mast to transom B10.1 Dimensions (1) and (2) are taken at deck level, while (3) is taken at the sheerline (band 4), and there is now no logical reason to use different datum points. The current measurement method has the following flaws: It is very difficult to access band No 4 and get an accurate reading due to parallax error. In many boats it is not possible to establish a straight horizontal line between the transom and band No 4. It requires the mast to be in position to take the measurement There is no obvious and simple means of checking this measurement when the mast rake is changed. The proposal seeks to take all three measurements at deck level, which will make measurement simpler and more accurate, allow mast location limits to be set out without the mast in position, and facilitate check measurements at any time.particularly at championship premeasurement. Because the mast is raked, it is further aft at deck level than at band 4, and the proposed limits (3850mm & 3695mm) have been accurately recalculated to compensate for this. 4 B 12 MAST RIGGING AND FITTINGS B12.5 The use of any device which can adjust the spreaders, the effective length of the shrouds or the height of the mast, whilst racing, is prohibited. B12.5 Adjustment of the spreaders or the length of the shrouds is prohibited whilst racing. In the current rule the phrase The use of is somewhat ambiguous, and is sometimes wrongly interpreted as meaning The installation of. The rewording clarifies this issue and confirms current practice. Reference to the adjustment of the height of the mast has been deleted from this rule, as the requirements are already clearly defined in Rule B 9.9. Page 2 of 8
5 B13 SAILS B13.5.2 Mainsail Tabling width.35mm Maximum B13.6.2 Headsail Tabling width.35mm Maximum B13.7.2 Spinnaker Tabling width..35mm Maximum B13.5.2 Mainsail Tabling width.40mm Maximum B13.6.2 Headsail Tabling width.40mm Maximum B13.7.2 Spinnaker Tabling width.40mm Maximum Tabling on sails has traditionally been fitted using standard 76mm (3 inch ) tape folded, giving a tabling width of 38mm. The current maximum of 35mm precludes this, adding inconvenience and cost to sail construction. A change to 40mm will facilitate the usual construction methods without affecting sail performance. 6 SAILS B 13.5.2 Mainsail Secondary re-inforcement For flutter patches.120mm B 13.5.2 Mainsail Secondary re-inforcement For flutter patches.140mm An increase in the size of flutter patches is considered beneficial in extending the leech life of the sail, and this dimension is consistent with the former ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing guidelines. 7 SAILS B13.8.2 Sail Limitations (a) Registration Page 3 of 8
(i) Not one more than two mailsails, two headsails and two spinnakers shall be registered in the first twelve months. Thereafter not more than one mainsail, one headsail and one spinnaker shall be registered in each twelve month period commencing on the anniversary date on which the original measurement of the boat was completed. B13.8.2 Sail Limitations (a) Registration (i) Not one more than two mailsails, two headsails and two spinnakers shall be registered in the first twelve months. Thereafter not more than one mainsail, one headsail and one spinnaker shall be registered in each twelve month period commencing on the anniversary date on which the original measurement of the boat was completed, except that in the event of the change of ownership of the boat, one additional mainsail, one additional headsail and one additional spinnaker may be registered by the new owner in the corresponding twelve month period. It is common for the vendor of boat to retain current sails, leaving the purchaser of a pre-owned Flying Fifteen without access to new sail registration for up to 12 months. This proposal will enable a purchaser to register sails in the corresponding anniversary year should the vendor not supply the current year s registered sails. 8 B8 WEIGHT B 8.2 If the weight is less than defined, correctors, total weight not exceeding 10 kg, shall be through fastened and clearly visible within the cockpit area. Correctors may subsequently removed after a period of not less than one year from the original date of registration subject to the hull being presented for reweighing by a measurer in the same condition as for B8.1. Correctors may then be reduced in weight or removed and the new total weight of correctors shall be recorded on the certificate which must be ratified by the National Authority. Re-weighing and adjustment or removal of correctors may not take place within one year of previous weighing, except where substantial alterations to the hull are undertaken and the boat is completely remeasured in accordance with rule A5. Proposed Rule B 8.2 If the weight is less than defined, correctors, total weight not exceeding 21 kg, shall be through fastened and clearly visible within the cockpit area. Correctors may subsequently removed after a period of not less than one year from the original date of registration subject to the hull being presented for reweighing by a measurer in the same condition as for B8.1. Correctors may then be reduced in weight or removed and the new total weight of correctors shall be recorded on the certificate which must be ratified by the National Authority. Re-weighing and adjustment or removal of correctors may not take place within one year of previous weighing, except where substantial alterations to the hull are undertaken and the boat is completely remeasured in accordance with rule A5. Page 4 of 8
