NATIONAL WINDRUSH CATAMARAN ASSOCIATION
(Incorporated)
CLASS RULES AND SPECIFICATIONS
(Effective from 1 July 1996)
CONTENTS
WINDRUSH CLASS RULES
Clause
Preamble 1
Definitions 2-7
Classes 8-10
Hulls 11-16
Beams and Trampoline Frames 17
Trampoline 18-22
Rudders 23-32
Spars 33-45
Downhaul & Boom Vang 46-47
Mainsheet 48
Standing & Running Rigging & Fittings 49-62
Sails 63-93
Personal Buoyancy and Safety 94-100
Teams Racing 101-105
Scrutineering Certificate 106-109 SPECIFICATIONS
General 110
Boat Weight 111
Spars and Beams 112-113
Standing Rigging 114-115
Production Form Sails 116
Class Emblem 117
These Class Rules were produced by the Windrush Catamaran
Association of Western Australia for and on behalf of the
National Windrush Catamaran Association.
Further copies can be obtained free of charge by contacting
The Secretary, Windrush Catamaran Association of Western Australia.
or The Secretary, Windrush Catamaran Association of Queensland.
WINDRUSH CLASS RULES
PREAMBLE
1. Windrush catamarans are intended to be one design class
yachts and shall therefore be sailed as produced with only limited
variations. Any effort on the part of anyone to alter the boat or
its rigging, except as specifically authorised by these rules,
which would result or in the opinion of a Protest Committee is
designed or is likely to result in such a boat or its helmsman or
both obtaining an advantage over its competitors is a breach of
the rules not only in spirit but in substance and such a boat
shall, for racing purposes, be deemed not to be a Windrush
Catamaran.DEFINITIONS
"WINDRUSH PRODUCTION"
2. Equipment produced or sold as standard or normal extra
equipment by Windrush Yachts, Perth (to May 1986) or Windrush
Catamarans, Perth (from June 1986) or their licensed manufacturers
with the permission of Windrush Yachts, Perth (to May 1986) or
Windrush Catamarans, Perth (from June1986)."PRODUCTION FORM"
3. Similar in design and function to "Windrush Production" and
offering no advantage."PRODUCTION ARRANGEMENT"
4. Where more than one arrangement of fittings has been sold,
any one arrangement may be used but a combination of two
arrangements is not permitted."WEAR AND REPAIR"
5. Where an item is subject to wear and tear or accidental
damage it may be repaired in a manner intended to reproduce
the original shape or function. When slight variations are
the result of wear or repair they are acceptable provided
they offer no advantage.
"COMPLIANCE"6. If, as a result of a protest, a modified or repaired
component is considered not to comply with these Class Rules
then that ruling shall only apply to future races unless the
protest committee considers that the entrant knowingly
committed a serious breach of these rules for the purpose of
obtaining an unfair advantage. Where disagreement occurs
over the interpretation of these rules the ruling of the
National Council shall apply.7. Where it becomes necessary to determine whether equipment is
"Windrush Production" the advice of Windrush Catamarans must
be sought. If a representative of Windrush Catamarans is not
present the question must be referred to them together with
sufficient information, including photographs and/or
sketches if possible, to make a valid judgement.CLASSES
8. 14' CAT. This shall be a Windrush 14' with mainsail only and
with a skipper only, without a trapeze.9. 14' SLOOP. This shall be a Windrush 14' with a mainsail and
jib, with a skipper and one crew without a trapeze.10. SUPER 14. This shall be a Windrush 14' with mainsail and a
skipper only, with or without trapeze and with or without a
jib.HULLS
11. Hulls shall be "Windrush Production".
12. The position of and the method of attachment of forestays,
side stays and transom fittings shall be "Windrush Production".13. Refinishing, painting, etc. of hulls is permitted but not to
the extent that the general shape of the hull is altered.14. It is not permitted to use a wetting agent on the hulls for
the purpose of reducing friction.15. Any change intended to reduce the weight of production hulls
is prohibited.16. The addition of rubbing strips to the bottom of the hull is
permitted to maximum depth of 5mm.
