NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS RULES CHANGES

January 31, 2023

In accordance with the Viper 640 International Class Constitution section 11, the following are six proposed amendments to the Class Rules. Five are relatively minor, allowing certain additions to the boat like shackles and sleeves to make Viper racing easier and safer. The sixth amendment is a reworking of rule 8.5 Compass, Timing Devices, GPS, and Other Electronic Equipment.

Each amendment is described below. We are asking you to choose to vote on a new rule for Electronic Devices (Option A) recommended by the Technical Committee, the Board and the regional Executive Committee. You are also asked to vote on an amended rewrite of the existing rule (tweaked to remove some language inconsistency) to come into effect only if the newly proposed 8.5 does not pass (Option B).

The Technical Committee has reviewed each of these proposals and recommends voting in favor of the amendments except for Proposal 6 Option B. The International Board, and the North American Executive Committee have reviewed the amendments and endorse the TC recommendations.

The voting period runs until the AGM on March 26th. Remember, if you have not paid your 2023 Viper 640 Class Dues, your vote will not be counted. To pay your dues, click HERE.

To see rules proposal comments on the Viper Forum, click HERE.

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Proposal 1

Add 8.7 (iv) A fabric sleeve, line or tape may be added to the boom to prevent the mainsheet drooping between blocks.

This is common practice. It makes the boat safer and easier to sail.

The Technical Committee unanimously recommend voting in favor of this rule amendment.

The International Board and North American Executive Committee endorse this proposal.

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Proposal 2

Add 8.7 (v) Line as a temporary lashing may be used to (a) replace a lost or broken shackle or other attachment (b) repair a broken component. The lashing shall not be adjustable in length and shall be replaced at the first reasonable opportunity.

The Technical Committee has had several requests for clarification regarding where and when lashings may be used on the boat. They propose this rule to clarify.

The Technical Committee unanimously recommends voting in favor of this rule amendment.

The International Board and North American Executive Committee endorse this proposal.

————————————————————————————————–Proposal 3

Add 8.10 The clew of the mainsail may be attached to the outhaul with a fixed length shackle.

Proposed by Bob McHugh, owner of Viper #252. This is a simple solution that makes the boat easier to rig and avoids the risk of chafe and the outhaul breaking where the end of the outhaul is tied off.

The Technical Committee unanimously recommends voting in favor of this rule amendment.

The International Board and North American Executive Committee endorse this proposal.

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Proposal 4

Add 8.11 Boats may install a ball-in-tube type mechanical inclinometer.

The Technical Committee unanimously recommend voting in favor of this rule amendment.

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Proposal 5

Add 6.5 (d) The Jib tack shall be attached to the headstay chainplate with either one or two fixed length shackles. The shackles may be either stainless steel or soft shackles. The height of the jib tack shall not be adjusted while racing.

The boat as supplied by the builder comes supplied with just one shackle. Two shackles can make the boat easier to rig and launch and help get the jib tack to the height recommended by sailmakers. Bowlines and lifting straps can be tied off to the lower shackle with the jib tack on the upper shackle. This avoids bending headstay fittings when tied up.

The TC has observed boats with systems resembling a jib cunningham and the cleanest way to close this loophole is to clarify that the shackle must be fixed length and can only be changed in between races. Shackles with adjustable lengths are not allowed but you can change to a different length shackle.

The Technical Committee unanimously recommends voting in favor of this rule amendment.

The International Board and North American Executive Committee endorse this proposal.

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Proposal 6

8.5 Electronic Devices  Keep in mind that the Viper Class Rules are “closed rules,” if the rules don’t specify you can do or use something, you can’t!

The current Rule 8.5 limits electronic devices to four functions:

Time

Compass heading

Speed over the ground

Distance from the starting line.

The Technical Committee perceived that the rule needed a rewrite for four reasons. The rule was hard to understand (several boats sailed with illegal devices). The rule is hard to enforce (Measurers don’t know which devices have which functions and it is hard to check). Device manufacturers are providing additional functions at reasonable prices which many members want to access. There are increasingly few devices which comply with our rules thus providing less choice for members.

The TC met with device manufacturers, informally polled class members and considered five alternative rule concepts before recommending an approach where the class will provide on its website a list of class approved electronic devices. This list will be reviewed regularly and updated as appropriate. This will be easier to understand, because members and measurers simply refer to a list. It will also enable the class to keep up with evolving technology with a focus on affordability without rule amendments every year.

The Technical Committee recommends voting in favor of the new rule by selecting Option A as follows. The Board and the North American Executive Committee unanimously endorse this recommendation.

OPTION A

Insert new Rule 8.5 as follows:

8.5 Electronic Devices

(a) Boats may carry the following visible electronic devices when racing:

(i)          Timing and timing count down devices that are either stand alone or incorporated in another device.

(ii)         An electronic device, including electronic compasses or GPS devices, approved by the VICA technical committee published on the list of Class Approved electronic devices on the Class website.

(b)  Any electronic device that provides any information beyond compass headings, lifted/ headed indicators, or time and count down information, shall be limited to one visible device on the boat while racing.

Technical Committee’s proposed 2023 list of Class-legal electronic devices that will be posted on the Class website (to be confirmed in a vote by the Technical Committee following approval of this rule).

  • ·        Tacktick Micro
  • ·        Tacktick Race Master
  • ·        Velocitek ProStart
  • ·        Velocitek SpeedPuck
  • ·        Velocitek Prism
  • ·        Velocitek Shift
  • ·        Vakaros Atlas
  • ·        Nautalytics
  • ·        Novasail Start
  • ·        Novasail Start.pro
  • ·        Novasail 360

Additional devices are also being evaluated by the TC including the Sailmon.

The Technical Committee recommends voting in favor of the new rule by selecting Option A on your electronic ballot. The Board and the North American Executive Committee unanimously endorse this recommendation.

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OPTION B – Adjust the existing rule as follows:

In a typical rule amendment, if you vote against a rule amendment you are voting to retain the existing rule. In this case, our existing rule has some language that is dated and would be impossible to enforce. For example, a GPS device cannot also provide compass headings. This would outlaw even the simplest current generation of devices. If you wish to preserve the intent of the existing rule, please vote for Option B as follows:

The TC, the Board and the Executive Committee do not recommend Option B

8.5 Compass, Timing Devices, and other Electronic Equipment,

(a) All boats shall have a compass on board when racing in accordance with rule 9.1. The compass may be electronic or a traditional magnetic gimbal compass but shall not make calculations other than whether the boat is headed or lifted. The compass may be stand alone or incorporated in another device.

(b) Boats may carry timing devices that are either stand alone or incorporated in another device

(c) Boats may carry no more than one visible device with GPS sensors. Such device may provide information about speed over the ground, heading, and distance to the start line provided the device cannot provide any other tactical or performance calculations to the crew while racing.

(d) An electronic device must not be capable of displaying information other than compass heading, lifted/headed, time and countdown, speed over ground, and distance to the start line

The TC, the Board and the Executive Committee do not recommend Option B