[MHml] ISAF Multihull Offshore Regs

[Ross Hobson]

Peter
i was a loose part of the 'group' headed by MOCRA that wrote and advised  the multihull regs
 - they are all there for a reason and whilst the monohull regs were in existance as part of ISAF/ORC, the multihull regs were also in existance seperate to ISAF/ORC sperately. the working group lead by MOCRA united the rules into ORC/ISAF as we know them
 
the regulations are there for you and your crews safety not to p*** people off. Too many people/skipper skimp on saftey equipment. 
eg cheap basic lifejackets, minimal flares etc and for most part they 'go by the grace of god'
Every so often a real test comes along (Fastent, Hobart etc) and then everyone realises that game we play call sailing comes with some extreme penalities
 
IMHO anyone with a boat that does not comply with Cat 3 should not be out on anthying other than a small lake. 
 
When i go to sail on another persons boat, i take all my own personal kit and i quietly look around for what and where that boat has saftey equipment wise. and i have quietly made excuses and not sailed on a number....
 
to be provoctative
what is your view on a skipper that hand you a cheap nasty lifejacket and a 'lifeline' made from a couple of climbing clips and some string 
- he./she obvioulsy does not value thier crew's life much 
 
Ross
 
 
 
 

________________________________

From: multihulls-bounces at steamradio.com on behalf of Peter Lillywhite
Sent: Fri 28/12/2007 18:24
To: multihulls at steamradio.com
Subject: [MHml] ISAF Multihull Offshore Regs


I thought it might be fun to return to some racing next season with MOCRA here in the UK. As a first step I downloaded the latest regs from the ISAF site, on reading I discovered that my 39 foot Azuli doesn't even satisfy in one case the Cat4 requirements. In particular my sliding doors do not appear to satisfy the companionway hatch requirements which state that they 'be capable of being blocked off up to the level of the local sheerline, provided that the companionway hatch shall continue to give access to the interior with the blocking devices (e.g. washboards) in place'. I suppose it all depends on the definition of in place. I cannot carry my small portable generator because its not 'permanently installed.... and have permanently installed exhaust and fuel supply systems and fuel tank.'  I also need a heavy weather jib in addition to my robust roller reefing jib, the fact that I have no way of hoisting it 'independent of any luff-groove device' isn't considered.
The net result of these regs that have been clearly modified from the existing mono regs seem to suggest that all multis should not be allowed to race (multis should be 'capable of withstanding solid water and knockdowns) and in my particular case with a perfectly seaworthy cat I need to buy an expensive sail that I cannot use.
What is happening in other countries? Is anybody else racing under these daft regulations? Or is it just me that thinks this level of regulation is unnecessary, it has stopped any thoughts of racing, back to the freedom of cruising for me.
 
Cheers Peter.