We have a very important class rule change that will be voted on at the World Council in December. We want to solicit the input of the entire USF18 membership on how the US should vote with our 12 votes. The most significant potential change is regarding the location of the forestay bridle wire apex and the jib tack. At this point it is only an advisory vote on whether the class should proceed with the technical rule development which would do this:
1) Raise the bridle wire apex and allow the inclusion of a compression bar similar to NACRA-17s and Toronados. This would significantly reduce the load on the hulls and make construction of them easier (reduce some cost) and is supported by most of the boat manufacturers. Your current configuration would remain class legal and you could make the change when you are ready to replace your bridle wires which typically is every 5 years.
2) Free the location of the jib tack point to lower than currently allowed. This is where the research would need to be done on how to word the rule on the tack location.
3) As you lower the jib tack location there are other development options that may be considered for the future.
4) The new rule would not be implemented until Dec 2021 at the earliest to allow boat builders and boat owners time to react.
If this advisory vote is approved (a yes vote) then the class will develop exact proposed rule changes and there will be a second vote in May/June 2020 prior to the Annual General Meeting at the Worlds in Italy in July.
All the other proposed rule changes are fairly straight forward and your board recommends approval. These changes would be implemented in 2020. You can read the details in the ballot. They cover:
- Removal of Platform Weight Requirement,
- Allow Hatch Covers [Access Ports] to be opened between races,
- Exclude adjustments of standing rigging (diamond wires, shroud tension, mast rake, spreader rake) while racing
- Specified Compass and brackets are allowed
- Specified recertification is not required if you perform maintenance of components
Here is the link to the ballot and it takes only 3 minutes to vote: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2R3FFCZ
The ballot will remain open until 7:00 am Pacific Time on Monday December 16, 2019. You must be a 2019 member of USF18 for your ballot to be counted. If you are not a member you can sign-up at: https://USF18.com/store/
As long as you have paid membership by December 15th midnight your vote will be counted.
If you have questions regarding any of these rule changes please email me at stevestroebel9@gmail.com or Sam Carter at samc99us@gmail.com
Please vote!