November 17, 2007

• Rhodes Bantam
  Specifications

  Sometimes I can
  be really dense.  I had the sail plans all along, in the packet Mr.
  Broten gave me.  I am posting them here for anyone else who might be
  Google-searching for specifications on Bantam sails.  After all, the
  Internet can be useful for other things besides p o r
  n.

  
  

  Rhodes Bantam Specifications Notice to Builders and Sailmakers Revision — 1987 (DRAFT) The RBCA will not issue a measurement certificate on any Rhodes Bantam on which the royalty or number tax has not been paid or which was not built by a recorded owner of the official Rhodes Bantam plans.  (This is a moot issue because there *IS* no RBCA anymore. – Devich) Plans Plans are transferrable only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the notice thereon.  (I don’t think Mr. Broten sent this paper with the plans he gave to the NY sailing club.  And thank goodness, or I wouldn’t have the sail dimensions at all! — Devich)  Plans and specifications are subject to revision only as provided in the Constitution and By-Laws.  The responsibility of keeping advised of any revision rests with the purchaser of the Plans. Royalties A Royalty or number tax must be paid to the RBCA on each Rhodes Bantam built.  A royalty must also be paid by the sailmaker on each sail made.  (TO WHOM?  The RBCA doesn’t exist anymore! – Devich) Protection of Name and Emblem No boat may be properly sold or entered in any race as a Rhodes Bantam nor at any time may it display the Rhodes Bantam insignia upon its sails unless the number tax or royalty on such boat has been paid to the RBCA by the builder or woner [sic] thereof.  For the benefit of owners, the RBCA proposes to take any steps necessary to protect both the Rhodes Bantam name and insignia from unauthorized use. (I remember our club sailed our Rhodes Bantam in the 2001 Whale of a Sail at Lake Carlyle, and we paid no royalty tax.  We won the race, too. “Unauthorized use,” be damned. – Devich) ARTICLE I General Specifications, however complete, cannot anticipate every situation which may arise.  If a point is not covered herein, or the meaning is not clear, a ruling may be obtained by writing to the Chief Measurer.  In interpreting these specifications the Measurement Committee shall consider the intent rather than any technical interpretation which might be misconstrued from the wording, kee@ping [sic] in mind the principle as defined in ARTICLE IV of the Constitution.  These revised specifications supercede all previous specifications. Requirements and Weights Measurements and weights shall be in feet, inches and pounds in conformance with the standards set by the United States National Bureau of Standards. Materials The materials from which the Rhodes Bantam is constructed are optional except where stated in these specifications.  The hull may be of wood, fiberglass reinforced plastic, foamed plastic or other material. (What about steel?  Ferro-cement?  Laminated cardboard? – Devich) Official Number Each boat’s official number, issued by the RBCA, shall be burned, carved or moulded in the starboard side of the centerboard case in firgures [sic] two inches high. ARTICLE II Hull Construction The constructytion [sic] details shown in the official plans are obligatory onlyuy [sic] as regards the shape and dimensions of the hull at its outside surfaces, and as further set forth herein.  The “outside surfaces” of the hull shall include all outer hull surface form [sic] the sheer line downward and from the top of the transom downward. Minimum Weight The completed boat, including hull, centerboard, rudder, mast, boom, and all rigging, but excluding sails, shall weigh not less than three-hundred and twenty-five (325) pounds. Manufactured Hulls The design pof [sic] all hulls to be commercially manufactured from molds must be approved by the RBCA Measurement Committee prior to being marketed as a Rhodes Bantam. Weight Distribution The completed hull, including centerboard, but excluding rudder, mast, boom, rigging and sails, when supported bottom-up by an athwartship fulcrum located at station No. 6 and resting on the gunwhales [sic], shall have a weight at the stem of not less than eighty-five (85) pounds.  When this weight is recored [sic], the top of the stem must be at the same height as the fulcrum, and centerboard must be fully within the centerboard. Main Thwart The main thwart shall be centered on station No. 5 and fastened securely to each side of the hull and to the centerboard case.  The thwart shall not be less than 7 & 5/8 inches in width:  otherwise its shape and dimensions are optional. Mast Thwart A mast thwart shall be fitted and extend completely across the hull and joined to the sides of the gunwale.  