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WTCA News>2008>RCB Stay Slides Approved

RCB Stay Slides Approved

From the Executive Secretary

The class has now approved RCB stay slides, and ISAF approval is expected shortly. On May 4th, Frank Bethwaite sent the following email to Simon Forbes at ISAF:

Request for approval of RCB stay slides for Tasar class Dinghy.

Dear Simon,

I request approval to substitute 19mm RCB track and slides in place of the original C-section track and brass slides for the shroud slide system of the Tasar Class dinghy.

The primary driver for this change is the advice by Ronstan, the Australian makers of the C-section track, that due to the development and widespread acceptance of the RCB system, demand for the C-section track is withering and its production is likely to be discontinued.

In concert with the class, I have taken a proactive view. From an engineering point of view, the 19mm RCB system satisfies all operating conditions.

We have appointed four crews, the immediate past president of the World Council, the class’ Chief Measurer, our Victorian agent, and our UK licensee (Mandy Stock, Lymington) to trial the 19mm RCB system in Australia and in the UK over the past six months. (Due to the season, the UK exposure was short, but positive.)

The tracks and sliders have all performed without fault.

We have developed a mechanically and ergonomically efficient restraint system which copes with the RCB system’s relatively frictionless operation.

I request ISAF approval.

Regards,

Frank Bethwaite
Designer, Tasar class dinghy.

Simon Forbes asked me to confirm that the Tasar class is happy with the change. As five of the nine members of the World Council have told me they approve this change, I have now told Simon the class has approved it.

I would like to express my thanks all those who worked on developing, testing, and improving the RCB stay slides. The new slides will make the boat easier to sail for some crews, and are one more step in updating the Tasar and helping to keep it popular and relevant, while maintaining its appeal as a light, fast, dinghy. The original tracks and slides, which are cheap, simple and thoroughly tested, remain a fully class legal alternative to the new slides.

Richard Spencer
Tasar Class Executive Secretary

Posted 2008-05-19

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WTCA News>2008> RCB Stay Slides Approved