Comment period on various trampoline and Hobie Wave rules

Date: Middelfart, DENMARK, 10 August 2023
To: Hobie Class Members
From: IHCA Rules Committee
Subject: Comment period on various trampoline and Hobie Wave rules.

Dear all,

The relevance of changing the trampoline class rules for some of our classes has been discussed for a while. Discussions which have also included Starting Line Sailing (SLS), the builder of Hobie Cats and Hobie Cat parts.
The Rules Committee is now ready to present the outcome of these discussions. Hence, we are pleased to present a bundle of rule change proposals on the trampolines. The proposed changes are intended to apply to classes no longer being built and to classes with fleet racing activities limited to a single IHCA Region.
The existing requirements will be maintained for our international classes.

The Rules Committee has also been asked to clarify some Hobie Wave class rule issues for the Hobie Wave class on the rudders and rudder systems as well as providing a ruled boat identification solution because Hobie Waves have never been supplied with a sail number from Hobie Cat Company. These rulings are included in this package of change proposals as well.

The proposed changes are in red italic.

PROPOSALS

IHCA General Class Rule 16.5
OLD
Mesh and canvas trampolines manufactured by the HOBIE CAT CO. are class legal.
a) Trampolines may be reversed end for end if desired.
b) Storage pockets and flaps to prevent water spray may be added.
c) A second set of hiking straps may be installed and altered as desired.
d) Hiking straps shall not be adjustable while on the water.
e) A trampoline may be comprised of one to three pieces.

NEW
Mesh and canvas trampolines manufactured by the HOBIE CAT CO. are class legal unless specified otherwise in the individual boat class rules.
a) Trampolines may be reversed end for end if desired.
b) Storage pockets and flaps to prevent water spray may be added.
c) A second set of hiking straps may be installed and altered as desired.
d) Hiking straps shall not be adjustable while on the water.
e) A trampoline may be comprised of one to three pieces.
f) Additional grommets may be added.

REASON
Adding flexibility to the trampoline requirements to the individual boat class rules as well as allowing the use of additional grommets in the general rule.

HC WAVE Rule 6.7
OLD
Additional grommets may be added to the trampoline.
NEW
Trampolines shall comply with IHCA General Class Rule 16.5 except they may come from any source.
REASON
Clarification as well as allowing trampolines from any source.

HC17 Rule 6.3
OLD
Only HOBIE CAT CO. supplied trampolines and wing trampolines shall be used.
NEW
IHCA General Class Rule 16.5 applies for trampolines except trampolines and wing trampolines may come from any source.
REASON
Clarification as well as allowing trampolines from any source.

HC18
NEW Rule 5.8
Trampolines shall comply with IHCA General Class Rule 16.5 except they may come from any source.
REASON
Clarification as well as allowing trampolines from any source.

HC20 Rule 7.7.
OLD
Additional grommets may be added to the trampoline.
NEW
Trampolines shall comply with IHCA General Class Rule 16.5 except they may come from any source.
REASON
Clarification as well as allowing trampolines from any source.

Hobie Wave Rule 1.1.
OLD
1.1 Rudder blades* and rudder assemblies** shall be stock as supplied by the HOBIE CAT CO. Only Hobie Cat Company supplied aftermarket rudders* are allowed to replace stock rudders.

* Defined as Hobie Wave and Hobie 16 rudder blades.

** Defined as the original Hobie Wave system and the Hobie Wave EZ Loc system.

NOTE: As of the time of this writing (February 2010) only aftermarket rudders are available that fit the old-style rudder castings.

NEW
1.1 Rudder blades* and rudder assemblies** shall be stock as supplied by the HOBIE CAT CO. Only Hobie Cat Company supplied aftermarket rudders* are allowed to replace stock rudders. or comply with these requirements:
a) Rudder blades made of another material, yet conforming to the size, shape and minimum weight of the standard rudder blades, may be used. Rudder blades must conform within the minimum and maximum dimensions that are found within the profile plans. Profile plans are available through the IHCA.
b) The maximum thickness of a rudder blade(s) shall not exceed 1.015 in. (25.8 mm.), tapering over a distance of 2 ft. (60.96 cm) to a maximum thickness of 1/2 in. (12.7 mm), 2 in. (50.8 mm) from the bottom tip of the rudder. These dimensions are for reference purposes only. Please refer to profile plans for exact dimensions. Profile plans are available through the IHCA.
* Defined as Hobie Wave and Hobie 16 rudder blades.
** Defined as the original Hobie Wave system and the Hobie Wave EZ Loc system.
NOTE: As of the time of this writing (February 2010) only aftermarket rudders are available that fit the old-style rudder castings.

REASON
Clarification

Hobie Wave Rule 1.3.
OLD
1.3 A single tiller extension may be added with either an extendable or non-extendable design. The tiller extension shall be connected to the crossbar in the approximate centre. Tiller arms may be cut shorter. NONELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVE TILLER EXTENSIONS ARE RECOMMENDED ON ALL BOATS WORLDWIDE.
NEW
1.3 A single tiller extension may be added with either an extendable or non-extendable design. The tiller extension shall be connected to the crossbar in the approximate centre. Tiller arms and crossbars may be cut shorter. NONELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVE TILLER EXTENSIONS ARE RECOMMENDED ON ALL BOATS WORLDWIDE.

REASON
Clarification

Hobie Wave Rule 8 (NEW)
Boat identification
IHCA General Class Rule 12.4 (Sail Numbers) does not apply to the Hobie Wave. Boats will be identified by unique bow numbers. Bow numbers shall be at least 10 inches tall, consist of Arabic numerals of the same color which shall be a contrasting color to the hull. Bow numbers shall be placed on each outer hull, forward of the front crossbar. If a boat does not have a bow number, one will be assigned by the Organizing Authority. It shall be the boat owner’s responsibility to obtain and apply the bow number. RRS 30.4 is changed by replacing “sail number” with “bow number”.

REASON
Establish rules for boat identification.

This is your class and your opportunity to express your opinion.

The link to vote and comment is here:

Deadline: 28 August 2023.

The proposed change to General Rule Class Rule 16.5 is supposed to go into effect after the approval of the IHCA Council followed by review and approval of the World Sailing Equipment Rules Sub-committee. This is expected to happen no later than the end of November 2023. Since this change is prerequisite to the rest of the proposed changes to the trampoline rules these will go into effect along with General Rule Class Rule 16.5.

The proposed changes to Hobie Wave Rule 1.1 and 1.3 and the new Hobie Wave Rule 8 will go into effect as soon as possible following IHCA Council approval of the IHCA Council. Until then they will have status as interim rules as provided for in General Rule Class Rule 23. This to provide the clarifications requested for the 2023 HCANA Wave Nationals September 11-16.

Erik Olsen
IHCA Rules Committee Chair