The Class Weight Rule

Two matters arose at the AGM in Kingston recently on which the executive would like guidance from the members.  The most hotly debated was that of the class weight rule which limits crew weight to a total maximum of 1004 lb.  In recent years the class measurer with the support of the executive has relaxed the weight limit enforced for the North American Championship at CORK.  This was accomplished by offsetting the zero of the official scales so that about 10 pounds was subracted from the measured weight of each crew member.  The purpose of this was to ensure that no boat was excluded simply because they were a few pounds over the limit.  This year the limit was compromised to a greater extent than in previous years.  As a result the feeling was expressed by some of the majority of crews who respect the limit that a few boats were taking advantage of the generous scales.  They have roposed that the class invest in a new set of digital scales which can be zeroed precisely each time they are used.  These would be made available at major regattas during the season for test "weigh-in" so that crews would have a chance to know in advance of CORK whether they would experience a problem at registration.  Your opinion is sought by the class association executive on the following questions:

• Should the class weight rule be strictly enforced at the next N. Am. Championship or should we retain the measurers right to adjust the scales?
• Should the class weight limit remain the same, be increased or decreased slightly?
• If a strict weight limit is enforced what is the best method to ensure that crews are able to participate when they register at Kingston given the normal variability of home scales.

It would be nice to see Impact as a participant in the NA's at Cork.

I was at the AGM in Kingston, I do not remember the topic as hotly debated.  I do remember a passing comment, but not a hotly debated issue. 

I would like to see a limit on the number of people on the boat, not on the actual weight.  I prefer to sail the boat with six people, but I know a large number of people that prefer to sail the boat with five.  The only time weight is an issue, is in heavy air sailing.  I do not know anybody, either a L28 sailor or a professional weatherperson that can predict the weather, especially the wind efficiently. 

I beleive the way the boat is sailed is a personal preferrence.  Many people feel that there aren't enough jobs to have six people on the boat, again this is personal preferrence.

Any other thoughts on the topic???

Speak up, let's get the discussion page happening.

Denise

CAN 114

Denise:  You are quite correct that the weight rule issue was not hotly debated at the AGM<:-I.   I think it was the dock parties where a number of pointed comments were made to me.  I think number of bodies limit has merit too and I support including this option in the survey of members which I was asked to perform later this year. 

Race with 6? does this mean that racing the boat shorthanded/singlehanded is a lost cause?