ORCsy (Superyacht) rule 201.3 states that: ‘For each non-manual powered winch for spinnaker halyard and headsail sheet the maximum power in kW and maximum speed in metres/minute shall be recorded’… So where on earth would you ever begin? It’s clear too that on Pattoo at the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta in Porto Cervo ‘if we really must have scruffy racing crew onboard then it is not just the silver that we will be covering up’
Hydraulic rams fit the ERS definition of Sheets which is confusing as sailors use the word sheet for ropes connected to a clew or boom! Sheets are defined in the ERS as Rigging but it is question- able whether rams fit the definition of Rigging – arguably most hydraulic rams work both ways with an air or gas return function and so do not just work in tension.
My take is hydraulic rams are associated fittings not permanently connected to a permanently fixed fitting or associated fitting.
IRC Rule 15 MANUAL POWER replaces RRS52 by: (a) The use of stored power for the hoisting of mainsails, or the reefing or furling of sails need not be declared. (b) Boats using stored power solely for the adjustment or operation of aft rigging shall declare this to the Rating Authority. (c) Boats using stored power for the adjustment or operation of running rigging other than as noted in Rules 15.2(a) and (b) shall declare this to the Rating Authority. (d) Boats shall not use stored power for steering unless specified by the Notice of Race.
First problem here in using the term Stored Power is that this does not (seem to) cover direct power from engines or generators… However, for years already IRC stretches the term ‘power provided by crew’ to limits that at first sight are not logical, by accepting the use of hydraulic accumulator tanks if these are filled by crew, for example grinding away on rotary pumps.
This is not written anywhere in the IRC rule, but if you ask then that is the answer you will get. Second problem is how the term Running Rigging is employed, which puts us back in the hands of the ERS, in this case ERS F.1.7 (b): (b) RUNNING RIGGING Rigging primarily used to adjust a spar, a sail or a hull appendage. Running Rigging types: (i) HALYARD Rigging used to hoist a sail, spar, flag or a combination thereof. (ii) BACKSTAY Rigging mainly used to provide aft support for a mast spar above the upper limit mark. (iii) RUNNING BACKSTAY Rigging used to provide aft support for a mast spar at a point, or points, between the upper limit mark and the forestay rigging point. (iv) CHECKSTAY Rigging used to provide aft support for a mast spar at a point, or points, between the lower limit mark and the forestay rigging point. (v) OUTHAUL Rigging used to trim the clew of a sail along a boom spar. (vi) SHEET Rigging used to trim the clew of a sail, or a boom spar. (vii) SPINNAKER GUY Rigging used to trim the tack of a spinnaker. This seems to restrict all running rigging to these 7 categories, and so we are back to the definition of sheet to cover a potentially large number of lines, block and tackle systems and hydraulic rams, of which only a few are in practice labelled as sheet by sailors. In the end I feel it would improve clarity and fall (more) in line with actual sailing and rating practice if the following terms were used and properly defined: Human Power and Non-Human Power; the latter sub-divided into Direct and Stored Power. What is then covered by the terms Direct and Stored Power and whether and how this is rated is another matter.
No need to penalise the use of bungee, but for sure this most used form of stored power deserves recognition! And add a category to Running Rigging types, like Trim, to bring the term Sheet closer to how that word is actually used by sailors. Then adjust the definitions in ERS F.1.7(b) for this, for instance defining Sheet as ‘primary rigging to trim the clew of a sail, or a boom spar’, and Trim as ‘secondary rigging and equipment to trim or deflect a sheet or guy, or the clew of a sail, or a boom spar’? Hope this article did not stretch your attention span to the limit… Rob Weiland, TP52 class manager
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