25 June 2018
Two to three years ago Bethwaite Design acknowledged some strength issues with some of the Tasars being built at the time. The Tasar is a "Manufactured Class" and it is controlled by both a "Specification" and by the "Class Rules". So Bethwaite Design decided that the best approach to ensure better boats with a longer racing life would require a specification change to the hull. Following on from Consultation with the class, as a part of the same specification change Bethwaite Design changed the centre case to allow for a 29er centreboard. This was done primarily to support developing countries who wished to add Tasars to their existing 29er fleets at a minimal cost and enhanced interchangeability of existing equipment. As a manufactured class all specification changes to the Tasar need to be approved by World Sailing, and although Bethwaite Design believed they had that approval at that time, there was no offical approval available. New hulls started coming out of the mold in 2016 which had changes in line with this new specification. Since then the WTC have been working with World Sailing and Bethwaite Design to ensure a proper official approval had been granted.
World Sailing have now officially approved the following specification change (modified):-
Changes required to reinforce and strengthen areas:
1. 'The need to add an additional extra layer of cloth down each side under the side decks, down the carlins and all the way down to the sides where it meets the floor. (Increase of weight estimated of 2kg)'
2. 'The need to reinforce the Thwart (Increase of weight estimated of 0.5kg)'
Changes required to maintain the overall hull weight:
3. 'To reduce foam thickness from 8mm to 6mm on the top-sides, the forward deck and the aft deck.'
4. 'To replace the 'rhomboid' daggerboard centre-case with a foil section envelope capable of accommodating a section consistent with a 29er Class foil.'
5. 'To remove all the stainless steel and alloy mounting castings along with all the wood backing pads and to replace them with FRP landing and pads.'
Under the current Tasar Class Rules, no modifications are allowed to the hull for any reason other than repair, so this specification change does not allow existing owners to change their hulls to meet the new specification. Please refer to class rules and this interpretation/understanding of those rules which identifies why changes are not allowed- /news/2017/06/wtc-interpretation-on-modifications-to-the-hull.aspx.
note 1 - the Class rule C2.2 (n) allows only resilient material to be used to restrict the centreboard in the centre case. Resilient material needs to be able to spring back after being pressed.
note 2 - the new centre case maximum width is approx. 10 mm bigger than the older centre case.
The WTC are currently looking at what rule changes are required to allow existing boats to be modified to the new specification, if an owner wished to do that. Any changes made need to ensure that:-
WTC are looking at an aggressive timeline so that any rule changes can be voted on and if agreed, approved by WS in time for people to make changes prior to the next World Championships.