The AC Class Technical Committee was formed in response to comments and questions raised in the forum. The committee consists of three AMYA members from three different AMYA sanctioned clubs. The three members are Kelly Martin of the Gig Harbor Model Yacht Club in Washington, Tom Tepas of the Buffalo Model Boat Club in Buffalo, and Tom Grabowski of the Detroit Model Yacht Club in Detroit. All three members have served on similar committee's in the past and have years of experience with either full size sailing or model yachting or both. I feel this team will serve the class well and provide a solid foundation for answering questions on the AC Class rule.

I have established some guidelines for the committee to provide clarification as to the responsibilities and roles of the committee members. It is through these guidelines that I hope those individuals submitting questions to the committee will know what to expect in response from the committee. I encourage everyone who plans to submit a question to the committee to become familar with these guidelines. I have provided a link below for you to download a copy of the Tech Committee guidelines.

In addition to the guidelines I have developed a form for people to use that wish to submit a question to the Technical Committee. The form is written using Microsoft Excel. I ask that you complete this form electronically if possible and send it to me via e-mail to shorty88@comcast.net. As Class Secretary I will be the facilitator of the committee. Once I receive your question form I will forward it to the Committee members. Upon receipt of the committee response I will post the response to this page. (posted 7-14-03)

Thank you,
Eric Reno
A/C Class Secretary

download Technical Committee Guidelines

download Technical Committee Question Form

Date Submitted: 1-23-04
Submitted By: Wick Smith
Rule(s) in Question: 6.7

There has been a lot of talk about spinnaker poles. Does a pole or poles that hold out the spinnaker need to be attached to the mast to be called a spinnaker pole? To put it another way does a device that holds the spinnaker out need to fall within the 1.35*j limit if it is not attached to the mast? Also, if you tack the spinnaker to the deck can you violate the 1.35*j rule?

Technical Committee Response:

Does a pole or poles that hold out the spinnaker need to be attached to the mast to be called a spinnaker pole? Yes. To put it another way does a device that holds the spinnaker out need to fall within the 1.35*j limit if it is not attached to the mast? Yes. Also, if you tack the spinnaker to the deck can you violate the 1.35*j rule? No Also, The TC interpetes rule 6.7 as follows. The tack of the spinnaker shall not be attached to a yacht or pole at a point farther than a radius of 1.35*j from the mast. This applies to the yacht when being measured and on the race course during a race.

Date Submitted: 1-06-04
Submitted By: Craig Ryan
Rule(s) in Question: 6.1

Rule 6.1 states "6.1 Yachts shall be sloop-rigged with a single mast." Does the "jib mast" being used violate rule 6.1 as it adds a second mast to the boat. If it is legal why? If this device is legal what is it classified as in regards to "measurement trim"?

Technical Committee Response:

Mr. Ryan,
Using material that is often used as a mast to construct deck hardware does not necessarily make it a mast. A mast is a spar that is set upright to support sails. The apparatus shown in the photo (submitted by Eric Reno for clarification) is deck hardware, not a mast. Therefore, there is no violation of Rule 6.1. Since the apparatus shown in the photo does have a jib boom attached, it qualifies as a spar. Thus, the spar and anything permanently attached to it must be removed from the hull prior to measurement to conform with Rules 2.21 and 9.3.

Date Submitted: 8-10-03
Submitted By: Michael Bacci
Rule(s) in Question: 7.6 & 7.8

I would like the TC's interpretation as to the intent of rule 7.6. It seems to me that there is no point in allowing 2.5 inches of foot round when rule 7.8 does not allow any part of the main to extend below the lower measuremnt band. What would be the sense of using 2.5 inches of foot round and drastically reducing mainsail area?

Technical Committee Response:

It is possible to comply with both Rule 7.6 and 7.8 with a mainsail tack that is just above the measurement band. To accomplish that one would need to raise the clew of the mainsail. Rule 3.10 indicates 90 degree angle is being used to calculate measured sail area. The Technical Committee interprets Rule 7.8 to mean that no part of the mainsail, including the mainsail foot round, extend below a plane created by a 90 degree angle from the mast at the top of the mast measurement band.

Date Submitted: 7-26-03
Submitted by: Michael Bacci
Rule(s) in Question: 1.2 & 1.3

Rules 1.2 and 1.3 need to be rewritten, they are too vague and contradictory. The phrase in 1.2: 'to provide equitable model-yacht racing' should be removed. This is not a one design class and broad, undefined statements like this are not only unecessary but problematic. Case in point, Rule 1.3 goes on to say that anything not prohibited in the rules is allowed as long as it does not violate 1.2. Again, since 'equitable racing' is not defined, how does one know if they are violating rule 1.2 or not?

Technical Committee Response:

Mr. Bacci,
Thank you for your question to the AC Class Technical Committee. We agree that the text in rules 1.2 and 1.3 is vague and potentially would be difficult to interpret. However, the authority of this technical committee does not extend to rule revision or deletion--we can only interpret rules as they exist. We suggest that you consider submitting a proposal to the AC Class membership to modify and/or delete section(s) of these 2 rules.