Class Rules (January 2016) 

One Design Principle and Rules

The design and development of the Formula One Class is directed towards the creation of a strict One Design Class. Any alteration to hull, deck, keel, interior accommodation, construction, equipment, sails, spars, running and standing rigging, as supplied by the builder, except as specifically permitted by these rules, is prohibited. In these rules, the builder means Hunter Boats (HB) or any other manufacturer duly authorised or licensed by HB to build the Formula One Design.

Hull and Deck

The hull and deck shall be manufactured from tooling made or supplied by HB and shall be constructed in accordance with the master specifications.

Keel

The keel, and keel locking mechanism shall only be as supplied by the builder. The keel blade shall be of cast iron and the torpedo shall be of lead. 

Minor adjustments to the keel by way of fairing the keel surfaces , making good minor foundry blemishes or repairing damage are permitted provided that the keel:

a) retains leading and trailing edge dimensions and radii in accordance with the measurement diagram.

b) has maximum thickness and profiles in accordance with the measurement diagram. c) complies with the depth and position in accordance with the measurement diagram when locked in its lowered position.

d) The lead torpedo at the bottom of the keel must remain as originally provided by the builder. The circumference of the approximately circular torpedo when measured at the trailing edge of the keel shall not exceed 300mm. Filling at the junction between the circular torpedo and the keel is not permitted. 

The keel shall be locked in its lowered position at all time when racing. 

Formula ONE Rudder

The rudder blade and rudder box shall only be as supplied by the builder. The rudder shall comply in all respects with the rudder diagram, shall be made of wood with a minimum weight of 9kgm. The rudder blade shall be in its fully lowered position at all times when racing.

Tiller 

The tiller and tiller extension shall not be restricted provided that the tiller shall be straight and capable of removal from the rudder box.

Interior Accommodation

No alterations are permitted to the standard accommodation structures attached to and glassed into the hull by the builder. The sliding step box must be fitted. No alterations are permitted to the standard linings and trim supplied and fitted by the builder, except that watertight hatches are permitted in the forward buoyancy tanks which must remain empty.

Spars

1.The mast, and boom and all fittings attached thereto by the builder shall only be supplied by Selden Masts and shall not be altered, lightened, or otherwise changed except that:

a) A masthead navigation light may be affixed to the masthead.

b) A wind direction indicator may be affixed to the masthead (non electronic).

c) It is permitted to form an opening for the main sail clew slider on loose footed main sails within 1metre from the end of the boom.

d) It is permitted to replace the spinnaker pole fitting on the mast with a flyaway pole attachment. The centre of the fitting must be at a height of 1450mm (+/- 15mm) above the top of the mast foot casting.

2. The mast step shall be as supplied by the builder and shall be positioned in accordance with the deck diagram. The mast heel shall be located in this step by the single bolt supplied with the step. No attachments, fittings or wedges shall be used which could affect the position or rake of the mast other than as supplied by the builder and shown on the rig diagram.

3. Permanently bent masts and booms are prohibited.

4. 10mm wide black bands must be marked on the mast and the boom and the main sail shall be set inside them. Mast Dimension ‘P’ from top face of boom to start of black band 8320mm. Boom Dimension ‘E’ from aft face of mast to start of black band 3350mm.

Spinnaker Pole

The spinnaker pole shall be made of aluminium and 50mm minimum diameter. The maximum length of the pole, including end fittings shall not exceed 2400mm.

Sails Inventory

At no time when racing shall any boat carry more than the mainsail, one No.1 Genoa, one No.2 Genoa, one No.3 Genoa, one storm jib, one first choice spinnaker and a spare spinnaker. The spare spinnaker can only be used in a subsequent race, and only if the first choice spinnaker is shown to be damaged beyond immediate repair. Every mainsail shall carry the red and blue class insignia glued or sewn on to the sail in the position shown on the sail diagram.

Every main sail, No.1 Genoa and spinnaker shall carry the boats sail number glued or stitched on the sail in the position on the sail diagram.

Main Sail (Area 12.2m2 approximately).

The main sail shall be made from single ply woven polyester with a minimum cloth weight of 240 gms/m2.

The maximum leech length is to be 9000mm.

The maximum head width is to be 175mm.

The ¾ height maximum girth is to be 1255mm.

The ½ height maximum girth is to be 2180mm. 

Two slab reefs shall be fitted.

The height of slab reef 1 is to be 1000mm +/- 100mm. (Measured from the clew up leech).

The height of slab reef 2 is to be 2100mm +/- 100mm. (Measured from the clew up leech). (A minimum of 2 reefing cringles are to be provided on reef 2).

A maximum of 4 equally spaced (+/- 50mm) battens shall be provided in the mainsail. 

The length of the top batten is unrestricted.

The maximum length of the middle battens is to be 1100mm.

The maximum length of the lowest batten is to be 850mm.

The foot of the sail may be secured to the boom with a bolt rope. Loose footed mainsails are also permitted.

A luff cunningham shall be provided and a leech cunningham may be provided at the same height as the luff cunningham (ie. a flattener).

