Class Rules | Solution Class Association
Solution Class Rules
Version 1.3 August 2007
1. Introduction
- 1.1. The Solution class has been created as a single handed, non-trapeze, performance, one design (in respect to hull, mast, boom, foils) racing dinghy. The design is based on the underlying precept that, through competition, results are due, primarily, to the skill of the helm.
- 1.2. Should these rules be translated to another language, then in the case of dispute the English text will prevail.
2. Preservation of the Solution Design
- 2.1. The copyright of the Solution design is vested in the two designers Kevin Clark and Andrew Elliot (The Copyright Holders) and no alteration may be made to the design or these rules without their prior permission.
- 2.2. The builders of the Solution Design shall only be those licensed so to do by the Copyright Holders under a builder’s license.
- 2.3. Hulls and foils moulded in GRP or other material specified by the Copyright Holders shall originate only from the original moulds certified by the Copyright Holders.
- 2.4. Each boat will be registered with a unique number moulded into the transom.
- 2.5. The Copyright Holders should be informed by the registered builders of each new boat number as it is fitted out and delivered.
- 2.6. The Class Insignia shall be the Solution Class Logo as prescribed by the Copyright Holders.
3. Class Association Membership
- 3.1. To be able to enter in events authorized by the Solution Class Association(the Class Association) the owner, joint owner or representative of an organization owning a Solution Design must be a full or junior member of the Class Association.
- 3.2. To be able to enter in Circuit events and have these results included in the total series results the helm must be a full or junior member of the Class Association.
- 3.3. To be able to enter in the Class Association National Championships the helm must be a full or junior member of the Class Association.
4. The Basic Rules
- 4.1. The crew when racing shall consist of a helm only.
- 4.2. The boat and crew must conform to all these rules when racing.
- 4.3. The Solution when raced must consist of original equipment, as supplied by the licensed builder, or their agents. Original equipment covers:
- 4.3.1. The Hull.
- 4.3.2. The Mast.
- 4.3.3. The Boom.
- 4.3.4. The Foils.
- 4.4. Only sails from a copyright holder accredited manufacturer may be used for racing.
- 4.5. The Class insignia and sail numbers must appear on the upper section of the sail. Sail numbers will be below the insignia and shall appear on each side of the sail.
- 4.6. The sail number shall be the registered number of the boat.
- 4.7. The sail numbers should be at least 300mm in height.
- 4.8. No additions or alterations may be made to the Solution Class unless explicitly mentioned in the Permitted Additions/Alterations sections of these rules.
- 4.9. The mast step and chain plate fittings may not be moved.
- 4.10. The European Directive label must be permanently displayed on the transom of the boat.
5. Permitted Additions
- 5.1. A Mechanical wind indicator may be attached to the mast.
- 5.2. A compass or electronic timing advice may be fitted to the boat if the information provided relates only to the current heading and elapsed time.
- 5.3. Clips, ties or bags to secure food, drink or safety equipment may be fitted.
- 5.4. Calibration marks may be added to mast, boom or deck.
- 5.5. Additional packers may be added underneath cleats.
- 5.6. Righting lines are permitted.
- 5.7. A gybing strop, attached to the eye of the forward mainsheet block with a single ring at the end of the strop may be added.
- 5.8. The gybing strop may be used for sheeting and controlling the sail.
- 5.9. Apart from the standard sail, a flat cut version, supplied by the licensed sailmaker is permitted.
6. Permitted Alterations
- 6.1. Non slip material may be used to replace the standardbuilder appliednon slip finish on the floor of the boat.
- 6.2. Control line blocks and cleats may be replaced with like sized equipment from another manufacturer.
- 6.3. Control line design may be modified to promote interest in fitting lay out, provided such alterations don’t effect watertight integrity of hull or mast.
- 6.4. Original wire fitted control lines (kicker; rig tension) may be replaced with man made fibre cordage.
- 6.5. Kicker rope strop fitting to the boom may be replaced, with alternative material.
- 6.6. Alternative rigging fittings; shackles, deck clips, stay adjusters may be used.
- 6.7. Repairs and preventative maintenance may be carried out without violating these class rules, provided the repairs are made in such a way that the essential shape, characteristics or function of the original are not affected.
- 6.8. The refairing and refining of the sectional shape of foils is permitted within 50mm of the leading edge and 100mm of the trailing edge, provided the structural integrity of the foil is maintained. The trailing edge shall have a minimum width of 1mm.
7. Measurement
- 7.1. Boats and sails are not routinely measured but the committee and copyright holders reserve the right to disallow from competition any sail or boat that in its opinion has been altered to gain unfair advantage.
- 7.2. In the event of a dispute alleging non-compliance with these rules, the matter shall be referred to the copyright holders of the design. Their decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
- 7.3. In the case of a measurement dispute not explicitly covered by these Rules, the following procedure shall be adopted:
- 7.3.1. A sample of the dimensions for the disputed item shall be obtained by taking the identical measurement from two boats or items of equipment, which are not the subject of the dispute.
- 7.3.2. The dimension of the disputed boat or items of its equipment taken using the same technique as above shall be compared to the sample.
- 7.3.3. If any of the dimensions obtained from the disputed boat or item of equipment lie outside the corresponding range of dimensions found in the sample by more than 5% of that range, the matter together with the details of the measurement methods and any other relevant information shall be referred to the copyright holders of the design.
- 7.4. The class association does not intend to routinely issue certificates; but reserves the right to do so in the future if it is thought needed.
- 7.5. The weight of the boat including centre board shall not be less than 57Kg.
- 7.5.1. All boats shall be officially weighed in a dry condition. The intention of this clause is to define the condition in which boats both old and new shall be weighed; and such condition shall be that in which a boat would normally be sailed in races save that the mast, boom, sail, rigging be unshipped from the boat.
- 7.5.2. If weight correction is required, correctors totalling not more than 3Kg shall be permanently fastened inside the buoyancy tank to the underside of the forward toestrap fixing point.
8. Prohibitions
- 8.1. Apart from the toestraps constrained within the cockpit area, no apparatus or contrivance extending outboard from the hull, spars or rigging shall be attached to, or used by the helm where the effect of such equipment is to support the helm wholly or partially outboard.
