srm wrote:
Not going to get into an arguement with you on the rotation control rule, but I suspect that if you made a significant change to the original rotation system, you would likely lose a protest (at least at a championship level regatta). I remember decades back when the rule was changed (at one time, you could not make any modifications to the rotation system) and I believe the intent is as was stated in the original response. Keep in mind that in any case of doubt, the rules/protest committe is most likely going to revert to general rule number 1 which basically says, unless the rules explicitly state that you can do something, you can’t do it.
Regarding the 8:1 mainsheet, it is still a moot point. The Hobie 18 Formula class is non-existant. All other versions of the 18 require 7:1 max.
Do I agree with the way all the rules are written? Not necessarily, but my purpose for posting this (other than just my own general interest) was because there has been some recent discussion about modifications to the Hobie 18 and I thought it might be beneficial to share the class association’s standing on these mods.
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No I'm with you but lets just laugh at this for a moment. If they try and revert to "rule number 1 which basically says, UNLESS THE RULES explicitly state that you can do something, you can’t do it." I'll read them the rules that explicitly state "Additional mast rotation devices and related control equipment may be installed to the owner's and skipper's specification"
I mean it's really not any more clear cut than that. If I install an additional mast rotation device I am 100% within class rules. It's black and white. There's not some * that says, excludes xxxxx. Whoever answered that question and said you couldn't add an additional device needs help. If they try to cock block the additional device and say that drilling a hole in the mast to mount another mast rotator structurally weakens the mast then I would just fiberglass the bar around the mast thus actually strengthening the mast lol.
I'd be willing to bet when that rule was written it was before the central tramp adjustable rotator was as popular in cats such as the A class nowadays and they were more making room for a positive rotation control for downwind. Regardless if they don't want additional devices they should rewrite the rule and exclude basically every word of the existing rule...