BRIEFE UND VORSCHLÄGE / LETTERS AND PROPOSALS

13. Navigation Scale Sail NSS Group

13.1 Classes according to the Rigging

The number of masts and the method of distribution of the total area of sails (e.g. sloop, cutter, yawl, schooner, etc.) are not limited and they are irrelevant for the purposes of placing the boats into a category. Models of boats and ships with rotating cylinders or fixed surfaces?? instead of sails belong to the NSS-D class.

13.2 Static evaluation

The contestant is required to present documentation of the original vessel, which clearly shows the main dimensions of the original vessel (i.e. total length and width of the hull, length along water line, length of bowsprit and possibly rear jib, height of the mast or masts, draft, size and shape of the supplementary center-board and its place, the area of sails and displacement), cross and longitudinal sections, the plan of the deck with the arrangement of details and attachments, and a plan of rigging, including details. The model's design may be considered as such documentation provided that it is supplemented with sufficient documentation to verify its correctness (this may include documentation for a similar ship from the same time period and geographical area - the similarity and geographical however must both be proven).
Static evaluation of the models is done exclusively in the state with all sails, and the mounted sails must meet the maximum allowed surface area for the given model.

13.2.1 Scoring

A committee of five members evaluates the models according to the rules corresponding to the general rules of NS section. The total number of points (maximum) is 100. The distribution of points is as follows:

The points achieved are divided by 500, this value (minimum of 0, maximum of 0.20) is subtracted from the calculated handicap of the model (see below).

13.2.2 Allowed deviations from the original

(1) Bigger draft - up to 150 percent in class A and B, up to 200 percent in class C, or up to 120 percent in class D (100 percent = draft of the original calculated according to the chosen ratio). For boats/ships with supplementary center-board, 100 percent is the draft while the center-board is pulled in. The center-board itself may exceed the maximum allowed draft, when pulled out, if it is operated by remote control and if its area, shape, and position copy the original exactly. Models with center-board (where the center-board is the only keel), the center-board is considered a fixed keel and as such it may be constructed. Limitations and regulations/rules for supplementary center-board do not apply to these boats/ships. Draft may be increased by supplementary keel or an extension of the hull planking (change of the side silhouette of the hull under the water line). The minimum allowed thickness of the supplementary keel, or the extended part of the hull planking is 0.05 of the maximum width of the hull. Minimum allowed thickness of the center-board is 1/3 of the minimum allowed thickness of the supplementary keel or extended part of the hull planking.

(2) Supplementary external ballast (so called bomb) is allowed.

(3) Any enlargement of the rudder while respecting max. draft.

(4) Sail reins pulley block may be omitted. Reins may be hung directly on the stem/trunk or on the rein corner of the sail by means of a carabiner or metal hook.

(5) Stay (sail) may be attached to stem.

(6) The receiver antenna may be attached to rigging.

(7) The interior furnishing may be omitted.

(8) Bumper from soft material on the tip of bowsprit or on the front post.

13.3 Race Competition

In the practical part of the contest the boats/ships will take place in a group race (regatta). The course is determined by the organizer of the contest, it may be either a traditional triangle or so called walking regatta (i.e. sailing around an island during which the contestants control the boats/ships while walking along the shore/bank). The course has to be determined in such a way that it includes all the tacks with regards to the wind direction. The time each model needs to complete the race is measured.

13.3.1 Contest Evaluation

To be able to objectively compare the boats of different performance classes, the system of handicaps is used. Handicap of a boat/ship (Rlog) is determined from:

R < 1 Rlog = R x R(2logR)

LWL = length of the boat/ship along the water line (in mm)
S = sail area (in m2)
V = displacement (in kg)
K = chosen constant (K = 456)

Handicap calculated in this way is corrected according to the above formula based on the point totaled during the static evaluation (W).

Rk = W x Rlog

Each boat/ship has its own correctible handicap (RK) which is multiplied by time achieved during the race.

