Nonsense.

Spinakers also stretch over time (increasing the overall area) as do mainsail luffs; but we are still recording those measurements on the certificate.

We must take care to not make the measurement certificate into something that it is not.

The measurement certificate is nothing more then a report of the boat's dimensions when it was measured on the given date (date stamp) from then onwards the following class rules apply :


3.5.2 All modifications or replacements of parts of a significant change, shall be remeasured and notification made on the measurement certificate by a measurer recognized by the Formula 16 Authority.

4.2.1 The competitors are responsible for showing the valid measurement form and
measurement certificate corresponding with the boat used.



There is NO F16 class rule that states that original (unmodified) equipment can invalidate a boat when it has become non-compliant due to aging or wear (I have yet to see a boat grow lighter with age). If all (unmodified/non-replaced) parts used were compliant on the date of their (first) measurement then they will remain so during their lifespans. Not allowing for this will open a can of worms. This opening was intentional when the rules were written.


Besides, a F16 can only be invalidated when it no longer adheres to the limits set out in the box rule, NOT when a certain measurement alters with aging. Therefore the reasoning that the boat MUST weight in at what the measurement certificate says is a reasoning that is alien and non-sensical to the F16 class (and the spirit of its rules). Additionally, if this reasoning is to be maintained then the spinnaker area measurement and the mainsail luff measurement must be left open as well (which is currently not the case). Probably a few other specs too.

Therefore, this whimsical (inconsistent) approach is best ended altogether.

Wouter