BASIC RULES
This rule applies to monohull sailing yachts, with the aim of racing offshore in real time.
A monohull is a boat with a single flotation plane at rest or under sail, whose hull depth in any transversal section shall not decrease towards the centre-line.
Current ISAF rules (RCV, ERS & OSR) apply
The Classe 9.50 monohull Class Rules are the open type set out in Paragraph C.3.3 of the ERS (Rules of Equipment for Sailing boats), meaning that anything that is not expressly forbidden, limited or enforced, is authorized.
The Class official language is French.
The Class 9.50 monohulls are aimed to coastal semi-offshore and offshore racing.
Skippers should note that their piloting is not without danger under certain sailing conditions, and that the decision to race is theirs alone, to enforce Article 4 of the RRS.
The safety of the boat and its crew is the inalienable responsibility of the sole owner, or its skipper, which must ensure that the yacht is in a good condition all over, perfectly seaworthy, and that it is manoeuvred by an experienced crew, which has taken the appropriate training and is physically capable of confronting the bad weather.
To enforce article 3 (c) of the RRS and whatever the circumstances of the possible accident, no legal responsibility can be sought from whatever party as regards the ISAF, the ANM (FFVoile), Classe 9.50, or an official measurer of the present rules.
The class must respect the conditions set out in Category C of the Publicity Code of the ISAF Ruling (Chapter IV; 20).
The production 9.50s and prototypes will share a common ranking.
Routing is forbidden while racing.
The Class Association is the body warranting the class rules and their eventual evolution. The Class rule of the Classe 9.50 is applicable from January, 1st of each year to all the 9.50 yachts.
Eventually, incompliance to the rules will be studied specifically one by one depending on the official publishing date of these rules and on the design or building date of the concerned element.
The General Assembly of the Class is the only authority habilitated to modify and construe the class rules. The official measurer is responsible for the application of the rules and can insist on a demonstration if necessary.
Chapter 1
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
100.GENERAL COMMENTS.
The boat must at least comply with all aspects of the ‘NF EN ISO 12217 Small Craft – Stability and Buoyancy Assessment and Categorisation – part 2 : Sailing boats of hull length greater or equal to 6 m’ for design Category A, as well as the requirements set out in the OSR for Sailing Category 1.
In the event of a conflict between the OSR and the NF EN ISO 12217 standard, the latter will prevail.
It is also reminded that the boat must comply with the prescriptions of the article 3.04.6 of the OSR Cat. 1
The skipper will either provide a certification of compliance to the NF EN ISO 12217 standard and to § 3.04.6 OSR Cat 1 issued by the yard, or a solemn declaration for the custom built leisure crafts (appendix 224-A.1 of the new division 224, completed by the following sentence: I, … , certify on my own responsibility that my boat meets the requirements set out in the OSR Cat 1.)
These rules are modified in the following way:
Alterations to the OSR Cat.1
a) 3.03.1 b) «ABS certification », does not apply.
b) 3.04.3 « IMS Stability Index», does not apply.
c) 3.04.4 « Stability Standard », replace « can » by « must ». See §301 of these rules.
d) 3.08.3 « Companionway », does not apply, replaced by the restrictions set by the ISO 12217-2: §6.2.2.2 standard and the whole ISO 11812 § 8. As a result, the minimum height of the fixed sill must be 300 mm. The (watertight) companionway hatch must be solidly attached to the craft in such a way they cannot be dismantled without tools.
e) 3.14.3a « Pulpit Position », modified, see §403 of these rules.
f) 3.14.7 « Pushpits/Pulpits, Stanchions, Liflines », modified, see §403 of these rules.
g) 3.19.1 « Bunks », modified, see §104 of these rules.
h) 4.01.2 « Hull marking ». Modified, see §307 of these rules.
i) 4.26.4 f « Working jib ». Modified, see §212.04 of these rules.
j) Appendix H « Organisation of Ocean Races ». Does not apply.
Alterations to the RRS:
a) §50.4 « Foresails», modified. See §212.03.01 of these rules.
b) §51. « Movable ballast », does not apply.
c) appendix G “on sail identification”, modified, see §212.01.01 of these rules
101. APPENDAGES
The appendages are limited to one keel, fixed while sailing (no flap / trimtab) and two rudders (fixed or lifting blades) maximum.
Note: Canards and dagger-boards are forbidden.
102. RIG
Canting and pivoting masts are forbidden
Forestays, backstays, runners and shrouds (permanent or temporary) must be fixed to chain plates situated inside the natural intersection of hull and deck.
