Specification
Report 2001
Over the
last few of years the question of cloth weight for spinnakers has been raised.
The local measurers and boat owners
had no
means of knowing the weight of the cloth. To this end. I issued a memo to local
sailmakers on February 1/2001
indicating
that all new spinnakers must be marked with the weight of the cloth on the
spinnaker beside the ISCA label, and sail
cloth
weight must also placed on the invoice. This places the onus for certifying
sail cloth weight on the sailmakers.
A list of all boats measured has been
distributed to members at the AGM. The list will be posted on the web at a
later date.
Below are three amendments to specification
that the class should look at. Amendment 4.5 is designed to maintain the one
design
status of the class. The class is not a development class and the class should
make this quite clear.
The
amendment to the keel section is to accommodate existing conditions already
found on all keels.
The
addition to the rudder section is a safely measure to help prevent rudders from
popping off.
Measurement
4.5
a)
A boat cannot be alternated or modified beyond the
Designers/Manufactures intent.
b)
If the Specifications do not cover certain applications the boat cannot
be altered or modified without the written approval from the Specification
Committee.
c)
Omissions or mistakes in the Specifications shall not be used to one's
benefit.
Keel
·
The thickness of the keel web (flat section) at the fore and aft points
shall not be greater than 22 mm (7/8”) or less
than 16 mm (5/8”). The thickness must be constant over the
length of this section within 6 mm (¼”) i.e. max.
Allowable thickness at any point of
this section is 28 mm (1 1/8”). The web
can be tapered up to a maximum
50 mm (2") on the forward and
trailing edge.
Rudder
· The rudder or transom shall be fitted
with a suitable means of preventing the rudder from becoming detached
from the
hull while sailing.
I would
recommend the removal of all imperial measurement, as the conversion factors
are incorrect. The specifications state the metric measurements are ones that
govern measurement and the removal of imperial measurements should in no way
affect
the class.
This would eliminate the confusion over cloth weight.
Following
an inquiry on the use of Mylar sails in the Shark Fleet. I contacted a number
of sailmakers for their opinions and perspectives on this issue.
The result
of this inquiry found three sailmakers opposed to Mylar and one in favour.
Factors such as cost and durability were the key issues considered regarding
Mylar sails. The range in cost was from 20% less to 30% more for Mylar sails.
Durability
would be
similar to Dacron.
Lack of
availability of Dacron cloth was considered an issue by one sailmaker. However,
a cloth manufacturer noted that 80% of sails are made of Dacron and that due to
this high use, the cloth has undergone many improvements over the past few
years.
I feel this
issue warrants further investigation before the class makes a final decision. I
would like more time to consult with sailmakers and cloth manufacturers before
I am ready to make my final recommendations.
· The Shark Class should encourage the
sailmakers to test Mylar sails.
· Use of Mylar sails should be limited to
club racing, upon approval of the fleet of that club
· Sails cannot be used at major and
counter regattas.
· Mylar sails should require some type of
identification to indicate they are test sails in order to protect sailors from
purchasing used sails in the future.
· The test sails would not be
grandfathered into fleet sailing if not approved by the Class.
· Results of testing should be forwarded
to the Shark Class.
Jeff
Mitchell
Saturday,
February 24, 2001