Rules that were revised in September 5, 1999:

Change to rule 29(b) - max ballast is 12 kg

List of Allowed Fittings and Equipment

Rule Interpretations (Updated to August 23, 2001)

Specifications for a window in the mainsail (posted 2001/12/20)

Object

1. The TASAR was created to provide men and women with a one-design dinghy of exceptional performance but without trapeze or spinnaker.

One-Design Principle

2. These Rules are directed to the creation of such a one-design class where the true test, when raced, is between crews and not boats; any alteration of the form and construction of the hull, equipment, fittings, spars, sails or running rigging, as supplied by the builder and approved by the World Tasar Class Association, except as specifically authorised by these Rules, is a breach of these Rules not only in spirit but in substance, and is prohibited.

Definition Of Builder

3. In these Rules, "builder" means any manufacturer duly authorised or licensed to build the TASAR by the Designer or after his death or retirement, the Copyright Holder.

Hull and Deck

4(a). The hull and deck shall be built from tooling manufactured and supplied by the Designer or Copyright Holder, and shall be constructed in accordance with the specifications of the Designer.

4(b) A minimum hull weight shall apply for class racing. Any ballast required to bring a hull up to the specified minimum weight shall be secured in the cockpit. Hulls shall be weighed dry with the furler and furler line, shroud pull-backs, hiking straps and all associated adjuster lines and shock cord erectors, inspection port covers and all permanently attached fittings in place. A removable compass with a permanently attached mounting may be included if it is always fitted when racing. All other equipment shall be removed prior to weighing.

4(c) The ultimate minimum weight of the Tasar hull for class racing will be the design weight of 64kg, (1401b). ln the interim, commencing one week after such date as this proposal may be declared approved, the minimum weight for the purposes of Rule 4(b) shall be 68kg, (150lb). The interim minimum weight shall be reviewed at each World Council meeting held in conjunction with a Tasar Class World Championships, commencing at the World Championships in Australia in January 1998, with a view to reducing the interim minimum to the design weight of 64kg. If the World Council considers that the interim minimum weight should be reduced the procedure in Rule 34 shall be used.

4(d) Hull weight in excess of the minimum specified in 4(c) above may count toward any ballast required by Rule 29.

(Return To Beginning Of Rules)

Centreboard and Rudder

5. The centreboard and rudder shall be supplied by the builder. Nothing herein shall preclude the polishing, refinishing or repairing of damage thereto, provided such repaired centreboard or rudder has been restored as nearly as possible to the original form as supplied by the builder.

6. The centreboard shall have a stop affixed thereto, or moulded as part thereof.

7. A rope handle may be attached through holes drilled through the top of the centreboard.

8. A line or shock cord may be tied or hooked through the rope handle or holes in the top of the centreboard, and attached to prevent loss in the event of a capsize. A hole may be drilled in the top of the centreboard case for the purpose of receiving such line or shock cord. Padding may be used in the centrecase - the thickness of such padding may be varied to provide an optimum friction fit for the centreboard, but it shall be of substantially uniform thickness for the length of the centrecase.

9. The rudder blade shall have a downhaul. An uphaul device may be added.

Tiller

10. The tiller and tiller extension are not restricted in any way except that the tiller shall be capable of insertion into and removal from the rudder head. Such insertion and removal shall not require the use of tools, screw devices, or excessive force.

11. The tiller shall have a cleat for the downhaul (and for the uphaul if fitted) of any type or material. The downhaul line may include shock cord.

Fittings And Equipment

12. The specified and permitted fittings and equipment of the TASAR may, having regard to the circumstances of supply in the country of any approved builder, and without the prior approval of the World Council, be substituted by the builder or owner, with fittings and equipment of the same or substantially the same size, quality and construction as those specified, provided such substitution does not affect the performance of the boat. Each Region's nominee to the Chief Measurer's Committee and all District Measurers shall be entitled to complete information about all such substitutions by the builder, and the reasons why they were incorporated.

No fittings, wedges, accessories, or other attachments other than those originally supplied by the builder may be affixed to the hull, deck, spars, sails or equipment, and no function may be added, and no function may be extended, except the following:

(a) Wind indicators may be attached.

(b) Additional tufts or ribbons may be attached.

(c) Any cleat supplied by the builder may be replaced with a cleat of the same or substantially the same size and design and of any material.

(d) Any block supplied by the builder may be replaced with a block of the same, or substantially the same, type and the same number of sheaves. The mainsheet swivel cam block and fittings are not restricted and the blocks attached to the traveler car may be replaced with blocks of any type including ratchet blocks.

(e) Clam cleats for the boom vang line may be replaced with clam cleats of any size. Wedges may be used under the boom vang clam cleats

(f) The mainsheet shall be rigged with either 4 or 5 parts active. The mainsheet strop shall be 10"/250 mm as supplied by the builder and may be substituted with line. The strop shall not be adjustable in length. The strop may be fitted above or below the mainsheet block system.

(g) The traveler control line shall be rigged with 2 parts active, but additional blocks may be fitted to make 3 parts active. Additional blocks or fair leads may be added to position the traveler control line as desired. A retraction device for the traveler control lines may be fitted.