Dimensions optional except as follows: that portion of the mast thwart within 3 inches either side of the centerline shall conform with the official plans as to its location fore-and-aft and vertically as follows: after edge located 21 & 3/4 inches forward of a plane vertical to the LWL and located at after surface of the cneterboard [sic] pin.  Top surface of mast thwart at its after edge shall be 19 & 3/4 inches vertically above the outer surface of the bottom of the hull at that point. Gunwale Top surface of gunwale shall coincide with the designed sheer line of the hull.  Maximum width of gunwale shall be 5 & 1/2 inches.  No minimum width.  No part of gunwale shall project more than 2 & 3/4 inches outboard of the outer hull surface. Transom A moulding or covering board may be incorporated in the transom top.  Maximum width shall be 5 & 1/2 inches, no part to project more than 2 & 3/4 inches outboard of the outer surface of the transom.  Height of transom at centerline shall be as shown in the official plans (which are probaby stuck in a musty drawer somewhere in a NY sailing club — Devich) Chines Chines may be rounded to a radius no greater than 1/4 inch. Stem Stem may be rounded to a radius no less than 1/8 inch. Centerboard Trunk Construction of centerboard trunk shall be optional except as to its opening at the keel.  The opening at the keel shall comply with the official plans as to its width, length and position relative to the hull.  No gasket or other means of closing the centerboard slot permitted. Centerboard Pin The pin shall be 1/2 inch diameter and located as shown in the official plans. Centerboard The centerboard shall be of any metal, 5/16 inch in thickness.  The shape of the cneterboard [sic] shall comply with the official plans except that portion of the centerboard remaining within the trunk when the cneterboard [sic] is lowered 90 degrees to the LWL.  Pivot point must be located as shown in the official plans.  Edges may be rounded or chamfered (What is chamfering?!?!?!?  Ah, it’s beveling.  Why in the hell don’t they just call it “beveling”? K.I.S.S. — Devich) but with such rounding or chamfering may not extend more than 1 inch inward from the edge. Hull Openings Openings in the outer surface of the hull shall be optional except for cneterboard [sic] trunk opening; latter must confrom [sic] with specification otherwise set forth herein. Hull Protrusions there [sic] shall be no protrusions from the outer surface of the hull except gunwale, stem fittings, setm [sic] band, mooring eye, centerboard, rudder and its fittings, and self bailing devices.  (That sentence had poor grammar. – Devich) Deck The boat shall be undecked except as provided under “gunwale” and “transom”.[sic] Breasthook may not extend more than 10 inches aft of outer face of stem.  Transom quarter-knees shall not extend more than 7 inches inward from outer surface of hull.  Interior appurtenances such as thwarts, seats, tanks, etc., shall not be so constructed as to give the effect of decking and shall drain inboard the hull.  (Rant:  The lack of a foredeck is why I like the Bantam design so much.  Too many daysailors nowadays, such as the Vanguard 16 and the Buccaneer 16, have those stupid, unnecessary foredecks, which prevent people from sitting comfortably in the bow.  The lack of decking on the bow of the Bantam design, also makes it easy to re-stow the jib/spinnaker while underway.  It also provides a nice, easily accessible place to put the cooler, so that it doesn’t shift around. One has to think of these things, people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! – Devich) Hiking Straps Hiking straps are permitted.  Trapeze, hiking plank or any other apparatus of the same nature for supporting crew outboard is prohibited.  (In other words, sit-ups were encouraged.  – Devich) ARTICLE III Rudder Material from which rudder is made shall be optional.  That portion of the rudder below the LWL shall be of thickness and outline as shown in the official plans.  Edges may be rounded to a radius of not less than 3/32 inch.  The rudder must attach to the transom and the angle of the rudder blade in relation to the transom must be as shown in the official plans.  Kick-up type rudder is permitted but miust [sic] be carried at the above mentioned angle to the transom while racing.  The lower six inches of the rudder may be tapered in thickness, from a thickness of 7/8 inch thickness at bottom; minimum radius of bottom edge 3/32 inch. Tiller Optional as to design and materials.  Hiking stick or extension permitted. ARTICLE IV Spars Spars may be made from Spruce or Douglas Fir or extruded aluminum.  