A tolerance of 20 mm is allowed for attached chainplates
Deck spreaders are forbidden
103. SAIL PLAN
The total number of sails taken onboard is limited to 8, including a staysail, a storm-jib (mandatory) and a try-sail (facultative, except special prescriptions from the race organiser).
Any material other than woven or laminated polyester is forbidden in the manufacture of the mainsail and jibs. Any material other than Nylon is forbidden in the manufacture of the spinnakers.
The mainsail must display the Classe 9.50 logo, which must be obtained exclusively from the Classe 9.50 committee.
104. INTERNAL FIXTURES
In addition to the OSR Cat 1 rules (ie: a wc and small galley), there must be onboard:
- 1 chart table, permanently fixed
- A minimum of 4 bunks, permanently fixed
- A minimum of 2 portlights on the roof, each of them must provide a lateral visibility of 0.2 m² minimum. This is the total “clear glass” area and excludes the companionway hatch.
- 2 tanks of a minimum capacity of 50 L. for fresh water. They must be permanently fixed and their top must not be higher than 20 cm above the DWL
- 1 tanks of a minimum capacity of 50L. for fuel, permanently fixed.
105. ENERGY
Electrical power is delivered through several batteries of a minimum global capacity of 200 A/h in 12 V for servitude batteries and of 40 A/h for the engine batteries.
These batteries must be watertight. By watertight, one means: of which the acid cannot leak immediately in a horizontal position. They must be fixed for the entire competition, in such a way that they cannot move, whatever the trim of the boat.
These batteries must be electrolytic using lead. (Acidic or gel)
Chapter 2
DIMENSIONS
200.DIMENSIONS
The dimensions that must be measured in compliance with the NF EN ISO 8666 standard are indicated by the name EN/ISO 8666 followed by the relevant chapter.
201. LOADING CONDITIONS
The boat loading condition for the measurement trim is the Light Craft Condition LCC (in conformity with 6.3 of the EN ISO 8666 standard and 3.5.1 of the EN ISO12217-2 standard) excluding the mooring gear (anchor, chain and mooring line) and the loose external equipment (fenders, warps, mooring lines), the life raft and the sails.
Only the batteries stay onboard.
202. HULL LENGTH (Lh) : ( EN/ ISO 8666 §5. 2. 2)
The hull length must not exceed 9,50 m.
Reminder: This measurement does not include rudders and their fittings, bobstay fittings, devoid of devices designed to lengthen the waterline, nor pulpits and pushpits, solar panels and wind vane autopilots.
203. MAXIMUM BEAM (Bmax) : ( EN/ I SO 8666 §5. 3. 2)
The maximum beam must not exceed 3,70 m.
204. MAXIMUM DRAFT (Tmax) : ( EN/ I SO 8666 §45. 4. 4. 1)
The maximum draft must not exceed 2,40 m (boat in measurement trim §201)
205. AVERAGE FREEBOARD
The mean freeboard must not be less than 1 m.
The mean freeboard is obtained by dividing the vertical projected area of the topside of the hull (up to the gunwale line as defined in EN ISO 8666 and interpreting the ERS for rounded gunwale) by the hull length (Lh).
206. DISPLACEMENT
The mass of the boat must not be less than 2.700 kg. This mass is established for a boat in loading conditions §201.
207. SOLID AND WATER BALLAST
207.01 Solid ballast: Reminder: See OSR §2 03 2a
207.02 Liquid ballast: The maximum authorised volume of liquid ballast is 900 L. to be distributed symmetrically (450 L. on each side). In case of Bmax less than 3.70, the total volume must stay smaller to ((900 / Bmax) X 3,70 ), to be distributed symmetrically.
(eg: if Bmax=3.50, ((900 / 3.50) x 3.70 = 952 litres)
The vents for each ballast tank must be located on the deck and have a minimum inside diameter of 25 millimetres. Each vent must have a cap permanently tied close by.
208. MAST (Highest point)
A band measuring a minimum of 25mm in width in a contrasting colour must be affixed around the top of the mast. The lower edge of this band will be situated at the level of the highest point of the mainsail in loading conditions and no case any higher than 16m50 from the waterline. No point of any set sail may be situated above the lower edge of this band. In the absence of such a band, the high point will be the highest point of the tube making up the mast. Furthermore, the height defined by (Hmain+Hjibc+Hspin)/3 must be smaller or equal to 15m50. Hmain, Hjib, Hspin are the heights of the mainsail, jib and spinnaker halyard sheaves as defined here after:
- Hmain: Distance between the waterline and the lower edge of the colour band applied on the mast (or highest point of the mast tube is no band is applied)
- Hjib: Distance between the waterline and the intersection point of the neutral fibre (axis) of the halyard and the front face of the mast.
