Question for US F18 Sailors

Can I answer a question with a question?

How does one get their boat measured?

Is there a cost to get a boat measured? If so, where does that money go and what is it used for?

Why get my boat measured? It's a stock boat with stock sails and unless it's required at regattas (which at this time, it is not, at least here in the states), why do it?

The last question was rhetorical.

I see the argument for measurement and agree that it will be needed as the fleet grows, but am playing devils advocate here. If we start measuring boats, how will unmeasured boats be handled when they show up to regattas? I don't think we're at a point yet where we can tell folks that they can't come out and play.

You make arrangements with the measuerer in your area, go to http://www.naf18.com -> Measurement to see a list of the willing. If you would like Karl I can knock out all the boats in the compound at GYC this weekend, I'll be there measuring F16's anyway. Yes, measuring F16's!

There is, and you can get the cost info at http://www.naf18.com -> Measurement, I'm working with the chief measurer to see if we have any wiggle room with the cost. At a minimum we must cover the costs of the stickers. A small piece of the fee goes to the measurer and the rest goes to the class. This money is then used for things like shipping scales and stickers. Keep in mind almost all your membership fee goes straight to the International class every year.

Although rhetorical still a very valid question. Measuring the boats isn't going to uncover a watershed of boats that are out of spec, but as you know sails can vary and as people begin to embrace the options formula brings (after market boards) it will become even more critical that we have equipment measured. I think it’s to our benefit to plan for this eventuality as opposed to reacting to it.

You also have a good point about none of our current regatta’s requiring a measurement cert. I’d like to see all national championships require measure certs as a standard starting at Racine Aug. 2010. Then I’d like to see the regional championships require measurement certs in a phased in approach. Also keep in mind the current prescription addressing measurements certs is only valid for AHPC boats. None of the other manufactures complied with the prescription, so right now not having a measurement cert at a US championship could cause you problems if you’re not on an AHPC boat.

And finally why do it? First and foremost it’s a CLASS RULE! Secondly we have a real shot at getting F18 Worlds in 2012 which is in my mind right around the corner, and to not have embraced measurement certification by then just makes the class a bit bush league in my opinion.

For a national championship, the requirement will be clearly spelled out. Also measurement at the event could be arranged by appointment. This will help us determine the demand and manpower required. For something like a regional championship, this would be a phased approach. By now everyone that attends the Southern Area Championship knows and expects their boat to be weighed every time (yes there is always a bit of whining) but it's now routine, eventually the measurement cert requirement will be just as routine.

Regards,

David Ingram
NAF18 Chairman

The only thing stopping me is that it isn't a rule and that the closest measurer to me is 5 hours away. Otherwised i'd get my boat measured without hesistation. I absolutely agree that the US class should conform to the international rulesoon this.
I think a one time exception would be the best way to prevent unmeasured boats at events without having to turn them away. Just my 2 cents.

For a regional championship I like your idea of a

one time exception

, but for a national championship it will take some convincing to provide an exception and if the event has the resources to get it done then no exception, IMO.

I'll be at Tradewinds and I'll have the scales, we could knock out a lot of boats. I'll also be at Spring Fever, same deal.

I hate to point this out, but we've had several years of

one-time exceptions.

Dave can tell you that I'm really tired of leaning into the wind on this issue... it is a rule; we just keep ignoring it. My boat is certified.

He REALLY is!

Whever you're ready Dave, measure away. If you have time this weekend, I'll be around.

I can get my certificate from the dealer. Do I still need to get locally measured etc?

Any measurers going to be at Havamega?

I couldn't even think of how far I'd have to drive to get to a F-18 regatta.

Clarification from the NAF18 Chief Measurer (John Williams)

Caps come with a completed certificate for the whole boat (including sails), but that certificate still has to be submitted to the class just like you’re going to send me yours (My boat is done except the weights of the blades, it was a bit of a jab). The Chief Measurer in each country is the only one who can certify a boat and issue the number and stickers under the current rules. The various measurers complete the certificate and send it to the Chief.

So Robi, get the cert from Jill and send it to John. You'll need to send it in with a check less the measurers fees.

Dave

Robi will still need to do the platform and ready-to-sail weights. Those are the only blanks on his form.

John,
Specifically what steps would we need to take to get our boats certified.
I've read all the general comments as to what has to happen. So I think I need to find the scales and the certified guy and have them in the same place.
How would I go about putting this together? We have our own scales up here, so would this allow us to get it done for less money per boat? And how much does this all cost?

There is no certification required to be an NAF18 fleet measurer. The list of people on the Measurement page of the NAF18 site are people simply willing to do the job. If you'd like be a measurer for the class add yourself along with your contact info to the site, you're a site admin.

The fees are outlined on the NAF18 site on the Measurement page.

The fees that go to the measurer are negotiable, everything else is fixed at this time.

Tools needed/recommended

15 meter steel tape
7 meter steel tape (optional)
10 spikes
Surveyors twine
Carpenters square (I don't use this anymore, I can find square by swinging the tape)

That is pretty much it. I'll post some pictures of the process this weekend. Measuring sails and the platform does not take any specialized skills and the process is pretty straight forward, it just takes a little time.

Rich,
We'll be having a great event in Eugene, Oregon.
I'll send you the data if you're at all interested.

I offered to measure the entire fleet in March of last year and then again at NOODS and got crapped on. I have access to an indoor facility where we can hang the scale and weigh without rain/wind impact and I now am co-owner of a loft so we can measure sails if needed. The facility was donated and my time was free.

You have my number... : )

Don
I'd love to do a Eugene regatta.
Rich

Does the new Wildcat come with a cert? I just found out I can buy couple at a great price. If I buy one anyone want the other?

The Wildcats that arrived in the first container had certificates from the loft for the sails. The boats had never been assembled before, so there were no certificates for the platform. We observed a fairly wide range in boat weights among the three that came to F18s.

For Eileen, I have to ask what

a great price

is?

About 19 k with wheels and rear chocks.

A 'wide range'? Could you be a bit more precise?

Thank you Rich. I will have to pass right now as I just bought a boat and it is really starting to work for us. I hope that those boats are bought by sailors from our area. They must be nice sailing boats, that is all I have heard about them.

Later,
Dan

Rumor is ones headed to San Diego the other is going to Canada.