The aluminum shall be equivalent in corrosion resistance properties to Aluminum Association Designation 6061. (?!!? – Devich) Mast Wood mast sahll [sic] confrom [sic] to Section 1 below. Aluminum masts shall confrom [sic] to Section 2 below. Section 1 WOOD MAST Dimensions shown in the official plans shall be minimum as to cross-sections.  Length of mast shall be 19 feet 5 inches, measured from top of mast thwart to top inner face of groove in halyard sheave or masthead tube.  Shape of masthead optional: “chickenhead["] permitted.  (?!!? – Devich)  A 1/2 inch width colored band shall be painted around the mast, it sop [sic] edge not more than 17 feet 2 inches below top inner face of groove in halyard sheave or masthead tube.  Sail may attach to mast with 5/8 inch sail track and slides, or a boltrope groove of any material, suitably shaped and added to the aft face of the mast but not extending furtheraft [sic] than 3/4 inch. While sailing, the plane of the top surface of the boom shall not be carried below the top edge of the painted band.  A locking device or stop must be provided to prevent the boom from coming below the stated position.  The device or stop may be so designed as to allow the boom and/or gooseneck to continue down the mast for the purpose of lowering the sial [sic].  The mast must be stepped on the mast thwart.  After face of the mast shall be positioned beween [sic] after edge of mast thwart and 1 inch forward of after edge of mast thwart. After face of mast shall be straight when at rest. The mast shall not be permitted to rotate. Section 2 ALUMINUM MAST Aluminum masts shall confrom [sic] to Section 1 above with the following exceptions or restrictions: A. Cross-Section Shape Aluminum masts shall not be tapered.  The cross-section of the mast may have any shape which fits within a rectangle 2 & 3/4 inches by 3 & 3/4 inches and which has a minimum moment of inertia computed about the major axis equal to 0.34 inches and minimum moment of inertia computed about [an] axis perpendicular to the major axis equal to 0.59 inches.  Wall thickness through the normal horizontal corss-sectional [sic] area may vary; however, this corsssection [sic] shall remain constant for the entire length of the mast.  Major dimension of the mast shall run fore-and-aft.  Each unaltered section must be approved in advance by the Measurement Committee prior to the issuance of a Measurement Certificate. B. Mainsail Attachment Mainsail may be attached to the aluminum mast by slides and 5/8 inch sailtrack, by slides in a boltrope groove, or by a boltrope in a boltrope groove. C. Stiffness When supported at the ends, an aluminum mast shall not deflect along its major axis more than 2 inches with a 25 pound weight attached at the midpoint of the mast lenght [sic]. D. Weight Aluminum masts shall weigh more than 19 pounds.  Measurement to be made with fittings and halyards attached, but without shrouds. Boom The boom may be made form [sic] wood or aluminum.  Wood booms shall confrom [sic] to Section 1 below, aluminum to Section 2 below. Section 1 Wood Boom — Maximum length shall be 9 feet measured form [sic] after end of boom to after surface of mast.  For the purpose of measurement of boom length, any fitting, tube, sheave, line or other device attached to the boom’s after end shall be included as part of the boom.  No part of the sail shall extend aft of the after end of the boom.  The wood boom shall be solid except for boltrope slot shown in the official plans.  Size and position of the boltrope slot shall be as shpwn [sic] in the official plans.  The slot may be cut away at either end of the boom, not more than 10 inches.  The sail may be attached to the vboom [sic] with 5/8 inch sail track and slides, in which case, the boom shall be solid throughout.  Cross-section dimension of the boom shall be as follows: minimum of 1 & 3/8 inches, masimum [sic] of 1 & 1/2 inches in width; minimum of 2 & 1/4 inches, maximum of 2 & 1/2 inches in vertical thickness.  The boom shall be straight when at rest. Section 2 Aluminum Boom — Aluminum boom shall conform to [S]ection 1 above with the following permissable exception[s] or restrictions: A.  Cross-Section Shape — An aluminum boom may have any cross-section shape.  Miniimum [sic] dimensions shall be 1 & 3/8 inches horizontally, 2 & 1/4 inches vertically.  Maximum circumferential measurement shall not exceet [sic] 8 inches. B.  Stiffness — When supported at both ends in its normal position, an aluminum boom shall not deflect more than 1/2 inch with a 25 pound weight attached at the midpoint of the boom. Spinnaker Pole — Material form [sic] which made is optional.  Maximum length, including end fittings, shall be 7 feet.  Cross-section dimension is optional.  Pole must attach to mast when in use.  Fitting on mast for attaching pole shall not project more than 1 & 1/2 inches form [sic] surface of mast. Whisker Pole — Material form [sic] which made is optional.  