International Formula 18 Catamaran Association

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 B.        MEASUREMENT RULES [1. PLATFORM] [2. RIGGING] [3. WEIGHT OF CREW] [4. SAILS] [5. MARKING]

GENERAL

For the construction, only the following materials are authorized : polyester or vinylester resin, glass fibres, core of PVC or balsa or felt, the combination of wood-epoxy, injected plastic, steel, extruded aluminium profiles of constant section, which shall not be altered, other than locally for the fixings and passage of equipment and normal reinforcement.

Every material that is not expressly permitted, is prohibited.

Carbon is only permitted in spreaders, rudder blades, dagger boards, blocks, cleats and tiller extension.

Epoxy glue is permitted for joining components.

For the trampoline : all types (except netting).

B.1.      PLATFORM [2. RIGGING] [3. WEIGHT OF CREW] [4. SAILS] [5. MARKING]

B.1.1.   DIMENSIONS

The maximum overall length measured on the hulls is 5.52m.

The maximum overall beam is 2.60m.

See diagram B.1. Platform

B.1.2.   FLOTATION

Each hull shall carry at least 110 litres of flotation, by solid closed cell foam, air bags, sealed air compartments in hulls, and at least one inspection hatch.

B.1.3.   MINIMUM WEIGHT

1.3.1.        The minimum weight of the platform is fixed at 130 kg.

1.3.2.        The minimum weight of the boat ready to sail is fixed at 180 kg.

1.3.3.        A corrector weight of maximum 7 kg may be used to satisfy these two           conditions. This corrector weight shall be fixed to the outside of the forward beam on the starboard side and shall be removable for checking.

B.1.4.   DAGGERBOARDS AND RUDDERS

The platform shall be equipped with a pair of rudders and, if fitted, a pair of dagger boards or centreboards.

The dagger board boxes and the rudders have to be in the vertical plan of the hulls.

The dagger boards or centreboards and rudders may be made using epoxy resin.

The carbon may be used for the construction of dagger boards, centreboards or rudder blades.

1.4.1    Minimum weight of rudders :

The minimum weight of each complete rudder assembly comprising blade, stock and tiller is fixed at 3 kg. For rudders built prior to 1st January 1996 correctors may be added to achieve minimum weight. The controlled weight shall be noted on the measurement form and on the rudder, on F18 sticker.

1.4.2.   Maximum weight of dagger boards or centreboards :

The maximum weight of dagger boards or centreboards is fixed at 5,5 kg.

The weight of each dagger board or centreboard shall be carried on the dagger board or centreboard under F18 transparent sticker, and shall be noted on the measurement form.

Distribution of the material of dagger boards or centreboards shall be homogeneous. Ballast or mass use of whatever nature is prohibited.

B.1.5.   BEAMS

1.5.1.        The beams shall be made of extruded aluminium profiles of constant section.

1.5.2.        The beams shall not be convex except for the necessary pre-bend to counteract the mast loading. The pre-bend shall be limited to a maximum of 15 mm.
See diagram B.1.5.2. Beams.

1.5.3.        The mast pivot on the front beam shall be fixed on the longitudinal axe of the boat.
See diagram B.1.5.3. Pivot Bottom Mast.

B.2.      RIGGING [1. PLATFORM] [3. WEIGHT OF CREW] [4. SAILS] [5. MARKING]

B.2.1.   MAST

2.1.1.        The perimeter of the mast section shall be a maximum of 385mm.
See diagram B.2.1.1. Perimeter Mast.

2.1.2.        The maximum distance between the top of the forward crossbeam and the bottom of the upper measurement band of the mainsail shall be 9100mm.

2.1.3.        The maximum distance between the mast heel and the axis of the point of attachment of the highest standing rigging shall be 6750mm.
See diagram B.2 Mast.

2.1.4.        The maximum distance between the mast heel and the point over which the spinnaker can not be hoisted shall be 8150mm.
See diagram B.2.1.4 Spinnaker Holst Height.

2.1.5.        The mast shall be watertight.

2.1.6.        The maximum distance between the top of the forward crossbeam and the bottom of extrusion shall be 120 mm.
See diagram B.2.1. Point Mast.

2.1.7.        Measurement shall be taken at the point across from the axe of rotation about the pivot. The Mast Datum Point is located at the front edge of the mast, on the longitudinal axe, at the lower end of the profile.
See diagram B.2.1. Point Mast.

B.2.2.   BOOM

A loose-footed mainsail is permitted. If used, the boom shall be made of extruded aluminium profile of constant section.

See diagram B.2.2 Boom.

B.2.3.   BOWSPRIT

The bowsprit shall be made of extruded aluminium profile of constant section.

The length shall not be greater than the distance, measured in total from its attachment point from the centre of the front beam to the vertical line touching the most forward part of the hull, with the bowsprit measured when level to the deck of the catamaran, plus an additional 800mm.

The bowsprit shall be fixed and approximately on the longitudinal centreline of the boat.

See diagram B.2.3 Spinnaker Pole.

The forward end of the bowsprit shall be rounded and blunt.

B.2.4.   RIGGING AND EQUIPMENT

The standing rigging shall be constituted at most with : 2 shrouds, 1 forestay, 1 pair of bridle stay, 1 pair of diamonds with a pair of spreaders, 2 pairs of trapeze wires.

