Ted Beier, the Rules Committee Chairman, had scheduled a conference call meeting of the Rules Committee for October 17th. The Rules Committee received a report on the experiment submitted by Henry Colie. The experiment was for a second set of mast spreaders located near the intersect of the upper shrouds to provide additional support to the tip of the mast for the masthead asymmetrical spinnaker. Additionally, Ted Beier and four others from the Carlyle fleet experimented with the second spreader configuration and asymmetrical spinnaker. The Rules Committee discussed the experiment and provided this d r a f t proposal to the Board of Directors for their meeting on November 3rd (See article below - Rules Committee Proposal). It is draft because they are exploring a smaller set of tolerance on the asymmetrical spinnaker. The draft report is included here so the membership has an idea of what is being proposed to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will discuss the proposal and may make changes to it before it is turned into a motion. 

 

As a reminder of the process for changing the scantlings, the Board of Directors would need to pass a motion on a change to the scantlings before the membership can vote on it. If a motion is passed, the regular members would receive a description of the change being proposed and a ballot to vote on it. It would need a two thirds majority to be successful.

 

 

 

DRAFT

Rules Committee Report, November 2003

 

Summary of Activity - During the year, the committee has administered a follow-on asymmetrical spinnaker (asail) experiment involving the addition of a second set of spreaders to the mast to enhance structural stability.  A report from the participants was received recently, which is appended as Enclosure (1).  The committee met via telecon on 17 October, and is offering a proposal for board and class membership approval. 

 

Proposal - The Rules Committee proposes that the NCESA board and membership adopt the following:

 

It is proposed that the class approve an asail rigged boat per the appended scantling modifications, Enclosure (2), as a sanctioned E Scow configuration.  This is subject to the following changes from the previous asail configuration:

1.    The asail will be strictly one-design with a 6 in. tolerance on the stated dimensions.

2.    A second set of spreaders, as described, is strongly recommended, but is optional.

3.    It is recommended that no set period for "phase in" or "phase out" for either configuration be adopted.

 

Discussion - It has been indicated that adding the second set of spreaders just above the upper stay-mast intersection does significantly add to the stability of the mast in both the longitudinal and lateral directions.  Also, this addition appears to make a boat so rigged slightly faster upwind.  Therefore, to provide a more durable rig, the Rules Committee strongly recommends this addition to the configuration.  However, since a significant number of boats are sailing successfully without these, the committee agreed that they be indicated in the rules as "permitted", and thus optional.

 

Based on criticism from numerous members during the previous voting period, the committee recommends that the sail be strictly one-design.  The three "tape" dimensions of current asails from North and Quantum vary to nearly one foot in length.  Therefore, the committee will determine a set of recommended dimensions from the sail makers, and insert these in the rules with a 6 in. tolerance.  In Enclosure 2, these dimensions are shown as TBD, currently, along with draft recommendations subject to sailmaker verification.  It is recommended that existing sails not falling within this range be "grandfathered".

 

NCESA Rules Committee

Ted Beier, Chairman

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 

Enclosure 1

 

EXPERIMENT RESULTS

ADDITIONAL SET OF SPREADERS ADDED TO EXISTING E SCOW ASYMMETRICAL RIG

 

SUMMARY

Pursuant to comments that an E Scow mast rigged for asymmetric spinnakers (asails) is too vulnerable to failure in heavy winds, Henry Colie proposed a further asail experiment for 2007, which was accepted by the Board of Directors in November 2006.  His proposal was to add an additional set of spreaders to add support to the jumper stays.  These additional spreaders are located just above the mast intersection of the upper side stays, and are swept to roughly maintain the longitudinal alignment of the jumpers.  Besides the original boat so rigged, five boats at Carlyle Lake have been converted for asails and rigged in this manner.  These boats, which have backstays, have sailed for the 2007 season, and have performed very well.  Limited structural analysis indicates that the added spreaders do provide additional impetus to keep the mast from inverting longitudinally, which is the most likely failure mode for an asail rigged mast.

 

BACKGROUND

As has been demonstrated with the asail configuration, the reason for adding the jumper stays is to insure that the mast stays in column.  This is achieved as a result of the jumper stays adding lateral support and allowing the mast to be put in a "prebend" condition by tensioning the jumpers.  There has been some question whether the original jumper configuration was adequate because they are extended by the original spreaders only, which are at under 50% of the jumper intersection height.  Adding an additional set of spreaders at approximately 73% does improve the lateral support of the tip, and improves the resistance to loss of prebend (inverting). 

 

It has not been demonstrated that this addition is essential, however, strength margins are increased.  This has been shown as a result of basic structural calculations.

 

DESCRIPTION

The experiment consisted of a second set of spreaders, 16" in length, added to the diamond stays of an asymmetric E Scow. The spreader bracket was attached to the spar at 22'4" above deck; just above the upper shroud intersect point. The spar was a 1989 Melges Wedge stepped on a 1994 Johnson. The hull was built without backstays as on the current boats. The boat was converted to asymmetric by Melges in 2003.

 

The parts were: Spreader - Vanguard part # 204242@$39.95 ea.

                          Spreader Bracket - Vanguard part #20180 @$62.85

                          Stainless rivets - 3/16" x �" 4@$1.50 ea.

 

Parts total - $148.75

Time required for installation - 1 hour or less.

Tools required - Tape measure, drill, and rivet gun.

 

GOAL

To reinforce mast against loads encountered while sailing with masthead asymmetrical spinnaker.

 

RESULTS

The experiment was a complete success. The mast was much more stable with the added benefit of noticeably improved upwind performance.

