Fleet Rules
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Chicago Beneteau First 40.7 Fleet
Class Rules
Contents
Section Title
1 Objectives
2 Administration of the Fleet
3 Membership and Eligibility
4 Boat and Equipment
5 Sails
1 Objectives
1.1 The Chicago Beneteau First 40.7 Fleet, as the governing organization for the owners of the Beneteau First 40.7 sailboats in the Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation, Area III, in order to enhance one-design amateur sail racing while maintaining safety, the pleasurable aspects of the vessels and limiting associated costs, does establish these rules for class racing.
1.2 Hereafter in these rules, The Chicago Beneteau First 40.7 Fleet may be known as the “Fleet”, the Beneteau First 40.7 sailboat may be known as “40.7", and the Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation Area III may be known as “Area III”. The term “skipper” as applied in these rules refers to the person aboard and in charge of the vessel.
1.3 Participation in any Area III race or any race starting within the geographical boundaries of Area III, in which there is an independently scored section of 40.7's, implies that the skipper of the 40.7 agrees to abide by these rules.
1.4 All designs and dimensions of First 40.7 s hull, rudder, spars, equipment, keel, deck, weight and distribution thereof, sail plan, and interior should be alike. Only when exceptions are specifically cited in these rules will they be found acceptable.
1.5 Unless cited in these rules, the Fleet prohibits all modifications and alterations to all yachts competing in one design or class sponsored events.
2. Administration of the Fleet
2.1 Members. The owner, or collectively “owners” (if there is more than one owner), of each 40.7 in the Fleet (see section 3.1 for definition of an owner) is considered as a single entity representing their vessel as a member of the Fleet. Each vessel, through the owner(s), is a member of the Fleet.
2.2 Fleet Officers. The fleet will elect the following fleet officers:
Captain of the Fleet
Representative to Area III
Rules Chairman
Secretary/Treasurer
Safety Officer
2.3 The term of the officers shall be for two years.
2.4 An Executive Committee of Fleet Officers shall consist of the Captain of the Fleet, the Rules Chairman, and the Safety Officer, and shall decide upon issues of the applicability of these rules.
2.5 Each member has one vote on issues pending before the Fleet (one vote per vessel).
2.6 A member may designate another individual, who is either not an owner (a crew member) or another owner (another member), to vote as his proxy at meetings of members of the Fleet. The Captain of the Fleet or other presiding officer of the meeting shall be informed of all proxies prior to the meeting.
2.5 These class rules may be changed, or other issues decided, upon a majority vote of the members present at a general meeting. If the vote is taken at a general meeting of the members, a quorum of a simple majority of all of the members of the fleet (or their proxy) must be present. If the vote is taken while the members are not present at a general meeting (telephone, email, and/or postal mail) all members must be notified of the vote in the most expeditious manner and a majority of those responding within the set time limit is required to pass the issue at hand. In the event that due to time constraints an issue must be decided and there is no time for a vote of the members the issue will be decided by the Executive Committee.
2.6 Each member shall appoint a skipper (person in charge of the vessel) for each race. The skipper is responsible for the safety, compliance with class rules, and deportment of the vessel and crew during all racing activities.
2.7.1 As necessary, the Captain of the Fleet shall call for, schedule, and give notice of meetings of the members of the Fleet to discuss and vote upon issues pertinent to the maintenance of these rules and to the operation of the fleet.
3. Membership and Eligibility
3.1 An “owner” of a 40.7 racing in one-design fleet races in Area III must be an individual legally owning 100% of the vessel, or be an equal partner in the 100% ownership of the yacht. A partner is one of two or three individuals that share equal shares and responsibility in the purchase of the complete yacht and the cost of its operations.
3.2 A member of the Fleet shall comply with these Class Rules, shall pay annual dues, and shall be the owner (as defined in section 3.1) of a 40.7. located and participating in sail racing in Area III.
3.3 The Driver of the yacht shall be a Group 1competitor. A driver is defined as the person or persons who, steer(s) the yacht during the 5 minutes prior to and including the start, and until the finish. Exceptions for momentary absence due to personal or shipboard needs is acceptable.
3.4 Crew eligibility. Apart from owners of the vessel as described above, all crew must be categorized as Group 1 according to Definitions of Competitor Classification, Appendix P, of the Racing Rules of Sailing 2002-2004.
