With the fleet becoming more and more competitive over the last few seasons the need to start looking at rules has come to the fore. A boat is eligible to race as an FF when the owner is a member of the British Isles Flying Fifteen Association and the boat has a valid measurement certificate. The measurement process is descibed on the BIFFA website.

To gain a certificate the boat and saiis and spars are measured and things like bouyancy and anchors checked. When anything significant (such as a sail) is replaced an 'endorsement' is required. In the case of sails the sails themselves have to be measured (independently from the manufacturer of those sails) .

 

New ones are given a reference number which goes onto the certificate thereby linking hull to sails. In the UK the RYA holds copies of the measurement certificates and you can get a copy if you can prove you are the rightful owner ( for a small fee).

 

Measurement is a time consuming process and boats are generally measured when new. It follows that IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO BUY A BOAT WITH A CERTIFICATE. The Sailing Committee has decided that for the 2009 season all FFs must have measured sails . In the interests of promoting growth of the class at HLSC and to spread costs boats are not required to show valid boat certificates until the 2010 season. The race officer may well do spot checks on safety gear such as anchors , bailers and lifejackets during 2008.....

 

Many boats will have unmeasured sails and I would suggest anyone with sails needing measuring gets together during the season and we can all get them done at once.

 

John Orr, Fleet Captain.