MERIT 25 CLASS RULES

SAN FRANCISCO BAY ONE-DESIGN FLEET

November, 2001

I. PURPOSE:

The purpose of these Rules is to maintain the one-design character of the Merit 25 while at the same time allow for a variety of uses other than one-design racing.

Any boat which has been altered or modified with respect to hull, keel, rudder, ballast, standing rigging, or interior configuration, except as authorized by these Rules, shall be ineligible to compete as a Merit 25.

II. HULL, KEEL, AND RUDDER:

A. Only hulls, keels, and rudders built by Merit Marine for the Merit 25 shall be used, except that damaged rudders may be replaced.

B. Replacements for damaged rudders shall be similar in dimensions and section thickness to the rudders supplied by Merit Marine.

C. The design and construction of the main and forward hatch covers may be modified, provided there is no reduction in weight due to these modifications.

D. Hull penetrations may be made for the sink drain, knotmeter, fathometer, pump discharge, and other through-hull fittings. These openings may be plugged or taped over for racing.

E. The shape and structure of the hull, keel, and rudder shall not be altered, except as follows:

1. The hull, keel, and rudder may be smoothed and faired. Faired keels shall conform approximately to NACA section 0014. No other keel templates may be used for keel fairing or reshaping.

2. The rudder stock may be reinforced.

3. The garboard area of the keel and floors in way of the keel stub may be reinforced.

III. SPARS AND STANDING RIGGING:

A. The mast, boom, and spreaders shall be as supplied by the manufacturer, except as follows:

1. The lower halyard exit ports may be relocated to a point up to 8.0 ft above the deck.

2. The spreaders may be shortened to a minimum length of 2.375 ft. Spreader length is measured with the spreader installed, from the mast surface to the outer tip of the spreader, along the spreader axis. On replacement masts, the spreaders and lower shroud tangs may be moved downward by up to 0.5 ft.

3. Internal or external doubler plates or other reinforcing material may be added to the lower panel of the mast.

4. Additional halyards or topping lifts may be added. Any additional halyard used for one-design racing must exit from the mast so that, when the halyard is pulled horizontally away from the mast, the height of the halyard is no higher than if the halyard exited from the standard sheave box.

B. Masts may be replaced to bring older boats into conformity with newer boats, or to replace old or damaged masts. Replacement masts must meet the following conditions:

1. The upper halyard exit points, halyard shave positions, backstay crane dimensions, gooseneck and spreader locations shall correspond exactly to those on masts supplied by Merit Marine, except as as specifically allowed by these rules.

2. Replacement masts shall be untapered aluminum, with the following section properties:

Minimum dimensions: 3.1" x 5.0"
Minimum weight/ft: 1.65 lb/ft.
Maximum stiffness: 5.0 x 1.96 in.^4
Stiffness does not include doubler plates, if fitted

The intent of this rule is to allow both the Kenyon 3550 and the Ballenger 5031 mast sections.

C. Booms may be replaced with new booms. Replacement booms shall be untapered aluminum of approximately equal weight to the original boom supplied by Merit Marine. Running rigging, hardware details, and exit port locations in the boom may be modified.

D. The standing rigging, including tangs, turnbuckles, and chainplates, shall not be modified from the original design, with the following exceptions:

1. Toggles may be added at the upper and lower forestay terminations.

2. The backstay may be shortened.

3. The headstay and shrouds may be replaced with a larger diameter wire.

4. On replacement masts, the spreaders and lower shroud tangs my be positioned up to 0.5 ft. lower than on the standard position.

E. Rod rigging is prohibited.

F. Turnbuckles shall not be adjusted while racing.

G. The overall length of the spinnaker pole shall not exceed 9.66 ft.

IV. RUNNING RIGGING:

A. Barber haulers, floating leads, twings, and similar devices are permitted.

B. Boom vang, cunningham, foreguy, reef lines, outhauls, and other control lines may be modified.

C. Running backstays and babystays are prohibited.

D. Hydraulic tensioning or adjusting devices are prohibited.

E. No fitting shall be used which projects the spinnaker pole further outboard or further forward than when used with the standard fitting and track as originally supplied by Merit Marine.