The Flying Fifteen was originally designed with a minimum hull weight of 124.7 kg (275 lbs), and the corrector weight was unlimited. A maximum corrector weight of 10 kg was introduced in the 1970 s in an attempt to control the weight distributon of the hull and minimise the the practice of light ends. This problem is no longer an issue since the introduction of the minimum panel weight rule (B2.2) in 1995 which now effectively controls the hull weight distribution. Further, with modern construction materials and methods, the hull can be constructed and fitted out at weights as low as 115 kg, forcing builders to unneccessarily add artificial construction weight to reach the required minimum 126 kg prior to corrector addition, adding cost. The minimum hull weight was also increased during the 1970 s as a reaction to the installation of false floors and sealed side tanks which were perceived to be a significant advantage, and an 11 kg weight penalty was imposed on boats so constructed to protect the interest of the older boats. The Flying Fifteen been has allowed to continue to slowly but steadily modernise over time (while always protecting the interests of the older boats ), and Class s strength and popularity today is due in part to this evolution. A progressive reduction in hull weight to the original 125 kg is seen to be a logical progression of this process, but cannot be changed in the short term without disadvantaging older boats. This rule change proposal will have no short term effect on hull weight, but looks to the future (10 to 15years) to facilitate weight reduction without disadvantaging the existing boats. 9 B14 PROHIBITIONS B 14.1 Competitors shall use no device designed to position their bodies outboard other than hiking straps and stiffeners worn under the thighs. B 14.1 Competitors shall use no device designed to position their bodies outboard other than stiffeners worn under the thighs, hiking straps and hobbles. Hiking straps and hobbles shall not extend outboard of the sheerline. Rule B14.1 was amended at ballot in 1998 to include the provision for hiking pants, but the restrictions on hiking straps in the rule were inadvertently omitted. Hiking straps are undefined in ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing, and after advice from ISAF, the rule is amended to restore the provisions of the original rule. 10 B 9.5 MAST B 9.5 The weight of the mast, including normal permanent rigging and fittings, shall not be less than 11 kg. B 9.5 The weight of the mast, including normal permanent rigging and fittings, shall not be less than 10.5 kg. Page 5 of 8
The sections of the popular masts that are used around the World have not changed and the weight of the tube/mast will only vary according to the condition of the die used in the extrusion process. The problem stems from the fact that we weigh our mast as it is rigged for sailing and several factors have made a significant difference to this: The optional removal of the forestay; The trend towards having the tensioning of the Genoa in the boat rather than using a muscle box fitted to the mast; The use of vectran halyards instead of wire; The compass fitted to the boat rather than fitted to the mast with a bracket. All these options, when exercised, have brought about a reduction in the weight of the mast when it is presented for measuring. Rules 9.6 and 9.7 are more relevant than the overall weight and it is these rules, which control the Centre of gravity and flexibility of the mast respectively. 11 B 17 ADVERTISING 17.1 The boat s class insignia shall be displayed on her sails as required by RRS Appendix H. 17.2 One sailmakers mark, which may include the name or mark of the sailcloth manufacturer and the pattern or model of the sail, may be displayed on both sides of any sail and shall fit within a 150mm x 150mm square. On sails other than spinnakers, no part of such mark shall be placed farther from the tack than the greater of 300mm or 15% of the length of the foot. 17.3 One builder s mark, which may include the name or mark of the design, may be placed on the hull, and one maker s mark may be displayed on spars and on each side of small equipment. Such marks shall fit within a 150mm x 150mm square. 