Remember those “L” shaped daggerboards on one of the Oracle AC45s in San Francisco Bay? Someone asked the AC Measurement Committee for a ruling on what constitutes a “daggerboard”. The class rule says daggerboards can’t extend more than .5 meters when in the “up” position, and half to enter the water forward of the rudders and aft of a watertight bulkhead.

Here are the questions:

1. Does the class rule place a limit on the amount of board that remains outside the hull when retracted, provided no part of the board extends below 500mm below MWP?

2. With respect to the definition of ‘daggerboard’ is an appendage retractable if it can be moved from its sailing position to a position above 500mm below MWP?

3. Does the appendage shown in Figure A. and without the dashed winglet meet the definition of
daggerboard in the class rule?

4. Does the appendage shown in Figure A. fitted with the dashed winglet meet the definition of
daggerboard in the class rule?

5. Does the appendage shown in Figure B. meet the definition of daggerboard in the class rule?

6. Does the appendage shown in Figure C. meet the definition of daggerboard in the class rule?

7. If the answer to any of the questions 3 to 6 is ‘no’, can you explain which feature (or lack of features) is infringing the daggerboard definition?

And here are the answers, dated 29 June:

Answers:

1. No specific limit is placed on the amount of board that extends outside the hull when the board is retracted. Attention is drawn to AC72 Class Rules 9.9 and 9.10.

2. It could be, but it may depend on how the board is “……moved from its sailing position to a position above 500mm below MWP.”

3. Not enough information is supplied to give a definitive answer.
The item shown could be a daggerboard.

4. Not enough information is supplied to give a definitive answer.
The item shown could be a daggerboard.

5. Not enough information is supplied to give a definitive answer.
The item shown could be a daggerboard.

6. Not enough information is supplied to give a definitive answer.
The item shown could be a daggerboard.

7. Not applicable.