The object of these rules is to provide a set of rules to which
inexpensive high-performance singlehanded dinghies may be designed and
built. The aim is for a boat that can be sailed by a relatively wide
range of weights and ages. The rules are intended to provide an equable
framework for the design a boat, and are not intended to provide a rigid
framework of which only the letter need be observed. (See Rule 3.5,
Interpretation).
[Note - No Association exists at present. The Constitution
would not be applicable unless such an entity were formed]
The Association shall hold an Annual General Meeting, normally at the
National Championship. The date and venue of the A.G.M. shall be
published at least one month before it is due to be held. The A.G.M.
shall elect the following Association Officials:
President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Technical Officer.
It may also elect the following additional Officials:
Magazine Editor, Publicity Officer, Fixtures Secretary.
All these Officials shall be members of the Association Committee. The
A.G.M. may elect additional committee members up to a total of ten.
Changes to these Rules may only be made as a result of a 2/3
majority vote in favour in a postal ballot of all paid up members of the
association. Proposals for changes to these rules may be submitted to
the Association Committee at any time. Such proposals must be signed by
five members and must detail the precise wording of the proposed change.
The Committee shall consider each proposal and may suggest possible
changes to the proposers. The final wording shall be agreed upon within
four months of the original submission. The Committee shall, within a
further three months, conduct a postal ballot of all members. The ballot
shall include the full detailed wording of the proposals, any
explanation submitted by the proposers and any comments from the
Committee or Technical Officer. The ballot will close one month after
the date of posting (this date to be stated in the ballot). The
Committee shall decide the exact date on which any change shall come
into effect. This shall be not less than three months or more than six
months from the closing of the ballot.
The class shall be known as the PLUS PLUS (++) CLASS
The insignia shall consist of a pair of plus (addition) symbols,
each of a size which would approximately be contained in a 200mm
diameter circle, and italicised approximately 10 degrees towards the
leech of the mainsail. The insignia shall be placed on both sides of the
mainsail, as high as conveniently practical, and shall be of a colour
contrasting with the mainsail.
On completion of measurement by an authorised measurer and
subject to conforming with the class restrictions and payment of the
prescribed fee, each boat shall be issued with a registration number by
the Class Registrar. This number shall be displayed on both sides of
mainsail directly under the insignia and shall be of a colour
contrasting with the mainsail.The numbers shall be approximately 300mm
high and have a trunk width of approximately 50mm.
The crew shall consist of one person. No trapeze or other aid to
sitting out may be used other than toe straps in a conventional
position. It is envisaged that a rule to limit extreme sitting out
techniques may be framed if necessary.
The ++ is a development class and these rules will not cover
every eventuality. In cases where doubt exists, account should be taken
of the intentions and spirit of the rules and the matter should be
referred to the Technical Officer and Association Committee before
construction commences. The rules are intended to provide a framework
for innovation in design and not for skill in rule interpretation and
evasion.
The intention of the hull restrictions is to define a moderately narrow waterline boat with waterline beam and waterplane large enough to support a substantial crew weight. The rise of floor rule is intended to provide this waterplane without excessive type forming. The boat will be small enough to permit home building in a norml garage.
Between Stem and Transom shall not exceed 4.27m. (Note: For boats with inset or open transoms this measurement shall be taken from the after extremity of the hull skin at or below the waterline.)
The maximum beam of the boat shall not exceed 3m. If wings or similar devices are fitted then this measurement will include them, and if the device is not fixed to the structure then it must be impossible to extend it more than 1.5m from the centreline of the hull.
Rise of floor shall be measured with an inverted U shaped gauge. The two legs shall be 900mm apart and 100mm long. A line shall be marked exactly between the two legs of the U. This establishes a rise of floor of 100mm at a point 450mm each side of the centreline. The gauge shall be run along the boat from the bow until a point is reached where both legs are in contact with the hull of the boat and the centre mark is in contact with the centreline of the keel. This point shall be marked as point A. The gauge shall then be run along the hull until the centre mark is no longer touching the hull or the end of the hull is reached. This point shall be marked as point B. The distance between point A and point B shall be at least 1.2m. If bumps or distortions exist that in the measurer's opinion exist solely or primarily to affect these measurements then the measurer should estimate where the measurement points would have come without those distortions and mark points A and B appropriately.
In any cross-section of the hull, no horizontal line shall pass through the hull skin more than once either side of the centreline. The only permitted exception is that there may be concavities in the skin that do not exceed 100mm in depth from a string stretched around the concavity. (Note: It is not the intention of this rule to prohibit 'tubular wings'.)
The weight of the hull in dry condition shall not be less than
50kg. The weight shall include all permanently fixed fittings and
extensions for sitting out, but shall exclude sails, spars, standing
rigging, centreboard, rudder and other loose gear.
The hull shall be fitted with built-in buoyancy not less than 0.26m3 contained in at least two separate compartments of at least 0.05m3 each.
The intention of the rig restrictions is to prevent regular or frequent changes of rig so as to suit the weather conditions for any particular regatta or venue. Although the size of the rig is not restricted, the aim is that owners will choose an optimum size rig for their strength and weight. A single step in the rig is permitted for normal class racing, with an optional second step which is not to be used in competitive events other than club sailing.
The area of the sail or sails will be measured in accordance with
the ISAF measurement instructions(1979), part IV, measurement and
calculation of sail area. The area of the sail shall be marked on the
sail in the vicinity of the tack in figures approximately 75mm high and
recorded on the certificate. No more than one change of sail area may be
recorded in any period of 12 consecutive calendar months
The sail area may be reduced by slab or other means. This may only be done in one step of between 7% and 15% of the total sail area. The step, if not easily recognisable, shall be marked with a line of contrasting colour from the luff and leech. The resulting reduced area of the sail shall be marked on the sail in the vicinity of the tack so that it is visible just above the boom when in use in figures approximately 75mm high and recorded on the certificate. A second step is permitted in the sail for training and club sailing use, but shall not be used in any event open to Sailors from more than one club or organisation. No more than one change of sail area may be recorded in any period of 12 consecutive calendar months
The sail or sails may be constructed from woven fibre cloth, unwoven fibre cloth, flexible plastic film or composite materials consist of any combination of the three. All sails shall be stowable in sail bags of normal dimensions.(for the purpose of this rule, 'long' sail bags for the stowing of rolled up sails are regarded as normal).
The mainsail must be removable without releasing the standing rigging.
The total length of the mast from the hull structure to the
masthead shall be recorded on the measurement certificate. The length of
the mast may be variable in a single step to match the sail area step,
and the length of the step (if any) shall also be recorded on the
certificate.. No more than one change of mast length may be recorded in
any period of 12 consecutive calendar months.
The mast, stripped of all fittings, must be capable of fitting through a 200mm hoop. If the mast is capable of rotating or significantly twisting while sailing then the area of the mast must be included in the sail area measurement in 4.2.2, and recorded on the measurement certificate.
© Jim Champ 1999