Class Rules » A few Class Rule Questions

A few owners have added the following parts to their boats. I do not see the allowance of these parts in the International Racing Rules June 7, 2011. Can someone tell me if each of these parts is legal?

1. A pin on the top of the rudder to keep the rudder from popping out.

2. A cap on top of the mast to protect the sail.

3. Generic can lids to replace lost or broken cockpit cover.

4. A rubber band around the cockpit cover.

5. Tape or shrink tubing on the boom to keep the sliders from slipping.

6. Tape over the winch spool bridge to keep water out of the servo.

7. A line from the clew grommet to the boom in addition to the outhaul to replicate a clew tie down used on full size Lasers.

8. A line from the tack grommet to the boom to act as a downhaul.

9. Tape over the drain hole on the transom to keep water out of the hull.

From the Rules, "Anything not specifically permitted be these rules is prohibited".
Items 1,2,3,4,5,7,9 are therefore not legal for regattas.
Item 6 needs clarification, but it sounds to be not legal.
Item 8 is legal - it has already been designed into the boat.
We also note that as you are from Florida, as a courtesy, you should refer your queries in the first instance to Nick Mortgu - RC Laser Class Secretary AMYA for his interpretations.

It is interesting that most of these have been used at the latest set of regattas here in FL. They all seem to be permitted except for 6 and 8.

To clarify number 6 it is wide tape from the top of the bridge down to the deck. Since AMYA Rule 4 allows tape on the deck, with no restriction of how, it would seem this is allowed.

Nick has said number 8 is not permitted since it is not part of the design.

These conflicts are why I came to this site for clarification.

I guess I remain confused...

Just because they are used in regattas does not legitimise them. It is a universal problem we are trying have corrected by updating the Rules from 2011 to 2018; to take into consideration just these questions.

I still cannot imagine how No. 6 would really work. I stand by my original comment that it is not legal. It is not part of the original equipment.

If Nick was sailing anywhere other than America, then No. 8 is legal – it is part of the original design. I refer you to the UK website for the specifications and diagrams which we sail to. I notice Nick has taken down the RC Laser Manual from his site.

http://www.rclaser.org.uk/Specs.php

Noel, I am sorry to take so long to get back to you, it has been a busy summer.

RE Number 6: As stated, I am talking of maybe 3 inch tape having one edge on the bridge and the other edge on the deck. A pair of slits on the aft side permit the control lines to pass to the drum.
The argument is that Rule 4 permits tape on the deck. The rules seem to break the boat into three parts: hull, deck, rigging. Hence, the drum bridge is part of the deck. Tape is not equipment, it is tape. Therefore, it is not equipment added to the boat, but simply tape on the deck.

RE Number 8: Nick has stated in a various emails to the fleet that this is not part of the original equipment provided and therefore, not legal.

Number 1 is permitted according to Nick because some rudders are made loose enough to be lost from he tiller.

I hope the international Rules are updated since the class has matured.

I also hope the US rules become updated. As they are today, one cannot replace a telltale if lost.

Can anyone answer the questions?