INTERNATIONAL SEA/SNARK SAILING ASSOCIATION (ISSSA)

CLASS RULES
Effective: March 1, 2009
 

1. GENERAL
The Class Rules have been established to assure that the Sea & Super Snark sailboats, when raced, is a strict one-design boat where the true test is between sailors and not boats and equipment. No addition or alteration may be made to the Sea & Super Snark as supplied by the Builder except as is specifically authorized by these rules.

1.1 Unless specifically prohibited, any equipment that has ever been supplied by the Builder may be used on any boat.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE

2.1 In these rules, “Builder’ means any manufacturer duly authorized or licensed to build the Sea/Super Snark sailboat. Currently Meyers Boat Company is the only licensed builder!

2.2 Identification Marks. Sea Snarks sailboats built prior to 1970 are identified by a non expanded polystyrene (EPS - Styrofoam) hull. Super Snarks are identified by a layer of ABS (plastic) over a expanded polystyrene hull.

2.3 In these rules, “ISAF” means International Sailing Federation and “ISAFRR” means International Sailing Federation Racing Rule.

3. CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT RULES

3.1. Hull and Deck. The hull and deck shall be built from approved tooling manufactured and supplied by the Builder, and shall be constructed in accordance with the Manufacturing Specifications. Sea Snark hulls are made of expanded polystyrene (EPS - Styrofoam) and Super Snarks have a layer of ABS (plastic) over an EPS hull.

3.1.1 A plastic splash deck as supplied by Snark manufacture may be installed.

3.1.2 When repairing or refinishing the hull there are no restrictions as to the type of finish applied to the hull so long as the finish is applied in liquid form. Materials applied in solid or sheet form are specifically forbidden. Modification of the hull to improve the shape or performance beyond the original is forbidden. The ABS (plastic) coating must be applied by the manufacturer ONLY.

3.1.3 Removal of foam from the hull is prohibited.

3.1.4 Fittings may be reinforced to prevent their pulling out on any area of the boat.

3.1.5 No hiking straps are allowed to be installed.

3.1.6 A protective rubrail of any material may be mounted around the periphery of the deck. The rubrail cross section shall not exceed one inch (2.54 cm) in diameter.

3.1.7 Sanding and smoothing of the daggerboard trunk is permitted. Anti-chafe material may be added in the daggerboard trunk solely to protect the construction and finish of the daggerboard. Any material may be added to the sides of the daggerboard trunk to improve the fit of the daggerboard. There shall be at least 2 inches without the added material on each side of the trunk from top to bottom. Material shall not protrude above the deck or below the hull. Gaskets or flaps are prohibited. No changes or additions may be made that create a jibing board. Sea snarks can have ABS (plastic) applied to the hull by the manufacture only. Super Snarks can have the ABS (plastic) reapplied to the hull by the manufacture only.

3.1.8    One or two compasses or stopwatches may be mounted on the deck so long as the watertight integrity of the hull is maintained.

3.5.9 No fittings of any type may be installed within the cockpit or cross member, or splash deck.

3.1.10 A separate line for the sole use as a painter (bowline) may be added.

3.1.11 Clips, ties or bags may be used on the deck, in the cockpit, inside the hull, or around the mast to stow or secure personal equipment and lines.

3.1.12 Type IV throw able floatation device may be used as seats and for safety purposes, with no limit of number on board.

3.1.13 A hand held bailer must be kept on board whether mechanical or a scoop.

3.2 Daggerboard: The daggerboard shall be supplied by any Builder so long as the daggerboard is an exact copy (all dimensions) of the manufacture daggerboard.

3.2.1 No modifications shall be allowed to the daggerboard beyond class specifications (figure ~) and with any gauges the Class may use to define the original size and shape. Covering the daggerboard with fiberglass is prohibited.

3.2.2 A daggerboard retaining device/lanyard of any type may be used for the sole purpose of retaining the daggerboard in the event of a capsize and not for racing and turning techniques.

3.2.3 A handle may be attached to the top of the daggerboards for the sole purpose of raising and lowering the daggerboard.

3.3 Rudder. The rudder head and bracket shall be supplied by any Builder as long as their or no performance advantages or lowering of the rudder. Up and down rudder lines are not deemed a performance advantage. During racing the rudder must always be in the complete down position.

3.3.1 The rudder shall be supplied by any Builder so long as the rudder is an exact copy (all dimensions) of the manufacture daggerboard.

3.3.2 No modifications shall be allowed to the rubber beyond class specifications (figure ~) and with any gauges the Class may use to define the original size and shape. Covering the rudder with fiberglass is prohibited.

3.3.3 A rudder/rudder housing retaining device/lanyard of any type may be used for the purpose of retaining the rudder and assembly in the event of a capsize, etc.

3.4 Tiller. The tiller shall be supplied only by the Builder.

3.4.1 No tiller extension is allowed.

3.5 Spars. The spars and mast and all attached fittings may be supplied by the Builder or owner so long as the spars are an exact copy (all dimensions) of the manufacture spars. The following changes are allowed:

3.5.1 One single mainsheet block fitting of any type with or without an integral or attached jamming device may be mounted on the boom.

