SORC 1998

MASF Rating Guidelines and Rules

A. Trailerables

1. Trailerables may be weighed at any certified weighing station that has been certified by a recognized authority or agency within the past six months. The scale must have an accuracy of plus or minus 2% or less.

2. If the trailer and boat are weighed together the trailer must be weighed separately on the same scale and the trailer weight subtracted from the gross weight of the trailer and boat. Included in the weighing of the trailer should be all items included in the combined weight that will not be carried on the boat (such as: tie down straps, mast supports, etc.)

3. Weight of the boat, trailer and the certified limits of the scale should be on the weighing document which must be signed by the agent at the weighing station.

4. Boat weight must be within the certified limits of the scale .

B. All other vessels

1. Must be weighed on scales or scale certified within the past six months by a recognized agency or authority. The scale used must have an accuracy of plus or minus 2% or less.

2. The weighing procedure must be approved by the MASF rating committee prior to weighing.

3. The scale must be in line between the point of lift and the harness straps holding the boat.

A. Production boats (unmodified)

1. Designer/builders specifications will be acceptable providing a copy of the manufacturers published specifications are submitted with the MASF measurement application.

B. One off or modified production boats.

1. Must be measured according to the instructions in the MASF application requesting a rating.

A. Required witnesses

1. Owner or designate.

2. Member of MASF rating committee.

3. One other boat owner with a MASF rating.

B. Responsibility of witnesses

1. Verify that gear on board during weighing does not exceed that equipment described in the official allowable equipment list provided. The witness should check off each item that is checked and note quantities, weights or exceptions when appropriate. (this is so race inspections can be reconciled to this allowable equipment list.)

2. Document any variances.

A. Calculate or estimate weight of items weighed with the boat but not on the allowable equipment list.

B. Make a notation of any exceptions to any measurement.

3. Verify and submit a copy of the most recent scale certification.

1. Sign and submit weight certificate to rating committee.
2. Verify all hull, rig and sail measurements and certify by signing application for rating form.

A. Period of validity and fee

1. The rating certificate will be valid for a period of 1 year unless there is a change in the sail plan, modification to the structure of the boat or by decision of the rating committee.
2. A certificate will be issued once the measurement application is completed and membership in MASF is confirmed.
3. Cost of a rating certificate is membership in MASF. Membership includes the bimonthly newsletter, monthly educational programs and representation in the regional sailing community.
4. Ratings will normally close with the close of the race registration due date.  This means that your MASF rating certificate must be complete and sent in with your regatta application. It is the obligation of the boat owner to make timely arrangements to have his/her boat wighed and sails measured in accordance with this rule.  In order to accomodate out of town sailors special wighing and measuring dates will be available from time to time.  Some of these dates will be close to an actual race, perhaps within a few days.  If a weighing/measuring date is scheduled and a new rating is devloped for a boat a new certificate will be issued that will be valid for the upsoming race.  This accomodation should not be construed to encourage sailors wishing to better their annual rating by adding or removing a sail due to wind conditions.

B. Temporary rating

1. A temporary rating may be issued upon receipt of a completed measurement form. As above, designer/builder specifications will be acceptable providing a copy of the published specifications are submitted.

2. If any reported measurements differ by more than 15% from the manufacturers specifications, additional proof is required. If convincing evidence is not adequate in the view of the rating committee they have the right to change measurements until verifying inspections can be made (witnessed by at least one of the rating committee members).

3. Temporary ratings are valid for one year. One year after the temporary certificate is issued, all required measurement information must be furnished to the rating committee for a measurement certificate.

A. Appeal to the rating committee for a review or change in rating.

1. A request shall be submitted to the rating committee in writing including the reason for review or change.
2. The rating committee will respond in less than 60 days.
3. The procedure for protesting a rating is first with the rating committee and second with the MASF board of directors. The protest must be received in writing before consideration. The decision of a quorum of the board will be final.

B. Procedure for rating challenges (one boat against another).

1. The challenging sailor must be a boat owner with a valid MASF certificate for his vessel.

2. A written protest must be filed with the rating committee along with evidence to support the challenge.

3. The rating committee will make a determination of the action to be taken regarding the contested rating.

4. If the rating committee determines to re-measure the boat any costs incurred as a result of the challenge will be paid by the sailor in error. If the measurements of total sail area is within 5% of the submitted measurements the challenger must pay. If the sail area is over 5% the challenged must pay. The margin of error for weights is 10%.

5. When challenging a boats weight the challenger must post a deposit equivalent to any necessary crane and or equipment costs. This deposit is refundable if the protest is upheld.

1. If the rating committee finds fraud or knowing falsification of any measurements they may revoke the offenders certificate and disqualify him or her from all MASF racing. Such actions will be reported in the MASF newsletter.

Sail definitions - The following definitions were presented discussed and adopted.

1. Jibs or Genoa - Any sail set in front of the mast with a mid-girth dimension of 50% or less of the foot. The sail will be set on or very near the intersection of the forestay and the deck. This includes sails with hanks, roller furlers and headfoil devices.
2. Spinnakers - Any sail with a mid girth dimension greater than or equal to 75% of the foot..
3. Reachers - Any sail set forward of the mast which does not meet the criteria of a jib/genoa or a spinnaker will be considered a reacher for purposes of rating sail area.
4. Boats with headsails which do not meet the definition of any of the above sails will be rated at the discretion of the ratings committee. Any boat that has no sails which meet the definition of a jib/genoa, but does meet the definition of a reacher will have this sail rated as a jib/genoa.

1. Penalties for partially unmeasured or fully unmeasured boats will be: .994 for boats with measured sails but no official weight and .98 for boats with neither official weight nor sail measurements. In the case of F-27 and F-24's a boat that is not weighed will receive the weight of the lightest boat in the fleet but will not receive the "no official weight" penalty. However if those boats have not measured their sails they will still receive the "no measured sail penalty".
2. Before weighing a boat the procedure should be confirmed in advance with the Ratings Committee to ensure current standards are met.

Copyright MASF 2/3/97  Last updated:  01/15/98,  Click here to send mail to web administrator.
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