To all F16 members:

We have received a correctly proposed and seconded rule change proposal for discussion prior to and at the AGM at Zandvoort. The proposal will not go to ballot until after the AGM and then only if the AGM is in agreement that it should.

This is the text of the proposal we have received:

[color:"red"] An additional rule shall be included in the Formula 16 Catamaran Class Rules to read:

“The use of near horizontal or horizontal rudder or hull appendages designed to be varied in the trim relative to the hull and that are capable of adjustment whilst sailing, are expressly prohibited.
Horizontal or near-horizontal appendages or endplates on the rudder or rudders, whose angle of attack or camber cannot be adjusted whilst sailing, are permitted”
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Proposer: Simon Longstaff, United Kingdom, Stealth F16, GBR553

Seconder: Tony Jenkins, Australia, Blade F16, AUS002

** BUMP **

John et al,

I think my proposal has actully been fairly well discussed before I made the formal proposal. I think most people understand what I am trying to prevent.

Unfortunatly I will not be able to make the event in Zandvoort to discuss thisn in person. If further diuscussion is required, let's have it now on-line.

I think I understand what you are trying to prevent, but I am not sure the proposed rule does it. It sounds like you don't want the little foil at the bottom of the rudder to be able to articulate up and down, depending upon circumstances. But if the foil is fixed in position at the bottom of the rudder, the rule as worded does not prevent you from changing the angle of the rudder to change the angle of the end plate. Right? Or am I reading it wrong?

yes, you could change the angle of the foil by moving the whole rudder blade, but then you ruin the trim of the rudder and so would get horrible weather helm; this still might gety caught by the "while sailing" clause.

In this case allow my to make a suggestion.

I agree with the intented goal of the proposed rule but I'm not convinced by the actual wording. I think it can be simplifief and therefor should be simplified.

As the wording is now I'm in doubt whether I would vote in favour of it. This under the knowlegde that I do support the intented goals.

It is just that I feel that the F16 class rules demand a more balanced and easily read (understood) format.

Maybe we could do a discussion on several proposals that are worded differently and then choose the best one and enter that as the official a proposal ?

I will try to think up a few alternatives over the next couple of days.

Wouter

How about, "No angle of attack adjustable horizontal wing type foils on any underwater appendages, to include but not limited to, rudders and daggerboards."

The general consensus is that adjustability when off the water is fine (can't really be stopped anyway unless you ban packing of rudder pintles on the transom).

Just want to restrict adjustability while racing (to avoid foiling moth style arrangements which could get complicated with cats and their dual rudders and trying to adjust while on trapeze).

I can put together a very convincing argument that rudders would be banned under that current wording, it needs to be amended. I'll think about it some more and offer some constructive criticism later.

Maybe something along the lines of "no mechanism shall be used to adjust the...blah, blah, blah...from trapeze/on the water/something else" where the definition of mechanism is something about pulleys, levers, screws, etc...Still not great but closer to what we actually want to restrict, complicated mechanisms...not the T-foils.

The purpose of publishing this proposal is to provoke discussion just like this. At the end of the discussion (or whenever the proposer and seconder see fit) they, or someone else can either submit a re-worded proposal or a completely new one. Discussion like this makes for a healthy class.

Personally, I don't see a lot wrong with the wording of the current proposal. It captures all the items that would be undesirable in 'arms race' terms to do with foiling. It states what is NOT permitted and then clarifies further what IS permitted.

At the finish though, it is up to the proposer to submit what he/she feels will work in the rules and the class will vote on that.

Another possible use for the rudder T-foils (if you have rudders that swivel back) would be for putting on the brakes when you are in a situation where you have to slow down quickly to avoid a collision -- at a crowded mark rounding, for instance. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />