Why doesn't USSailing keep a database of the different Class rules and the last known address of the Class Association? I am not talking about any sort of certification or approval process, just having copies on the website. The discussion about the new Portsmouth mods and their relation to Class rules reminded me of this problem. How do you find the Class rules for a dead or rare boat that wants to race? How do people with dead or rare boats ever change their Class rules? I tried to get a copy of the Shark Class rules last year and all I got was people trying to sell me a book on rebuilding Sharks.
Perhaps the Multihull Council could do it for multis first and set an example?
That would be a good idea and believe that NAMSA would be a great organization to handle the project. It would be quite time consuming to go after each class (as you have found for the Shark Class) but it would be easy enough to archive the present active classes with easily obtained rules. Then spend some time trying to dig up some of the older classes. Guess we would need to find someone that wants to volunteer for that project. Once the material is gathered, I can put it on the website.
On the Shark, that is strange that you could not get the rules. I was class Secretary from 68 to 72 and had the rules available. We were able to make some changes like getting rid of the splash rails, having a loose-footed main, and some other stuff. Now they need to allow different spreader systems that will allow a bit of mast bending to make their sails more versatile. Once needed the approval of Rod MacAlpine Downey, but since he is deceased, I doubt they need anything like that anymore.
And, Sam, you are right. We need a reference area like that for all the classes, and I hope NAMSA or the Multihull Council can start getting something like that together. It's very long overdue.