V. DECK HARDWARE AND EQUIPMENT

A. Location and number of headsail sheet lead tracks is not restricted.

B. Shroud and headstay adjustment devices other than the standard turnbuckles are prohibited.

C. Backstay tension may be controlled with either a split backstay or a block and tackle arrangement, or a combination of the two. Winches, mechanical gear apparatus, and hydraulics are not permitted for backstay adjustment.

D. Additional winches may be added in any location.

E. Lifelines, bow pulpit, and stern rail at least 18" in height (nominal) must be fitted. The stern rail may be the standard stern pulpit, or a pair of quarter rails connected by a taught lifeline. A minimum of two lifeline stanchions shall be fitted on each side. Lifelines must be in place and taught between the bow pulpit and a point 10 ft. forward of the transom while racing.

F. Hiking straps, trapezes, racks, planks, handles, and similar hiking assist devices are prohibited. Heel chocks may be fitted on the cockpit seats, and foam padding may be attached to the toerail. Footstraps which have no function relating to increasing stability or righting moment are permitted. The helmsperson may use the traveler control lines, in their normal position, as a hiking assist.

G. Self-tacking jibs are prohibited for one-design racing.

VI. INTERIOR:

A. Bulkheads, berths, locker hatches and covers, liners, backrests, shelves, trim, and similar fixtures shall not be modified or removed, except as follows:

1. An opening may be cut in the transverse bulkhead under the cockpit for the purpose of facilitating engine stowage under the cockpit.

2. Limber holes may be drilled in bulkheads only as necessary to allow water to drain into the bilge sump.

3. Appropriately sized holes may be drilled in bulkheads and decks only as necessary for passage of pipes and wires.

4. Additional fixtures or joiner work may be added, provided that each modification results in no net reduction of weight or increase in strength or stiffness.

B. Grinding, drilling, or other modifications to reduce weight or change structure are prohibited.

C. No inside ballast shall be carried.

D. Flotation foam may be installed.

VII. EQUIPMENT ON BOARD:

A. An outboard motor, capable of propelling the boat at a speed of at least 4 knots, shall be carried.

B. A suitable anchor, chain, and rode shall be carried.

C. Total weight of motor, fuel, bracket, anchors, chain, and rode shall be at least 60 Lb.

D. A battery, weighing at least 24 Lb., shall be installed. The battery shall be wired to an electrical system including a switch panel, running lights, and at least one installed interior light. If a solar panel is fitted, the weight of the panel and connecting wire may be included in the minimum battery weight.

E. Any two of the four berth cushions shall be in place while racing. The two cushions shall have a total weight of at least 17 Lb., distributed evenly over the berth area.

F. An ice box, or at least 25 Lb. of equipment other than sails, shall be carried in the ice box location under the companionway.

G. A head, or at least 25 Lb. of equipment other than sails, shall be carried in the head location forward of the main bulkhead, port side, or in the bin just outboard of this location.

VIII. SAILS:

A. There are four class sails:

1. Main

2. 100% jib

3. 150% jib

4. spinnaker

Only one of each class sail shall be carried on board. Additional sails not used for class racing may be carried, but such extra sails shall not be available for use as spares or as alternative sails.

B. There are no restrictions on sail material, except for the spinnaker.

C. There are no restrictions on length and number of battens, except for the spinnaker.

D. For each of the four class sails, only one new sail is permitted each calendar year, unless a sail is damaged beyond repair. Several different old class sails may be used in different races in the same calendar year, however.

E. Minimum sail weights are the weights of completed, dry sails, including battens, but not including reef lines, sailbags, or unusual hardware. Hardware built into the sail that is judged to be of excessive weight is not to be included in the sail weight.

F. All sail measurements, except spinnaker luff, shall be taken with the sail under sufficient tension to remove all wrinkles transverse to the direction of the measurement.

