For the purposes of discussion, here are some draft rules for the Hobie 16 Turbo Class: <br> <br>Bylaws/Rules for Hobie 16 Turbos: <br> <br>2001 International Hobie 16 Turbo Class Rules - First Draft <br> <br>1. Intent and Objective <br>The intent of the International Hobie 16 Turbo Class is to encourage development of the original Hobie 16 design to the maximum extent possible while retaining certain characteristics deemed essential. The intent is NOT to supplant or diminish one-design racing of Hobie 16s under International Hobie Class Association rules. Specific objectives are: <br>1.1 Encourage Hobie 16 ownership by allowing experienced sailors an upgrade path other than purchasing a boat of a different design. <br>1.2 Provide exciting competition to both disabled and non-disabled sailors. <br>1.3 Encourage experimentation with existing sailing gear and early adoption of new sailing gear through the use of a relatively inexpensive and widely available test-bed, and by providing races in which to test them. <br> <br>2. Definitions <br>2.1 The International Hobie 16 Turbo Class Association shall hereafter be referred to as IH16TCA. <br>2.2 Hobie Cat USA, Hobie Cat Europe and any of their licensees that are in good standing with respected licensors shall hereafter be referred to as Hobie Cat Co. <br>2.3 International Sailing Federation shall be referred to as the ISAF. <br>2.4 The International Sailing Federation Racing Rules shall be referred to as the RRS. <br> <br>3. Eligibility <br>The IH16TCA has the right to declare ineligible any Hobie 16 Turbo that does not conform to the rules presented herein, or is manifestly unsafe in the opinion of the race committee. <br> <br>4. Safety <br>The rules presented herein shall not be viewed as guidelines for safely modifying Hobie 16s. It is the responsibility of the boat's owner to ensure that all modifications are safe and that the boat is seaworthy and safe to sail. <br> <br>5. Safety Equipment <br>5.1 Each person on board shall wear a lifesaving device or PFD (Personal Flotation Device) approved by the recognized authority having jurisdiction at all times. <br>5.2 Radios may be carried onboard but must be turned off at the beginning of the starting sequence. Radios may be turned on after the boat finishes. <br> <br>6. Hulls and Decks <br>6.1 Only Hobie 16 hulls manufactured by the Hobie Cat Co. may be used. Hulls may not be modified except as expressly permitted herein. <br>6.2 Hulls may be rubbed, waxed, sanded, built back up to original spec, or buffed in the normal process of maintenance. <br>6.2 Hull ports may be added. Hull ports shall be no more than 6" in diameter, and there shall be no more than 2 ports per hull. <br>6.3 Beam may be no greater than 8'6". <br> <br>7. Mast <br>7.1 Only Hobie 16 masts manufactured by the Hobie Cat Co. may be used. Masts may not be modified except as expressly permitted herein. <br>7.2 A comptip may be added. Only comptips manufactured by the Hobie Cat Co. and installed according to their instructions are permitted. Use of comptips is encouraged. <br>7.3 Devices for the purpose of controlling sail shape or mast rotation may be connected to the mast, provided that these connections do not significantly affect the structural properties of the mast. <br> <br>8. Sails <br>8.1 Sails may be of any design, material and manufacture. <br>8.2 A sailor may not add, remove or change sails during a race or regatta unless the sail has been damaged and is no longer usable. Permission to make a sail change must be received, in writing, from the race committee PRIOR to the change being made. <br>8.3 All batten pockets in the sails must contain exactly one batten at all times. Battens may be of any design, material and manufacture. A sailor may not change a batten during a race or regatta unless the batten has been damaged and is no longer useable. <br> <br>9. Wires <br>9.1 The minimum wire size is 3/32 inch for standing and running rigging. <br> <br>10. Equipment <br>10.1 Any equipment not specifically prohibited elsewhere in these rules is permitted. <br> <br>10. Advertising <br>10.1 Advertising on the boat and sails is allowed per ISAF Advertising Code, Regulation 20. <br> <br>11. Disqualification <br>11.1 If the skipper or crew is disabled, the boat shall not be disqualified for receiving assistance in the event of a capsize or any other event deemed an emergency by the race committee. <br> <br>12. Racing Numbers <br>12.1 Upon receipt of the membership application form and fee, IH16TCA will assign an official sail number. Sail numbers may be requested on first come, first served basis. Otherwise they will be issued in sequence. <br> <br>13. Number of crew <br>13.1 Any number of crew may race provided that no change is made during the race event. If a crew change is required, it must be made only with the written permission of the committee <br> <br>14. Minimum Crew Weight <br>14.1 The minimum combined crew weight shall be 285 lbs. <br> <br>15. Minimum Boat Weight <br>15.1 The minimum boat weight shall be 320 lbs. <br><br><br>
