Skipjack 48 Class Rules

Radio Controlled Skipjack 48 Model

Class Rating Rules for Competition Racing

Solomons Island Model Boat Club

Calvert Marine Museum

Version IV Spring 2003

(Adapted from Version III May 2002)

Introduction:

The Solomons Island Model Boat Club hereby establishes the Skipjack 48 Model Racing Class for the following purposes:

·        To preserve the heritage of the Oyster Dredging Skipjacks of the Chesapeake Bay.

·        To construct scale model representations of the Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks based on a common design.

·        To race the models for public and personal entertainment in accordance with the Spring 2003 Version of Racing Rules, Solomons Island Model Boat Club (SIMBC).

·        To demonstrate a level of individual craftsmanship in the construction of the models in accordance with these class rules.

The purpose of class rules, or class standards, is to insure that the model skipjacks used in racing competition are as nearly equal in sailing performance as possible.  The difference in the racing performance of the models must be due to the skill of the individual skipper, not due to a deviation from the class standards that provide an unfair advantage.

Class Rating Rules:

All model skipjacks participating in racing competition sponsored by SIMBC must comply with these class-rating rules.  The Commodore of SIMBC, or his designated representative(s), will make certification of compliance with these rules.  The club secretary will maintain a roster of boats that are certified for a given racing season.  A certificate of compliance with these class-rating rules will be issued to each member wishing to race in competition.  This certification shall be revalidated prior to each racing season.

Standards:

The official plans of the Skipjack 48 published by SIMBC and dated January 2002, as updated, are the official standards with respect to Hull, Spars, Sails, Keel, etc., related to the complete configuration of the boat.  Construction of the Skipjack 48 from these plans and specifications, including the recommended materials, shall constitute compliance with these standards.

Hull:

·        Constructed in accordance with plan dimensions within +/- 0.5”.

·        Size and thickness of all wood materials per plan recommendations.

·        Wooden keel, skeg and other bottom shapes shaped and placed per the plans.

·        Deck houses, rails and hatches configured per the plans.  These represent the minimum deck structures, but more can be added at the risk of damage during racing.

·        Center of the mast step should be at the centerline and 11” aft of the inside stem (with a 2” fore and aft adjustment).

·        Trail boards are optional, but encouraged.

Lead Keel:

·        Keel shape and location must conform to plans and be made of lead.

·        Use of keel cast by the club is recommended.

·        Keel displacement is 10 pounds maximum.  No minimum.

·        Only changes in keel allowed are fairing of the top to conform to the width of the wooden keel.  The current keels are molded from a two-part machined mold.  The sides are flat for ease of machining.  However, the boat builder may reshape the keel to a tapered trailing edge, or any other shape desired, as long as the triangular profile is maintained.  Remember any lead removed from the keel will have to be added somewhere else to maintain the minimum weight of the boat.

Radio Controls:

·        Radio control units shall use only two (2) channels to control the skipjack models.

Rudder:

·        Shape to comply with the plans.

Mast:

·        Non-rotating wooden mast.  Booms also of wood.

·        Mast angle of at least 12 degrees.

Sails:

·        Luff, foot and leach dimensions must be within +/-  0.25” of the plans, or fit within the plywood pattern maintained by the club.  All sail measurements are maximum.  No minimum.

·        The head of the sails (main and jib) must be attached to the mast per the plans.  The attachment point for the main may be no higher than 50” above the deck.  Sails must be attached to the mast and booms at three locations: head, tack, and clue.  The main and jib may be loose footed.

·        Mast rings are optional, but are encouraged to maintain the scale appearance of the models.

·        Sail material and colors are optional.  Since these are models of workboats, some restraint in colors, markings, etc. is encouraged.

·        Sail numbers 3 inches in height are required on both main and jib.

Rigging:

·        Shrouds are to be attached to the deck with turnbuckles only.  Head stay may use a snap or turnbuckle.

·        No adjustments to the stays or mast are allowed while under sail (no mechanical or electrical adjustable backstays or jib twitchers).

Displacement:

·        Minimum displacement of boat with sails, mast, booms, rigging and complete radio control equipment ready for racing: 22.5 pounds.  No maximum.

Painting:

·        Boats should be painted per working skipjacks: gray, white or light brown.  To preserve the Chesapeake Waterman’s superstition, the use of blue on the hull is discouraged.

Naming:

·        Names are optional, but the club encourages the use of the name of an existing, or former skipjack.  The club secretary has the master name list in use by the club.

                                                                                                Reviewed February 21, 2016

 Downloadable Copy