But what can the RC protest the competitors about ?

If a boat is out of class (or not carrying the correct equipment), then it would be other competitors (or the official measurer) who would be protesting (or do you count the RC as OM ?)

I heard tale that a lot of the new jibs have straight battens in them and have sailed with one myself -I didn't try but I imagine I would have a tough time furling it with the 3.9" diameter required.



For that matter, that jib I sailed certainly didn't meet this one:

Yeah - the straight-batten jib will NOT furl to the required dimension.

Do you think we can propose some rules changes (like furled dimension and sticker location) before September??

[i]edit - straight battens are allowed in the International F18 rules - the "parallel to the luff" appears to be a NA thing, along with the furled dimension. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Scooby,

It is in the Rules that an event measurer is compelled to notify the RC of any equipment violations and the RC is to protest the offending boats. There is a section of the Rules called "Event Measurement" that contains the following:

F.3.4. EVENT MEASURER’S RESPONSIBILITY: The RRS 78.3 gives the initial authority to the event measurers to determine whether an item of material complies or not with the class rules. This authority is afforded only during the event measurement. If a measurer is convinced without any doubt that an item of material does not comply with the rules, he shall write a report to the race committee, who shall lodge a protest against the yacht.

OK, thanks, never had a boat fail measurement so I'd not experienced it.

So it appears that maybe a number of boats were not m,easuring, or re-measuring !

The RC did a random check on several boats and during one of these checks (Kenbeek/Brouwer) the RC challenged the correctness of their paddle. After that Kenbeek filed a protest against all other competitors to have their paddle (especially length) checked. After that the RC decided to check all paddles and it seemed their was a queue next to the measurers tent with at least 100 competitors having all kinds of ingenious paddle-like creations.
Dutchman Vincent Kruyt "found" a flagpole to extend his paddle not knowing the original owner of the plagpole was standing just behind him in the queue. A chase, which started in de RC's tent and ended on the beach, followed.
Also the Boulogne bro's came up with a paddle made out of a beertray. Hilarious.

John and Brian, Where is Adventure Online TV when we need them? I can only imagine the video you guys would've made of that chase...

PADDLEGATE!

read-the-flippin-class-rules-gate !

Check out http://www.f18-international.org/history.htm for a brief history of the F18 class. AFAIK there have been no major changes of the class rules beyond the control of snuffer tubes, allowing self tackers and control of sail materials.

Tiger Mike

The furling one is a common problem with 4:1 self tackers. Not many actually furl and IIRC the furler is scheduled for deletion in the near future.

Jib batten pockets are another common area of non-compliance. Once again when they go full batten jibs, this issue will dissappear.

Tiger Mike

John and I are sipping foo foo drinks with the wives. Were on holiday!

Under the rear beam on the inside of the hulls, with certain measurement details writen under the clear F18 sticker.

As for the paddles, I cant believe sailors going to these events, do not study the rules. Sailors should also forget taking shortcuts making a paddle and just buy or make a usable paddle under the class rules.

Hey Steve -

I was talking about the NAF-18 Class Sticker - they go on the outside of the hulls under the rear beams rather than inside where the measurement stickers go... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Cool, thought the NAF was a typo......

How do you like your new Capricorn. Hopefully we will see the class build rapidly in the US with the new US dealer and recent Capricorn success.

Are you still looking at coming over to Oz for the 07 Worlds and if so, if you have any questions, please e-mail me and I will help you out where I can.

Cheers