M I N U T ES
Annual General Meeting of the International Board of the X99 Class
4 November 2000
(Revised February 6, 2001)
at Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH
St. Petersburger Str. 1
D-20355 Hamburg
Room No. 107 (first floor)
Present:
Jens Kjaersgaard (Danmark) (chairman)
Jürgen Klinghardt (Germany North)
Paul Stoep ( Norway)
Per Helgesson (Sweden)
Rob van Roekel (The Netherlands)
Flemming Fjord (X-Yachts)
Beginning: 11:10 End: 15:20
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies have been received from Philip Duss (Switzerland and Germany South), Mika Isoviita (Finland) and Ivo Volkov (Estonia); however, Switzerland/Germany South, Finland and Estonia have casted proxy votes with regard to Constitution and Class Rules amendment proposals as given below.
A further apologies has been received from Andrew McIrvine (United Kingdom), but no proxy votes have been received from the United Kingdom.
Neither any apologise nor any proxy vote have been received from Hong Kong.
Finally, apologies have also been received from Dan Wright who however was represented by Paul Stoep (Norway), and from Niels Jeppensen who however was represented by Flemming Fjord (X-Yachts).
2. Approval of the minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting (8 January 2000 in London) are approved.
3. Matters arising
The prospects of the further production and marketing of the X99 are discussed. There is a general complaint that X-Yachts has again rejected exhibiting the X99 at the Hamburg boat show although the German class association was again prepared to provide some of its members as 'consultants' at the X-Yachts stand.
Flemming Fjord (X-Yachts) and Jens Kjaersgaard (Denmark) are of the opinion that the best marketing is done by the class associations and by a high number of X99 entries in races. So, Jens Kjaersgaard (Denmark) proposes to contact every X99 crew to enter at least the more important events.
4. Amendment of the Constitution
Const 7.1 Voting rights, proportional representation (proposal from Germany North):
"Each National Association shall have 2 votes plus 1 vote per each 15 yachts registered, rounded to the nearest multiple of 15; X-Yachts shall have the average of the current votes of all the National Associates, rounded to the nearest multiple of 15. Any changes to the Constitution or the Class Rule must be approved by a three-quarter majority of all the votes."
This would have resulted in the following distribution of the votes for 2000:
Nat. Class. Ass. Reg. boats Votes
Germany (North) 45 5
Netherlands 50 5
Switzerland/S Germany 80 7
Denmark 35 4
United Kingdom 10 3
Norway 20 3
Sweden 40 5
Finland 6 2
Estonia 5 2
Hong Kong, Singapore 8 3
X-Yachts 4
The 2 'basis' or 'offset' votes for each member would reduce the weight of the bigger members.
YES: Estonia, Finland, Germany North, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland/Germany South, X-Yachts
NO: Denmark
approved
5. Amendments of the Class Rules
5.1. Rule 17 (proposal from Germany North):
Change last sentence from:
"Titanium and carbon are prohibited anywhere on the boat." to "Titanium and carbon are prohibited anywhere on the boat with the exception that carbon is allowed in floating unmounted blocks."
NB from Rob van Roekel: The following has been checked by HARKEN/Holland/USA. There are two kinds of Black Magic blocks, first the 40/57 mm Black Magic Carbo blocks (series 2600) and second the Black Magic Air Blocks (series from 1950) 57 mm Big Boat Blocks. The Black Magic Air Blocks have aluminium plates and NO CARBON and Torlon rollers. There are also two carbo clamcleats ( no. 365 and 423).
NO: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland/Germany South, X-Yachts
YES: Germany North
rejected
5.2. Rule 11.1 first sentence (proposal from Germany North):
Should the type of material for the genoa be free- although retaining the restriction on type of construction, and is Pentex polyester?
Proposed change: "All sails shall be of woven polyester with the exception of the No 1 and No 3 Genoas which may be a laminate consisting of a polyester film and a polyester scrim made of reinforcement fibres which are arranged in a lattice-like manner and spaced from each other by a distance of less than 0.1 mm."
5.2.1. Genoa No. 3 made from Mylar?
The reason of this aspect of the above amendment request is that Dacron is very, very stiff and does not allow for tight packaging like Mylar.
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland/Germany South and X-Yachts do not see any need to have the Genoa No. 3 made from Mylar.
5.2.2. Definition of the laminate material for the Genoa No. 1:
At present, several members have still difficulties with the proposed definition of scrim whether or not the wording "which are arranged in a lattice-like manner and spaced from each other by a distance of less than 0.1mm" covers materials which at the one hand are already in use and on the other hand are wanted to be allowed. To find a better definition which would meet all the needs, sailmakers should be contacted for further discussion, accordingly.
5.2.3. After all, Germany North restricts its request to:
"All sails shall be of woven polyester with the exception of the No. 1 Genoa which may be a laminate consisting of a polyester film and a polyester scrim made of reinforcement fibers."
YES: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany North, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland/Germany South, X-Yachts.
approved
5.2.4. Further discussion about the material of the No. 1 Genoa:
5.2.4.1. First of all, it is confirmed that pentex is a (high-modulus) polyester and that therefore Pentex meets the existing rules.
