Experimental Rules
In the interest of enhancing the safety, total cost effectiveness or the longevity of Albacores, the IRC may form time-to-time, issue experimental rules. These rules modify the normal class rules during the time of the experiment and allow those participating in the experiment to use equipment which comply with the conditions laid out in the experimental rule, but not otherwise allowed by the class rules. While the IRC intends to allow experimental equipment to be used in all events, a national Albacore organization may place limits on use at certain events under their jurisdiction.
At the end of the experimental period, the class may amend its rules to incorporate the experiment for permanent use, develop and adopt a modified rule to allow some aspects of the experiment, or it may do nothing in which case the experiment ends and the published class rules take precedence. Unless specifically allowed in a revision to class rules, non-conforming boats and equipment used during the experiment must not continue to be used after the experimental period expires. No experimental deviations shall be "grandfathered" or endorsed as an "acceptable non-compliance" on a measurement certificate. Owners who participate in an experiment bear all the cost and risk of the experiment.
ER # 1 Increase Jib Window Area
The IRC invites boat owners and sailmakers to proceed with experiments to develop jibs with better visibility as defined below. Development shall be limited to head sails (jibs) only at present.
- Purpose of Experimental Jib Development
To determine whether boat safety can be enhanced by increasing window area without increasing the sail cost or reducing sail life in any substantial way. - Limitations on Development
2.1 The IRC believes that the sail must be made of a soft, single ply woven material as the current rules permit. Mylar, carbon fibre material and batons are not permitted.
2.2 The window material should not be closer than 150 mm to any edge of the sail. This follows the current rule.
2.3 The IRC believes that the direction for development should be to relax the maximum on permitted window area and on the number of windows in the existing rules. It is recognized that typical jib window areas in currently produced sails are much smaller than currently permitted. Presumably this was the result of attempting to maintain sail shape with the window materials available. For the present experiments we think that the maximum combined window area should not exceed double the current maximum, 2 x 0.19 = 0.38 m2. Given the purpose of the experiments, it does not made sense to specify a minimum sail area at the moment but advice on this would be useful when the results of the experiments are considered. Existing sails must not be made obsolete by any rule change. - Measurements and Documentation
3.1 The sails built for these experiments shall be fully measured and satisfy the current rules except for the window provisions. Preferably, all these experimental sails should be measured by the same person who will keep the records.
3.2 The experimental sails must be clearly marked near the clew with an X, not smaller than 100 mm in height, and signed and dated as usual but not endorsed on the owner's measurement certificate.
3.3 A log book should be kept by the owner to record dates of sail usage, length of time and wind conditions.
3.4 If any repairs or modifications are made to any of these experimental sails, these must be recorded on the measurement records or log book of the sail. - Participation
4.1 It is envisaged that there should be no limitations on the number of sailmakers or sails used in this study, commensurate with providing sufficient usage time for each sail to measure durability.
4.2 The increased window area should have no effect on a sail's initial aerodynamic performance. Thus, experimental sails may be used in sanctioned events provided permission is requested and granted by the local organizing committee in advance of the event. The intent here is to publicize the experimental test program and maximize sail use while maintaining fair sailing. - Evaluation of Experiments
5.1 The sail makers, sail owners, measurers and the IRC shall be involved in the evaluation of the experiments.
5.2 The sails must be re-measured with the results recorded and compared with the original measurements. Ideally, similar before and after measurements should be provided for current standard production sails to provide a baseline.
5.3 The sail makers should provide their quantitative and qualitative evaluations of their experimental sails, make recommendations about preferred rule changes, and specify their sale price for the preferred design as compared with the price charged for current sails.
5.4 The sail users should provide a written evaluation of the experimental sails, their performance and increased visibility in the sail log book.
5.5 The reports of the sail makers, users and measurers should be forwarded to the IRC for study. After due consideration and discussion with individuals involved in the experiments as felt appropriate, the IRC will make recommendations for any required rule changes for approval as required by the IAA Constitution.
