Here are the Trapseat rules that might help with your writing of the rules. You must have a lot of experience with this type of rule guideline writing, I know I greatly appreciate your efforts.
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<br>1 - Helmsperson must be disABLED as classified by the IFDS rating system
<br>2 - Crew may be able-bodied (AB) or disABLED
<br>3- There shall be two Trapseats attached to each cat.
<br>4 - The crew ONLY may hike from any position
<br>5 - When racing, no part of the torso of the helmsperson shall pass the centerline of the boat
<br>6 - Before a race the helmsperson shall nominate which side of the boat from which he/she will steer the boat
<br>7 - Rule 4 shall not apply in the event of a capsize
<br>8 - No competitor will be disqualified due to assistance in the event of a capsize or other emergency deemed such by the race organizers
<br>9 - Races will take place in 15 Knots, not exceeding 20 Knots
<br>10 – Official Trapseat races will take place in protected waters
<br>11 - All Hobie 16 class rules apply except where Trapseat rules override
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<br>As for rudder design I think it would be interesting to talk with the guy who builds the 15 foot Sea Spray as I know he has experimented with funky looking rudders with little foils on the ends. So you may be right in leaving the rudder area of the rules free of restrictions. I’ll contact him about the rudders.
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<br>Also just for everyone’s information the square top main does greatly reduce the H16’s tendency to pitch pole due to the fact that the upper half of the sail tends to twist off when sailing in heavy wind, down wind, kind of like an automatic self reefing system.
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<br>Once again do you think we need to put a rule in about the main downhaul.<br><br>