Henry Colie                                                     Theodor Beier

MA-4                                                               S-27

33 Edgewood Road                                        5614 Rosa Avenue

Summit, NJ 07856                                          St. Louis, MO 63109-3254

scowworks@yahoo.com                                tbeier@sbcglobal.net

201-401-0292                                                  314-353-3168

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 

Enclosure 2

 

ALTERATIONS TO SCANTLINGS FOR ASYMMETRICAL SPINNAKER

 

I. GENERAL RULES

 

5. Yachts may carry fittings for symmetric spinnakers, asymmetric spinnakers, or both.  However, yachts shall not use tensioned diamond stays on the mast while racing with a symmetric spinnaker.

 

II.            HULL

 

2. Hull Dimensions

B.  Dimensions

      10.   Yachts configured for asymmetric spinnakers shall carry a sprit bulkhead located forward from the mast line on the starboard side such that the loads from the sprit are reacted by the through deck fitting and the bulkhead.  The bulkhead is positioned square to the sprit.

 

III.           SPARS

 

1. Mast

 

1. Mast standing rigging

 

6. Spreaders

            (g) One additional pair of spreaders is permitted on yachts rigged

                  with diamond stays for carrying asymmetric spinnakers. 

                        i. Length - 16 + 1 in.

            ii. Mast intersect - 22' 4" + 2, -0 in.

 

7. Diamond stays

            (a) Number required - 2 for asymmetric spinnaker configuration

                 only

            (b) Diameter - 1/8 in. 1x19 wire min.

                              (c) Mast intersect

                                          i. At tip - 29 ft, + 4 inches

                                          ii. At base - 2 in., + 2 inches from the base of the extrusion

                              (d) An additional set of spreaders are permitted.

 

               F.  Devices permitted for adjusting mast while racing.

                 

2. General - stays and shrouds shall only be adjustable at end attached to deck, except for diamond stays which shall only be adjustable at end attached at base of mast.

4. Main and lower shroudsand diamond stays- turn buckles or adjustable tubes

 

1. Asymmetrical spinnaker bow sprit
   1. Number permitted - 1
   2. Material - may be constructed of aluminum alloy or carbon fiber.
   3. Diameter - 2.25 inch minimum.
   4. Sectional shape- round with no taper.
   5. End devices - optional, but tack line cannot be run internally in sprit tube
   6. Sprit and devices for flying tack line shall not exceed 4 ft beyond bow. Measurement does not include rub rail if installed.
   7. Sprit shall not articulate. When sprit is fully extended, forward end shall be on centerline, + 2 inches athwartships.  When retracted, the outboard end of the sprit and its fittings shall be aft of the forward edge of the hull. 
   8. Vertical location of forward end of sprit - with main halyard latched, mast rake at 33'11"(to intersection of deck and transom on centerline) and rig snug, wrapping tape measure around mast, measuring to center of bowsprit tip with bowsprit fully extended:    34' 2-3/4" + 4 inches
   9. Bow sprit will have a 2:1 purchase to extend and may be retracted using shock cord.

 

1. YACHT DIMENSIONS RELATING TO SAILS

 

1. Dimensions

H.  Symmetrical Spinnaker Sheave Wheel - 25 ft. max

I.    Asymmetrical Spinnaker Sheave Wheel - 30 ft. max

 

VI. SAILS

 

1. Spinnakers

1. Dimensions:  Spinnakers measured for a regatta shall be one LARGE PARACHUTE and one SMALL PARACHUTE or one ASYMMETRICAL SPINNAKER as follows.

LARGE PARACHUTE

SMALL PARACHUTE

ASYMMETRICAL SPINNAKER

1.    Luff  -  TBD (current recommendation 35 ft. 0 in.; +0, -6 in.)

2.    Leach - TBD (current recommendation 26 ft. 8 in.; +0, -6 in.)

3.    Foot - TBD (current recommendation 20 ft. 6 in.; +0, -6 in.

4.    Mid girth (distance between the midpoints of luff and leach) - 17ft. 6in. maximum

5.    Foot Roach - bottom edge of sail within 2 + 2 in. of a straight line from tack to clew

6.    Material weight - 0.7 oz. minimum

 

VII. METHOD OF SETTING, SHEETING, AND ADJUSTING SAILS

 

7.    Symmetrical Spinnakers

8.    Asymmetrical Spinnaker

A. Equipment permitted for setting, sheeting, and adjusting

1.      Halyards.

(a) Number permitted - 1

(b)Unlimited to material, camming or cleating devices and snap.

2.      Spinnaker sheet and tack line- unlimited to material, snap or cleat or jamming device. Unlimited as to number, but see below as to number permitted in use at one time.

B. The permissible guys for controlling the spinnaker are:

            1.  2 Clew Sheets, or spliced to be continuous with tail to attach to clew. Only one sheet may be actively used to control the sail

            2. 1 Tack line - method of attaching, cleating and adjusting unlimited as long as led "1:1".

 

C., D., and E., same as 4E, F, and G for symmetrical spinnakers.

 

 

Congratulations to John Ruf who was an avid E-Scow racer on Pewaukee Lake before turning his goal to an Olympic bid in the paraplegic 2.4mR class. His first attempt was in 2004 and it set the ground work for his success this time around.

 

John needed a strong last day at the trials to take the berth on the team going to China. He sailed to a couple of second place finishes on day 8 of racing to win the tiebreaker. Quantum Sails and Pewaukee YC were supportive of Ruf all the way. Read Destination 1Design for more details.

 

Also, see an interview of John a few weeks before his successful Olympic qualification regatta in Newport RI.

Interview by Carole Meekins

 

 

Make sure to mark your calendars for a very special event - the 50th anniversary of our National Championship regatta. The Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club is going all out for this event and the planning is well underway.

 

The important dates are: June 27-29, 2008   Chautuaqua Championships