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IFDCO Rules

CARBON SPARS

The purpose of this page is to provide links to the experience of dinghy sailors using carbon rigs.

IFDCO has been monitoring the development of carbon spars for many years.

At the 1999 Worlds, it was agreed that John Best could use a carbon rig and report his findings. The report was published in the FD Bulletin.

Carbon booms and spinnaker poles are already permitted. A number of FD owners in the UK have obtained carbon masts for experimental purposes as they are permitted for UK regattas (excluding winning National Championships). There are no restrictions on the weight or centre of gravity.

At British AGM in October 2002 it was unanimously agreed that carbon masts could be used in any UK event with no restrictions until such time as IFDCO introduce a rule governing weight and dimensions of carbon masts

___________.

There is a suggestion from the USA that the mainsails should be loose footed.

__________

View from long time FD sailor in USA

Just to confirm once again what I stated in an opinion piece some time ago in Trapeze - I am in favor of the move to carbon spars for the FD.

The full double bottom boats are not easy to upright after a capsize for lighter weight and older crews. I know of one couple who gave up on FD because of this. A local couple now attaches plastic jugs to their main halyard before sailing in any breeze in order to minimize the chance of a turtle. Barbara and I had to be assisted twice this past summer on our local lake. We could not keep the mast out of the mud when we went over, once to leeward, once to windward. The lighter weight of the carbon spars should help this problem. Improving the safety of the sailing experience is an important consideration here, in my opinion.

If, indeed, there will be little speed advantage to carbon spars on the lakes, then the cost of the changeover would not be a factor in the U.S., as most of us sail on lakes.

Peter F. Wells

Last updated 29 July 2007

At the 2007 AGCM, IFDCO confirmed that as from 1 March 2008 the minimum weight for masts will be 8.5kg.

The new wording for the rule will be posted on the Rules page when approved by ISAF

2005 Rules approved by ISAF

Please see changes on New 2005 rules page. All information re proposed changes on this page is for historical purposes only

Manufacturers of FD Carbon Masts

If you are building FD carbon masts for sale and are not listed below please email webmaster@sailfd.org with details. (updated 20 June 2005)

CST
See www.cstcomposites.com/Flying_dutchman.htm

Forte (Composite Engineering)
See FD Bulletin nr 151 May 2005 page 27

Selden Masts (Proctor)
Proctor www.proctormasts.co.uk FD masts are currently only available through Raceboats in Denmark until November 2005, please contact them for information on +45 39 663322 or jacob@bmsail.dk

Superspars
Available through resellers - see www.superspars.com for local reseller

FD Carbon Mast Development Update Sept 2004

First test days with the new carbon mast has taken place in Sydney at Woollahra Sailing club with Norman Rydge and Richard Scarr putting the new CST mast up for the first time on AUS 37 wooooskar. Racing/testing against Fed and Cookie as well as David Ham and Michael Chapman with Douglas Parker making the trip to Sydney

With winds varying from 5 to 20 knots we had a great mixture of conditions to give this mast a solid work out. By all accounts this mast even being the first one is high and fast. With little modifications to be made we are extremely confident to be in Hungry with a Aussie built mast by CST and a Aussie built boat (AUS37) which has proved already to be on the pace. (29 March 2005)

Olympic Gold medallists Jorgen and Jacob Bojsen Möller have been testing with reigning World Champions Szabolcs Majthényi and András Domokos in Hellerup, Denmark. Over 10 days of testing have been carried out so far using numerous mast and sail combinations.

The World Champions have remained with their standard equipment as the 'bench mark' whilst Jorgen and Jacob have been tweaking rig and sail shapes for the carbon spar.

A further 8 days of testing are planned for Oct & Nov.

The new rules relating to the introduction of carbon masts are under discussion with ISAF.

Selden Masts has been involved with the testing and are planning to launch "the definitive" carbon FD mast after the testing has been finalised. Selden contact details from November 2004 will be:

Selden Mast Ltd,
Lederle Lane
Gosport, Hants,
PO13 0FZ, England

Direct Line: +44(0)1329 504006 fax: +44(0)1329 504049
email: ih@seldenmast.co.uk
website: www.seldenmast.com (30 September 2004)

DECISIONS BY IFDCO GENERAL COMMITTEE

At the 2007 AGCM July 2007 at Mar Menor Spain, IFDCO confirmed that as from 1 March 2008 the minimum weight for masts will be 8.5kg

Warnemunde July/August 2004

The transition rule in relation to the proposed introduction of carbon masts on 1 Mach 2005 agreed in Melbourne has been modified in the light of a request from the FD Class in Germany that corrector weights should be directly related to the weight of the mast and should be visible.

It is currently proposed (subject to ISAF agreement) that the minimum weight of masts should be reduced to 10Kg on 1 March 2004 and further reduced to 8Kg on 1 March 2008. Between 1 March 2005 and 29 February 2008 corrector weights shall be affixed to masts between deck level and the gooseneck.

In addition minimum dimensions of masts will be introduced to deter the use of high modulus carbon.

Further information will be published when available. (10 August 2004)

Melbourne January 2004

Masts
The minimum weight of masts will be reduced to 8kg with effect from 1 March 2005 and from that date carbon will be permitted in all FD events.

Transition Rule
There will be a transition rule until 29 February 2008 whereby the weight of the hull (as weighed in Rule 39) plus the weight of the mast (as weighed in rule 58) shall not be less than 141Kg. If the total is less than 141kg then corrector weights shall be added in accordance with Class rules 42 and 43.

Loose footed mainsails
Loose footed mainsails will not be permitted and the class rules will be changed to clarify the situation.

Notes
These proposed changes to the rules need to be ratified by ISAF.

If ISAF so permits, the changes will be incorporated into the 2005 Class Rules and will take effect from 1 March 2005.

Meanwhile sailors and mast manufacturers are encouraged to experiment.

It is not intended that extreme shapes/sizes of masts should be permitted and rules may be introduced to control the dimensions of mast sections. Before constructing a mast outside the dimensions of current masts you should consult with IFDCO VP Technical.

(25 January 2004) (Notes modified 1 March 2004)

FROM NEWS PAGE 2003

Carbon Masts
Approx 60% of competitors at Worlds were in favour of early ending of ban on carbon masts. IFDCO is drafting a proposed change of rule for consideration by National FD Class Associations with a view to a decision at 2003 AGCM which will be held at EC 2003.

At the 2003 AGCM it was decided

1. IFDCO would submit no rule changes on the use of Carbon Masts for the ISAF conference in November 2003.

2. We would extend the Survey date until 31 October 2003.

Consequently earliest date for implementation of carbon masts is 1 March 2005 (21 August 2003)

Results of survey released. IFDCO will decide in Melbourne (3 December 2003)

Letter to National & Regional Secretaries re Survey Please draw to attention of your National Secretary. (26 June 2003) Deadline for survey extended to 31 October 2003 (21 August 2003)

Proposed Rule changes (26 June 2003)

Notes re Survey (26 June 2003)

Survey response form (26 June 2003)

Report on Carbon Spars V2.0 dated 30 November 2002 by Peter Hinrichsen (VP Technical).

Note about Carbon Spars

LINKS TO ARTICLES ABOUT CARBON SPARS

Results of Carbon Mast survey

Carbon Mast Survey

Peter Hincrichsen report V2 dated 30 November 2002

Sailpower.com

http://www.sailpower.com/features/carbon.html

505 Class

http://www.int505.org/crbnmst2.htm
www.int505.org/2001AGM-CarbonSparsIssue.htm

Int 14

www.i14.org