News ON-THE-WATER CHECKS

ON-THE-WATER CHECKS

Further to the measurement tips posted a month ago, here we publish an overview of the inspections carried out on the water after a race

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Further to the measurement tips posted a month ago, here we publish an overview of the inspections carried out on the water after a race

measurement at SAMs 2010

Further to the measurement tips posted on our web site a month ago, here we give you an overview of the inspections carried out on the water after a race. (A pdf with a check list of the on-the-water checks can be downloaded here)

 

Why?

The objective of these inspections, as well as of the measurement inspection prior to the start of the first race, is to CHECK FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE CLASS RULES, which means that we want to ensure that all of you compete with class legal equipment and that the races are fair and safe for everyone.

 

Who do we inspect?

Three of the first ten sailors in each race will be inspected. Prior to the day's races the International Jury gives the finishing positions (not the names, not the sail numbers, not the country) of the sailors to be inspected to the measurers that will do the inspections.

The measurers on the boat will do their best to call the sailors to be checked but it is the responsibility of the first ten sailors to approach the measurement boat and ask if they are going to be inspected. If a sailor that has to be inspected fails to approach the measurement boat, the measurer will report the incident to the Race Committee, who may protest the competitor. So, be aware that you might face disqualification if you finish among the ten first sailors and do not approach the measurement boat for inspection!!!

NOTE: If the measurer sees a boat clearly breaking any of the measurement rules, they may also call them for inspection irrespective of finish position. For example if they see a sail luff band too high or low.

 

What do we check?

Compliance with the Class Rules, especially those in connection with the following items:

Roll over the Class Rule number to see the text of the rule

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD)
You must wear your flotation device and have it fastened correctly. You can take it off if you want to change clothes but otherwise you must have the PFD on at all times while on the water.
CR 4.2(a)The helmsman shall wear personal buoyancy to the minimum standard EN393:1995 (CE 50 Newtons), or USCG Type III, or AUS AS1512 or AUS AS1499. All fastening devices supplied by the manufacturer shall be used in the manner intended. A whistle shall be carried securely attached to the personal buoyancy device.

 

WHISTLE
You must have a whistle attached to your PFD. If you have a whistle inside a pocket in the PFD but it is not attached, or if you have a whistle attached to your jacket, you are not complying with the class rules!! :( Make sure that you tie the knots correctly !!
CR 4.2(a)A whistle shall be carried securely attached to the personal buoyancy device.

 

BAILER(S)
The rules require that you carry at least one bailer (minimum 1 litre of capacity) and that it must be attached to the hull. If you have two bailers, both of them need be attached. Again, make sure you do the right knot...
CR 4.3(a)One or more bailers which shall be securely attached to the hull by a lanyard(s) or elastic cord(s). One bailer shall have a minimum capacity of one litre.

 

PAINTER (OR TOWING ROPE)
Don't forget to carry it and make sure it is correctly attached!!
CR 4.3(b)A painter of a single piece of buoyant rope, not less than 5 mm diameter and not less than 8 m long securely fastened to the mast thwart or mast step.

 

PADDLE
If you have a paddle but it is not attached to the hull by a lanyard, this is not in compliance with the class rules, even when the paddle is tucked in between a buoyancy bag and its straps.
CR 4.3(c)A paddle with a blade surface of not less than 0.025m2 securely attached to the hull by a lanyard or elastic cord.

 

LUFF MEASUREMENT BAND
It has to be between the mast limit marks. See the drawing at the end of the article.
CR 6.6.3.1The upper edge of the luff measurement band shall not extend above the lower edge of Band No. 1, and the lower edge of the luff measurement band shall not extend below the upper edge of Band No. 2. At the throat, both mast holes or lacing eyes referred to in CR 3.5.2.6 shall be used to prevent any part of the luff measurement band rising above the lower edge of Band No. 1.

 

GAP BETWEEN FOOT AND BOOM AND BETWEEN LUFF AND MAST
Sail ties must be tied so that they don't let the sail lie more than 10mm from the mast or boom. You must make sure that the sail ties are tied correctly. Check them before going afloat and between races.
CR 6.6.3.3 and 6.6.3.4The luff of the sail shall be lashed to the mast at each eyelet so as to be within 10 mm of the mast.

The foot of the sail shall be lashed to the boom at each eyelet so as to be within 10 mm of the boom. Alternatively, at the tack eyelet, it may either be lashed to the jaw fittings or attached through two holes in the jaws or jaw fittings, so as to be within 10 mm of the boom or its imaginary extension

 

CLEARANCE BETWEEN SPAN AND BOOM
The maximum clearance is 10mm. Make sure that the fittings in the boom that prevent the boom strops from moving are securely fixed.
CR 3.5.3.8The method of attachment of the mainsheet or mainsheet block(s) to the boom is optional (provided they cannot slip along the boom, and the maximum clearance between the span and the boom shall be not more than 100 mm, at any position along the boom). The position of the blocks or the length of boom strops shall not be adjusted while racing.

MAST RETAINING ARRANGEMENT
The mast has to be attached to the hull in a way that it cannot come out of the mast step fitting if you capsize. You must lock the mast in a way that when somebody tries to take it out of the step fitting it doesn't move. You can use either a lanyard or a locking system under the mast thwart. However, if you use the second option, be aware that the screws used to attach the mast collar may cause the locking system to open.
CR 3.5.2.11A locking device or other arrangement shall be fitted and used to prevent the mast from coming out of its step when the boat is capsized.

 

BUOYANCY BAGS
The bags have to be correctly inflated. Remember to inflate them before you launch your boat and check them between races.
CR 3.2.7.1 and 3.2.7.3The hull shall be fitted with three buoyancy units in the form of inflated air bags made of strong fibre-reinforced material. Each unit shall be 45 litres +/- 5 litres.

Buoyancy units shall be securely fastened to the hull by three straps.

 

MEASUREMENT STICKERS AND SAIL EVENT STAMP
Check them at the end of each day of racing. They should have been placed on your equipment during the inspection prior to the racing: rudder, daggerboard, mast, boom, sprit, hull; and stamp and signature on sail. If you see that one or more of your stickers are loose (or the stamp on the sail is fading), please take the piece of equipment with the faulty sticker or stamp to the measurement team after that days racing and ask for a replacement. Don't risk being penalised on the following day if the sticker goes away while racing.

 

Penalties

The penalty for not complying with any these class rules MAY be less than disqualification. However, the final decision is at the discretion of the International Jury. Repeated infringements may receive more severe penalties.

 

Remember: you can ALWAYS approach any of the IODA measurers appointed for the event if you are in doubt about something, they'll be glad to help!!

 

Position of Luff Measurement Band (LMB)

drawing of LMB

See below a check list summarising all of the above which you can download here

OK?  Item Class Rule
PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) WORN 4.2(a)
WHISTLE TIED ON 4.2(a)
BAILER(S) TIED ON 4.3(a)
PAINTER (TOWING ROPE) TIED ON 4.3(b)
PADDLE TIED ON 4.3(c)
LUFF MEASUREMENT BAND 6.6.3.1
GAP BETWEEN FOOT AND BOOM AND BETWEEN LUFF AND MAST 6.6.3.3
6.6.3.4
CLEARANCE BETWEEN SPAN AND BOOM 3.5.3.8
MAST RETAINING ARRANGEMENT 3.5.2.11
BUOYANCY BAGS 3.2.7.1
3.2.7.3
MEASUREMENT STICKERS AND SAIL EVENT STAMP