(h) The downhaul control line shall be rigged with 2, 3 or 4 parts active. One or two blocks may be attached to the "Cunningham" cringle of the mainsail and one block may be attached to the mast below the gooseneck.

(i) The inspection ports supplied by the builder may be replaced by ports of any size provided they are watertight, and the cover is threaded. Bayonet mounted ports are deemed to be not threaded. Receptacles may be attached behind port covers.

(j) Additional threaded inspection ports with openings not exceeding 6" may be installed in the deck or cockpit if required for hull repairs, or for mounting of compasses.

(k) Storage is permitted in the cockpit; ties or bags may be used.

(l) A maximum of two compasses may be mounted as desired.

(m) Any additional equipment required by an international, national, or other governing authority for safety purposes may be fitted or carried, provided it is not used in contravention of Rule 2 (e.g. Reefing capability required for training safety may not be used for class racing.

(n) A jib tack downhaul cleat may be attached to the luff of the jib.

(o) Small fixed shackles may be carried in the clew board of the jib, and a snap shackle may be attached to the jib sheets.

(p) A simple line and block purchase system with a mechanical advantage of two may be affixed to each shroud slide to assist movement of the slide. Adjustment shall be effected immediately to the rear of the slide.

(q) One small fairlead for the outhaul line may be mounted on top of the boom.

(r) Topmast stiffeners (as standard in Australian TASARS) are required.

(s) The surface of the mast rotation lever may be taped or otherwise treated to improve grip.

(t) A restrictor device for holding the centreboard forward and vertical may be used provided it is made of material sufficiently resilient to permit the tip of the centreboard to rotate aft under impact load, e.g. sponge rubber, styrofoam, etc.; and further that it does not extend forward of the aft edge of the centreboard. No non-resilient material may be incorporated in the restrictor or used as fairing. Padding allowed by rule 8 may be compressed or removed where the restrictor is fitted in the centrecase.

(u) Packing may be used under the jib fairleads providing that the measurement from the deck to the underside of the top of the fairlead does not exceed 40 mm.

(v) A rotation stop notched to allow the rotation lever to be locked in position may be used.

(Return To Beginning Of Rules)

Sheets Lines And Rigging

13. Any sheets or lines supplied by the builder may be substituted by sheets or lines of any length or diameter. No additional sheets or lines may be added (except as called for under 12m, e.g. towrope, in which case they may not be used as added control equipment for racing). Each sheet or line must be one continuous length of uniform diameter, except for the outhaul, which may be of 2 parts, one of which may be wire.

14. Sheets or lines in whole or in part of wire are prohibited, except for the outhaul, vang, halyard, diamond stays, mainsheet strop, shrouds and forestay. Any wire except the forestay, shrouds and diamond stays, may be replaced with line.

(a) The length of the forestay with fittings, bearing point to bearing point, between the stemhead fitting and the hounds, plus the measurement from the bearing point on stemhead fitting to the deck directly below, shall be 4140 +/- 20 mm.

(b) The measurement from the bearing point at the hounds to the top of the jib shall not exceed 115 mm.

(c) The forestay, shrouds and diamond stays shall be 3/32" (2.5 mm) diameter 1 x 19 stainless steel wire. The forestay and shrouds may use rolled swages.

Forestay Measurement Diagram

(Return To Beginning Of Rules)

Watertight Integrity

15. Reasonable watertight integrity of the hull must at all times be maintained, and:

(a) If a compass, clock etc., is mounted in or on an inspection port area to permit removal, there must be a permanently watertight component behind the port mounting ring.

(b) Any compass which is recessed into the deck shall be permanently installed with fastenings and a sealant.

Sails

16. No sail, including a replacement sail, is permitted unless it was cut to the absolute co-ordinates of the panels specified by the Designer and cut to the accuracy of a Gerber cutting system 90, and finished in accordance with the sail material and finishing specifications of the Designer.

17. No person may recut any sail or otherwise change or affect any aspect of the sail or pierce the sail for any reason other than effecting necessary repairs, repositioning batten protectors or placing racing numbers thereon, or attaching ribbons, tufts, streamers, or the class emblem thereto.

Leech take-up not extending more than 150 mm from the leech, for the purpose of compensating for stretch with use, is deemed to be a repair. The associated re-stitching may not extend more than 200 mm from the leech.

18. Battens must be solid fibreglass reinforced plastic but are not otherwise restricted except by Rule 31.

19. The jib may be poled to windward or to leeward by use of the whisker pole and the whisker pole need not be attached to the mast.

20. The class emblem shall be silk-screened on the sail or may be glued or sewn on one or both sides of the sail in the third panel from the head. Emblems attached to both sides must be back to back.

21. The registration number as moulded into each boat shall be the sail number of the boat. The sail number shall be glued, sewn or otherwise clearly marked on each side of the sail in the fourth panel from the head, placed parallel to the seam, with the number on the starboard side placed above those on the port side, in accordance with the International Yacht Racing Rules.

