Catalina 38 One Design Class Racing Rules
Revision –June 13, 2013
2013 Catalina 38 Nationals
DEFINITIONS
1. CATALINA 38 YACHT
A class yacht built by Catalina Yachts to the standard Catalina 38 design by Frank Butler, with no essential changes to the sail plan, ballast, hull form, including keel and rudder and/or as further defined by these rules. These rules are intended to ensure that the yachts are as alike as possible in all aspects affecting performance. Where performance characteristics differ, rating adjustments are intended to equalize racing among yachts.
2. CLASS RACE
Having an exclusive start for Catalina 38 yachts racing under class rules.
3. JOINT START CLASS RACE
Starting with other classes or fleets but having all C38 yachts race under class rules.
4. OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that yacht spars, sails, equipment, safety equipment, and crew comply with these Racing Rules.
RULE I: ELIGIBILITY TO RACE
1. The skipper/helmsperson must be the owner of a Catalina 38 (as identified on vessel registration) of a Catalina 38, or an immediate family member. An immediate family member would consist of husband, wife, son or daughter.
2. He/She must be a current, paid-up member of the Catalina 38 National Association.
3. A skipper/owner as defined above, whose boat is not available for a race may charter or borrow another qualified Catalina 38 yacht.
4. In the event that the owner is not able to be on the boat due to an unavoidable conflict, a regular crewmember, non Marine Industry Racer (MIR), may drive the boat, but only for a maximum of one day of a 2-day event. A regular crewmember shall be defined as a person who has crewed on that boat for a minimum of 25% of the races that the boat has participated in the previous 12 months.
5. Only one MIR may be on board during any class race. This MIR, unless he/she is a bonafide owner as defined in Part 1 above, may not be at the helm (steer) at any time.
a. An MIR is defined in accordance with PHRF rules as: sailmakers, boat designers, boat builders, new boat dealers, or their employees.
b. The National Association defers to PHRF decisions regarding MIR status and waivers, and also following PHRF rulings; a waiver cannot be obtained retroactively.
c. There is an appeal process for MIRs who feel they should not be classified as such through PHRF. Persons wishing to follow this procedure should contact PHRF for details.
d. The skipper bears the responsibility for determining crew employment and MIR status.
6. All USSA (USYRU) Rules, U.S. Coast Guard requirements and local laws must be adhered to, and if in conflict with the class rules, the International, and local rules and laws will take precedence.
RULE II: SPECIFICATIONS
A. HULL, RIGGING AND OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
Catalina 38 yachts eligible to race in sanctioned Catalina 38 class races or joint start class races must conform to the definition of a Catalina 38 yacht. No deviations from the following Standard specifications are allowed (except as noted):
1. SPARS: Shall be “standard size” and “standard weight” for the “standard production model” manufacturer type and shall not be movable in excess of original manufacturer design.
2. SPREADERS: The lower spreaders must be 40 inches at 1 degree. The upper spreaders must be 32 inches at 7 degrees.
3. MAST: The mast must have a band in contrasting color, of minimum width of ¾ inches, at the maximum luff, 44 feet (P) height.
4. BOOM: The boom must have a band in contrasting color, of minimum width of ¾ inches, at the maximum foot, 11.5 feet (E) length.
5. POLES: The spinnaker pole length shall not exceed 100% of J (15.50 feet). Boats racing in a designated Non-Spinnaker class may use a whisker pole. The whisker pole maximum length shall not exceed 1.4 x J. Adjustable length whisker poles must have a band in contrasting color, of minimum width of ¾ inches, at the maximum length. When in normal use, these poles shall not be extended beyond their maximum allowable length, and shall be attached to any point on the mast.
6. GENOA TRACK: One (1) maximum six (6) foot Genoa track may be added to each side on the deck, per the builder’s specifications.
7. INTERIOR: All standard “factory” installed items shall remain in place as designed. This includes, but is not limited to, the galley sink, stove, icebox, head sink and head, water tank, fuel tank, holding tank, cushions, doors, hatches, partitions, floorboards, etc. The only exceptions are carpeting, all vertical bunk cushions, the horizontal forepeak cushions and the cushion that covers the table while in the down position, all of which may be removed.
8. ENGINE: An engine no less in horsepower or weight than the original standard engine supplied by Catalina, plus enough fuel to reach the nearest point of land, plus appropriate reserves.
B. SAIL SPECIFICATIONS
1. There are no restrictions on sail materials or fabrics.
2. Each boat shall be limited to two class-legal sail acquisitions per calendar year, the exception of a new owner, who may purchase as many class legal sails as required to equip his or her “new” boat. Purchase records must be retained, and produced if requested. Owners may purchase any number of any type of sails for non-class racing.
a. HEADSAILS: Maximum size of up to 155% of foretriangle, with the only restrictions being that the LP shall not exceed 1.55 x J (24.025 feet), the luff (I) shall not exceed a maximum of 49.80 feet and the clew must be within 12 inches of standard upper lifeline when sheeted in. All cloth weights will be permitted and boats can carry/use as many genoas as they choose. Staysails are not allowed.
b. SPINNAKERS: Spinnakers shall not exceed a maximum luff of 49.5 feet, or a maximum girth of 27.9 feet. Spinnakers with no less than a true weight of .7 oz per sailmaker’s yard (typical actual weight of .5 oz) are allowed. Asymmetrical spinnakers and bloopers are not allowed.
c. MAINSAIL: The luff (P) shall not exceed a maximum of 44.00 feet, the foot (E) shall not exceed a maximum of 11.50 feet. The mainsail must have (4) battens, approximately equally spaced along the leach. The reefing capabilities are optional. Only one (1) mainsail is permitted to be on board during a race.