4. Equipment Rules
4.1 Removal and Relocations
4.1.1 Items which may not be removed from the vessel while racing are standard factory supplied furnishings and equipment, including but not limited to:
the Tuff Luff
emergency tiller
two 12-volt batteries
refrigeration system
pressure water system
propane stove
propane tank
holding tank
head
bilge pumps (manual and electric)
any of the interior or exterior components
ancillary plumbing and wiring
cabinetry
floor boards
Rear cabin/salon cushions (v-berth cushions may be removed)
bulkhead/cabin doors
swim ladder or replacement rigid swim ladder
4.1.2 Items which may be removed from the vessel during races as indicated:
jib roller furling
bow anchor roller
salon table
v-berth cushions
the two removable cockpit lockers
4.1.3 Items which may be relocated within the vessel during races:
The V-Berth and main salon cushions may be relocated to another part of the vessel during races but they may not be removed from the vessel.
4.2 Safety Equipment
4.2.1 Safety equipment shall as a minimum conform to USCG and ORC regulations prescribed by the applicable Notice of Race and/or Sailing Instructions.
4.2.2 In keeping with good seamanship, each vessel is required to carry on board a suitable anchor and rode.
4.2.3 Life jackets are required to be worn at the start and finish of each race by all skippers and crew. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a voluntary contribution, by the non-compliant boat, of ten dollars ($10.00) to the fleet per incident. If life jackets are required by the sailing instructions, of a specific regatta, the penalty cited in the instructions will be followed in addition to the fleet’s monetary penalty.
4.3 Allowable Modifications and/or Equipment Permitted
1. Tactical instrumentation
2. Additional compasses
3. GPS/Loran/VHF/Radar
4. Interior cruising and day-sailing amenities, which do not enhance performance
5. Foredeck lifeline netting, shroud rollers & other anti-chafing gear
6. Purchase of Mainsail outhaul may be increased using only block and tackle
7. Purchase of genoa car adjuster may be increased, using only block and tackle
8. Footrests for helmsman and/or mainsheet trimmer may be added to the cockpit
9. Mainsail Cunningham maybe added
10. Hi-Tech fibers (except PBO) for running rigging are permitted
11. Low friction mainsail luff system such as Tides, Antal or Harken are permitted
12. Factory steaming/deck light may be replaced by a different steaming light
(a deck light is not required)
13. A boom topping lift is not required
14. Shackles and blocks may be added or replaced with any brand or style
15. The use of blocks to redirect existing control lines, and organizers such as sheet bags, winch handle pockets and shock cord, are permissible to aid the boats deck gear
16. Running rigging and deck gear other than items specifically mentioned in prohibited modifications can be relocated, deleted, or substituted as the Owner sees fit
17. Normal sanding and minor fairing, to design specification, of the hull, keel and rudder
18. Anti-fouling preparation of the underbody
19. Carbon fiber spinnaker poles
20. An adjustable turnbuckle may be added to the headstay
21. The addition of any system to the standard electrical system
4.4 Prohibited Modifications
1. Reshaping, filling in, drilling out, relocating of the hull, keel, or rudder.
22. The stem head fitting shall not be modified or relocated.
23. The chain plate shall not be modified or relocated.
24. The mast step assembly shall not be modified or relocated.
25. The genoa track may not be changed in length or location.
26. The main sail traveler shall not be changed in length or relocated.
27. The number of mooring cleats shall remain the same. Removable ( recessed) cleats may be substituted at mid ship
28. The bow and stern pulpits, lifelines, and the life stanchions shall remain the standard height and number.
29. Halyard Locks or Hooks.
30. Holes or Tubes that feed halyards or control lines through deck, hull or transom.
31. The mast section shall not be tapered, cutout, lightened, heightened, or shortened, or modified in any way.
32. The type of spreader, spreader length, spreader angle, or method of attachment shall not be changed or modified.
33. The number of halyards shall be limited to one main, one genoa and two spinnakers. Halyard locations shall not be changed.
34. The boom section shall not be tapered, cutout, lightened, lengthened, shortened, or modified in any way.
35. The standing rigging, (shrouds, headstay, backstay), shall not be reduced in diameter or material changed.
36. The standard rigging method of attachment shall not be changed or relocated. An adjustable turnbuckle may be added to the headstay.
37. The use of hydraulics for mechanical purchase on any control is not permitted, except the backstay.
38. The genoa and jib can only be attached to the stem head fitting.
39. The spinnaker pole shall not exceed 14.47 feet in length.
40. The standard china bowl head and propane stove or ones of equal weight shall not be removed for class racing.
41. The engine must be of standard size, weight, and installed in the standard location. A 30 hp or 40 hp engine is acceptable.
42. Disassembly or relocation of the standard water or fuel tanks.
43. The electrical system must remain as supplied by the manufacturer.
44. Two batteries are required and must remain in their standard location.
45. All standard interior cabinetry and doors shall not be removed for class racing.
46. Altering Rudder or Keel Profile to exceed tolerances in Official Offsets
47. The standard propane tank may not be removed or relocated from the designated aft port side propane locker.
48. The saildrive leg surface may be lightly sanded in preparation for painting. No grinding, removing aluminum or fairing of the saildrive leg or propeller is permitted. Any paint system applied to the saildrive leg shall be of normal thickness, and it shall be checked to manufacturers tolerances for standard configuration. It is not permitted to fill the gap around the sail drive leg with any type of material, except as fitted by builder.