3.5.2 One pulley may be mounted toward the stern end of the boom for the sole purpose of reducing resistance in sheeting.

3.5.3 The boom connecting bolt and spar connecting assembly may be replaced with any type of bolt and connecting assembly.

3.5.4 The location of the O Rings and added boom blocks may be moved to any position on the boom. O rings may be replaced by any single strap

3.5.5 The replacement of O Rings may be substituted by flexible material made into a loop, and is permitted for the sole purpose of holding the mainsheet along the boom.

3.5.6 A total of five lines may be used; 1 for the mainsheet, 2 one for the halyard, and 3 separate lines for the clew, tack, head sail attachment points. Two cleats may be installed one on the cross member and one on the lower half of the mast for the halyard. Either may be removed but one cleat must be available for the halyard. Lines may not be led internally in the spars.

3.5.7 Tape, plastic or similar material may be used in the following locations:

1. On the boom in the area where the gooseneck is attached.
2. On the gooseneck or mast to prevent chafing between these parts.

3. On the sail at any point to prevent chafing.

3.5.8 Spar and mast end caps and eye straps may be reinforced to prevent their pulling out.

3.5.8 One cleat of any type may be installed on the mast not more than four (2’) feet from the cross member, for cleating the line used to tie the ‘haylard.’ If utilized, there must be some means to securely attach the rig to the hull using the end of the halyard.

3.5.9 Drain holes may be drilled in the mast and spars.

3.5.10 Fittings may be reinforced to prevent their pulling out on any area of the boat.

3.6 Sail. The sail shall be supplied only by the Builder.

3.6.1 Sails shall not be altered. Sails may be repaired providing that the shape is not altered.

3.6.2 One rectangular window may be installed in the sail so long as the shape or size of the sail is not altered. The total area of the window shall not exceed 400 sq. inches.

3.6.3 The sail shall not be attached to the spars by anything other than the clew, tack, and head lines (See rule 3.5.5 also)

3.6.4 The class emblem and sail numbers may be glued, sewn or silk screened on the sail on any area of the sail. The builders tag must remain on the sail.

3.7 Sheets and Lines. Any sheets or lines may be substituted for those supplied by the Builder, but no additional sheets or lines, unless specifically authorized, shall be added. Sheets or lines in whole or in part of wire are prohibited. Each sheet or line must be one continuous length of line of uniform diameter.

3.7.1 The mainsheet may be any length and diameter.

3.7.2 The halyard may be any length and diameter. The running end of the halyard may be used as a boom vang and/or to pull the boom out in light air. A purchase may be used to draw the halyard tight, provided the sail can be readily lowered in an emergency.

3.7.3 The halyard may be led down the mast on either side of the sail and/or mast.

3.7.4 The clew, tack, and head sail attachment lines may be replaced with a line of any type and any length.

3.7.5 A bridle line for the mainsheet may NOT be installed.

3.8 Wind Indicators. Any number of wind indicators of any type may be attached to the hull, deck, mast, spars, and/or sail.

3.9 Repairs and Replacements. In the event of damage to hull, deck, daggerboard, rudder, mast or spars, necessary repairs may be made in a manner as close as possible to the methods and materials used by the Builder(s), and in such a way that the essential shape or other characteristics are not materially affected. In the event of the failure of any fitting, or the replacement of fittings as authorized by these rules, the same or replacement thereof shall be replaced in the same position as the fitting which failed or as close to the same position as is structurally feasible.

4. Additional Rules which apply while racing

4.1 One hull shall be used in a regatta or series unless approval of the RC is obtained.

4.1.2 Nothing shall prohibit two persons from racing a Sea/Super Snark sailboat provided that both persons sail together for the entire event. Class sanctioned events as defined in the class notice shall be sailed and qualified for single-handedly.

4.1.3 The use of electronic navigational devices shall be prohibited.

4.1.4 RACING NUMBERS: During races sailors will be assigned racing numbers for identify them during a race and for other racing identification purposes. It is the sailors’ responsibility to make and display the racing numbers during a race either on the boat or on ones person, unless racing number tags are supplied by the racing official(s). Regardless it is the sailors’ responsibility to attach the racing numbers to the boat or physically on ones person. The racing official shall assign to each participant a racing number which shall be displayed in a visible location that race officials can easily see. This requirement shall be strictly enforced at all Snark events when employed. Size and Shape. The numbers must be easy to read, rounded in shape and of the following dimensions: Height: 10± 1/2”, (254± 13mm), Width: 7± 1/2” (178± 13mm), and Thickness: 1 3/4± 1/4” (45± 6mm). COLOR. For placement on light colors, numbers shall be dark and dense, preferably black. White numbers shall be used on dark surfaces. All digits on a sail must be the same color.

5. MEASUREMENT DIAGRAMS - All dimensions shown in feet and inches (measurements to be announced).

© 2009 Snark Sailing Association