3. Local Fleets, for specific local races only, may make exceptions to the sail specifications.
RULE III: REQUIREMENTS:
Required equipment on board while racing
1. Fixed bow and stern pulpits with double wire lifelines. Uncoated lifelines are recommended. Stanchions and upper lifelines must be a minimum of 24 inches above deck.
2. A permanently installed bow anchor roller.
3. A permanently installed head, bunks, engine, fuel tank, water tank, chart table, galley and stove, bulkheads, doors, cabinets, lockers and drawers, and other such standard equipment as built in by Catalina Yachts.
4. All United States Coast Guard required safety equipment.
5. An anchor at least 20 pounds in weight, at least 15 feet of ¼ inch chain and at least 150 feet of 7/16 inch rode.
6. A working VHF radio.
7. A life ring, horseshoe, or other USCG approved throw cushion. (Man overboard pole or strobe is not required on daytime, closed course races.)
8. The table and its supports.
9. All horizontal bunk cushions (except the forepeak cushions, which may be removed to facilitate spinnaker handling, and the cushion that covers the table while in the down position).
10. Sufficient engine fuel for safe operation of the vessel. (Specific amounts may be required by the race committee).
11. A personal flotation device (PFD) shall be worn by all crewmembers while traveling to and from the racecourse, and during all races.
RULE IV: PERMITTED ALTERATIONS
Unless listed below, alterations are NOT permitted. The following changes may be made.
1. Placement of halyard winches or leads.
2. Fairing of the keel, rudder and through-hull fittings.
3. Replacement of the aluminum spinnaker pole with one made of carbon or alternate materials.
4. Installation of a folding propeller.
5. Installation of a wheel or tiller steering.
6. Installation of a grooved headstay, foil system, or roller furling track.
7. Installation of electronics, instruments and navigation aides.
8. Installation of a hydraulic or mechanical backstay adjuster.
9. Installation of a gasoline or diesel engine.
10. Making any additions or modifications to personalize the interiors or comfort amenities, which are not designed to enhance or improve the sailing performance.
11. Removing the carpeting.
12. Replacement of the engine with a newer model with the closest specifications to the original engine, and of equal or greater horsepower.
RULE V: PROHIBITED ALTERATIONS & ACTIONS
1. Use of Cunningham on the headsail.
2. Staysails or bloopers, or any sail other than those specified in Rule III.
3. The headsail tack at any position other than the stem fitting. The Genoa must be attached to the headstay in the normal manner.
4. Flying more than one headsail, unless a spinnaker is set, other than during a Genoa change.
5. Alterations to the profile of the hull, rudder, or keel, except fairing as described in Rule IV.
6. The moving of the mast at the mast step or deck. The mast must remain fixed at the mast step and mast partners.
7. Modification to the mast, boom and spreaders, deviating from the design specifications of Catalina Yachts.
8. The removal of any items that could impair the safe operation of the yacht under sail or power.
RULE VI: RATING ADJUSTMENTS
The Catalina 38 Race Committee will assign each yacht racing under the One Design Class Racing Rules a PHRF rating with the objective of making racing between all yachts competitive.
Standard PHRF spinnaker rating: 117
The Adjustments for equipment variations are as follows:
PHRF Adjustment (sec/mile)
Non-spinnaker +6
Fixed 2 blade propeller +2
Fixed 3 blade propeller +3
Non-Catalina rudder -3
RULE VII: THE RACE
The winner of the 2013 Catalina 38 Nationals will be determined by the lowest number of points obtained from the total of races completed. A race is considered completed once any participating boat has crossed the finish line.
1. Points will be based on PHRF finish times and assigned a number based on order of PHRF completion. Points will be assigned on an ascending scale, highest number being the total number of yachts participating in the race at the beginning of the race (ie six yachts begin the race, first to cross the finish line based on his/her PHRF rating is assigned a number one (1) and last will be assigned a number six (6).
2. In the event of a “did not finish” (DNF), the DNF yacht(s) will be assigned a number, one number below the last yacht which did finished the race (ie three yachts complete the race, therefore the three which did not complete the race will be assigned one number below the last yacht to complete the race, in this case the number four.
3. At the end of the regatta, in the event of a tie, the yacht involved in the tie with the lowest PHRF total time for the sum of all races for the regatta, will be declared the winner.
CHANGES AND EXCEPTIONS:
The local Catalina 38 Race Committee shall approve all changes and exceptions to these One Design Class Racing Rules.