BEAMS AND TRAMPOLINE FRAMES
17. The front and rear beams shall be "Windrush Production". This
includes all fittings which attach them to the hulls.TRAMPOLINE
18. The trampoline shall be "Windrush Production".
19. The lacing arrangement pattern is optional and must use only
the "Windrush Production" attachments on the trampoline and
rear beam.20. The number and position of hiking straps and jib sheeting
eyelets and eyelets for the trapeze shock-cord shall be
optional.21. It is permitted to fit a storage pocket made of any material.
22. It is permitted to add padding material to the hiking straps.
RUDDERS
23. The deep rudder system shall be "Windrush Production". This
includes the cross bar, tiller arms, tiller joints, head
castings, cheek castings and blades.24. The type and means of attachment of the tiller extension
shall be optional.25. The opening in the rear of the rudder head casting may be
increased in length to a maximum of 105mm measured from the
rear edge of the casting.26. The replacement of the "Windrush Production" rudder rollers
with those of another material or larger diameter is not
permitted.27. The "Windrush Production" rudder pin may be replaced with a
pin of a larger diameter to remove play between the rudders
and the hull.28. The 3/16" bolt through the tiller arm which is the control
stop for the internal spring must be fitted.29. Rudder blades may be refinished, including painting, but not
to the extent where the shape is altered from the "Windrush
Production" profile or cross sectional shape.30. The head profile of the "Windrush Production" deep rudder
blade may be modified in the vicinity of the lock down notch and
also adjacent to the base of the cheek casting to achieve uniform
fore and aft alignment.
31. Disc rudder blades may be "Production Form". The profile and
cross-section of the blades shall not vary from “Windrush
Production”. However, the blade thickness may be increased
to a maximum of 22mm.32. Tillers on the disc rudders may be angled inwards to give
asymmetrical steering.SPARS
33. Unless otherwise specified, spars and all fittings thereon
shall be "Windrush Production".34. It is only permitted to use the Windrush exclusive boom
section sold as "Windrush Production" since about 1978 in
National or State Championships.35. No change shall be made to the "Windrush Production" mast or
boom extrusions which would have the effect of lightening
them or changing their characteristics, eg. pre-bending,
tapering, staying, slotting, etc.36. It is essential that the flotation ability of the mast be
retained. A drain hole may be drilled in the mast provided it
is fitted with an effective plug to maintain the flotation
ability.37. The mast base is fitted with a positive stop to restrict mast
rotation. Modification of this stop is not permitted.38. No device is permitted which will allow control or adjustment
of mast rotation angle whilst sailing.39. The mast head may be modified by the removal of aluminium
from the rear of the head wheel surround casting. The maximum
that may be removed is the rear quadrant of the casting.40. The gooseneck may be changed from the "Windrush Production"
standard item which is a slug fitted in the sail track in the
mast below the sail opening. The approved replacement is the
"Windrush Production" stainless steel slide arrangement
fitted as a standard item on the Super Sloop mast.41. The bollard cleat on the mast may be shifted to a position on
the side of the mast immediately adjacent to the "Windrush
Production' position.42. The halyard lock shall be "Windrush Production" and its
position shall not be changed.43. The gooseneck end casting must be used as the attachment
point for the downhaul system.
