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Measurer’s Interpretations and Recommendations
§I-VI-A5: The National Measurer shall interpret and recommend changes in the specifications. He shall have such assistance from the Technical Committee as is necessary and appropriate. Such interpretations and recommendations shall be subject to approval by the Governing Board. They shall be published as Measurer’s "Interpretations" or "Rulings" or as new or amended Specifications as soon as adopted in the manner provided by the Constitution and By-Laws.
Topic
Section | Question | Short
Answer | Status * | Action |
|---|
| Hull | Can the floatation system be improved? | | Pending | Details |
| Hull | Can a paint designed to prevent growth be used even though it is not called "anti-fouling". | No | In Process | Details |
| Jib Measurement | Is there a better means to measure the jib head apex? | Yes | Pending | Details |
| Affirmed Interpretations and Recommendations |
|---|
| Hull | Can the tiller be constructed from other then wood? | No | Affirmed-X | Details |
| Deck | May drain holes be cut in the toe rail? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Deck | May the backstay sheave be a Harken 310? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Cockpit | Does the coaming need to project 2" above the deck? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Cockpit | May the floorboards be re-constructed from plywood? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Mast | Would it be legal to use Tball shroud terminals in lieu of marine eyes on the mast? | No | Affirmed | Details |
| Boom | May the boom turning bail be soft (Spectra) rather than Stainless? | No | Affirmed | Details |
| Boom | Is the dimension for placement of the boom bail correct? | No | Affirmed-X | Details |
| Backstay/Boomvang/Outhaul Adjustments | Is wire the only permitted material for the connection of the backstay through the backstay gland? | No | Affirmed | Details |
| Backstay/Boomvang/Outhaul Adjustments | May the boomvang be attached to the mast using a strap? | Yes | Affirmed-X | Details |
| Control Lines | Is a fraculator (a system to steady the mast forward downwind) permitted? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Control Lines | May sheets have a section of their cover stripped off? | Yes | Affirmed-X | Details |
| Control Lines | Is the allowed purchase of the mainsheet 8:1 and can this be accomplished with a fine and coarse set of blocks? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Control Lines | May the spinnaker foreguy fairlead be moved? (The goal being to keep the foreguy from pulling the pole forward.) | No | Affirmed-X | Details |
| Control Lines | May the spinnaker halyard exit the mast above the deck? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Control Lines | Are both sets of jib tracks required? | Yes | Affirmed-X | Details |
| Optional Equipment | May an electronic compass (i.e., TackTick) be used? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Optional Equipment | Is there a change required of the class rules for RRS 2009-2012? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Mainsail | Can the mainsail be used loose footed? | No | Affirmed-X | Details |
| Jib | The Class Rules indicate the jib battens are 2 inches wide - is this correct? | No | Affirmed | Details |
| Sail Measurement | Do both spinnaker measurements apply: 10.0' max at any location (at 90 deg.) and 10' 6" max 15' radial | Yes | Affirmed-X | Details |
| Basic Rules | Is there a limit on crew number or weight? | Yes | Affirmed | Details |
| Spinnaker Pole | Can the spinnaker pole be carbon fiber? | No | Affirmed | Details |
| Spinnaker Pole | Would it be legal to store the spinnaker pole on the boom while racing? | No | Affirmed | Details |
| Tabled Issues |
|---|
| Hull | May deck splash boards be used? | No | Tabled | Details |
| Control Lines | Can the spinnaker pole taper be less then 2 inches? | No | Tabled | Details |
| Jib | Can the length of the jib battens be extended? | No | Tabled | Details |
| Jib | Can the jib be used with roller reefing? | No | Tabled | Details |
| Basic Rules | Can hiking be assisted using existing lines? What are the limits on athletic hiking? | | Tabled | Details |
| Basic Rules | Can non-inventory sails be used in a race for sail testing? | Yes | Tabled | Details |
* Status Values:
- In Process = Topic is being investigated.
- Pending = Answer has been posted for discussion. Answer may or may not be affirmed - use with caution.
- Affirmed = Answer has been approved by Governing Board.
- Affirmed-X = Answer has been affirmed by Technical Committee and no action requested of Governing Board.