Note: It seems impractical to think that full testing, evaluation and the appropriate rule change recommendations can be completed before all of the AGMs in 2007. It is probably better to use the entire sailing season for the evaluation process unless the results become clear at an earlier stage.
Effective Date: May 27, 2007
Expiration Date: December 31, 2008 or sooner by issue of notice on this web page by the IRC.
Issued by: International Rules Committee, David S. Weaver, Chairman
Dicussion of ER #1 Increase Jib Window Area
Experimental Jib Test Program (revised)
Can larger windows in Albacore sails improve sailing safety through greater visibility while maintaining sail durability and not affecting sail cost? This was the basic question raised by Andrew Callum and Jeff Beitz in their proposal to the International Rules Committee (IRC) of the International Albacore Association (IAA) for an experimental evaluation of sails with larger windows. The IRC welcomed this initiative and, noting that some other classes such as the Thistle and 505 have also tried larger windows, approved an experimental jib development program. The rationale, program details and process are outlined briefly below.
The current rules permit a single jib window with a maximum area of 0.19 m2 in a sail made from a soft, single ply woven material. Typically, current sails have windows which are substantially smaller than the current rules permit. The problem in the past has been that the window material stretched differentially with the sailcloth and, therefore, jibs with large windows lost their ideal shape relatively quickly. Thus, larger windows reduced sail durability. With the development of new transparent window materials, it is reasonable to ask whether the use of new materials and, perhaps, a double window design might create much greater visibility without sacrificing sail durability or increasing sail cost. This is the rationale for the experimental jib program approved by the IRC. Sailors and sail makers are invited to develop experimental jibs with larger windows. The sail must comply with all of the current rule requirements except for the limitations on window size and number. Thus, the aerodynamic performance of the experimental sail will not be affected and anyone using such a sail will have no performance advantage beyond having better visibility. However, since these sails do not measure in according to the current rules, they cannot be endorsed on the boat's measurement certificate. Cost and durability issues precluded the expansion of the test program to include Mylar or other 'exotic' materials.
The process involves having an experimental sail built, measured as done normally, marked clearly with a large X near the clew and keeping a log of sail use, wind conditions and perceived value of improved visibility. This step depends on the willingness of individuals to put up the money necessary to purchase an experimental sail. Clearly, the IRC has no control over this and, since the equivalent of a full sailing season is required for a proper durability assessment, the time limit on this experimental study is open but will be considered complete not more than 1 year from the date of measurement of the first experimental sail. Upon completion of the testing, the experimental sails will be remeasured and compared against a standard sail for stretching and shape distortion. The cost will be known and an informed decision can be made regarding the desirability of changing our rules regarding window size and number. At this point, a wide and informed discussion by Albacore sailors in the various countries can take place and, if deemed appropriate, a new rule can be framed. In accordance with the IAA Constitution, this would have to be approved by the AGM's of IAA member countries before the rule change would become valid.
This is an excellent opportunity to determine whether sailing safety can be improved through better visibility with minimum or no cost in terms of sail durability, price increase or rendering obsolete existing sails. However, this experimental program can only be successful if some sailors are encouraged to work with sail makers to develop and test new sails within the restrictions of this approved study. It is equally clear that the endurance of the experimental sails can only be properly tested if the sails are well used in all wind conditions. Since the jibs authorized for use in this study offer no performance advantage and their use in racing is essential to the success of the program, Race Committees are encouraged to authorize the use of experimental jibs in regattas over which they have jurisdiction. We believe that this experimental jib program is in the best interests of the Albacore Class and hope that it attracts the interest and full support of Albacore sailors.
Anyone wishing to participate in this study by ordering an experimental sail should contact the IRC member in their country for further details: George Roth (Canada), Rolf Zeisler (USA) and Michael McNamara (UK) or myself.
David Weaver
IRC Chairman