WH&O Open Sailor’s Forum

During the Western Hemisphere & Orient Championship a Sailors forum was held in San Diego.

September 8, 2014
San Diego Yacht Club, USA

The following topics were suggested from the sailor’s for discussion:

• Jib Cloth

The Rules Committee felt that the jibs were not lasting as long as previously and therefore increased the jib cloth to 160 g/sm. The sailors over the past several years had asked the SCIRA Board to extend the introduction & delay the enforcement of the new rule

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After much discussion a poll was taken and of those sailors in attendance, 12 were in favor of the new jibs with 4 in favor of the older. The group felt that the newer jibs were lasting as long as the older ones, but not any longer.

• Forestay

The discussion from the Jib cloth rule morphed into removing the forestay all together. It was suggested that safety be checked first, but that after a poll, 19 felt it should be optional to have/use a forestay with 1 against.

• Moveable Mast Step

Currently the SCIRA rules prohibit the movement of the mast step during racing. It is ok to adjust between races (as with spreaders and shrouds). Discussion was that it is the rule that needs to be enforced. Brazilian sailors were completely in favor of allowing the newer mast steps that can be adjusted on the water between races. Others spoke that the boat needs to be kept inexpensive and not to discourage junior sailors. A poll was taken and 100% felt it should be fixed.

• Hull Weight

The vast majority of sailors (in attendance) support the current hull weight

• Daggerboard height

Discussion of how to enforce the current issue of sailors raising blades higher than allowed. Pietro Fantoni outlined his proposal to the SCIRA Technical Committee only allowing 2 systems: hook or flap. Unanimous that this seems to be only a problem in Spain and that sailors in attendance would support a hook or flap only.

• WH&O Championship

The 2014 WH&O were down 7 boats from the maximum 50 due to people dropping out last minute. Suggestions were:
1. payment must be made at time of registration
2. Charters: if you have not qualified (from host country), you must agree to charter your boat.
3. Possibly look into round-robin for smaller countries