5. Sails
5.1 The intent of these rules is to discourage rule-beating sails. Therefore, any change that is not established practice or specifically covered by the sail plan and measurements is considered illegal until a ruling has been obtained from the Chief Measurer and the Executive Committee have concurred.
5.1.1 Sails shall be measured and constructed in accordance with IMS rules WITHOUT PENALTY and ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing, except where otherwise stated herein.
5.2 Sail Measurement
5.2.1 Main Sail
P= 48.85
E=17.71
Maximum upper quarter girth, measured from upper quarter leach to the nearest point on the luff rope =6.73
Maximum mid girth, measured from mid-leach to the nearest point on the luff, including luff rope =11.51
A maximum of five full-length battens may be mounted in the mainsail. The battens must be approximately evenly spaced up the leach. Batten material can be composite
One set of down reef is mandatory
The US Sailing number or hull number must be displayed on both sides of the main.
The mainsail shall be set within the bands on the spars at all times.
The tack ring of the mainsail shall be affixed in the standard tack fitting. The mainsail foot may otherwise be loose.
Fabric limitations shall not apply.
The mainsail shall be attached to the mast with sail slides or boltrope.
The mainsail may be fitted with a cunningham ring and flattening rings
The class insignia shall be a contrasting color to the mainsail.
5.2.2 Genoa
I=51.61
J=14.47
Maximum L.P.=153%of J measured forward edge of the luff tape to the extension of the clew.
Maximum girth, measured from mid-leach to luff tape shall not exceed .50 of the foot length.
The US Sailing sail number or hull number must be displayed on both sides of the #1 Genoa.
View windows, trim stripes, and tell tale windows permitted.
Leech and foot lines permitted
Tacking lines not permitted.
Leech Battens not permitted.
Fabric limitations shall not apply.
5.2.3 Working Jib
I=51.61
J=14.47
Maximum L.P. =100% J measured from the forward edge of the luff edge of the luff tape to the extension of the clew.
Maximum mid girth, measured from mid-leach to mid-luff including luff tape shall not exceed .50 of the foot length.
No reef is allowed.
A maximum number of four (4) optional battens of any length may be fitted.
Batten material can be composite.
View windows, trim stripes and tell tale windows permitted.
Leech and foot lines permitted.
Fabric limitations shall not apply
5.2.4 Spinnakers
Maximum luff length SL=50.92,SMW=26.05,Foot=26.05(asymmetrical spinnakers not exceeding these measurements may be used (Number of Sails in section 5.3)
The sail number or hull number must be displayed on both sides of the spinnaker.
Spinnakers to be woven Nylon or Polyester. Laminated fabrics shall not be permitted.
Adjustable leech, luff and foot lines shall not be fitted
Pull down patches not permitted
Headboard not permitted
5.3 Sail Limits
5.3.1 Each boat will be limited to carrying on board, a total of 8 sails per race, regatta or port-to-port race, except the Chicago to Mackinac Race in which case a heavy spinnaker of 1.5 ounce material (or heavier) may be carried as a ninth sail.
5.3.2 The sail inventory shall be further limited as follows:
One mainsail
Up to three overlapping genoas
One jib of less than or equal to 100% overlap
Up to three spinnakers.
An asymmetrical spinnaker may be carried and counted as either one of the three overlapping genoas or as one of the three spinnakers so long as the limit of 8 sails is met.
5.3.3 Storm sails and tri-sails may be carried and will not be counted against the eight sail limit. Storm sails include #4 jib and smaller.
5.4 Damaged Sails. In the event that one or more of the eight sails is significantly damaged during the regatta, then another sail may be substituted for the damaged sail.
5.5 Class Sail Purchasing and Use
5.5.1 Each registered yacht may acquire no more than two new class sails per year. Sails that have been damaged beyond repair may be replaced. These new sails are to be marked and dated when purchased.
5.5.2 The “calendar” year will begin the day after the last season race.
5.5.3 If a “used” boat buyer can demonstrate that they are in a non-competitive position, upon application to the Captain of the Fleet, they may be granted more than two new sails the first year they own the used boat.
5.5.4 Owners of New boats not previously commissioned have no restrictions.
5.5.5 There are no restrictions on sails used for cruising or practice so long as those sails are not used in class races.
Approved: June 5, 2000
Revised: April 14,2001
Revision approved: February 1, 2003
Affirmed: October 19, 2003
Revised: February 4, 2006
Affirmed: May 16, 2006
Revised: June 1, 2007