The standing rigging shall be of conventional stranded steel wire (1 x 19). Dyform® or similar materials are prohibited. 1 x 7 is allowed. Minimum size : 3 mm.

It is not permitted to adjust while racing : the rake of the mast, the tension of the standing rigging, the angle or length of the spreaders, the tension of the diamonds other than that by one or two turn buckles appropriately lockable.

Trapeze wires will have a minimum diameter of 2.5 mm.

B.3.      WEIGHT OF CREW [1. PLATFORM] [2. RIGGING] [4. SAILS] [5. MARKING]

B.3.1.   MINIMUM WEIGHT OF CREW

The combined weight of the two crew shall be a minimum of 115 kg.

B.3.2.   CATEGORIES OF CREW WEIGHT

        3.2.1    There are three categories of crew weight :

(i) of 115 to less than 130 kg

(ii) 130 to 150 kg

(iii) above 150 kg

3.2.2    The crew in the category of 115 kg to less than 130 kg shall carry a weight equal to half of the difference between 130 kg and the actual weight of the crew. The weight shall be fixed to the outside of the forward crossbeam on the port side and shall be removable for control checking.

B.3.3.   CHANGE OF CATEGORY

3.3.1.        The crew in the category of 140 kg to 150 kg may use a corrector weight to compete in the upper category.

3.3.2.        The corrector weight, equal to half of the difference between 150 kg and the actual weight of the crew shall be fixed to the outside of the forward beam on the port side and shall be removable for control.

B.3.4.   RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CREW

The respect of the weight declared is the sole responsibility of the crew, which may be controlled and protested at any time during the event.

B.4.      THE SAILS [1. PLATFORM] [2. RIGGING] [3. WEIGHT OF CREW] [5. MARKING]

SAIL PLAN

The sail plan comprises a mainsail, a jib and a spinnaker. The sails shall be made of any polyester material for main and jib, and of nylon and polyester woven only for spinnakers, and shall fit in a bag of normal dimensions.

B.4.1.   MAINSAIL

B.4.1.1. The mainsail shall have a surface area of maximum 17.00m² including the mast

B.4.1.2. No part of the sail shall be above the upper mast band.

B.4.1.3. The aft head point of the mainsail shall not be above the head point. See diagram

B.4.1.4. Maximum Upper width at upper leech point 1500 mm from head point : 1290 mm. See diagram

B.4.1.5. Maximum Top width : 1000 mm. See diagram

B.4.2.   JIB

It shall be possible to roll the jib around the stay.

From 01.03.07, the roller reefer unit is optional. Any Long Distance race manager or organiser wanting the use of such device for safety reasons shall mention it in the Notice of Race, otherwise sailors may sail with the roller reefer as an optional aid.

The leech shall not be convex.

The head shall be not more than 50mm wide.

There shall not be battens on the foot.

The ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing shall apply to jibs.

4.2.1.   Two sail areas of jib are available as a function of the crew weight :

4.2.1.1. Crew categories of 115 to 150 kg :

    Maximum jib sail area : 3.45m²

4.2.1.2. Crew categories of more than 150 kg and crews opting for the over 140 kg changing of category (see B.3.3) :

    Maximum Jib sail area : 4.15m²

4.2.2.        For safety purpose, it is mandatory for the crew to be able, when racing, and in normal position on the trampoline, to furl the jib around the stay. The crew may be asked to demonstrate such ability at any time.

4.2.3.        The maximum diameter of the furled jib shall be 100 mm.

4.2.4.   The maximum number of jib battens will be 4. The battens and/or the batten pockets length shall not exceed a distance of 250 mm normal from the leech. See diagram Jibleech & B.4.2.4 Jib Battens.

Those may have a maximum of three battens which shall have no moving parts and be made of glass fibre, with a maximum width of 25 mm.

4.2.5.        The jib tack shall not be fixed below the highest point of the bridle wire.

4.2.6.   Self tacking jib devices are allowed.

B.4.3.   SPINNAKER

Two sail areas of spinnakers are permitted as a function of crew weight.

4.3.1           Crews of 115 kg to 150 kg :

Maximum surface area for the spinnaker : 19.00m².

4.3.2           Crews of more than 150 kg and crews over 140 kg changing of category (see B.3.3) : Maximum surface area for the spinnaker : 21.00m².

Battens and stiffening devices, except textile leech lines, are not permitted.

Spinnaker retrieving systems, which may be attached to the bowsprit, are allowed, subject they comply with the general measurement F18 rules.

Regarding the legality of carbon snuffer arrangements, a carbon ring is used on some North American snuffers, the spinnaker pole being aluminium. Such existing snuffers has been accepted under a grandfathering arrangement until 1 January 2007. Carbon is not permitted in the construction of new snuffers.

B.4.4.   LIMITED NUMBER OF SAILS

One single suit of sails can be used for the whole duration of an event.

B.5.      MARKING [1. PLATFORM] [2. RIGGING] [3. WEIGHT OF CREW] [4. SAILS]

All sails measured after 01/07/2007 shall have the following details clearly marked close to the tack point of the sail:

The year of manufacture

The loft of manufacture

The cloth type used

A unique serial number

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Last update : 2010-02-03