44. The "Windrush Production" staple type block hangers on the boom
may be replaced with a "Production Form" fitting within 50mm
of the original position.45. The boom cleat for restraining the adjustable clew outhaul
shall be optional.DOWNHAUL AND BOOM VANG
46. Down haul and boom vang may be of "Production Form" or a
similar arrangement to a maximum purchase of 8:1.47. The methods of attachment of the downhaul and vang to the
boom and mast are optional provided they offer no
advantage.MAINSHEET
48. Mainsheet blocks, their layout and the rope used are
optional. However, the purchase shall not exceed 6:1 (no
more than six rope parts between the boom and the boat). No
additional fixing mounts shall be used on the boom, rear
cross beam, hulls, trampoline or elsewhere.STANDING AND RUNNING RIGGING AND FITTINGS
49. Standing rigging may be "Production Form" and all dimensions
shall be measured with 5 kilograms tension applied at the
bearing surface of the eyelets. The snaphooks must be
captive on the end of the bridle and twin forestays in the
same manner as those on "Windrush Production" items. The
thimble must be secured through the eyelet of the snaphook.50. The forestay and bridle and side stays may be "Production
Form" and fitted to the bow and chain plates saddles with
the snap hooks bearing the load. At the mast hound the stays
may be connected to the mast using any combination of the
"Windrush Production" shackles and/or a single adjuster to
provide a measure of mast rake adjustment.51. Running rigging shall be optional with the following
exceptions.52. The main halyard shall be "Windrush Production". However,
the halyard lock must allow the sail to be lowered at sea by
a crew member on the trampoline.53. The adjustable clew outhaul is allowed provided there is a
positive means of retaining the foot rope of production form
dacron sails or the crew slug on "Windrush Production" form
mylar sails within the boom track and the purchase does not
exceed 3:1.54. The fitting of V type jam cleats for a jib/forestay tensioner
line and a jib furler line is permitted.55. Righting ropes shall be of "Production Form". The rope shall
be not less than 8mm in diameter and not less than "Windrush
Production" in length.56. The mast step fitting and its position shall be "Windrush
Production".57. The fitting of a jib furler is optional.
58. The jib sheeting arrangement may be "Production Form". The
position on the front beam where the sheet ends tie around
the beam is optional.59. The jib cleat assembly may be "Production Form". The cam
cleats may be replaced by those of another manufacturer and
the use of a swivel cleat is optional. The jib cleat assembly
shall be fitted to a "Windrush Production" casting.60. The use of a tubular bow spreader is optional.
61. When sailed with a jib, twin "Production Form" forestays may
be used provided they are correctly fitted.62. Where the class permits the use of a trapeze the arrangement
of wires, hooks, retrievers and toe straps shall be optional.
The wires may be fitted to an additional tang at each side of
the mast.SAILS
63. All sails manufactured after 1 December 1996 shall not comply
with the rules unless they are Windrush Production64. The mainsail and jib constructed of 'Dacron' shall be
"Production Form" and shall not exceed the dimensions
appearing in the WINDRUSH SPECIFICATIONS.65. "Production Form" sails shall not be constructed of kevIar or
any similar fibre or plastic film.66. Only "Windrush Production" sails may be constructed of mylar.
67. Windows in either the jib or mainsail shall be optional and
shall have an area no greater than 0.3m2.68. The provisions of the IYRU Sail Measurement Manual shall
apply when measuring "Production Form" sails. However, where
the WINDRUSH CLASS RULES and the IYRU Sail Measurement Manual
are in conflict, these rules shall apply.MAINSAIL
69. Loose footed "Production Form" mainsails are not permitted.
70. Sail flattening zippers, lacing and Cunningham eyes
are not permitted.71. Reefing is allowed provided it reduces the luff and leech
measurement by not less than 300mm and is not removed during
racing.72. The mainsail shall display the appropriate class emblem
located between the first and second battens from the head
and it shall be clearly visible.73. Sail numbers to be allocated solely by Windrush Catamarans,
Perth.74. The mainsail shall be fitted with full length batten pockets
only and each pocket must contain at least one full length
batten. The Windrush 14' shall have seven pockets.75. Sail batten types are optional.
76. The mainsail may be constructed with a headboard. The maximum
dimension of the headboard measured at right angles to the
luff shall be 150mm.77. Shock cord is permitted for use as a bolt rope in the foot .
The size of rubber shock cord must be capable of retaining
the foot in the track of the boom.78. Leech lines are not permitted.