5.2.4.2. Further, there is a discussion about the allowability of new modern art sail cloth (KEVLAR). In the Netherlands, two boats have exceptionally been allowed to use a Genoa No. 1 made of Dimension Polyant SP10T ("sport cloth" 2.0 ngl/5,6 oz). This material consists of a polyester film including Kevlar fibres and a "Taffeta" layer as reinforcement and costs as much as "Pentex". Rob van Roekel presents one of such Genoas so as to be studied by the Board members, and reports on positive results as to durability.
However, there is a problem of how to set up a clear definition so as on the one hand to allow similar material from other sail cloth producers, but on the other hand to exclude the more expensive materials having a higher content of Kavlar.
It is agreed upon that every class association is welcome to make their own experiences with such new materials by giving some boats an exceptional allowance if they want do to so, and to continue discussion in particular by asking sailmakers for their opinion.
In any case, it is agreed upon that new material should be allowed under the condition only that new material is not more expensive and has a better durability and, thus, a longer life time.
5.3. Rule 7.5 (additional rule proposed by Germany North)
to allow a track at the end of the main boom for an outhaul traveller - now that loose-footed sails are permitted
YES: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany North, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland/Germany South, X-Yachts
approved
5.4. Rule 9.1 (Dyeform 6 mm diameter forestay) - question from The Netherlands
Some Dutch X99's have broken or nearly broken normal shrouds, even on new 2000 X99. Boats with Dyeform rigging have had absolutely no problems. When we changed from 5 mm diameter forestay to 6 mm, X-Yachts did not want to allow 6mm Dyeform. However, this year several new X-99's were delivered from X-Yachts with a 6 mm Dyeform forestay. Does this imply that a 6 mm Dyeform forestay is legal?
It is confirmed that 6 mm Dyeform forestay does not comply with the existing rules and is, thus, illegal.
Consequently, boats having a 6 mm Dyeform forestay must change to 6 mm normal wire forestay or 5 mm Dyeform forestay.
5.5. Rule 4.2 (keel) - question from The Netherlands
In Ramsgate during the check-ups of the boats it was seen that all new boats -except "Extreem"- had a slightly changed keel-shape( flat on the bottom). Is it not much fairer that we gave all the X99's the opportunity to shape their keel to the keel templates( as the J22 Class Ass. does), so that there will be no advantages to the newer boats?
Reference is made to figure 7 and the inscriptions. Furthermore, the NACA profile as used is known and templates can be made therefrom and, consequently, are available for everybody.
6. Rulings made during the year to be ratified at the meeting
Should "magic boxes" be allowed for halyards?
§ 17.5 first sentence reads:
"Main halyard, headsail halyard and two reeflines must run through the standard stoppers."
This would mean that the load is not taken by a stopper anymore, but by the 'magic boxes'. This clearly contravenes § 17.5 first sentence. As the stopper no longer takes the halyard's load.
There has been a further request for ruling on "magic boxes" from the Swiss/Southern German Class Association :
"The magic box for the halyard will be used in a different set-up: The halyard still runs from the deck block to the stopper according to § 17.5. However, it does not run directly from the deck block to the stopper, but runs in a loop to the magic box and then to the stopper.The crew can thus release the magic box and raise the sail with the winch using the traditional configuration and the stopper. To adjust the tension, the crew can then tighten the magic box, which leaves the winch free for the genoa sheet."
This configuration does not violate §17.5. However, it should be approved under § 1.4, which states that "In general it should be considered that any alteration to the Standard Build is not permitted unless specifically permitted by these rules".
NO: Denmark, Germany North, Norway, Sweden, X-Yachts.
YES: Netherlands, Switzerland/Germany South
rejected
7. Confirm the adoption of the new International Class Certificate
The adoption of the new International Class Certificate (cf. attachment) is confirmed. The International Class Certificate will be mandatory from 2001 on.
8. Financial Statement
The financial statement is attached to these minutes.
It was hinted at that for 2000 no payment has been received from the National Class Associations so far.
9. Update on arrangements for 2001 Worlds
The Kiel Week will take place off Kiel, Germany from 16 to 21 June and the Denish champion- ship off Skovshoved/Hellerup from 27 to 29 June 2001. So, both such events should be used as warm-up and in particular the boats coming from south and from west are invited to stop at the Kiel Week on the way to Copenhagen.
The Worlds will run from 30 June to 7 July 2001.
80 entries are expected! So, it is intended to fix an early close of entry.
The International Jury has already been appointed. The jury will observe the races on the water.
Jürgen Klinghardt proposes application of the pro/am rule as just set up by the ISAF.
10. Election of new officers
Jürgen Klinghardt has kindly agreed to take over as Int. Class Secretary/Treasurer
All the members of the International Board thank Andrew McIrvine for his effective and successful work which has been highly appreciated.
Jürgen Klinghardt is the only candidate as Andrew McIrvine's successor.
Voting:
YES: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany North, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland/Germany South, X-Yachts.
Jürgen Klinghardt is elected as new International Class Secretary/Treasurer.
11. Any other business
11.1. Main sail reefs:
It is confirmed that the main sail reefs must be such that they can serve their original purposes in those conditions where reefing is needed.
11.2. Propeller type:
There is no list of "approved" propellers. The main criteria is the approval by the engine manufacture Volvo Penta.
11.3. Closing the sea valves:
For the time being, the closing of the sea valves is allowed for those boats only whose home waters are lakes like the German and Swiss lakes. All other boats are forbidden to close the seavalves.
12. Date of next meeting
The next meeting is intended to be held during the worlds in Skovshoved.
Jürgen Klinghardt 2 January 2001