Tape Prohibited by Etchells OD Rules – Permission for Other Equipment

[MattAdministrator]

Adhesive tape – duct tape, electrical tape, rigging tape, non-skid tape – all forms are forbidden on Etchells, except in three instances where expressly permitted by the rules – only (1) in sail construction, (2) to close the gap between the floorboards and the hull, and (3) grip tape on the spinnaker pole. Read your One Design Rules! Find where adhesive tape is allowed.

Remember, Etchells rules are closed. This means “If these rules do not say you can, then you cannot.”

Tape used on sheets and control lines is permitted per rule F.7.1(b). However, no tape on halyards — see rule F.7.1(a). Tape on standing rigging is clearly prohibited, unless somehow it is made of stainless steel wire or rope (see rule F.6.1). Non-skid tape, often applied to the center consoles and to the cuddy deck around the mast, is not permitted.

So, the framers of the Etchells One Design Rules clearly knew what tape was and they defined specific uses on the boat for tape. Any other use of adhesive tape must be prohibited due to the closed nature of the rules.

[MattAdministratorAdministrator]

This raises the possibility that stickers and other labels are not permitted by the rules. If so, the ubiquitous decals with signal flags and measurement stick-on labels are illegal. It may come down to whether these items fall under the meaning of “equipment.”

But, how hard would it be to add a new rule, say C.7.3 Other Equipment, or maybe better add line items to D.10.1(b) to explicitly permit tape, non-skid, labels, and decals?

Maybe tape, position indicating decals, signal flag decals, control labels, other markings need to be specifically permitted on each of the spars, as well.

[Bill ConnersParticipant]

Moderator – “Tape on standing rigging is clearly prohibited” – does this preclude taping clevis pin rings and/or retaining clips, to keep from tearing sails ? Can’t believe that wouldn’t be allowed… Bill C.

[MattAdministratorAdministrator]

Moderator – “Tape on standing rigging is clearly prohibited” – does this preclude taping clevis pin rings and/or retaining clips, to keep from tearing sails ? Can’t believe that wouldn’t be allowed… Bill C

I challenge you to find any rule that permits tape on standing rigging. If you try to say that tape on ring-dings is part of the standing rigging, you run afoul of rule F6.1 which says standing rigging may be made only from stainless steel or rope. So unless the tape is made from those materials, it is forbidden in standing rigging, at least as I read the rules. Maybe someone else knows better.
Of course, my point is that the Class Rules should be modified to permit tape.

[Chris MorinParticipant]

If you knew about this and have not protested the fleet, you’re at fault.

[MattAdministratorAdministrator]

Well, you know about it now, and I have not seen your protest.

Second of all, which rule obliges a boat to protest in this case?

Thirdly, the central point is the class rules should be modified to accommodate the way most people sail these boats. Tape is being used by all boats around the world. It would be a simple matter to modify the class rules to permit tape, which is necessary due to the “closed” nature of the class rules.

[MattAdministratorAdministrator]

In a slightly related matter, Appendix L to the RRS provides a template for sailing instructions that discusses what is allowed on boats provided by the race organizers to competitors. Paragraph 4.1(d) is especially illuminating in that the RRS provide language that relates to applying tape to boats.

4 BOATS
4.1 Boats will be provided for all competitors, who shall not modify
them or cause them to be modified in any way except that
(a) a compass may be tied or taped to the hull or spars;
(b) wind indicators, including yarn or thread, may be tied or taped
anywhere on the boat;
(c) hulls, centreboards and rudders may be cleaned, but only with
water;
(d) adhesive tape may be used anywhere above the water line; and
(e) all fittings or equipment designed to be adjusted may be
adjusted, provided that the class rules are complied with.

So, it seems a simple matter to add adhesive tape as optional equipment to the class rules. If we want the tape included in the weight (i.e., we don’t need to remove the tape to weigh the boat), then it needs to be listed throughout the rules in each section (hull, standing rigging, mast, etc.) and not be listed in the portable equipment section.

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