79. Reinforcement of the leech and luff of "Production Form"
sails is permitted using conventional sail cloth only.
Kevlar, Mylar or similar plastic film shall not be used.80. Only one mainsail may be used during a championship series
unless approved by the National Windrush Catamaran
Association Inc. in the case of competition at a national
level or the appropriate State Association for competition at
state level.81. No recutting of WINDRUSH PRODUCTION SAILS shall be permitted.
82. The maximum position to which the head of the sail (as
described by the lYRU Sail Measurement Manual) may be hoisted
is level with the top of the mast extrusion.83. Mainsail Measurement Procedures for "Production Form" sails.
84. The following diagram of the head of the mainsail shall apply
and is described as the highest point of the sail projected
perpendicular to the luff or its extensions.85. The following diagram of the clew of the mainsail shall apply
and is described as the aftermost part of the sail projected to
the foot or its extension.
86. The mainsail shall be measured in a dry state with the spars
removed, the battens slackened and the sail laid on a flat
surface.87. Peg the head of the sail. Apply 20 kilograms tension to the
tack cringle and 20 kilograms tension to the clew cringle.88. The luff measurement shall be taken in a straight line from
the head to where the sail enters the boom track at the
tack. The foot measurement shall be taken in a straight
line along the boom from the point at the tack where the
sail would reach the mast to the clew.89. The leech measurement shall be taken in a straight line from
the head to the clew with just sufficient tension to remove
wrinkles across the line of measurement.90. The 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 cross width measurements are made
with the battens removed. Fold the luff so the head covers
the tack and find the mid-point of the luff. Fold the leech
so the head is covering the clew and find the mid-point of
the leech. With the sail laid flat, measure between these
two mid-points across the sail with sufficient tension
applied to remove the wrinkles. Repeat the operation to find
the 1/8 1/4 and 3/4 points on the leech and luff. The cross
width measurements shall exclude the width of the bolt rope.JIB
91. Only one jib may be used during a championship series unless
approved by the National Windrush Catamaran Association Inc.
in the case of competition at a national level or by the
relevant State Association for competition at state level.92. The Production Form jib shall have no headboard, clew board,
battens nor excessive stiffening designed to give extra sail
area.93. Jib Measurement Production for "Production Form" sails. The
jib shall be measured in accordance with the IYRU Sail
Measurement Manual (Section 10.7 Headsails -Definitions).PERSONAL BUOYANCY AND SAFETY
94. All competitors shall wear an approved aid to buoyancy in
good repair secured about their person in the manner
appropriate to the design of the garment. Failure to comply
may result in disqualification.95. All competitors under 13 years of age must wear a Personal
Flotation Device Type 1 which meets the requirements of the
Standards Association of Australia AS 1512.
96. All other competitors must wear as a minimum a Personal
Flotation Device Type 2 which meets the requirements of the
Standards Association of Australia AS 1499 unless Sailing
Instructions require a PFD Type 1.97. As a safety measure on catamarans sailed with crew, the crew
must be able to maintain the boat head to wind without
assistance from the skipper.98. A lead ring shall be fitted as prescribed by the AYF.
99. All catamarans competing shall have hull identification as
prescribed by the AYF.100. When racing with disc rudders it is recommended that a
positive means of retaining the rudder pins be employed, ie.
a length of appropriate sized flexible rubber tubing fitted
along the rudder pin above the gudgeon or the fitting of a
pin through the rudder pin below the gudgeon.TEAMS RACING
101. Each State Association shall be represented by one team only.
102. A team shall comprise four boats and consist of two 14' CAT
class catamarans and either two 14' SLOOP class catamarans or
one 14' SLOOP and one SUPER 14 class catamarans. In the event
of any State Association being unable to field such a team,
the composition of the teams may be changed by majority vote
of the team captains.103. The course shall comprise a triangle plus a windward and
return lap with the finish to windward. The triangles shall
have 60 degree angles with each leg being between 900 and
1100 metres long. There shall be provision to shorten the
course at any mark.104. Should the series not be completed on the day nominated in
the Sailing Instructions it shall be completed on a lay day
or any other nominated resail day.105. Teams races shall be conducted as prescribed by the AYF.
