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MAST LENGTH
Question -
"We understand that the maximum length of the mast is 6000mm. Is it correct that this should be measured with the sail rigged for sailing and attached to the board, then the straight line distance from the fair deckline/uj connection to the tip of the mast taken should be less than 6000mm?"
Answer –
Mast Length is defined in the ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing( ERS) as:
"the distance between the heel point and the top point."
Heel point - "the lowest point on the spar and its fittings"
Top Point - "the highest point on the spar and its fittings"
The mast is a spar on which the sail is set and includes its fittings; and fittings include mast extension and mast foot.
The ERS state - "No external pressure shall be applied to a spar when measuring unless specifically prescribed"
The Raceboard Class Rules do not prescribe "external pressure" , ie "downhaul" tension. Therefore the mast length is not measured with the sail rigged.
Example -
Mast length = mast + plus extension (as set to rig the sail) + mast foot.
The length from tip of mast to bottom of mast foot (including insert into the board) when these rig components are assembled. The mast foot is a "rig fitting" and not a "hull fitting".
550cm mast + 30cm of mast extension + 10cm of UJ/insert = 590cm – and class legal.
580cm mast + 15cm of mast extension + 10cm of UJ/insert = 605cm – NOT class legal
This question and answer in pdf
