12-04-2000

Dear Andrew,

One new X-99 owner asked me a little bit tricky question: Can I use Harken Black Magic products in X-99 without violating any class rule? Those fittings have some amount of carbon fibre. My first response was that of course not, because according to my understanding the rule 17.2. says it quite clear: Titanium and carbon fibre is prohibited anywhere on the boat. Then I began thinking again, because I believe I have seen them at least in some boats last year in Marstrand and also today one must be really careful in trying to avoid carbon fibre. They put it almost anywhere.

Has this been discussed in International Class Association before? I would like to know whether my first response was right, because I think the wording prohibited anywhere on the boat does not leave much open to various interpretations. If there is any hesitation about the answer, should I leave the question to the International Board according to rule 2.2?

2.2 In the case of a measurement dispute on hull, spars, sails, fittings, equipment to be carried, keel, rudder or rigging, the matter shall be referred to the International Class Technical Committee for a written ruling.

If a yacht owner or skipper, being a paid-up member of their respective National Association, wishes to question one of the Rules, he/she should put their question to their National representative on the International Board, who will, if considered appropriate, forward it to all members of the International Board who shall make a judgement within one month. For a Ruling to be made it must be agreed by a majority of Board members (>50%), Any question must be placed with the National representative with a minimum of three months' notice before an International event is scheduled.

Best regards,

Mika Isoviita

14-04-2000

This is indeed a tricky subject. Here are my thoughts:

1. It is very hard to determine what 'partially' carbon fibres means. How could we define this (eg up to 50% carbon fibre content?). I think the only way around this would be to allow carbon fittings (but again, which fittings: blocks, clam cleats, tiller extensions, other?)

2. I don't like the idea that people start using alternative fittings to a greater extent since this would increase peer pressure to upgrade boats and thus the cost of racing. This would also contradict to some extent the one design approach of the X-99.

3. Rule 17.2 states that carbon fibre is prohibited anywhere on the boat. This seems very clear to me and in my opinion clearly also applies for fittings. The whole discussion is therefore in my opinion not a question of interpreting the rules (which in my opinion must clearly be a 'no'), but rather a discussion of a rule change. Having boats using partially carbon fibre fittings doesn't change this.

To summarise: My answer would be 'no', if I have to rule according to Rule 2.2, whether partially carbon fibre fittings are allowed under Rule 17.2. I propose that we review and vote on this proposed rule change at the next AGM, if a national class association makes such a proposal.

Kind regards

Philip Duss

I think the consensus is that the rule at present bans carbon and a formal rule change, via the usual mechanisms, will be required to permit carbon fittings.

09-05-2000

Hello everybody,

We will have a National Class Association meeting Monday the 15th. To give right information then I would like to know, if the conclusion would be that partially carbon fibre fittings are not allowed. So far I have heard only comments against them, apart from ours. Our intention was not to cause excessive pressure to update boats. Merely the discussion begun from the elderly boats which have faced the fact that they must change the broken fittings. I also concluded that this could be comparable to that "window rule": if a window is no more window after adding few threads into it, why should carbon be carbon any more if it contains two thirds some other material.

If the decision will be, as I have understood, "NO" I hope that all National Associations will inform their members that boats with even partially carbon fibre fittings are illegal. If so, we are completely happy with that, and WILL NOT request any rule change. The main point here is that we all follow the same rules.

Best Regards, Mika Isoviita