New Technical Committee Discussion Board

DN sailors waiting to have their boats measured after a race at the 2018 DN Gold Cup in Poland.

In an effort to keep IDNIYRA members more informed and educated about technical matters, Technical Committee members invite you to follow their discussions on a new internet forum established for Technical Committee members. Only Technical Committee members (along with both IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU Commodores) have the ability to log in and post on the TC Discussion Board. Class members and the public may view but not register to post or comment. All IDNIYRA technical matters should be addressed to the Technical Committee.

Board access is through the button in the right sidebar or find it under the “Forum” up in the top menu.

TECH COMMITTEE DISCUSSION BOARD

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Technical Committee Chairperson: Jeff Kent US3535
Members
Tomek Zakrzewski P55
Paul Goodwin US46
Steve Orlebeke US4926
Richard Larsson S807
Peter Hamrak M53

ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES OF ICEBOAT COMPETITION (EPIC)
Article VI – TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
The DN Class Technical Committee (TC) shall consist of six members, three elected from North America and three elected from Europe. TC members shall be elected according to the respective Continental Governing Documents (CGD). One member will be elected every year, alternating between continents. North American members will be elected in even years and European members in odd years. The term of office is six years. Term of office will begin July 1, and expire June 30 of the appropriate year. Each year the TC shall elect from its membership a chairperson to serve until June 30 of the following year. All decisions of the TC require 2/3 majority vote of all members. Upon resignation prior to six years, a replacement member will be elected by the respective CGG to complete the unexpired term.

The Chairperson shall report to the CGGs on all recommendations of the TC. The TC may initiate changes in the OFFICIAL SPECIFICATIONS or OFFICIAL PLANS by proposing a change to both CGGs.

Notice of Ballot

Photo: Gretchen Dorian

Upcoming IDNIYRA Technical Ballot

On Wednesday 25 March members will be receiving invitations to vote in an on-line ballot on four proposed changes to the IDNIYRA Technical Specifications:
(1) deletion of the existing specification of mast minimum weight;
(2) deletion of the existing technical specification of minimum mast balance point height;
(3) amendment of the materials specification of the ‘wood type’ runner body; and,
(4) amendment of the minimum thickness of insert plate dimensions of the wood type runner with steel insert (insert runner).

The on-line ballot will close on Wednesday 15 April.

 

IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU members will vote separately and the two Governing Committees will combine the results of the two ballots. Two-thirds of those voting must approve a proposal for it to be approved. Any proposals approved will come into effect on May 31, 2020 and will be reflected in the 2021 IDNIYRA Yearbook.

 

This will be our first electronic ballot on specifications change proposals. Please take advantage of the convenience of an electronic ballot and vote!

 

Warren Nethercote, KC 3786
Commodore IDNIYRA

Tech Comm: Sail Bolt Rope Interpretation

IDNIYRA Tech Committee Communication
Jeff Kent US3535 Chairperson
Members
Tomek Zakrzewski P55, Paul Goodwin US46, Steve Orlebeke US4926, Richard Larsson S807, Peter Hamrak M53
Date: 2.8.2020

Subject: Boltrope Interpretation

All
Fellow members; Larson, Goodwin, Orlebeke and I agreed to this new interpretation to be effective ImmediatelyMembers: Zakrzewski , Hamrak , recused
Interpretation
Sail;
2/8/2020 “Boltrope “ is to be made of rope or cord consisting of fibers and or plastic cord. Material cross section is open. The rope or cord material needs to be covered by a polyester (Dacron) fabric and attached to the luff and foot of sail. Said fabric need not comply with sail construction requirements. Covering material should be
limited to the area closely adjacent to the luff and foot. The bolt rope primary function is to keep sail contained by
mast and boom.
Thank you ALL!
JK
IDNIYRA TC Chair

IDNIYRA Technical Committee: Sail Material Determination

IDNIYRA Technical Committee Communication
Jeff Kent US3535, Chairperson
Members
Tomek Zakrzewski P55, Paul Goodwin US46, Steve Orlebeke US4926, Richard Larsson S807, Peter Hamrak M53
Date: 2.3.2020
Subject: Sail Material Determination

 

There has been much recent discussion about what is considered Class-legal sailcloth. It has been a bit frustrating but has provided a great learning experience to for myself and hopefully for most of you. This exercise is very useful, especially since most of the current TC board were not on the board or even sailing a DN when the related specifications or interpretations were initiated.

 

I will document some of the background history on how the DN Class came come to the current sail cloth specifications. We will enforce the current specifications. Much of this information came from Paul Goodwin, Henry Bossett, Mike Boston, and others. Understanding the background is invaluable for us to know as we move forward.

 

In simple form: Originally, the sailcloth had to be just Howe & Bainbridge 6.5oz . At that time, all cloth was exported from H&B. US sail makers had the ability to pick and choose the best rolls of material because quality varied dramatically. The European sail makers had the left overs which were inconsistent in quality. This created pressure for the Class to open up to supplier(s) in Europe and the Class added a second construction. Both of these were essentially the same and were of unbalanced weaves.

 

There came a time when only one sailcloth was available. The TC was asked to consider a new entry, Contender Polykote. This was also an unbalanced weave and essentially identical to the other suppliers. The Class decided to allow this new cloth to provide multiple suppliers.

 

Only the specific unbalanced construction meets our current DN Class Specifications. This leaves us with 2 Class-legal cloths which have been used for years:
Dimension Polyant      280AP HTP+      250x 410
Contender                    6.5 Polykote      200 x 440

 

There are now more products that have a name Polykote attached and their construction varies dramatically. Construction of the cloths is much different, is way out of the requirement in our specifications, and is considered not legal for use in competition in IDNIYRA events.

 

Conclusion: There is no specification change or interpretation required. We will enforce the current specifications. The TC may look into modifying this specification in the future.