Jeff and the list,
I post on this list way too much. The problem is that I have to read all of
the posts every day to feel like I am doing my job fully. Then I
react....and respond...
anyway..what follows is an attempt to clarify what I have meant to say
because what I meant to say and what you think I meant are nowhere even close
to the same position.
( The problem is obvious: I wrote a sentence like that to clarify things???)
Well anyway let's go at this point by point........
first jeff's interpretation...then another attempt to write what I mean to
convey....
In a message dated 8/17/99 8:48:13 AM Central Daylight Time,
doughty@lynx.dac.neu.edu ( Jeffery Doughty) writes:
<< Fred and the List,
I've read posts to this list regarding the legality of certain
modifications to the Laser, and have a real hard time with some of the
basic philosophy. I think that it's important to have this discussion
from time to time so that we all reach a consensus understanding on the
rules governing what is or is not a legal modification to a Laser.
On the one hand, it has been stated that the reason
that we have to put up with the outdated blocks on the Laser, and have
avoided design improvements in rigging, is that any boat built, either
last year or 25 years ago, is supposed to be able to compete with any other
on an equal basis. On the other hand, Fred has indicated that painting
centerboard may be illegal. >>>>
Painting the centerboard is absolutely and specifically written about in the
rulebook. I think that proper maintenance of the brand new board demands
sanding the crappy paint off and repainting it right out of the box. What is
illegal is modifying the shape of the board with the repaint. I therefore
think that the use of high build epoxies is not within the rules.
Jeff goes on to agree with what I meant to say>>>>>>
I feel that this ignores the fundamental
point that the Laser is, first and foremost, a boat. As such, the first
priority in maintaining a boat (regardless of its class)
is that it be seaworthy. Painting things protects them from the sun and
water, and is one of the most important maintenance activities a skipper
can perform (many of the materials in a Laser can absorb water or can be
degraded by sunlight if the gelcoat is damaged). >>>>>
New subject>>>>> Jeff says: It was also posted last year
that strengthening an older hull in areas of flexural stress cracking that
had
leaked would be illegal. I can't see how modifications that make the boat
more
seaworthy and HEAVIER, could be illegal. >>>>
I haven't addressed reinforcing hulls as part of a repair. (Jeff didn't say
I did either) There are ways you can reinfore an old Laser and make it
faster than an out of the factory boat. There are also necessary repairs
that can make the boat heavier and stiffer. Sometimes those repairs actualy
slow the boat down. The key issue is that we all understand that it is
extremely difficult to make an old hull at least as stiff as a new hull
without also making the old hull stiffer than a new hull. Weight is not as
damaging to boatspeed as is flex.
There are many of us with the skills to modify and repair Lasers so that they
are superior to new boats. The Laser game is to bring equal boats and test
sailors on the water.
My opinion is that top sailors should arrange their budgets to obtain a new
boat every few years. Almost all of the top sailors do just that.
There are a few fellows who keep bringing the same old boat year after year
after year. Without substancial modification a Laser loses its competitive
stiffness in a few years of use. I am targeting the "winter fixeruppers "
who have modified their boats to gain an advantage. I am not trying to stop
people from making their boats last forever. You either have to make a Laser
float and sail or waste landfill space. Old Lasers never need to die.
Jeff says>>>>Painting, along with other maintenance
activities, are the very things that allow older boats to remain active
and compete with newer ones. Disallowing things such as painting a
rudder or centerboard are contrary to the philosophy of allowing older
boats to remain competetive.>>>
you will get no disagreement from me. I could have said that. I may have.
I probably have slept since I last said it though so I have forgotten.
Jeff says: Fred also states that older centerboards have a different
thickness, and that using an older blade on a new boat may be cheating. If
my blade breaks
at a regatta and I borrow one, must I first check to determine whether its
vintage is appropriate for my boat?!?! >>>>>
If you ever break a blade at a regatta it would seem that it would be the
time to open this discussion. But I am trying to communicate my position.
The fatter boards were all supplied with boats made over 20 years ago. If
you are using a twenty year old borrowed blade to finish a regatta where you
have already smashed your centeboard, I would hope that no one is indecent
enough to further ruin your weekend.
If you have carefully selected a twenty year old board to "gain an advantage"
over sailors who use factory stock blades, you are not trying to bring a boat
that is "just as good as" everybody else's boat. You wouldn't bring a 20
year old blade instead of your new one if it were not for the perceived
advantage. ( you already voiced the concern that blades can fatigue and
break, why start a regatta with an old blade?))
I also do not buy the "I broke the one that came with my boat " excuse. If
you pirate the parts off an old Laser it will quit sailing. Tolerating folks
who pirate the parts is just as evil as disallowing maintenance and repair.
Jeff says:
The way I see it, Fred, is that you can measure my board with a ruler and
templates, but you cannot judge my intent (to make the boat faster vs. to
keep it
seaworthy). If my blade matches your template, its a legal blade -
regardless of the presence of paint, or date of manufacture.>>>>
I can guess and judge your intent all day. Sometimes I may even be correct.
My position is that each sailor needs to determine his intent. Are you
fixing up your old boat to keep yourself on the racecourse? Are you fixing
up your boat to gain an advantage? Are you painting your blade to maintain
it or to make a special one?
If you have a new blade that matches the template it is absolutely illegal!
The blade as supplied is a full 3 millimeters thinner than the template. The
rules specifically prohibit modifying the shape of the blade.
Just as you are often the only person who really knows if you touch a buoy,
you are the only one who can observe your intent.
If you tell me you have repainted an old blade and are using it with your
brand new boat I will inquire about your motives. Currently there is no rule
to stop you from trying to gain an advantage with a 20 year old blade. I
will ask what makes you think it is "fair sailing" to leave your brand new
blade on shore so that you can use your special blade. Then I might hang
out with other sailors and say bad things about your mother.
If you tell me that it is the blade supplied with the new boat and it scrapes
through the templates, I will be forced to disqualify the blade. The
modification of the blade violates rule 14(c).
Jeff summarizes:
Within reason, I would encourage interpretations of the rules that allow
older boats to be modified so as to remain active (many juniors sail
older boats that have been modified to remain active). Any small
advantage (and painting a blade may have no perceptible speed
advantage) derived from a maintenance activity is probably offset by
that fact that its being done to a boat that is in less-than-new
condition, and probably slower than a new boat.
Jeff Doughty>>>>
And that is what I thought I was saying too. Maybe Jeff said it in a more
understandable way.
Fred Schroth
Laser Class - North American Region
PS. I did not find Jeff Doughty in the current paid membership files for the
North American Class. I would love to Jeff come sail with us.