Maximum effective length shall be 7 feet measured form [sic] surface of mast to that position at the outer end which touches sail, i.e. if a pin is used at outer end, the base of the pin.  Cross-section dimension is not to be used with jib while spinnaker is set. ARTICLE V Rigging — Standing rigging shall consist of one headstay (forestay) and two shrouds (sidestays).  Standing rigging shall be of wire rope of diameter and strength not less than as shown in the official plans, and shall intersect mast at the heights shown in the official plans.  The headstay shall intersect the sheer at a point no farther forward than the face of the stem, and no farther aft than 1 inch aft of the face of the stem.  The sidestays shall intersect sheer at a point not more than 1 inch forward or 1 inch aft of Station No. 3, and not more than 6 inches inborard [sic] of the sheer line.  Shroud rollers are permitted.  Any change in the set of the standing rigging, except as occaisioned [sic] bu [sic] accident, is prohibited while racing. (At least they took into account accidents while sailing. They didn’t mention that it is okay to use keychains as ringdings for securing stays, when the paperclip that was put in by some moron breaks while one is underway. – Devich) Spreaders — Shroud spreaders are permitted as follows: Spreaders must attach to mast 12 feet 6 inches below the top inner face of groove in halyard sheave or masthead tube, and be of such length as to not deflect shrouds more than 2 & 1/2 inches when there is no compression or bending load on mast. Running Rigging — Running rigging shall be optional except as follows: The spinnaker halyard block shall attach to the mast so that a line drawn from the stem head through the block will intersect the mast at a point 4 feet below the top inner face of the groove in the halyard sheave or masthead tube.  Halyards may not run inside the mast.  When the sails are raised[,] the halyard, or the halyard tail when a masthead halyard lock is used for the mainsail, shall be made fast below the boom.  The mainsheet rig shall have no more than four parts. Boom Vang – A boom vang is permitted and may attach to the boom not more than 30 inches aft of the after face of the mast. ARTICLE VI Sails:  Only those sails shown in the official palns [sic] shall be carried; viz., mainsail, jub [sic] and spinnaker. All sails shall be made of woven sailccloth [sic], cotton or synthetic.  Minimum weight of mainsail and jib shall be 3 ounce material (american [sic] standard, lineal yard, 28 1/2 inch width). Minimum weight of spinnaker cloth shall be .75 ounce material (American standard, lineal yard, 28 & 1/2 inch width). Color of [sail] material is optional. Class insignia and racing number — Class insignia and racing number, of size, design and position as shown in the official plans shall be affixed to the starboard side of the mainsail.  The same shall also appear on the port side, the numerals and letters to be either above or below those on the sails.  The racing number shall be affixed to both sides of the spinnaker, of the same size as applicable to mainsail, the numerals to be located app@proximately [sic] in the center of the sial [sic]. The numerals on one side of the spinnaker must be positioned either above or below those on the opposite side. Sail measurement (working sails) – Main and [jib] to be measured while 5 pounds of tension is applied along liff [sic] and foot of main and luff of jib. Except at main and jib heads, point of measurement is the intersection of extended lines of extreme edges of sail.  At main head, points of measurement are intersections of extended lines of luff and leach with a line perpendicular to luff and tangent to headboard.  Jib head is measured similarly if constructed with a sewn or crimped in cringle: if jib has a cloth wrapped fastening for [luff wire], the line perpendicular to the luff shall be taken as passing through intersection of leach and cloth wrapping. Sail measurement (spinnaker): Spinnaker shall ne [sic] measured with the cloth pulled in the [direction being measured] to eliminate transverse wrinkles but not to cause [longitudinal] wrinkles. Battens:  Only the mainsail shall be fitted with battens.  Battens may be of any material and shall be positioned as to divide the leach into four approximately equal parts.  There shall be three battens, maximum lengths as follows:  Upper and lower, 24 inches; middle, 36 inches.  The upper batten shall not be less than 4 feet from the head of the sail. Reefs:  [Only] the mainsail may be reefed.  Reffing [sic] permitted along the foot only by means of convetional [sic] reef points positioned as shown in the official plans. Window: A single window not exceeding tythree [sic] square feet in area is permitted in the mainsail, and a single window not exceeding two square feet is permitted in the jib.  