Here's the existing 16 clew plate rule:
3.1 A jib clew plate, measuring not more than 8 in. (20.32 cm) at its longest point and containing not more than five adjustment holes, may be added to the jib.
a) A maximum of 1-1/2 in. (38.1 mm) of sail, measured diagonally, may be removed from the jib for installation of the clew plate.
b) A grommet, measuring not more that 1-1/2 in. (38.1 mm) at the inside diameter, may be placed at the clew of the jib in place of the jib plate.
And here's the existing Wave Sail rule:
3. SAILS
3.1 Mainsail downhaul purchase shall not exceed 3:1and may be rigged in any manner.
3.2 Reefing of any sail is permitted. Reefing design shall be open provided it does not structurally weaken the boat or interfere with basic functions of HOBIE CAT CO. supplied components.
So I figure if we just add in:
3.3 A jib clew plate, measuring not more than 8 in. (20.32 cm) at its longest point may be added to the sail.
a) A maximum of 2-1/2 in. (63.5 mm) of sail, measured diagonally, may be removed from the jib for installation of the clew plate.
I took out the part about five holes since who cares. If you want one of these your sailmaker will sell you whatever he has, three holes, five holes, whatever.
I had a three hole 5 1/2 inch clew plate in my toolbox, so I traced out an 8 inch long one and lay it on my sail and I got 2 1/2 inches from the very outside of the fabric around the grommet to the inside edge of the plate. I think an 8 inch long clew plate would be wider than the mock up I made so 2 1/2 should be plenty. From my point of view of somebody wants to remove area from the clew of their sail that's fine.
I left out the part of adding a grommet to replace the clew plate. If, at some point in the future, the factory starts building sails with a clew plate then somebody else can write the rule for replacing the clew plate with a grommet. Right now it doesn't have any meaning.