Lasers

Originally posted by deadrock Contrary to what some on this forum appear to believe, boats and equipment that are not class-legal are subject to protest at any racing event run anywhere under the RRS, not just class-association events. The canard that it's OK to use illegal kit for club racing has been peddled for many years by retailers of 'replacement' or replica sails & kit, though some are careful to avoid saying that their 'replacement' sails are suitable for racing.

That's not my understanding. I got an opinion from the RYA a few years ago on Rule 78.1. RRS 78.1 reads

78.1 While a boat is racing, her owner and any other person in charge shall ensure that the boat is maintained to comply with her class rules and that her measurement or rating certificate, if any, remains valid. In addition, the boat shall also comply at other times specified in the class rules, the notice of race or the sailing instructions.

Now at the time I was thinking that means that replica sails were banned in all circumstances. However what the RYA said to me was, roughly speaking, that if a boat is not maintained to its class rules it ceases to be a member of that class, and so the class rules no longer apply to it, and so RRS78.1 doesn't apply to it!

So here's what I make of that.
At first sight that opinion seems silly: it appears you can't break RRS 78.1 because as soon as you break it it doesn't apply!

Lets look at the implications of that. You can have a Frankenboat legally with modified rig, you can have a Laser modified to be a Rooster whatsit, you can do anything you like with your boat: its a free country, same as you can have a one off boat you designed yourself.
BUT:
If your boat has been modified out of class with replica sail, extra purchases on the kicking strap, anything else, no matter how trivial, then it is not a member of its former class anymore, and is ineligible for events for that class, and is not entitled to enter *any* events claiming to be a member of that class.

So if Upper Snoring SC puts on an event or series that says International Laser/ILCA in the NOR, a Portuguese Laser is ineligible, as is a boat with a replica sail or anything else in breach of class rules.
However if Upper Snoring SC puts on an event or series for "Not-Quite-Lasers" then its completely up to the club what boats they want to consider eligible for their event.
And if I enter a handicap event with my Wotsit class boat, but, say, hoist an experimental sail I know to be out of class, then if I claim that my boat is a member of the class then I am in breach of the rules - effectively cheating. However if when I enter I say "My boat is almost a Wotsit, but I have an experimental sail on it" then that's perfectly reasonable and legal.

But yes, if I were to enter a boat I knew to be ineligible due to being out of class that would be misconduct, and putting fake WS plaques or otherwise seeking to cheat the rules would be very serious misconduct. OTOH entering my not-quite-a-Laser in a not-quite-a-Laser event is fine.




Edited by JimC - 03 Feb 22 at 10:08pm

Totally agree with Sam and Jim and fab100 and 423zero and Rupert .

Edited by Grumpycat - 03 Feb 22 at 11:28pm

Forensic evaluation of a LP Laser would help, anyone actually seen one? can't see how they can knock three grands worth of quality out of the boat, unless parts are all sourced from the East, still using ice blue colour, needs a LP whistle blower to spill the beans.

Edited by 423zero - 04 Feb 22 at 11:29am

The Ovi laser costs more because they spend a lot longer making them, control the mast rake with plugs that are used to give consistent mast rake. Resin, cloth, etc are all weighed out before making and a controlled process adds time, plus build in the UK with increased wage rates, etc.