17.4 The forward 25% of the hull on each side may display no more than two advertisements chosen by ISAF, the National authority, the Class Association, or the event organiser. When both the organising authority and one of the other organisations wish to use the space, they shall each be entitled to half the length of the space on each side. The remaining length of the hull shall be free of any advertising, except that half that length may be used for advertising chosen by the boat. If advertising is not displayed on the sides of the hull, it may be displayed on each side of the insides of the side-tanks or on the deck, subject to the same length dimensions. 17.5 Advertising chosen by the boat may be displayed on sails as follows : Advertising on spinnakers is without restrictions except as provided in 17.1 and 17.2. On one other sail, only one advertisement may be carried at a time, and it may be on both sides of the sail. It shall be placed below the national letters and sail numbers and have a width no greater than two-thirds the length of the the foot of the sail, and a height no greater the one-third of the width. 17.6 Advertising chosen by the boat may be displayed on the mainmast and main boom, but both displays shall be limited to the name, brand or product name, or logo of an organisation. The space within one-third the length of the mast and twothirds of the length of the boom may be used. Page 6 of 8
17.7 In addition to the advertisements carried on the boat, advertisements limited to the organisation(s) advertising on the boat and one or two additional organisations may be displayed on clothing and equipment worn by competitors. Delete current rules 17.1-17.7 and replace with 17.1 Advertising shall be in accordance with ISAF RRS Regulation 20 (Section ll- Appendix 1) 17.2 Advertising shall be to Category C in accordance with Regulation 20.3.2 (b), with the following restrictions: (a) Additional advertising shall be restricted to not more than two additional advertisers. (b) Advertising on hulls may be displayed over not more than 50% of the hull length. (c) Advertising on spinnakers may be displayed without any additional restrictions. (d) Advertising of one advertiser may be displayed on either the mainsail or the headsail and it may be on both sides of the sail. It shall have a width no greater than two-thirds of the length of the foot of the sail, and a height no greater than two-ninths the length of the foot of the sail. On the mainsail, it shall be placed below the national letters and sail numbers. (e) Advertising of one advertiser may be placed on the mainmast and main boom, within one-third of the length of the mast, and two-thirds of the length of the boom. Advertising is now covered by ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing, Section II Appendix 1, Regulation 20. RRS 79 compels all classes to comply with this Advertising Code. Variations to Regulation 20 by Class rules can only be endorsed if the Class chooses to apply Category C advertising (20.4.5), and includes such variations in their class rules. This proposal amends the current rule to comply with the RRS, and maintains the limitations on advertising in line with the current rule. 12 B 13.3 SAIL IDENTIFICATION B 13.3.1 The sail identification shall comply with the RRS, except where otherwise prescribed in these class rules. B 13.3.3 Numbers and letters shall be of the following minimum dimensions: Height 300mm Page 7 of 8
Width 200mm Thickness 45mm Spacing 60mm National letters may be placed in front of the numbers at the same level. B 13.3.1 The sail identification shall comply with RRS Rule 77. B 13.3.3.Delete this rule. Sail identification is clearly prescribed in ISAF RRS Appendix G. Under RRS 77 and RRS 86 Classes are compelled to apply the provisions of Appendix G. B 13.3.1 is amended accordingly, and B 13.3.3 is deleted as it is now redundant. CHAMPIONSHIP REGULATIONS 13 5 Organisation & Responsibility The Organising Club should liase with FFI, and at an early date to enable full discussion should that be necessary,before any irrevocable decisions have been taken, on such matters as: Preliminary Notice and Entry Forms; Programme; Sailing Instructions; Cost of Entry and Entertainment Tickets; Sponsorship available through FFI and other sources. The Organising Club should liase with FFI, and at an early date to enable full discussion should that be necessary,before any irrevocable decisions have been taken, on such matters as: Notice of Race, which shall include all items in RRS Appendix J, and details of proposed courses; Programme; Sailing Instructions; Cost of Entry and Entertainment Tickets; Sponsorship available through FFI and other sources. To ensure that course geometry is decided well in advance of the event to allow potential entrants prepare sails and equipment. Page 8 of 8