CLASS RULES
1. CLASS RULES AND OBJECTIVES
1.1. The “Smeralda 888” is a one-design boat designed by German Frers.
The boat has been developed to promote competitive sailing activities amongst yacht club members.
The boat has a fixed keel with ballast and sloop rig for a crew of 4 or 5 people. It is suited to both fleet and match racing and can be handled by smaller crews where the hiking position of the body is strictly controlled. The design characteristics make the sloop suitable also for short-distance cruising for two people. The boat is watertight and self-draining under normal weather conditions.
1.2. The Smeralda 888 boats constitute a Class called “Smeralda 888 Class”.
The Class emblem is a bow cutting through a wave. This emblem must be reproduced on the hull.
1.3. The Class Rules have the following objectives:
2. MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF THE CLASS
2.1 Class Management
The Class’s affairs shall be managed by a Class Committee.
It is empowered to approve decisions for the Class.
Any new application for membership from a new owner must be approved by the Class Committee.
This Class Committee shall consist of the Smeralda Class President, three Vice presidents, one financial secretary and one General Class secretary.
2.2 Language
The Class’s official language shall be English.
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2.3 Construction and Purchase of “Smeralda 888” Boats
The right to build a Smeralda 888 One Design shall rest exclusively with boat builders duly licensed by the Class association. The current licensed builder is Cantieri Galetti, Italy.
The Smeralda Class will determine, on a case-by-case basis, which boatyards will be granted use of the moulds for Smeralda 888 construction.
Contracts will precisely define the builders’ working procedures on regards of the rules herein and the attached specifications.
“Smeralda 888” Class boats can be purchased by individuals validated by the Smeralda Class. All applications must be forwarded to the secretary of the Smeralda Class: m.stevenazzi@ycm.org
The owners and their clubs must agree to faithfully adhere to all Class rules as stated herein.
2.4 Measurements, Certificates of Origins
The Class Measurer will be appointed annually by the Class Committee and will be responsible for assuring that all boats that are built conform exactly to the technical requirements defined in these rules.
Each boat constructed must be fitted with an identification numberplate containing its serial number, which corresponds to its sail number, permanently installed on board, as well as a Certificate of Origin reporting the weights of the keel, rudder, complete hull, mast, boom and spinnaker pole, plus the presence and location of any corrector weights.
The Certificate of Origin must be signed by both the Class Measurer and the builder.
Copies of the certificates will be kept by the Class Committee.
After the completion of the measurement checks, any modification to the boat, its rigging and fittings or its equipment is prohibited. In the case of repair work being undertaken following any damage, a recertification by the Class Measurer may be necessary.
2.5 Measurement Controls
The Measurement Controls of the boats are entrusted to the Class Technical Delegate who is appointed annually by the committee. When considered necessary, or upon the request of a competitor before an event, the Technical Delegate, who may be assisted by the Class Measurer, can carry out the following checks:
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A club or an owner who violates the letter or the spirit of these rules, either regarding the technical specifications or the use of the boat, can be brought before a Disciplinary Committee appointed by the Committee of the class which, in the most serious of cases, may decide:
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specifications with a tolerance of +/- 5 mm. Any needed corrector weight must be reported on the Certificate of Origin, as must the weight and centre of gravity position of the mast including standing riffing, but excluding running rigging.
3.6 Other Spars
The boom and spinnaker pole must conform to the specifications reported on attached Plan 1. Their weights must be reported on the Certificate of Origin and cannot be less than 12 Kg and 4 Kg respectively.
3.7 Running Rigging
The running rigging must be in compliance with the Plan 2 specification in terms of materials, layout and dimensions.
3.8 Sails
The rights to provide the Sails for Smeralda 888 One Design shall solely rest with Sailmakers duly licensed by the Class association. The current licensed sailmaker is North Sails Italy.
The approved sail inventory is as follows:
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With the exception of the paddles, the safety equipment will be kept whilst racing in a bag located below deck in front of the mast step.
3.10 Electronic Devices
The on-board installation of any electrical or electronic instrument other than a compass and speedometer are prohibited.
3.11 Modification
Any modifications or improvements to the fittings or deck layout must be approved by the Class Committee.
4 USE OF THE BOAT
4.1. Competition Levels
Three levels of competition are foreseen:
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4.3.2 Crew Weight
Free.
The maximum number of crew is 5.
4.3.3. Crew Placement
The use of hiking straps, trapezes, or other devices to move the weight of crewmen overboard is forbidden.
All of the crew members must keep their legs within the cockpit whilst racing.
4.3.4 Championship Classification
There is no limit of rounds to validate a regatta.
A minimum of 2 regattas must be completed to validate a championship. If 4 regattas have been run, one discard is allowed.
The final cannot be discarded.
4.3.5 Helm
Except for owners or for emergencies involving the safety of either the yacht or the crew, Group 3 competitors are prohibited from taking the helm while racing in sanctioned One Design Class events, or in any One Design Class racing. Group 1 Owners and Group 1 alternate helmsmen may helm any Smeralda 888.
4.3.6 Limit
The mast spinnaker wind limit is fixed at 20 knots. There are no restrictions for the use of the genoa. The security limit is fixed at 25 knots maximum, beyond which no racing may take place.
4.3.7 Advertising on Boats
Advertising on Smeralda 888 Class boats is at the approval of the Class Committee.
4.3.8 Class Contribution
For the 2021-2022 season, the regatta entry fees for the Class will be 1000 Euros per boat per season payable at the first regatta.
4.4 Race Penalty / Foul Reparation
If a foul is committed within a distance of three-boat lengths of a mark, the applicable penalty shall be TWO turns (720°).
If a foul is committed out of the three-boat length distance from a mark the applicable penalty shall be ONE turn (360°).
Any failure to perform the applicable penalty may result in race disqualification.
Last modified: December 11 , 2023