Technical protest

They did and called it Crazy K-Yote Two 

I'm not and have never been an official measurer for any class, but I have been involved in contributing to class rules for Cherubs and ICs. So take that for what its worth.

If I were looking at a Merlin I would say that a fence becomes a foil when it has any lifting capability, and most especially if there is any control capability of changing the angle of incidence. So if its a small structure not extending beyond the likely boundary area of the flow round the blade, with a symmetrical section oriented as close as possible to the likely local water flow its a fence.

Looking at the Merlin rules I'd say for what little my opinion is worth that the dual purpose halyard bag/sail is a clear breach of G 1.2. If I were on a PC I wouldn't even bother to refer it to the CA. If the boat owner wished to appeal it then let him.

[later]
I've just looked at the rudder designs posted on the Merlin forum. I note
- structure which doesn't appear to extend beyond the boundary layer
- very low aspect ratio so very high drag if generating lift
- small total area
So unless there is some gear on the boat for changing the angle of incidence then I'd be quite happy with those - again for what little my opinion is worth.


Edited by JimC - 18 Nov 19 at 2:09pm

Its very easy to add extra rules for every single possible contingency, at which point you end up with class rules like the Formula one technical regulations. You can find them here https://www.fia.com/file/78015/download/26184, there's only 111 pages...

If I were on the Merlin committee, an eventuality rather more unlikely than Greenpeace deciding nuclear power is a good idea after all, I would suggest that the current rules are quite adequate about sails and fences, and that people who want to play word games can download apps onto their phones.

Edited by JimC - 18 Nov 19 at 3:11pm

Originally posted by JimC Its very easy to add extra rules for every single possible contingency, at which point you end up with class rules like the Formula one technical regulations. You can find them here https://www.fia.com/file/78015/download/26184, there's only 111 pages...

Edited by Sam.Spoons - 18 Nov 19 at 3:10pm

Originally posted by Sam.Spoons It would be easy to put a limit on projection of rudder fences and thus remove that area of 'interpretation', as it would be easy to prohibit that halyard bag or define it as a sail (which would outlaw it as it is more than one ply). But, in the case of a dev class*, rule changes can only be made with the approval of the membership as voted on at an AGM or EGM. WRT the halyard bag, has this been discussed on the Merlin forum or their FB page? * or One Design

Apparently the RYA rules commitee have already ruled on this ( its a sail). And if I knew how to add the link, I would have done so