Chief Measurers Report                                          September 2011

It is with pleasure that I present this report, summarising the measurement and development activities of the Tasar Class since we last met at Wakayama in 2009.

I would like to begin by offering my thanks and congratulations to the 2011 Tasar Worlds Organising Team of Pete Ellis, John Tripp, John Lawton, Neil Spacagna and the TAUK for the wonderful work they have done in preparing for this regatta. In particular, I would like to compliment the Tasar Worlds Measurement Coordinator, Pip Pearson and his team for their efforts in ensuring a smooth pre regatta registration process and for implementing the post racing class rules compliance program. While it looks simple on the surface there's a lot of work that happens behind the scenes.

It's important that these two parts of the regatta function smoothly so that participants can get on with the job of competing and enjoying the experience of a truly World class regatta.

A key attraction of the Tasar is the One Design Principle, where the true test, when raced, is between crews and not boats. At Wakayama it became clear that a gradual erosion of this principle had been taking place over time. Nobody's fault really - just local Tasar builders responding to the demands of their customers. Individually, the small changes brought in don't amount to much but collectively the differences have become significant. The challenge to us as stewards of the class objectives was clear. We needed to re-establish the One Design Principle as a key driver for the Tasar.

Over following months the issue was discussed at a series of meetings with the Designer and representatives of Bethwaite Design about the various Tasar specific fittings available in different countries. No one ducked the issue, all worked together to develop solutions. A visit to the Tasar hull and foil manufacturer in Indonesia by Executive Secretary, Chris Parkinson and me resulted in much more accurate placement of location dimples for fittings on the deck and an improved hull/deck bonding process resulting in greater hull symmetry. The Designer and Chris Parkinson have begun the lengthy task of reviewing and re-writing the Tasar Assembly Manual and a new Post Assembly Quality Control and Inspection Checklist for Kit A Boats has been developed.

In relation to Tasar specific fittings, all of the Tasar licensees came on board, with each supplying a sample of each of their Tasar fittings. We were able to review the fittings for engineering, design, application and finish and then selected the best one for the job. We agreed that each of the fittings should come from a single source - some from the USA, some from Australia and some from the UK. All are the best fittings for our Tasar.

The result is that since December 2010, by direction of the Designer, only the approved Tasar specific fittings are able to be supplied to Tasar owners, thus ensuring the investment that owners have in their boat will be maintained and enhanced, not devalued.

The Designer has provided information relating to minor specification changes that have taken place since the last meeting. These include;

1. Agreement to the placement of new fitting dimples on the deck mould.
2. Changes to the hull/deck clamping process and bonding adhesive.
3. In early single sourcing discussions information was received that the UV issues which had affected earlier plastic rudder gudgeon fittings had been resolved. Later reports indicated this was not the case and the Designer has since withdrawn his support of plastic gudgeons. At this stage no suitable stainless steel replacement fitting - preferably 'off the shelf' and available at any chandlery, has been selected as the class standard.
4. Improvements and strengthening of the cast alloy rudder stock and jig drilling of the rudder blade now ensures correct engagement of the rudder blade in the stock following some failures in earlier models. No failures of rudder stocks have been reported since these changes were made.
5. Following reports of variations in centreboard thickness and finish quality, the moulds at Xtreme were renewed. Foil quality and finish is now improved and satisfactory.

There are no Chief Measurer Interpretations needing to be referred to the WTC meeting for ratification as none have been made since our last meeting in 2009.

In my last report I wrote that some discussions had taken place about the possible development of a carbon fibre mast for the Tasar. I said then that the next step would be for the Designer to provide the class with some scope for what the change might involve.

Over the past eight months, the ATC Executive and the Designer have had further discussions about a carbon fibre mast replacement. The prime drivers for this change are the escalating cost of aluminium and the reducing cost of carbon fibre, this no longer being the exotic and expensive building material it was several years ago.

This matter will be discussed later this meeting but I believe the carbon fibre mast could form an integral part of the Tasar modernisation program and is a logical follow on from the introduction of mylar sails and single sourcing.

This will be a major change for the class and I urge all Tasar sailors to consider carefully both sides of the debate and to keep our design object in mind - that is to create a boat which provides the most fun and highest performance, within the strength of a man and a woman

Submitted to the 2011 World Tasar Class meeting for consideration and acceptance.

Graham Hanna

Chief Measurer