SCRUTINEERING CERTIFICATE
106. A current scrutineering certificate must be held by the
skipper of each competing Windrush catamaran.107. The expiry date of scrutineering certificates will be
September 30, each year. It is the responsibility of the
scrutineer to ensure that all items on the certificate are sighted
at the time of issue. It is permissible to have details on the
certificate changed and authorised by the scrutineer from time to
time (eg. new hulls may be purchased which require the form
amended).108. Prior to competing in National and State championship events
and any other events determined from time to time by National
and/or State Associations, a current scrutineering
certificate must be produced.109. The certificate must contain the
following: (a) Boat name and sail number.
(b) Boat weight (dry) without any weights added.
(c) Hull registration number and weight of each hull (if
visible) which was affixed by Windrush Catamarans at the
time of manufacture. These are stamped on the rear beam
pivot casting.
(d) The complicity of "Windrush Production" item:- eg.
hulls, beams and/or tramp frame, trampoline, rudder
system, spars, jib sheeting arrangement, and sail, etc.
(e) The complicity of "Production Form" item:- eg. disc
rudders, mainsheet system, downhaul/vang, standing
rigging and running rigging, etc.
(f) Length of bridle, forestay and sidestays.
(g) Dimensions of "Production Form" sails.
WINDRUSH SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL
110. This section deals with the specifications which apply to
those items that are specified as "Production Form" or those
that may be assembled using "Windrush Production" components
as a repair (For example a replacement mast extrusion to be
fitted out with original "Windrush Production" components
from a damaged mast).BOATWEIGHT
111. The Windrush 14' shall have a minimum weight of 77.1
kilograms (or 170 pounds). Boats shall be weighed without
water in hulls or lockers, lockers empty, minus mast,
rigging, mainsheet, blocks and jib cleat assembly. Boats
fitted with disc rudders shall weigh a minimum of 73.6
kilograms (or 162 pounds). The onus shall be on the
skipper/owner of the boat to supply, fix and maintain any
weights required to comply with this rule.SPARS AND BEAMS
112. The distance from the bearing point of the "U' in the mast
base casting the bearing point on the mast hound fitting
shall be between 4.810 metres and 4.835 metres.113. Front and rear beams shall be measured between the inner
edges of the beam end castings (as per diagram) and the dimension
shall be between 1.540 and 1.544 metres. (diagram not reproduced
in this electronic copy)
STANDING RIGGING114. Forestays and sidestays shall be made from stainless steel
wire of nominal diameter not less than 3mm.115. Stay lengths shall be measured in accordance with Rule 49 and
shall fall between the following dimensions. Windrush 14'
Non-adjustable forestays. 5.200 to 5.240 metres.
Adjustable single forestay. 4.575 to 4.610 metres.
Non-adjustable side stays. 4.905 to 4.935 metres.
Adjustable side stays. . 4.720 to 4.770 metres.
Jib strop/forestay bridle. Not less than 2.160 metres
(measured between the bearing surfaces of the snap hook).PRODUCTION FORM SAILS
116. Sails shall be measured by the procedure described in rules
84 to 90 and shall conform to the following maximum dimensions.
Windrush 14'
Mainsail
Luff 6.46 metres
Leech 6.46 metres
Foot 2.27 metres
Cross widths:3/4 2.21 metres
1/2 1.88 metres
1/4 1.25 metres
1/8 0.76 metres
Jib
Luff 4.29 metres
Leech 4.00 metres
Centre 4.21 metres
Foot 1.435 metres
Head 0.06 metresCLASS EMBLEM
117. The dimensions and shape of the class emblem shall be the
same as those used on "Windrush Production" sails. The
dimensions appear below. (sketch not reproduced in this
electronic copy)