The numbers shall be of the following minimum dimensions:

Height: 300 mm (11 3/4")

Width: 200 mm (8")

Thickness: 50 mm (2")

Space between adjoining numbers shall be approximately 50 mm (2"0).

Mast Boom and Whisker Pole

22. The mast, boom, rigging and fittings shall be to the design and specifications of the Designer and items meeting these specifications shall be available from the builder and may not be drilled, altered, or otherwise changed except that the wind indicators may be attached in any manner and the tension of the diamond stays on the mast may be adjusted, and fittings for stowing the whisker pole on the boom may be added. The measurement from the bearing point of the hounds to the mast step plate taken at the front of the mast shall not be less than 3725 mm.

23. No yacht may start with a mast or boom which has a permanent bend.

24. The whisker pole including end fittings shall be a maximum length of 2038 mm (80.25") and shall float. Material shall be aluminum, wood or f.r.p. Diameter, fittings and method of attachment to the clewboard of the jib or jib sheet are optional and unrestricted.

Anchor

25. An anchor need not be carried.

Repairs and Replacements

26. In event of damage to hull, deck, centreboard, rudder, mast, boom, sails, rigging, accessories, or equipment, necessary repairs may be made thereto without violation of these Rules provided repairs are made in such a way that the essential shape or other characteristics are not materially affected. In the event of the failure of any fitting, or the replacement of fittings as authorized by these Rules, the replacement shall be fitted in the same position or as close as is structurally possible.

Hull Coatings

27. The use of slowly soluble applications which might alter the boundary layer characteristics of the hull are prohibited.

Crew Provisions

28. It is the intent of these Rules that the same two people should be able to sail together throughout a regatta without disadvantage. Subject to Rule 29, a minimum of two persons shall race the TASAR, but nothing shall prevent three or more persons from racing, provided that the same number of persons sail together for the entire regatta. Nothing shall prohibit a change of helmsman during a race, nor a change of forward hand during a regatta, subject to the helmsman accepting the onus of proving that no systematic attempt has been made to sail with heavy crews in heavy weather and light crews in light weather.

Crew Weight

29. (a) The TASAR, while racing in all sanctioned events, shall carry a minimum total crew weight of 130 kgs (287 lbs). The crew shall be dressed in shirts and shorts, swim-wear or the equivalent, without shoes, all dry, at weight-in.

(b). In the event that the weight of the crew, thus weighed, shall be less than 130 kgs (287 lbs), such crew may race the TASAR, provided that, throughout the regatta, ballast equal in weight to at least the difference between the crew weight and 130 kgs (287 lbs) is carried secured in the cockpit. The ballast carried need not exceed 12 kg.

(c) At sanctioned events, the Race Committee shall weigh and record the weight of each crew.

(d) The onus shall be on each crew to ensure that they maintain a minimum weight of 130 kgs (287 lbs) at all times when racing.

(e) Nothing shall prohibit local, national or international authorities from lowering the specified minimum crew weight for special events where the nature of the event warrants this action, such as all-women events, junior events, etc.

Clothing and Personal Equipment

30. Subject to Rule 29 above a competitor shall not wear or carry any clothing or equipment for the purpose of increasing his weight. For greater clarity, clothing and equipment worn or carried by a helmsman or crew shall not exceed normal clothing required, having regard to the weather and water conditions. Weight jackets, vests, sweaters or similar apparel, or equipment or any kind designed (or intended in the opinion of the race committee) to artificially add weight by absorption or addition of water are prohibited.

Removable Equipment

31. No change of mainsail, battens, ropes, centreboards, or rudder, may be made during any regatta, other than to replace equipment damaged beyond repair before the next race. Such replacement may be made only with the approval of the Race Committee, and no re-substitution of the original equipment may then be made, except with the approval of the Race Committee. Two jibs may be measured in for any sanctioned regatta.

Class Association Membership

32. No person is permitted to race a TASAR in any fleet, inter-fleet, district or other sanctioned event unless at least one member of the crew is a current member of the World Tasar Class Association (and a member of a Regional or District Tasar Association duly established in accordance with the Constitution is, ipso facto, a member of the World Tasar Class Association).

Wind Speed Limits

33. The lower wind speed limit for a start will be sufficient for manoeuver capability and the upper limit for a start and for continuing a race will be gusts exceeding 25 knots for more than 30 seconds, or any gust exceeding 30 knots for any duration, or any lesser wind strength if in the opinion of the Race Committee the conditions are unsafe for sailing.

Amendments

34. No amendments to these Rules may be made except with the approval of both:

(a) The World Council, provided that it reports approval by at least two thirds of the District Associations at Special General Meetings thereof called for that purpose, or at Annual General Meetings thereof, provided that no less than 60 (sixty) days notice of such proposed rule change has in each case been given.

(b) The Advisory Council.

THESE RULES ARE ESTABLISHED AS BY-LAW 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION, BY AUTHORITY OF THE WORLD COUNCIL AND THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.

Richard Spencer, Executive Secretary
WORLD TASAR COUNCIL
September 5, 1999