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2010 ISCA Constitution Changes - Issues & Responses

Several members have written CSCA executive with concerns about the proposed amendments to the Shark24 Class Constitution, Rules and Specifications. In an effort to keep members informed, we are posting these responses.

Dr. Peter Aker, ISCA specifications officer and CSCA VP of Specifications (chief measurer), has prepared these responses. Peter has worked closely with Jeff Mitchell (former CSCA and ISCA chief measurer), Greg Cockburn (ISCA President) and John Brunt (CSCA President), and all the other International ISCA members, in preparing these proposed changes. ISCA is proposing these amendments to help the Class stay current, and to clarify issues that have arisen over the many years since the last amendment (1995).

Almost all of the changes we are proposing are being suggested because of issues that have arisen in the past. We are not proposing any major changes to the Rules, other than the voting method. We are mostly just dealing with the Appendix IV issues (Clarifications and Interpretations) that have arisen over the years, correcting some metric conversion errors, and dealing with some old-boat renovation issues that have continued to arise as the fleet ages. Hopefully by making these changes we can avoid repeat of the same infringements.

New issues (laminate sails, sail cloth weights, carbon fibre rudders, etc) are not being dealt with in this amendment. Any new issues (either Constitution, Championship or Specifications) can potentially be more readily amended with the proposed electronic voting.

Proposed Amendments to Specifications

Thwart - the intent here is not only to retain strength for those still using wood, but also to not permit increased leverage for hiking outboard... an unfair advantage against those still using the original wood profile.

Lazarette covers - some are being replaced with light construction, not fit or safe to even walk on. The only reason for doing this is for weight reduction... weight reduction in the ends is only done for competitive gain. With some ultralight construction there is a concern for the safety of the crew. They were all originally built safely, and yes there is variation in weight between builders. But when one has to come up with something to prevent the unsafe covers from being built, checking across builders and going with an average weight for a replacement was considered a reasonable solution. The minimum weight for a replacement lazarette cover shall be 4.4 kg.

Transom hatch - all boats will be required to carry a transom hatch. If the original hatch is lost or missing, the minimum weight of a replacement hatch shall be 0.68 kg.

Keel web - we found a situation where an owners was filling in the web in an attempt to hide forward movement of the keel. They tried to keep the measurement of the keel position the same, when actually it was moved forward and then filled in behind the flange and web. The intent of the 50 mm taper for the keel web was to have a rule in place to match already existing conditions (ie. the metal has a taper).

Rudders - carbon fibre will not be permitted. It is written as fibre reinforced plastic as that is the proper terminology for fibreglass now. We now realize it does not specifically say "not carbon fibre". Perhaps this may need to be clarified. It is not the intention of the rule change to now permit carbon fibre.

Laminate sails - this is a new issue and will not be dealt with in this round of voting. That is not to say by any means that we are against it or for it, but just that there are so many other older issues to deal with that this one is not on the board right now.

Backstay - the minimum length of the backstay is measured from mast to the end of the wire, not including the purchase.

Inventory list - the inventory list needs to be carried on board. The official document to be used is the Inventory form found on the website under the One Design! tab, click on Measurement, then click on Inventory. Each owner needs to fill it out for their own boat.

Sail cloth (weight and fabric) - some people think we should change the Class rule to a heavier spin cloth, some people think it should remain the same. Some people think we should change to allow laminate sails, some people think we should only allow Dacron. Both these issues are considered new issues, and are therefore not being dealt with in this amendment. We recognize that sail cloth weight and fabric are issues that will need to be discussed by the Class in the near future. As for now, however, the amendment only proposes that we use the manufacturer’s specifications for cloth weight to determine cloth weight. We have not proposed any changes to the weight of the cloths being used. Basically, the Class has worked with the sailmakers in the past and has entrusted the sailmakers to make legal sails. Now, with more sailmakers making sails, the Class needs better ways to enforce the Rules with respect to cloth weight. We could train our measurers to use special scales to measure the cloth, but using manufacturer's published weights is an easier enforcement strategy (manufacturers publish a guaranteed minimum weight for their cloth). This rule change is not intended to be punitive in any way to either the sailmakers or to the sailors.

Sails (headsails requirement) - it is no longer required to carry a jib on board. The only requirement is to carry no more than 3 headsails. One may be a jib, or all 3 may be genoas. It is up to the skipper of the vessel to assure that the vessel can be operated in all weather conditions. This will permit sailors to use a 150% genoa as a heavy-air sail.

Units of measure - the official unit of measure for the Class is metric. Imperial is described in some items historically and for ease of measurement in North America, where imperial is still widely used.

Voting Procedures

The instructions are clear as to how you may vote on the proposed amendments. If you are in favour of all the changes, vote yes at the top (put an “X” in the box) and submit. If you are not in favour of any number of proposed changes then you must vote on each proposal individually by placing an “X” under either yes or no for each item.

Please vote and submit your ballot to the Canadian Shark Class Association.

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