T = actual time
TZ = total scored time

Total evaluation of the contest is based on the sum of three times form 3 contests in a triangular course, the worst time achieved is crossed out. The number of the walking regattas within one contest can be less than 3, in which case all times are used in the total evaluation (none is crossed out).

13.3.2 Basic rules concerning right of way:

(1) When passing a buoy or immovable obstacle (i.e. bank, pontoon) the inside boat/ship has the right of way before the outside one within 5 m from the buoy or obstacle.

(2) The boat/ship sailing to the left (the sails are on the left with respect to the direction of the race) has the right of way before the boat/ship on the right side.

(3) The contestant must prevent any contact of his model with another boat/ship. If not given the right of way, the affected contestant has the right to protest.

Before a group start, boats/ships wait behind the starting line determined by to buoys for the start signal. The referee will signal the start with a 10-second countdown. Early start (i.e. crossing or disturbing the starting line during the countdown) will be penalized by an extra turn, which must be done by the penalized vessel right after the starting signal. After the starting signal all boats/ships are required to cross the starting line between both buoys.
Obeying rules will be under supervision of one or more referees. If the rules are broken, or a model touches a buoy, passes buoy, or if two models touch, the offender is punished by a penalty turn (i.e. s/he is required to turn the model around by 360°). The penalty has to be carried out right after it is being called. The model which is doing the penalty turn has to yield to all other models irrespective of the above rules of right of way. The referee has the right to disqualify a contestant who repeatedly or purposefully breaks the rules. There is no right of protest against ruling of the referee.

13.4 General Rules

(1) The only allowed drive are sails, even if the original boat/ship had additional engine. If the model has an additional engine, it must be disabled by the contestant in such a manner that can be easily verified. It can be done for example by removing the propeller or by blinding the exhaust nozzles, etc.) Disconnecting the engine from the receiver or its power source or simply turning of the appropriate switch is not considered as clear and easily verifiable disabling of the engine.

(2) Movable weights which are not in accordance to the original ship/boat are not allowed.

(3) The sails may be made only from materials relevant to the original. However, cotton or linen may be replaced by polyamide or polyester material.

(4) The model must participate in the race(s) in the same condition as it was during the static evaluation. The contestant has a right to accommodate the sail area to the strength of the wind. It is allowed for the models to partly or fully unfurl the sail or exchange them for smaller ones.

(5) The calculation of the handicap is based on the maximum sail area, weight of the model and true length along the water line at immediate weight. (Displacement = weight.) To determine the front sails area, the area of the spare triangle is used; the spare triangle is calculated from tie ring at the top of bowsprit or stem, tie ring at the top of mast and a point on the mast which is at the position of a spanker boom. Decrease or increase of area caused by rounding of any sail border is disregarded. Sail corners are linked by straight lines, and the area of this figure is calculated. The part of the sail are, which overlaps another sail or a spare triangle is not taken into consideration.

(6) An allowed increase of draft as described in 3.2. is relevant only for construction water line. The real water line may be above the construction water line, however not below it; i.e. the minimum actual weight equals theoretical displacement of water of the model.

(7) Regular conditions for starting a regatta is max. wind of 4 Bft.

(8) The contestant is required to have at least 3 pairs of crystals of different frequency. Out of these frequencies the organizer of the contest will choose one, which the contestant will use during the contest. In case of not using the chosen frequency, the contestant will be disqualified.

(9) Models made of kits may enter the contest, however for static evaluation, supplementary documentation has to be supplied besides the kit plan.

(10) It is allowed to use purchased details, fittings and other semi-manufactures products to furnish the model.

(11) Evaluation of regatta is carried out separately for each of the above listed classes, irrespective of the fact that the models of different classes participated in one race or in different races.

(12) Wherever handicap is calculated or corrected based on the points achieved, the results are rounded to hundredths, i.e. two decimal places.