There is still a concentration of a few active squares on Lake Norman (Charlotte, N.C.). Good bunch of guys - but they're hesitant to travel for obvious reasons. The following are the class rules which also explains the demise of the class. Yes, it was a box rule but with very few rules defining that box. It obviously was intended to be a developmental class but as shown by the image you attached, it lead to variations of which it became impossible for the class to compete with. When such variation started coming to light, the class broke into Type 1 (over 300lbs) and Type 2 (under 300lbs) in an attempt to try and level the playing field. You could probably fit the 18sq class rules on a 5X6 note card! It looks like a really great boat and I know a lot of guys that own or have owned them - a lot of good stuff came out of that development. In contrast, the F18 rules are 31 pages long (already) and while some might consider any box rule a "development class", the F18 arms race is limited to a much smaller scale. (
International F18 Class Rules )
18m² Class Rules...
These are the official class rules for the 18 Square Meter class. This is an open development class, so the design parameters are wide open with few limiting factors...
Racing among yachts in this class shall be without time allowance. All 18m² shall start and race together for overall points and prizes, but for the class championship regattas, and optionally for other regattas with a start for 18m² yachts. A skipper may register and race in Category II for a regatta if his 18m² with all sailing equipment, but not including water ballast or personal equipment (trapeze harness, water vest, personal floatation device), weighs not less than 150kg (or 330 pounds) and if the yacht's mast girth is no greater than 50 cm (or 20 inches). Skippers choosing to race for Category II points in a regatta in addition to racing for overall points, will check each other for compliance with Category II rules, although for class regattas at the national level or higher level the Race Committee shall set up a procedure for checking Category II compliance in addition to the procedure for checking all 18m² for overall rule compliance
Sail area shall be measured with accordance with the IYRU Sail Area Measurement Instructions and shall not exceed 18.00m²
The overall length shall not exceed 5500mm. The length shall be measured between perpendiculars to the extremities of the hulls with the boat in her normal trim. The measurement shall be taken parallel to the center line of the yacht and exclude rudder hangings, but if the athwartships width of a rudder within 153mm of bottom of the hull is more than 76mm, the length shall be taken to the aftermost point of the rudder.
There shall be no restrictions on beam.
There shall be only one person on board when racing
A retractable seat or trapeze is permitted for the helmsman
All hull and rig variations, with the exception of similar or stronger replacement parts and sails, shall be carried on board while racing. This applies for the duration of a regatta
Sail numbers shall be allotted by the Class Association. Sail emblems and numbers shall be placed as in IYRU Yacth Racing Rule 25
Hydrofoils are permitted
Spinnakers, unless they are measured in the total sail area, are prohibited
Overall lengths of spinnaker booms and headsail poles shall not exceed 2400mm
The following IYRU Racing Rules shall not apply to this class
Rule 20 -- Ownership of Yachts
Rule 21 -- Member on Board (may be applied by a yacht or sailing club sponsoring a regatta)
Rule 22.2 -- Shipping Ballast (water ballast only is allowed)
Rule 22.3 -- Clothing and Equipment (limit of 20kg)
Rule 23 -- Anchor
Rule 26 -- Advertisements
Rule 27 -- Forestays and Jibtacks
