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Class Rules Overall Aims The overall aim of the NSW 18' Skiff Class Association (NSW18) is to foster open design and competition of sailing craft where the principle limitations are that it be monohull and not longer than length 18 feet hull length. Sails, foils and spars are unrestricted. Crews are encouraged to rig with as much power as they can control to finish the race. A skiff is a sailing vessel consisting of hull, spars and outriggers to support sails, water foils and crew. The 18 Foot Skiff Class was born in the 1890's to satisfy a need for a boat which was within the means of the "average man" and would provide good competitive racing to attract public interest. Vessels are required to self rescue-able and of sturdy construction except by specific authorisations by NSW18. Races are scored for handicapped times and elapsed times. This is to promote new boats, old boats and innovation. Fundamental Rules Development Class Maximum length 18 feet (measured at waterline with skiff at rest, race-ready with crew aboard. Minimum length of waterline 17' 10"�). Monohull: Outriggers must be of neutral buoyancy. Self-Rescuing: With the exception of Historic 18's skiffs must be capable of being righted and sailed home by their crew in conditions with wind speeds up to 27 knots with commensurate sea conditions. If a skiff fails to comply with this rule it is considered ineligible as a starter. Durability: Skiff hulls are to be constructed so as to be sailed for a minimum of 5 seasons. If a skiff fails to comply with this rule it may be retroactively stripped of all places previously scored. All other aspects such as beam, spars and sails are unrestricted. Groups The 18' class encompasses all sailing craft that conform with the primary rules. Sub-Groups are recognised which have limitations that make them viable and fun for participants. Recognised 18 Foot Skiff Groups: Open 18's Modern 18's Australian League 18's European 18's Classic 18's Taipan 18's Historic 18's Grand-Prix 18's Open 18's Unrestricted, as per the fundamental rules. All 18 foot skiffs following can race in this class including Historical 18's which are exempted from the fundamental rule of self-rescuing. A current fleet incorporating the Modern 18's sails on Saturdays Spring, Summer and Autumn from Sydney Flying Squadron, Sydney NSW, Australia. Modern 18's As per the fundamental rules with limitations: Maximum beam including outriggers 18' Crew of not less than 3 Able to be disassembled and packed in a 40' shipping container Typical skiffs are those built from 1990 including designs by Julian Bethwaithe and Iain Murray. A current fleet sails on Saturdays Spring, Summer and Autumn from Sydney Flying Squadron, NSW. Australian 18' League & International 18's As per the fundamental rules with limitations: Rules as administered by the Australian 18' League: www.18footers.com.au Maximum beam including outriggers 14' Hulls may only be built from an approved mould of a fixed design by builders licensed by the Australian 18' League. Skiffs are usually owned by the Australian 18 Foot League. A current fleet sails on Sundays Spring, Summer and Autumn from Double Bay, Sydney NSW, Australia. European 18's As per the fundamental rules with limitations: Rules as administered by the European 18' Skiff Association: www.18footer.org Classic 18's As per the fundamental rules with limitations: Maximum beam including outriggers 18' Crew of not less than 3 Wings not allowed however gunwales may be extended off the side to a maximum of 12" Typical skiffs are those built in the 1970-80's. A current fleet sails out of Brisbane, Queensland. Taipan 18's As per the fundamental rules with limitations: Maximum beam including outriggers 18' Crew of 3 to 4 Skipper not allowed to trapeze Typical skiffs are those built in the 1960-70's including designs by Bob Miller (Ben Lexen) and Bruce Farr. A current fleet sails occasionally from Sydney Flying Squadron, NSW. Historic 18's As per the fundamental rules with limitations: Rules as administered by the Australian Historical Sailing Skiffs Association (AHSSA) Skiffs are replicas of those built prior to 1959 Skiffs are to be constructed primarily of timber with preference given to building standards of the time of their original design Rigs are Gaff or Gunter Outriggers and Trapezes not allowed A current fleet sails on Saturdays Spring, Summer and Autumn from Sydney Flying Squadron, NSW. Grand-Prix 18's As per the fundamental rules with limitations: Rules as administered by the group which organises the events. Membership & Voting Owners, Skippers, Crew, Sponsors and other enthusiastic people are welcome to join. All members are ordinary members with an advisory vote. Governing votes are allocated to life members and to ordinary members who actively own, sail and race skiffs. Life members have the honour of membership for life though are still required to pay accossiation dues to have governing voting status. Members considered to actively own, sail and race 18' skiffs must have a bona-fide financial interest in a whole or part share of one or more active race or training 18' skiff that sails at least 4 times per year with at least 2 other 18' skiffs. To be bona-fide the financial interest must be open to the public without reserve except for reasonable competency of stewardship. Changes to rules for each group are to be decided by governing member votes who are owners of skiffs in the group affected. NSW18 may hold votes using email to decide issues.