International Etchells Class Association
News

One Design Project Proposed Documents and Meetings

published 02/16/2022

Recording of Discussion Session 1
Discussion Session Slides
Summary


(Updated 16 February 2022 with materials from discussion sessions. Original email sent 7 February 2022.)

As a recommended outcome of the Class Audit that took place in 2021, a group of Etchells sailors around the world have been working on the "One-Design Project", aiming to: 

  1. Clarify what may/shall be done to Etchells by sailors and builders
  2. Make the construction of Etchells as one-design as possible
  3. Deter speed-shopping
  4. Reverse or curtail the increase in costs
  5. Support resale values
  6. Make our class rules more compatible with the Equipment Rules of Sailing

Many many members, plus the builders, measurers, and World Sailing have all participated. We have benefited greatly from long hours of Bill Abbott’s time, and from the professional support of Alistair Deaves and Guy Whitehouse.

The means of achieving the stated aims is by:

  1. Updating the official Class documents, and
  2. Changing the process by which Etchells are certified when built, and inspected at events.

The documents are:

  • Class Rules
  • Building Specifications
  • Plans
  • Measurement Form
  • Measurement Guide

The working drafts of these documents, and links to important reference material, can be found at the links above.

Super-quick summary of the approach so far: 

  • Items to do with building the hull and hull appendages have been moved out of Section D & E of the Class Rules and into the Building Specifications and the Plans.
  • Items that the sailor is allowed to do to the hull and appendages is now in an enlarged Section C of the Class Rules.
  • There are no changes to the way rigs and sails are controlled.
  • New measurement points have been introduced, and the Hull Datum Point is now the old “Point C” on the transom (it doesn’t get damaged as much as the bow).
  • New boats will match the prototype inside tight guidelines. The builders are cooperating to harmonise construction protocols. 
  • At major events, boats will be inspected and compared with their own Measurement Form (like a passport) to confirm they have not been modified inappropriately.
  • Existing boats that have not been modified inappropriately have nothing to worry about.
The team is going to host Zoom calls to introduce/explain how we think the updated documents & process achieve the stated aims. Nothing is set in stone. We seek input on what we’ve come up with so far, and guidance on the direction we’ve taken. We welcome being informed of things we’ve missed, and unintended consequences of things we’ve put in. We’re unlikely to solve everything on the Zoom, but it’ll be a better outcome with your input.

1.           Wed 16 Feb:     1800 Sydney
              Join here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81980934807?pwd=N09NYjhTK0FXamVtdktOWmZ1Zk9FUT09

2.           Wed 16 Feb:     2000 London  
              Join here:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88979115803?pwd=d0kvU0FpcS91U0p4dnVwdldqNDgxZz09

3.           Thur 17 Feb:     2000 New York  
              Join here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85202627707?pwd=Qm9jWWp6WTNlMHVwblBudFc0MkNkQT09

These links may be helpful as reference material:

If you have any questions or comments, please contact etchellsoffice@gmail.com.

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