INTERNATIONAL ETCHELLS CLASS ASSOCIATION NEWS LIST NEWS ARTICLE Sep 01, 2005 - One Design Rule Changes - Effective immediately- 1) Amendment to One Design Rule 6: Safety 6(d)One anchor weighing a minimum of 3.5 kg with sufficient chain of a minimum diameter of 6 mm to give a total weight of anchor and chain of not less than 5.5 kg and not more than 9.0 kg. The old OD rule 6(d) required that chain be of a minimum diameter of 8mm. All other portions of OD Rule 6 remain unchanged. 2) Amendment to One Design Rule 7.4: Hiking Devices: No rope, wire, rail, handhold or other special device shall be used by any member of the crew for the purpose of supporting his weight outboard of the sheerline.  However, the use of the headsail, spinnaker, and /or main sheets, and/or a single line attached to the top of the midship console (Safety Line) and held solely by the hands, is permitted.  Said Safety Line shall be of constant diameter of no more than 10 mm and, when extended perpendicular to the shear with all knots removed, shall not extend more than 30 cm beyond the deck edge.  There may be no loops, knots or splices in said Safety Line other than where necessary to attach it to the console. Hanging on the mast or shrouds to promote roll tacking or gybing is prohibited. NOTE: A shelf or bracket attached to the under side of the deck or top of the cuddy, extending aft from the aft edge of the cuddy, is considered a violation of Rule 7.4. A small block attached to the cleat shelf face extending not more than 75mm from the centreline of the boat for the purpose of a brace to prevent a crew member from falling or sliding inboard while trimming is permitted. The old OD Rule 7.4 prohibits a line from being tied off and used by the crew. With more crews of four sailing the boat, a safety line for the middle crew or skipper has become increasingly important. The original wording for this revision stated the safety line would be for middle crew. Those attending the SGM questioned how to define ‘middle’ in a crew of four and felt the line should be available for use by any member of the crew. by Bunny Wayt I.E.C.A. Executive Secretary Back To Top Of Page Site © Copyright 2002. International Etchells Class Association Inc. All Rights Reserved.