G. Sail dimensions and weights shall be as follows:

1. MAINSAIL:

a) Maximum luff length = 28.00 ft. Luff length is measured from the intersection of extensions of the luff (forward edge of the bolt rope or sail lugs) and foot, to the highest point on the headboard.

b) Maximum foot length = 9.75 ft. Foot length is measured from the intersection of extensions of the luff (forward edge of the bolt rope or sail lugs) and foot, to the intersection of extensions of the leach and foot.

c) If the spars are banded for maximum P (luff length) not to exceed 28.00 feet, and maximum B (foot length) not to exceed 9.75 feet (in accordance with MORC or IMS practice), then the sail need not measure within these limits provided that the bands are observed while racing.

d) Maximum headboard width = 0.50 ft. The headboard width is measured from the forward edge of the boltrope or sail lugs (or vertical extension of the forward edge of the boltrope or sail lugs) to the aft edge of the headboard.

e) Maximum mainsail girths are as follows:

(1) Upper quarter-girth = 4.03 ft.

(2) Mid-girth = 6.69 ft.

These girth limits are intended to be identical to the default girth limits used by the Northern California PHRF handicapping committee.

Mainsail mid-girth is measured from a point on the leech mid-way between the top forward corner of the headboard and the intersection of extensions of the leech and foot.

Mainsail quarter-girth is measured from a point on the leech midway between the mid-girth measurement point and the forward corner of the headboard.

Mainsail girth measurements are perpendicular to the luff, determined by measuring the minimum distance from the girth measurement point to the luff.

f) The leech curve, as defined by the aft edge of the sail at each batten, shall be fair and continuous with no hollows or points of inflection.

g) Minimum weight of the mainsail is 15 Lb.

2. 100% Jib:

a) Maximum LP (luff perpendicular) = 9.66 ft. The LP is measured from the intersection of extensions of the leach and foot to the forward edge of the luff tape. If jib hanks are used, jib hanks are not included in this measurement.

b) Girth at the head of the sail shall not exceed 0.30 ft, measured from the extension of the leech to the extension of the forward edge of the luff tape.

c) Intermediate girths shall not exceed a value which varies linearly from the head girth to the foot girth, in proportion to vertical position on the sail.

d) If the LP is less than 9.66 ft., then the intermediate girths may be as large as would be allowed for a sail with an LP equal to 9.66 ft. That is, the sail shall fit within the boundaries of a sail of maximum LP which complies with rule VIII.G.2.c above. These provisions modify USSA Rule 50.4, "HEADSAILS."

e) Minimum weight of the 100% jib is 10 Lb.

3. 150% Jib:

a) Maximum LP (luff perpendicular) = 14.50 ft, and the minimum LP = 14.33 ft. The LP is measured from the intersection of extensions of the leach and foot to the forward edge of the luff tape. If jib hanks are used, jib hanks are not included in this measurement.

b) Girth at the head of the sail shall not exceed 0.30 ft, measured from the extension of the leech to the extension of the forward edge of the luff tape.

c) Intermediate girths shall not exceed a value which varies linearly from the head girth to the foot girth, in proportion to vertical position on the sail. This provision modifies USSA Rule 50.4, "HEADSAILS."

d) Minimum weight of the 150% jib is 10 Lb.

4. Spinnaker

a) Maximum luff length = 28.82 ft. Luff length is measured between the intersections of the extensions of the edges of the sail, with the sail under 7 Lb. of tension.

b) Maximum girth at any location = 17.39 ft.

c) The spinnaker shall be constructed of nylon spinnaker cloth of at least 0.75 oz. nominal weight, or of polyester spinnaker cloth of at least 0.6 oz. nominal weight. The nominal cloth weight may be taken as the actual average cloth weight according to the cloth manufacturer's published specifications.

d) Battens and headboards are prohibited in the spinnaker.

IX. CLASS RULE INTERPRETATIONS AND PROTESTS

A. When a Protest Committee acting under USSA Rule 64.3 refers a question of measurement rule to an "authority responsible for interpreting the rule," the Fleet Measurer, or Fleet Captain if the Fleet Measurer is a party to the protest, shall convene a committee of at least three people to rule on the issue. The committee members may or may not be members of the San Francisco Bay Merit 25 Fleet, but in no case shall they be interested parties to the protest as defined by the USSA definition.

B: This committee shall conduct a hearing or perform measurements at its discretion.

C: Decisions and rulings made by this committee shall become amendments to these rules and are binding on the entire fleet, unless and until they are modified or revoked by majority vote at a regular Fleet meeting.

D: Administrative protests or requests for interpretation of these Rules not arising from any specific race may be submitted to the Fleet Measurer in writing by any fleet member, who shall then proceed as in class rule IX A above.