World Council News
The World Council met in Victoria on June 23, 2003. Minutes
are available
here on the WTCA website.
Here are some of the more newsworthy items.
Next Worlds
The next Tasar World Championships will be held in Darwin, NT,
Australia in July or August, 2005. Based on presentations
made by Chris Parkinson, this promises to be a great event at a
superb venue. Check for further details as they become
available.
Hull Weight
The World Council considered the issue of hull weight, and voted
not to propose any change in the interim minimum hull weight (class
rule D.3.2) at this time. The minimum hull weight remains at
68kg, at least until after the next Worlds.
Proposed rule changes
The World Council is proposing four changes to the class rules.
Each change will be voted on by all 10 regions and/or districts,
and a majority of 7 districts must vote in favour if a rule is to
be approved. The approval of the Advisory Council and the
ISAF is also required. The proposed changes are discussed
below (the actual wording of the proposed rules has not yet been
finalized)
1. Hounds to deck measurement and top mast support
A rule specifying the minimum measurement from the hounds to the
deck will be proposed. There have apparently been some
instances of people reducing this measurement (by shortening their
lower mast) to increase rake. This is difficult or impossible
to detect by inspection. If this is a problem, The only way
to address this problem (if it is considered to be a problem) is by
specifying the minimum hounds to deck measurement.
The World Council was aware that an earlier hounds to deck
measurement was declared to be unenforceable by the Jury at the
International Regatta in Melbourne in 1998, because the Jury
believed that the measurement could change during sailing, as the
top mast, or a fitting on it, bedded into the lower mast.
To avoid this problem, and to improve the durability of all
Tasars, the proposed new rule will require that the topmast is
supported on an insert held in place inside the upper mast by the
top anchor bolt for the diamonds. The insert is made from the same
section as the topmast sleeve. This is the way the top mast
is supported on all current Australian and North American
Tasars. It is a simple, cheap and elegant solution to the
problem of providing a durable support for the topmast, and
avoiding the bedding in, and related damage to both mast sections,
that can occur when the topmast is supported either by the hounds
fitting or by sitting directly on the diamond bolt.
Inserts are available in North America for less than $10 US.
They can also be cut from an old topmast sleeve, using a table saw
with a metal cutting blade. The insert can be postioned in the
lower mast in the required location to support the top mast (and
hounds) at the correct height, before a hole for the diamond bolt
is drilled in the insert. If necessary (e.g. to correct a
measurement problem), the height of the top mast & hounds could
be increased by cutting a shim from the same section, and dropping
it in on top of the insert.
Reading some of the correspondence generated by the earlier hounds
to deck rule suggests that there may be opposition to this proposal
for two reasons. Some people feel a measurement to control
modifications to mast height is unnecessary, and some will resist a
requirement to retrofit old lower masts to provide the proposed
method of support. Debate on this will be useful. If the rule
is adopted, it won't be enforced until the next worlds
2. Adjusting forestays and or shrouds while sailing Concern was
expressed that some crews have been adjusting their shrouds and
forestays before or between races, while on the water. This
involves removing pins or shackles, and has the potential to result
in dismasting. A rule will be propsed to prohibit this
practice. It will not prevent a crew going ashore (or to a
dock) between races to makes this change.
3. Revised shroud pull backs The class rules C.2.2 (k) allow "A
simple line and block purchase system with a mechanical advantage
of two" for pulling the shrouds back. The rule also
specifies that "Adjustment shall be effected immediately to the
rear of the slide."
A change will be proposed to allow fitting an optional additional
block, immediately aft of each shroud track. In boats where
the shroud pull back line is led through a hole in the deck or
gunwhale, aft of the track, a length of line coming up through this
hole could be used to locate the additional block.
This block will not change the purchase, which will still be 2:1. It will make it easier to pull the shroud back if you are pulling from any angle other than directly aft of the track.
The requirement in the current rule for adjustment to be "effected immediately to the rear of the slide" would be incosistent with the objective of this proposed change. New wording will be proposed that limits the length of the pull back line, so you will have to be close to the slide to use the pull back (no pulling the leeward shroud back from the windward side!) although not necessarily "immediately to the rear" of it.
4. Length of the mainsheet strop Responding to ongoing
complaints and debate, the World Council agreed to propose a change
to rule C.2.3 (d). This rule currently requires the mainsheet
strop to be 250 mm +/- 10 mm. The proposed rule will require
a minimum length only, of 240 mm ( the min required by the current
rule). Basically, the idea is that you must have a mainsheet
strop, but we don't really care how long it is, as long as it is at
least 240 mm. This effectively restores the status quo that existed
before the rule was introduced.
Approval of interpretations Interpretations 31, 32 and 33 were
approved. There was considerable debate about 33, which
permits removal of the shroud stoppers, but it was approved.
Technical
Development committee A proposal from Australia for a technical
development committee was approved. The committee will have a
chair appointed by the World Council, and members from each region.
(Note: this section revised and corrected 2003-08-04).
In accordance with the Tasar class Constitution, and with the
approval of the World Council, dues may be levied from each region
to pay for developments, experiments, etc. The idea is that
funds can be provided for experiements and trials such as the mylar
jib that has been tried in North America (and which was paid for by
Todd Blumel). No funds will be levied until there is a need for
them.
The Technical Development committee would report to the World
Council, and any rule changes required to implement any new idea or
change would be submitted to a vote of the membership in the normal
way (ISAF approval is also required for changes to the class
rules).
World Council members The elected members of the World Council
are: President
Chris Parkinson, NSW, Australia Vice
President George Motoyoshi, Japan Chief
Measurer Dave Bretherton, NSW, Australia
Executive Secretary Richard Spencer, North
America
The ex-officio members are the Presidents of the Tasar regions:
Allan Johnson, North America) Constantijn Udo, Europe Chris
Parkinson, Australia George Motoyoshi, Japan
There was an enthusiastic vote of thanks to outgoing President,
Cathy Sherwood, and Chief Measurer, Todd Blumel.