I think Mary is absolutely spot on here.
In all the sail measurements I've seen over the years it is not uncommon at all to see the sails cut 0.05 sq. mtr to small by sailmakers. They often do this to not have their sails made uncompliant by a measuring official who pulls harder on a measuring tapes then his collegues. And to allow for some stretching of the sail over time.
Most sailmakers try to end up at 0.03 sq. mtr. smaller the absolute limit. I think many may find that the SL 16 jib will actually measure in under F16 rules if the sail is measured when absolutely new.
I have seen alot of jibs that were between 0.05 and 0.15 sq. mtr. smaller then the absolute limit. There were even a few that were no less then 0.30 sq.mtr. smaller (some sailmakers can't read measuring tapes properly themselfs.)
So indeed while technically some are correct that 3.75 sq. mtr. jib is not a 3.70 sq. mtr. jib I think we may find that 3/4 of the SL16's measure in as F16's just the same.
Wouter
I'm guessing that the rules are written that sails shall have a maximum area and stipulate as to how they are measured???
From there surely the sailmaker would be expected to use that number as a maximum figure and build any tolerance to be in the smaller direction when they are assembling their sails??? If the class deems that a larger jib to be acceptable then change the rule so that all sailors can take advantage of it.
The simple answer would be for any SL16 owner wanting to sail as F16 to measure their jib and modify it if it is oversize (shaving a few mm off the foot should be enough).
In most classes it's the skippers responsibility to ensure that their boat complies with the class rules at all times and this is one rule that should also apply to F16.
Cheers,
Tiger Mike
