Harrier Class Rules (circa 1973)

GENERAL

The Harrier is a reasonably priced, high performance, one-design single-handed racing dinghy.

MEASUREMENT RULES

1. The hull, deck and internal mouldings shall be produced in GRP and shall be assembled by Delta Dinghies Ltd. Any subsequent structural alteration or modification of these mouldings is prohibited unless occasioned by accidental damage. If any structural alteration is made as a result of damage, the hull must be checked by the Association measurer.

2. One inspection hatch and one drain hole are permitted in each buoyancy compartment. The diameter of these hatches shall not exceed 160mm, and the diameter of the drain hole shall not exceed 30mm.

3. Two transom openings are permitted for drainage purposes, and these must be closed by hinged flaps when not in use. No part of any opening shall be within 10mm of the outside of the skin. The area of each opening shall not exceed 140cm².

4. A keelband of metal or plastic and of depth not more than 5mm may run the whole length of the hull.

5. The hull shall not be self draining other than by means of a maximum of two suction bailers (not exceeding 15cm² in total draining area) and/or the permitted transom openings.

6. The centreboard shall be made from wood or plywood, and shall not exceed 5kg in weight. The shape and section are free except that when raised the centreboard shall be fully contained within the centreboard case.

7. The shape and section of the rudder are free except that it shall not project more than 800mm below the keel.

8. The rig shall be single-masted una rig, with a Bermudan sail. The mast shall be stepped on the foredeck with its forward face within 1200mm to 1300mm of the forward face of the deck moulding. It shall be supported by a forestay and two shrouds.

9. The mast and boom shall be made of aluminium alloy and the section shall be that of die number H43839.

10. The height of the centre of gravity of the mast shall be at least 40% of its total length up the mast.

11. The limits of the sail shall be marked on the mast and boom by bands of a contrasting colour. These bands shall not be less than 10mm wide and shall encircle the spar.

(a) Lower band: the top of the boom shall not be set below the upper edge of the lower band. The upper edge of this band shall be between 450mm and 550mm above the upper surface of the foredeck.

(b) Upper band: No part of the sail or headboard shall extend above the lower edge of the upper band, and the height of this lower edge shall not be more than 5360mm above the upper edge of the lower band.

(c) Boom band: No part of the foot or the leech of the sail shall extend beyond the inner edge of the boom band, and this inner edge shall not be more than 2700mm from the aft face of the mast.

12. The height of the point of intersection of the forestay and the shrouds and the mast shall not be less than 3700mm and not more than 4300mm up from the base of the mast.

13. All sails shall be made from woven material except that one unwoven transparent panel not exceeding 500mm in any internal dimension is permitted provided that it is not within 150mm of any edge of the sail. Every sail shall be capable of being stowed completely within a sailbag not exceeding 750mm long and 450mm in diameter.

14. Sail measurements shall be taken at quarter, half and three-quarter height points.

(a) The half height point shall be found by placing the top forward corner of the sail on the bottom forward corner of the sail. Then with the two halves of the sail smoothed out the half height measurement can be taken along the resulting fold. The maximum length of this fold is 1950mm.

(b) The three-quarter height measurement shall be taken along the fold which is formed when the top forward corner of the sail is placed on the mid point of the luff, with the two quarters of the luff coinciding and the sail smoothed out. This measurement shall not exceed 1215mm.

(c) The quarter height measurement shall be taken along the fold which is formed when the mid point of the luff is placed on the bottom forward corner of the sail with the two quarters of the sail smoothed out and the luffs coinciding. This measurement shall not exceed 2465mm.

15. Four battens shall be fitted, of width not exceeding 50mm. the maximum length of the battens (starting at the top) shall be 1015mm, 762mm, 915mm, and 915mm respectively. The top batten may go through to the mast.

No part of any batten shall be within 850mm of any other batten.

16. The centreline of the top batten shall cut the leech not less than 1100mm from the junction of the bolt rope and the sailcloth at the head of the sail. The centreline of the bottom batten shall cut the leech not less than 1200mm from the junction of the bolt rope and the sailcloth at the clew.

17. For all sails which have been measured and found to comply with the rules, the details shall be entered on the certificate and the entry initialled by the measurer or the issuing authority.

18. The following are prohibited: Electronic aids; double luffed sails; inside ballast; rotating masts; the use of any contrivance outboard or extending outboard, the purpose of which is to support the helmsman outboard or partially outboard; any method of altering the effective length of the standing rigging and any method of controlling the bend of the mast and boom except a kicking strap. No fittings are allowed on the side decks.

19. The class emblem is a black “H” to be carried on both sides of the sail.

20. The registered number shall be allocated by Delta Dinghies Ltd. On behalf of the Class association, on delivery of the boat. This number shall be carried on both sides of the sail in figures not less than 300mm high.

21. The crew shall consist of one person whilst racing.

22. No duplication of names is permitted. Owners should submit two or three names in order of preference to the Class association secretary, and the first of these which is free will be reserved.