PROPOSED CLASS RULE CHANGE FOR SAIL WINDOW
We have too many racing collisions in our C15 fleet here in Marina Del Rey CA. I’ll bet other fleets are having the same problem. The C14 fleet corrected a similar problem years ago by changing the class rules to allow for more window area in the jib and subsequently had less collisions for low cost (the sails were easily retro-fitted by sailmakers). We have separate starts for the C15’s and Lido 14’s and are constantly crossing and hitting or near-hitting too often because the jib blankets the skipper view and crew’s view when not on the wire. The existing window is too high most of the time, especially in light air.
I proposed at the national C15 business meeting this year and 2 years ago a change in the one design class rules to allow more window area in the jib for safety purposes. In 2010 the issue was tabled. This year it was decided by majority vote to appoint a committee to explore this idea, to invite input from the general membership on the website, then make a binding decision about how the window rule would be altered in the class rules by this Labor Day, expeditiously implementing this safety change. The committee is: Barrett Sprout, Charlie Quest and me, Becky Tobin.
So far the discussion has centered on adding a second window above the foot and below the existing window, essentially separating the 2 windows by the sail seam.
This message will also be posted in the C15 Yahoo group where you can engage in the discussion. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sailC15/messages
But you also email Becky directly at helmzalee@msn.com
Please contribute to this important discussion before Monday September 3, 2012 Labor Day so that we may make an informed decision based on all of our members input. We will then let you know, on this website, how the class rules will be amended by October 3, 2012.
In the meantime come out and race with us Thursday nights in the Sunstroke Series until August 30th hosted by SCCYC, the friendliest yacht club in Marina Del Rey.
Sincerely, Becky Tobin
SAILING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE 3 COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Becky Tobin
I have been an active C15 racer/owner in Marina Del Rey for the last 3 years. My sail number is 3622. My husband and I also owned and raced a J24 in the one-design fleet as well as in PHRF from 1995 until recently. We had competed in the C14 fleet from 1992 to 2008, placing in the national championships many times without ever winning. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. We still own the C14 but don’t race it anymore.
Charlie Quest
Learned to sail as a kid in summer camp and it became my recreational passion. I was OK but not at all educated in how to sail a boat fast. Still it was a passion and time was beginning to run out for me when 55 years old a friend said he needed a new toy and I shared my notion that the best toy was a fleet of one design sailboats to race. He concurred and we got a group of ten together and the most experienced presented the pros and cons of all designs 13-16 feet long and at the end of his presentation there was no one in the room that didn’t think the C15 was the hands down best choice. The next step was to find some boats and since it was my passion, I set myself to that task. I quickly found 10 in in January 2000 we started sailing them as a fleet of novices. Great fun and in that arena I did quite well. However when I stepped beyond our cloistered group into the real world, I learned that I had a great deal to learn and at 67 years of age I am still intent on doing that. But I have not even been the brides maid. I can say with reasonable confidence that at 40 I have probably bought and rehabilitated more used C15s than any one alive. I remained convinced that we made the best choice back in 1999. I am delighted to participate in effecting changes in the by laws that improve the C15 while keeping it a highly affordable fleet in which to join and compete.
Barrett Sprout
(Written by Becky and may be updated later)
Six time North American champ. Barrett has been sailing C15 for 15 years with his dad Randy Sprout and many other boats as well. He races all around SoCal. Generous with his time and suggestions to any in the fleet who ask.