Measurers Corner

Measurer’s Interpretations and Recommendations

Topic:Basic Rules
Question:Can non-inventory sails be used in a race for sail testing?
ID Number:000033
Date:2010-01-21
Short Answer:Yes 
Answer:Current rule: A fleet may permit a Registered Yacht to race one or more sails they have not acquired for the limited purposes of short-term sail evaluation or sail testing. These sails may only be used in specific races for which the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions disclose such permission, and the results of any such race shall not be scored toward any sanctioned race, series or regatta. Further, the Fleet Measurer must deliver prior written notice to the National Measurer specifying the details of such permitted use, and must obtain the written opinion of the National Measurer that such permitted use complies with the purposes and limitations of the first sentence of this Rule. 
Section:§V-3.4 
Status:Tabled
Action Date:2010-02-10
Fri Mar 29 10:17:08 2024
DateNameComment
2010-01-21Richard RobbinsThis interpretation is proposed:
  1. The local Fleet Measurer shall be notified before-hand by the skipper as to races where sails used are outside of a yacht's measured inventory.
  2. The local Fleet Measurer shall notify the National Measurer as to the reasons for the evaluation or sail testing. If the evaluation is judged by the National Measurer to be for the limited purposes of short-term sail evaluation or sail testing then permission shall be granted.
  3. The Sailing Instructions shall be amended to properly notify all participating yachts of the evaluation.
  4. The results of any such race shall not be scored toward any sanctioned race, series or regatta. Use of non-inventory sails shall not count as part of the ten races required of the yacht, skipper and sails as part of the qualification for the National Regatta. Non-inventory sails used according to the above procedures shall not count against a yacht's sail credits.
2010-01-22Andy BurtonRichard, I'd just keep things the way they are and issue an individual ruling as we've always done. Let's keep this on a case by case basis and not lock ourselves and future technical committees into a new rule.
2010-02-12Richard RobbinsThis was discussed in the Technical Committee meeting of 2/10/2010 with concern from all that it causes unsatisfactory situations on the race course (having a competitor not being scored because he is testing sails). It was agreed that sail testing can occur under the current rule but no rule change or interpretation will be provided. It was agreed that the boat testing sails should be clearly known to other competitors. In practice our feeling was that sail testing has not been an issue and that we would in Marion (where the request was initiated) try to accommodate other means of testing but it would allowed under the current rule.