The modification to a jacket issue was raised in the Tornado class at the OCR's here on catsailor a few years ago. (some flotation was removed) Photo's of the modification provided primae facia evidence.
Result.... the class culture trumped the rules in the judgment of the sailors in that class and life went on without a DSQ.
So, ... What's the problem?.... Why the photo's in the first place? Answer, The class culture is hardly transparent! The RRS, Appeals book, Prescriptions and Class rule book are down in print.... available to anyone. Class culture... not so much. The Tornado poster was not up to speed on this particular fudge at the time. In the end... it all worked out.
JW reports that he personally survey's the entries at a regatta and picks from the quiver of vests.... The solution to his conundrum is for the F18 class to exercise their collective judgment and get the word out.
Remember... the entire hullabaloo came to the fore about a DSQ at an important junior regatta where the OA made it clear before hand that they would be checking for USCG vests. The DSQ'd sailor used poor judgment in this case. The adults decided to over ride any class culture in the junior classes... One can always question their judgment.... your milage may vary. Setting the kid issues aside...
