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WTCA News>2007>Trialling RCB Stay Slides

Trialling and approving RCB stay slides

In his "for interest" comment, Frank Bethwaite has described the initiative by the group in Melbourne that led to his decision to approve the use of roller cars for the Tasar stay slides, and the testing that led to his decision that a 19 mm Ronstan track (or the equivalent) is required to ensure adequate working strength. These stay slides are now being trialled in Melbourne and Sydney. At this point, the method of restraint for the slide when it is pulled aft has not been finalized, but those working on it are confident a neat and efficient solution will be found.

The photos below show the stay car and track. The method of restraint has not been finalized, but is likely to be a development of the cleat arrangement shown on the right. The new cars and track look good, and I think they will be a worthwhile improvement.

Frank has specified that the shroud attachment points should be 405 mm (16 in) aft of the mast pin when fully back, and 285 mm (11.25 in) aft when fully forward. Graham Hanna has suggested a tolerance of +/- 5 mm for these dimensions. As mentioned above, the method of restraint is still to be determined.

I suggest that the class allow roller cars, with 19 mm track, to be trialled until those trialling the system are satisfied that all aspects, including the method of restraint, work well and are operationally equivalent to the existing arrangement. At that time, I will email the World Council and ask the members if they approve the roller cars and 19 mm track as a change in the construction of the Tasar, as supplied by the builder. This approval is required under rule A.1.2 before the change can be made.

My hope is that the World Council can vote on this within the next several months. However, if JTA, NATA or TAUK indicate that they wish to trial the new arrangement before voting, the trial should be long enough to allow that to happen.

If the World Council approve, Frank as designer can then ask ISAF to approve this as a specification change (this is the process that was used to introduce mylar sails). If the new arrangement is not accepted as a specification change, it will be proposed as a rule change, using the normal process of voting by region.
In the meantime, I suggest that each regional association allow Tasars trialling the new arrangement to compete in Tasar events, including National championships, with the roller cars and track.

Any and all feedback is welcome, either by emailing me, or posting to the TasarSailors list or a Tasar forum. I will post any email I receive on the website.

Richard Spencer
Executive Secretary

Posted 2007-11-06

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WTCA News>2007>Trialling RCB Stay Slides