INTERNATIONAL ETCHELLS CLASS ASSOCIATION NEWS LIST NEWS ARTICLE Dec 12, 2003 - Digital Compasses and One Design Rule 7.14 Special Navigation Devices Dear Class members: At the annual meeting in November ISAF approved our submission changing One Design Rule 7.14 to read “Digital compasses that are entirely self-contained units giving solely direction, a tacking prompt and have a timer are permitted.” This rule change becomes effective March 1, 2004 Many of you have asked which compass or compasses readily available on the market meet these criteria. While the Class does not like to put itself in the position of recommending certain brands or specific products, I feel it is necessary to clarify the Governors’ criteria when approving the item at the IGC level. The intent of the Governors was to allow this technological advance, but that no digital compass should give any competitor who buys one an advantage over the class member who chooses to not to. The compass the Governors viewed when making their decision to allow the motion to go forward was the TackTick Micro. This relatively small compass has large easy to read numbers as well as a countdown timer and a function that can show tacking angles, hence the term ‘tacking prompt’ was used. Since most of us already use watches as start timers and only one function at a time may be used, we felt this compass really would not give anyone an advantage when using it. If the Governors knew of another compass or brand which only gave a heading, we would surely have based our rule on it. There have been many who have questioned if they could use the Tacktick RaceMaster which is larger, has a split screen feature and also shows line bias. This was put to the ODT for a decision and they have ruled based the wording of the new rule that the RaceMaster is not legal. With Christmas just around the corner, many of you may be looking to give or hoping to receive a new digital compass. When giving your list to Santa, if asking for a compass by name brand, and that brand is Tacktick, please tell him the “Micro” is the one you need. If he’s bringing you another brand, tell him it cannot have any more features that the Micro - Otherwise, you may end up with the wrong one and be standing in a long line on the 26th! All the best, Tim by Tim Patton, Chairman I.E.C.A. Back To Top Of Page Site © Copyright 2002. International Etchells Class Association Inc. All Rights Reserved.