IOMICA Forum

Hi All,

See my post "chafing patch in mainsail" for an introduction.

To all owners:
Would it be a good to introduce a rule change that would reverse the decision of a recent interpretation which ruled that a topping-lift restraint line cannot be attached to the jib boom ?

Specifically, this would allow a simple rubber band to be attached to the topping-lift and hooked around the aft end of the jib boom.

comments ?

I for one agree that this would be a good addition to the rules.
Lets get back to simple cheap solutions.

A solution suggested in the other thread about this issue would be

Change
C 7.7(c)

From:
"(c) A headsail boom topping lift restraint line attached to, or passing around, the topping lift may be attached to and/or passed around any or all of the following: topping lift; headsail; headsail halyard; headsail stay.
"

To:
"(c) A headsail boom topping lift restraint line attached to, or passing around, the topping lift may be attached to and/or passed around any or all of the following: topping lift; headsail; headsail halyard; headsail stay; hedsail boom.
"

i.e. the words "headsail boom" have been added to the list at the end of the rule.

Does anyone see any potential problems with this rule change or does it solve the issue ?

I approached this from another tack:-

RENUMBER
F4(b) (3) Counterweight and attachment to F4(b) (4)

ADD
F4(b) (3) Headsail boom topping lift restraint elastic fittings or opening

ADD
F6.2(b) (9) Headsail Boom topping lift restraint elastic

I support Anders' proposal

ps. "headsail boom" is misspelled in the changed verbage.

I have submitted the proposal so everyone will get a chance to vote yes/no in the near future.

Anders

This is another issue where I thought that the interpretation was not quite correct... In my (admittedly somewhat skewed) mind - I've always viewed a piece of elastic attached to the topping lift on one end and boom to the other as a topping lift tension adjustment rather than a topping lift restraint line (which usually goes around the topping lift and the front of the jibstay or through the actual jib).

As such, it is perfectly legal - since you are allowed to have length and tension adjustments on your running rigging (F.6.3(b) ). Your bowsie would, of course, be considered a length adjustment...

However, since a vast majority probably does not share my interpretation of the rules in this instance Anders' proposal seems to take care of it...

Marko