With all of the trouble there seems to be with the snuffer systems being shipped with the TIgers (i.e. sock too short, etc.), just thought I'd throw it out there to see if PETA, NAF-18, or NAHCA would go after ya putting a skunk on a Tiger?



Cost to install the sleek new spi retreavial set up - around $800 extra. Not having the heavy aluminum toilet bowl all the way out on the end eating every wave, priceless.



Oh yeah, may not be news to all, but the Alter Cup Tigers will be using the stock lanuching from the deck system. Hope them crews can keep the 2-in-1 halyards straight.

IHCA CLass rules for the one-design Tiger appear to allow a Skunk type snuffer.



Rule 6.7 has been ammended this year to the effect of



"Systems designed to assist in taking the spinnaker down shall be considered part of the spinnaker running gear, provided that the tack attatchment point distance from the front crossbar remains the same. The spinnaker bag is also part of the spinnaker running gear."



Rule 12.2



States that "only bowsprits supplied by a HOBIE CAT COMPANY are Class legal" and "additonal blocks/cleats for spinnaker running gear and jib luff control may be mounted to the bowsprit"



Full text of the rulle can be found at:



www.hobieclass.com



Follow to the class rules link.



I read this as allowing the skunk system, and would like to know what others think about this interpretation.



Tom

Apparently, it is not just the length of the bag, but the bag taper which causes the problems. The spi jams in so tight, the water can't drain.

Several of the Tigers in Division 9 have switched to a longer, non-tapered bag made by Skip Elliot. They said it was much easier.

He already has the dimensions required.

AND you de-stink the skunk!



Couldn't resist, Johnny - grab that Tiger and get off that 20, man! You know you can't resist that spinnaker ride! Give in to the Dark Side! Join us, and rule the UNIVERSE!



heehee.



j

What is a skunk? is it this? see attachment

good photo Jacques,,



This Tiger is equipped with both a "skunk" style mid-pole snuffer, and a self tacking jib.



Skunk is actually a brandname,, by Guck Inc, I believe. There are several variations on mid-pole snuffers comming on the market now. check out http://www.proustcata.com/les-kits.htm

Hi Tom!



I agree with your interpretation of the rule.(s) It's very vague.



Did you get your mainsail fixed yet? Good luck in the Alter Cup. I'll be checking out your guys site daily to keep up with the action. WIsh we could have been there.



Tracie

Hi Tracie,



Ran the sails up to the sailmaker on the Monday after Rehobeth and had them both back that afternoon!



Missed you at Madcatter. It was CCCOLD & BLOWIN'

Understand that its a long way for you guys.



Hope to see you soon!



Tom

Our spinnaker is still in the shop. We sailed over the weekend at our Rick White Seminar and things were not the same without it.



Cold? I heard it snowed. I'm a nothern girl, you'd think I'd be use to it, but I must admit I turned into a priss from living here in sunny warm Virginia.



Are you guys going to the Statue of Liberty Race?



Tracie

Wellllllllll,,,,,,,



The old saying about the rules are; "That they say what they mean, and mean what they say" And IHCA rules text is often ambiguous.



Without going to the full text of ALL the IHCA Tiger Class rules, I would suggest that the rules cited "do not disallow" an aftermarket spinnaker retrieval system (such as a skunk). However, the bow sprit (which we incorrectly call a pole) must be from HC.



The trick to winning this point might be to assert that the Skunk is a seperate item, and is not part of the sprit. And it is not, it is simply attatched to the sprit.



I would have to wonder if there is not some other not-withstanding catch-all clause in the IHCA rules though.



Good luck with it, the Twister comes stock with a Skunk-style snuffer and I think they enhance the sailability of any boat.