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 by Brian Roberts  

Problem for the CAC was in defining minor sanding. For the sharp corners, a standard jig/template would be  needed and it would be difficult to describe a limit (e.g.. a 1/16 rod should not be capable of being inserted between the template and the rudder at any position). For the thickness (to be accurate) a micrometer was necessary. Both were not acceptable options to the CAC. The CAC requested the class be advised of the following:

If (with the naked eye) a visible change in shape or thickness has been made to the rudder blade or the keel fin that is beyond minor sanding and scraping the skipper should not be permitted to race.

If the skipper gets the permission of all other competitors (except the skipper who filed the technical protest), he should be given permission to race at that regatta.

The second paragraph it was suggested allows the racers to over rule the measurement committee or a single skipper on any technical protest. 

March 10th 2003  - The KEEL BOLT controversy RESOLVED.
The Victoria keel which comes as six distinct kit parts, the keel, the keel shaft tube, the keel shaft nut, the lead bulb and the two screws to secure the bulb to the keel. Each part has an identifying number (same number for both screws), but the first item “the keel” has two part numbers.  BJ0105s the part number for the plastic (fin) part of the keel, and BJ0106 is the part number for the keel shaft retaining bolt.  But you cannot purchase the items separately. There is a seventh part, the spring washer, but it has no separate identifying number.  The rules state the keel shall be as supplied in the kit, and attached to the hull as per the kit instructions and if damaged or broken must be replaced by item obtained from the manufacturer.

Pete Siek's  goal was as he put it “my boat will look cool and have the cleanest deck around”.  He removed the keel shaft (bolt) and firmly glued the plastic keel fin in place.  Permanent mounting of the keel fin is allowed, but removal of the keel shaft (bolt) is not allowed.

The discussion around the keel shaft (bolt) uncovered many other minor and subtle changes that needed to be considered.  Each member of the CAC was requested to review the situation as if they were the chairperson of a protest committee and provide me with their review and ruling. (Thanks to all that participated).

Based on the findings of the CAC it was deemed illegal as it violated the Intent and Objective rule (1.2), “only changes which have no bearing upon boat speed”.  Also the committee recommendation that I provide a written waiver to this skipper and others that my be affected (per rule 1.3), with the proviso that the regatta race directors still retains the option to disqualify any a skipper holding a waiver that deemed to have a distinct performance advantage during the event.

Therefore all Victoria’s registered after March 1 2003  must have the keel (BJ0105 and BJ0106) and the rudder (BJ0103 and BJ0104) used as per the supplied original. For those registered prior to the date mentioned, contact me in writing, to apply for a waiver before August 1 2003.

A waiver is not required for the following: on the keel you can sail without the nut, replace the nut with alternate material; drill a small hole in the keel shaft retaining bolt to accept a clevis pin or rethread the bolt to accept an alternate nut.  You may replace the shaft tube (keel or rudder) with an alternate material.  On the rudder shaft you may rotate it and/or create a recess for improved steering arm attachment.

Based on the findings of the CAC it was deemed illegal as it violated the Intent and Objective rule (1.2), “only changes which have no bearing upon boat speed”.  Also the committee recommendation that I provide a written waiver to this skipper and others that my be affected (per rule 1.3), with the proviso that the regatta race directors still retains the option to disqualify any a skipper holding a waiver that deemed to have a distinct performance advantage during the event.

Therefore all Victoria’s registered after March 1 2003  must have the keel (BJ0105 and BJ0106) and the rudder (BJ0103 and BJ0104) used as per the supplied original. For those registered prior to the date mentioned, contact me in writing, to apply for a waiver before August 1 2003.

A waiver is not required for the following: on the keel you can sail without the nut, replace the nut with alternate material; drill a small hole in the keel shaft retaining bolt to accept a clevis pin or rethread the bolt to accept an alternate nut.  You may replace the shaft tube (keel or rudder) with an alternate material.  On the rudder shaft you may rotate it and/or create a recess for improved steering arm attachment.

July 15 2002 - Sail Markings 
Lots of suggestions and interpretations have been submitted to me as to how the sails of a Victoria should be marked and not all of the suggestions were 100% correct. So I have taken the input and advice of many and produced (with the help of skipper Keith Beckelheimer) a PDF File that you can download.  As can be seen by the diagram, it is impossible to satisfy all the rules and be 100% legal, the required markings do not fit in the marking area. But there is a an escape clause in the rules and it is in G 1.3 (a) and it states "national letters and numbers when possible be ...". The drawing is the best that can be obtained and it is provided here as an example.

Remember, the main purpose of the markings is for the Race Committee to recognize you, and all other competitors to be able to identify you. Please make it easy for them.

"Regarding Sail Numbering, older Sails that are presently marked are grandfathered as being compliant, but every effort should be towards complying with the new rule. If the Jib is not marked use the new rule for marking."