Reword for Rule 7

7. Unballasted retractable seat or trapeze shall be allowed for the forward hand when two-up or adult skippers when solo only. Solo junior (under 13) skippers cannot use a trapeze for F12 competition.

I think this covers most ppls point of view, the wording needs some work though. The risk of a solo junior getting into trouble is reduced, 2-up juniors can have a single trapeze for fun and adults can do whatever they want. The age can be moved around if desired.

Another idea is that juniors (under 13 or similar) must race 2-up. Again this is a safety related issue.

Sorry for bringing up so many new ideas, most of them are being stolen from the Sabot, an Australian junior class.

Rewording of Rule 17

17. Hydrofoils are not permitted. Atleast one hull shall be in the water while sailing. To this end, centreboards and rudders are to be essentially straight with a maximum camber (top to bottom) of no more than 25mm. They are to be essentially vertical with the distance between the bottom of the boards, when both are deployed, within 100mm of the distance between the top of the boards in the same position.

Diagrams required.

A bit wordy but should avoid any confusion.

Thats what I needed, the proper wording for each point. I don't think we can make lowering the sail at sea mandatory because it rules out the sleeved sail unstayed versions already planned.
regards

I don't have a problem with unstayed pocket luff rigs, only stayed pocket luff rigs like moths and mainsails that can't be dropped with the boat upright. So long as the kid or a rescuer can drop the sail easily.

Only other consideration with unstayed rigs is that there is a device to keep the rig in the socket during capsizes. A simple rope and sister clip arrangement would be enough. Not sure if this should be in the rules, maybe a separate clause is needed to cover these safety issues.

Safety - Sails must be able to be dropped easily in all conditions while on the water, mast must be attached to the boat, etc.

Just a little history for those wondering where this stuff is coming from, I used to umpire junior teams racing and being able to drop the sails in ALL conditions while on the water was a necessity.

That's a valid point, allowing trapezes and unstayed rigs conflict with each other. Sure you can put a trapeze on the unstayed rig but it would be nasty or require a very big stiff mast.

Along with this is that installing pocket luffs and trapeze connections is a hassle from a rigging point of view. From a rescue point of view I don't want to contemplate pulling the main down on a stayed pocket luff rig with trapeze wires on the water in 25 knots and some chop.

Sure it can be done and performance may be increased slightly, but is it worth it at the cost of some basic safety measures?

We can exclude traps and seats unless someone else pipes up in support of them.
regards

RG my understanding is that the kiwis intend on fitting them. Is this the case?

Traps and seats were not intended from the start, so we can exclude them.
The pocket luff sail was I think intended for the unstayed rig where the sail can windwane can we keep it at that

As the sailmakers here seem reluctant to make pocket luff sails, Billy has already decided to change to a sail with a boltrope and Im not hung up on having a pocket luff sail.
Sent out an email to those who have paid for designs asking if they were happy with this and all who have replied with the exception of the Chinese will go with it. While I wouldn't like to lose the Chinese boats, I think we should just outlaw the pocket luff on a stayed rig in the interests of safety. Traps I see no reason to outlaw, and all the kids I've talked to want it, period.
cheers
RG