Having made a
set of sails and tested them so that you wish to use them in competitions,
you are required to have them measured by a qualified measurer. Most
clubs have at least one member who has had some training in doing this and
is certified to measure sails.
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It is
absolutely vital that you don't waste this person's time by having a set
of sails that are clearly not going to be accepted. It is your
responsibility to read carefully all the relevant information about the
requirements of the sails as it applies to your class. The
documents to examine are now outlined rather well on the International
Radio Sailing site
http://www.radiosailing.org/main under the menu item 'Documents'
where you will find the detailed documents for the four main classes
controlled by this body. Other classes will have equivalent
information on their national or international sites.
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Measure
your own sails according to the rules as they apply to the appropriate
class and make sure your sails do lie within the boundaries of the
definitions. In reality the size of the sails should be determined
at the building time when laying out the patterns for the panels and
final trimming should be made with those definitions in mind.
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Obtain a
sail number from the measurer if the yacht does not yet have a number
and ensure the sail numbers and class insignia are attached to the sail
in the correct place. See the article on
Sail
Identification for where numbers etc should be placed on a sail.
This information is also available in the
RRS documentation in appendix E see section E6 dealing with radio
controlled yachts.
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Remember
that many sails are usually measured fitted to masts with appropriate
bands on them. For example the Marblehead sails require them to be
fitted as the luff measurement of the mainsail is actually measured
using the bands on the mast rather than the actual length of the sail
(and the sail must fit between those bands).
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Arrange for
the measurer to measure your sails preferably with you present as your
help is often appreciated and you can see first hand where any issues
that might be a problem are in order for you to fix them then and
certainly in the future.
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Better
still is to get some training and become a measurer though be aware you
should not formally measure your own sails,
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When the
measurer is happy with the sails they will be stamped and dated.
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Often the
sail measuring is part of the whole process of measuring a radio yacht
including the sails. Read carefully the
information in the ARYA web site about getting your yacht (and
sails) registered and measured.
STIRLING MARBLEHEAD YACHT RACING CLUB
Inc.
Measuring Procedures for Model Yacht Sails