No.1 Genoa (Area 12.4m2 approximately).

The No.1 Genoa shall be made from polyester reinforced mylar with a minimum cloth weight of 140gm/m2 in the luff panels.

The heavier cloth weight in the leech panels is not specified but left to the sail maker. 

The maximum luff length is to be 7350mm.

The maximum LP is to be 3360mm.

The minimum LP is to be 3240mm.

Battens are not permitted.

No.2 Genoa (Area 8.36m2 approximately).

The No.2 Genoa shall be made from single ply woven polyester with a minimum cloth weight of 240 gms/m2.

The maximum luff length is to be 7350mm.

The maximum LP is to be 2250mm.

A maximum of 3 battens shall be provided. 

The length of the top batten is unrestricted. 

The maximum length of the lower battens is to be 600mm. 

No.3 Genoa (Area 5.5m2 approximately).

The No.3 Genoa shall be made from single ply woven polyester with a minimum cloth weight of 240 gms/m2.

The maximum luff length is to be 5870mm.

The maximum LP is to be 1885mm.

Battens are not permitted.

Storm Jib (Area 2.84m2 approximately). 

The storm jib shall be made from single ply woven polyester with a minimum cloth weight of 240 gms/m2.

The maximum luff length is to be 4160mm.

The maximum LP is to be 1350mm.

Battens are not permitted. 

Spinnaker (Area 28m2 approximately).

The spinnaker shall be made from nylon with a minimum cloth weight of 38 gms/m2.

The maximum leech length is to be 7240mm.

The maximum foot length is to be 4280mm.

The maximum girth at half height is to be 4280mm.

Cost of Sails

The cost of all new sails, the date of purchase and the sail maker shall be stated on the declaration sheet. 

The Association is indebted to Steve Goacher of Goacher Sails 44(0) 15394 88686 and Philip Watson of Watson and Jameson 353 1 832 6466 for their advice in redrafting these rules.

Rigging

The forestay, backstay, upper and lower shrouds shall be to the lengths and specification as prescribed by the builder and in accordance with the rigging diagram and in particular the forestay length including chain plate shall not exceed 7650mm. The upper and lower shrouds shall be attached to the chain plates as supplied and fitted by the builder in positions in accordance with the deck diagram by single rigging screws and one toggle as supplied by the builder. No additional links, shackles or toggles shall be permitted.

The backstay material is optional and a whip can be fitted to the mast crane. The backstay shall only be adjusted manually by block and tackle. The position of the final fairlead and cleat is optional.

A single headsail foil as supplied by the builder may be fitted to the forestay but hanks are an acceptable alternative to the single head foil.

As the original single groove head foil is no longer available it is acceptable to use a twin grooved foil providing one groove is blocked off with mastic for a length of 150mm at the tack to prevent fore sail peeling during a race.

Sheets, Lines and Halyards

Any sheet, line or halyard may be substituted for those supplied by the builder, but no additional sheets or lines may be added, unless specifically authorised.

Mainsail or jib halyards may be of rope to wire configuration but all other sheets, lines or halyards shall be continuous lengths of rope.

Tapered sheets are permitted.

Fittings

All fittings and attachment to the hull and deck shall be positioned as specified on the deck layout diagrams except that:

a) owners may choose their own fittings ie. cleats, blocks, clutches, traveller, shackles and pins.

b) twin tactical compasses may be mounted on the deck or in the cockpit.

c) bags or bins for stowing such items as winch handles or rope tails may be affixed within the cockpit.

d) a lifting outboard bracket is optional.

e) netting or light line may be strung between the upper guard-rail and the deck between the bow pulpit and the forward most stanchion.

f) the design and position of the spinnaker launching bag is optional providing that it does not penetrate or pass through the deck moulding other than through the main hatch.

g) additional foot braces may be fitted within the cockpit.

The deck layout shall be stated on the declaration sheet.

Compulsory Equipment

All boats shall carry when racing:

a) One steering compass of minimum card diameter of 60mm.

b) One BSI approved lifejacket per crew member.

c) One bilge pump capable of being operated from the cockpit and one bucket.

d) One anchor of a minimum 6kg weight, not less that 2 metres of 3/16” link chain and one anchor warp of not less than 25 metres length and of 10mm diameter.

e) In tidal waters a suitable outboard engine and a minimum of 2 litres of fuel shall be carried. The storage position is optional providing that the engine is safely secured.

f) If an outboard engine weighing less than 25kgs (without fuel) is carried an amount of chain to bring the weight up to 25kgs must be carried and safely secured.

g) Any other safety equipment as specified in the race instructions of the event.

Optional Equipment

An echo sounder and a speed/distance log are permitted. All other electronic instruments relating to wind speed or direction are prohibited when racing. Bow and stern navigational lights and steaming light are permitted. Interior lights are permitted.

A battery is permitted and stowage position is optional provided that the battery is safely secured and contained within an acid-proof battery box. 

A sculling oar and rowlock are permitted.

Crew The number of crew is unrestricted. No part of the crew’s torso may be positioned outside the guard rails at any time while racing.