No other windows are permitted. Mainsail – Maximum width of headboard, 4 inches. No other part of headbosrd [sic] shall be higher than its forward upper corner.  Maximum dimensions of mainsail shall be as follows: 17 feet 2 inches of luff; 18 [feet] 10 inches on leach; 9 feet 0 inches of foot.  [The] girth of the mainsail, measured form [sic] a point on the luff 8 feet 7 inches form [sic] the top to a point on the leach 9 feet 5 inches form [sic] the top, shall not exceed 6 feet 3 inches. Jib: Maximum dimensions of the jib shall be as follows:  12 feet 6 & 3/4 inches on luff; 12 feet 4 & 1/4 inches on leach; 7 feet 9 inches on foot.  With the body of the jib at the heighest [sic] allowable location within the triangle described by the above three lines, the roach in the foot shall not extend beyond a line which is parallel to, and 5 inches beyond the foot line.  Jib must be fitted with flexible luffwire.  If adjustable luff is used, a stop must ne [sic] provided to prevent the cloth from being stretched beyond specified dimension. Spinnaker — Maximum dimensions 15 feet 0 onches [sic] on luffs[;] 5 feet 8 inches on half foot; 6 feet 6 inches on half girth measured from, and perpendicular to luff, to center seam. ARTICLE VII Any Rhodes Bantam holding a valid measurement certificate prior to the issuance of these revised specifications shall continue to be recognized as a bona fide [sic] Rhodes Bantam and shall be eligible for participation in all sanctined [sic] events on presentation of the Certificate.  Anu [sic] such boat must meet the minimum weight requirement of 325 pounds. ARTICLE VIII Honor Awards: A chevron may be displayed on the mainsail of the winner of the International championship and thw [sic] winner of any District Championship.  The International Championship chevron shall be of gold color.  The size and shape of either chevron shall be as shown in the sketch include [sic] herewith, and shall be affixed to the mainsail and located theron [sic] as follows:  Apex of chevron to be 6 inches from leach, point up, oriented so that it points along an imaginary line which would be parallel to the leach.  Apex of chevron shAll [sic] be seven feet from the clew of the mainsail.  [The] yeatr [sic] in which the award was won must be dispalye [sic] beneath the chevron, as indicated in the sketch, showing onlyuy [sic] the last two digits i.e. showing 65 for 1965.  Honor awards are made to the skipper, not to the boatt [sic], and may be displayed by him on nay [sic] Rhodes Bantam he now or later owns.  Numerals to be the same cloro [sic] as shevron [sic], entire device to appear on both sides of sail. CHIEF MEASURER’S RULING 1.  Kick-up ruddrs [sic], at official sanctioned regattas are to be kept in a normal down position by the use of a threaded fastener.  A quick release device such as a toggle pin will not be permitted. 2.  The main thwart is to be permaently [sic] lacated [sic] and fastened per existing specificatin [sic].  (I can really appreciate word-processors and backspacing now. — Devich) It may not be readily moved, or sections thereof removed, so as to provoide [sic] more room.  It may be constructed with lightening holes.  [The] area lightened shall not be more than half the surface. 3.  The use of pll:lymer [sic] coatings, molybdenum compounds, graphite or any such agents, applied to the hull, cneterbpard [sic], budder [sic], to increase boat speed (decrease drag at the boundary layer) is probibited [sic].  [This] includes the application directly or in a veicle [sic] such as paint.  (That’s harsh! — Devich) 4.  The use of a bushing in [an] alternate method of cneterboard [sic] assembly is permitted.  [The] bushing is to be 3/4 inch O.D. and 1/2 inch I.D. and of length to fit the slot opening.  [The] pivot hole of the board is enlarged to fit the bushing and the original 1/2 inch bolt is still retained. 5.  Transom bailers are permitted.  No more than tow [sic] are allowed.  [The] total area of the openings shall be limited to ninety-six square inches. 6.  [The] use fo [sic] a jib clew board with a maximum of five cringles is permitted. 7.  [Flush] halyard blocks re [sic] permitte [sic], providing the halyard exits to the outside of the mast directly below the block. 8.  The topping lift for the spinnaker pole shall not be considered a halyard, and may run internal to the mast. end

  That
  was 9 1/2 pages of faded typewritten material that I just
  transcribed.  You can message me to say “Thank You” at any
  time, people.  I left the typos in, because they are
  amusing.  It was typed up in a era before spell-check
  was irritatingly ubiquitous.  And now I’m going to go eat lunch.

  “60+ wpm
  Devich”

  • 3:05 pm
  • 2 Comments