Yes I know that I'll need to talk to the GC but before i go to that extend can anyone confirm or explain interpretations of a couple of rules for me.
Question 1:
1.2.4 The hulls, beams and trampoline shall not be permanently fixed to one-another. the Formula 16 Class authority may demand that these items be disassembled, but only at a time when doing so does not directly affect the fairness of racing.
Does this mean I have to be able to separate the tramp from the beams. ie if I wanted to make a solid tramp it could not be made as one piece with one or both of the beams. Or does it just mean I would have to be able to unbolt this structure from the hulls. Does the platform need to break down into 5 distinct components. stbd hull, port hull, front beam, aft beam, tramp?
As UK measurer, I'd say they need to be seperate bits.
Question 2:
Are skiff style rudder gantries allowed so long as they don't extend the hydrodynamic surface of the boat? I can't find anything in the rules that makes them illegal. If they are permitted can they be permanently built on as per 12' skiff gantries or outboard engine pods.
I believe these to be legal, but it's not been tested. See link below.
Question 3.
Are gybing dagger boards allowed? everything else seems to be restricted except this am I correct?
Ref.
here I don't see anything that bans them:
1.6 Daggerboards and rudders
1.6.1 The platform shall be equipped with a pair of rudders.
1.6.2 In addition to the rudders, the platform may also be equipped with a pair of daggerboards or centerboards.
1.6.3 All performance calculations, such as handicap ratings, shall be performed as if a platform has daggerboards or centerboards, even though a particular design may have neither of them.
1.6.4 (Added by vote, August 2007) For the avoidance of doubt, daggerboards/centerboards will conform to the following :
a) Curved/’Banana’ boards will not be allowed.
b) Assymetrical cross-section profile boards will be allowed.
c) Fore/aft movement of the boards when in the down position will not be allowed.
d) End fences/horizontal appendages below the waterline will not be allowed. The board shall be capable of removal, without tools, via the upper opening of the case.
e) There will be no limitation on the daggerboard/centerboard length
Question 4.
Is it possible to ask the GC to guarantee grandfathering of all "novel" design features should they ever become outlawed. If I invest in some reasonable quality tooling I don't want to have it made worthless by a rule change 12 months later and as a result I'd want an undertaking from the council that vessels will be able to be built to the rules that were current when the first boat of that design was launched.
Please read the rules with care, please read
this very carefully, 2.3.2 answers your question about grandfathering.
2.3.2 The Formula 16 class authority however reserves the right to disallow any feature or to change, amend or add new rules to the Formula 16 rules in order to either ensure safety, garantee the class's survival, protect the class's character (spirit), satisfy the class goals or facilitate the growth of the class. This right will only be excerted with great caution and non-urgent changes, amendments or additions will be put on a pre-next-season notice and only become effective the next season.