- Rejected = Answer has been disapproved by Governing Board.
- Tabled = Status-quo, discussion has occurred but no changes adopted.
To submit new questions for interpretation and recommendation please email the Shields National Measurer. To add a comment to a specific topic, go to the Details page for that topic and enter your comment.
§III-4.0 Basic Rules Governing Deviations from the Specifications: If a Fleet wishes to experiment with or otherwise permit a deviation from the Specifications, approval for such experiment or deviation shall be obtained from the National Measurer. The National Measurer may set certain terms, conditions and reporting requirements on any such experiment or deviation.
The use of a small spinnaker for local fleet racing is permitted for use as a training sail for the 2008 season. Approval is granted for individual fleets to adopt the use of a small spinnaker for use in Shields racing according to the following conditions:
- The use of the small spinnaker is only approved for racing within a local fleet and not approved for regatta use.
- The use or acquisition of the small spinnaker shall not be required of any registered yacht and shall remain strictly optional.
- The acquisition or use of a small spinnaker shall not change or be counted as to sail "credits" [Section V-1.0].
- The requirements for qualification of a registered yacht, skipper, and sails is unchanged in that the normal spinnaker must be raced in 10 races in order for it to be qualified for the National regatta. [Section VI-1.2(d)]
- The specifications for the small spinnaker shall be open to experimentation. The initial target is to have the sail approximately 25% smaller. In order to easily differentiate from the normal spinnaker when flown, the small spinnaker shall not include sail numbers [Section V-7.4].
- In order for a small spinnaker to be used in local racing, it must be adopted by the local fleet. The use details (when allowed, scoring, etc.) of the small spinnaker is left to the local fleets and should be made part of their Sailing Instructions.
- Fleet captains shall report to the National Measurer as to the use and recommendations related to the small spinnaker at the end of the season.
Dated: January 1, 2008
Signed: Richard Robbins
The use of a small spinnaker for local fleet racing is permitted for use as a training sail for the 2009 season. Approval is granted for individual fleets to adopt the use of a small spinnaker for use in Shields racing according to the conditions set forth above.
Dated: March 1, 2009
Signed: Richard Robbins
Class Rule Changes Adopted
Changes to the Constitution – Section I (V-A2, VI-A3, VI-A6, VI-C, VI-E, VII-A3, VII-A4, VII-B1, VIII-A, VIII-B, IX-B, IX-C, IX-D, X, XI) as detailed on the web site.
Changes to the By-Laws – Section II (1.3, 1.4, 2.1b, 3.1, 3.2a, 3.5, 3.6, 4.3, 6.1a, 6.1b, 6.1c, 6.5b, 6.5c, 7.1, 7.4) as detailed on the web site.
Changes (having to do with trophies and awards) to the Rules Governing The National Championship Regatta – Section VI (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.0-10) as detailed on the web site.
Class Rule Change Adopted for Crew at the National Regatta
Section VI 2.2 Crew Numbers: The number of persons aboard a boat shall be not less than three. For crews of five or more a limit of 1000 lbs shall apply. There is no weight limit on crews of three or four persons. Each boat shall be required to carry, throughout all races, the same number of persons on board as at the start of the first race of the regatta. The Notice of Race and/or Sailing Instructions shall address the methods for enforcement of this rule.
 The Tacktick compass is now allowed for Shields racing. On October 15, 2008 the membership passed the following rule change: Compass: A working compass must be on board at all times. A self-contained electronic compass without wind shift indications is allowed. The use of a built-in timer and "tactical" display mode can be used. The Tacktick model T060 Micro Compass with brackets is approved. On December 4, 2008 objections to the membership meeting and its process were rejected by the Governing Board. The rule change is affirmed. |
 Cape Cod Shipbuilding has come up with a mounting for the compass that works with the strap bracket. The sail slide mount is basically a 1/2" diameter x 3" aluminum slug that slides into the sail groove in the mast and when the 3 fastenings are tightened to a strap bracket they hold the bracket snug to the mast. Its cost is $20.00 plus tax and shipping (if applicable) and does not include the strap bracket.
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