- Hspin: Distance between the waterline and the lower edge of the highest halyard guide. (If the arrangement doesn’t feature a guide, the height of the neutral axis of the spinnaker halyard in its horizontal position when used)
All measures taken from the waterline apply for the boat in loading condition §201.
209. BOOM
The aftermost part of the mainsail (clew) will be materialised on the boom by a black band and will have to be in retreat of 50 cm minimum from the aftermost point used to determine the Lh, whatever the trim of the mainsail.
210. BOWSPRIT
Once in position (ie: in normal position at the bow, whatever it being retractable or pivoting), the forward extremity of the bowsprit must not exceed the forward extremity of the boat used to determine Lh by more than 2.00 m In no case can the bowsprit be fixed.
211. SPINNAKER POLE
Once in position (ie: in normal position on the mast), the forward extremity of the spinnaker pole must not exceed the forward extremity of the boat used to determine Lh by more than 2.00 m
212. SAILS
The maximum real sail area, Mainsail + Genoa/Jib, (see definition in 212.03.01) must not be more than 80 m².
212.01 Reminder and general comments
212.01.01 The ERS Rules and the measures of Annexe G of the RRS ISAF rules (size and positioning of the sail numbers) fully apply. (Except for G1.3 (d), identification on Spinnakers)
The race number must be worn on each side of the mainsails, jibs, genoas and storm-jib.
Additionally the mainsail must also display the national letters and the logo of the Class, available from the Class. National letters must be above the race number and starboard letters above the port side ones. Dimensions of the numbers and letters are defined by the International ISAF rules (RCV 2005-2008, Appendix G, Article G1.2)
212.01.02 The sail numbers are issued by the Classe 9.50 by chronological order of requests.
212.02 Measures of the mainsail
212.02.01 The sail area of the mainsail (SMGV) is given by the following formula:
SMGV = Luff*(HB+2*MGT+3*MGU+4*MGM+4*MGL+2*sail foot)/16
212.02.02 Luff Height (ERS G.7.3)
212.02.03 Girths
- HB is the girth of the mainsail head/tip (ERS G.7.8)
- MGT is the upper girth (ERS G.7.7)
Definition: the upper leach point is the point on the leach situated at an equal distance from the head and from the three quarter point.
- MGU is the girth at the three quarter point (ERS G.7.6)
- MGM is the girth at the middle distance point (ERS G.7.5)
- MGL is the girth at the quarter distance point (ERS G.7.4)
212.02.04 Base
Sail foot (ERS G.7.1)
212.02.05 The distance between the mid-foot point (ERS G.5.6.a) and the straight line passing via the mainsail tack and sheet points must not exceed 0.15 metres.
212.03. Measures of the Genoa/Jib
212.03.01 A genoa/jib is a triangular shaped foresail hoisted along a stay, even if this stay is not the main stay. A genoa/jib is a foresail whose width in the middle (ERS G.7.5) is less than or equal to 50% of the luff perpendicular (ERS G.7.11).
212.03.02
LP is the luff perpendicular (ERS G.7.11).
JL is the length of the luff (ERS G.7.3).
212.03.03 The surface area of the jib (SMF) is given by: SMF = 0.5 x JL x LP
The distance between the mid-foot point (ERS G.5.6.a) and the straight line passing via the genoa/jib tack and sheet points must not exceed 0.10 metres.
212.04 Trysail, working and storm jibs
Refer to §4.26 des OSR Cat 1 modified as follows:
A reef band is permitted in the working jib. The trysail must be made of a material weighing a minimum of 8oz
212.05 Sail conformity Certificate
The sailmaker will sign a document (default issued by the Classe 9.50) certifying the materials of the sails, the measures and the area of the mainsail and or each genoa/jib as well as their total conformity with respect to the requirements of RRS and ERS.
Chapter 3
SECURITY
300. STABILITY : (EN/ISO 12217)
See §100, see first paragraph.
The validation of the displacement will be made by the weigh-in (see chapter 301).
The validation of the height of the centre of gravity is based on the 90° test defined in chapter 302. Within the framework of this check, the measurer will note down the following measurements on his report: Lh, Bmax, Tmax, average freeboard, top point of the mast, water ballast volume following the procedures file supplied by the Classe 9.50.
301. DISPLACEMENT CONFORMITY
The weigh-in of the boat in loading conditions §201 will have to be carried out in the presence of a measurer substantiated by the Classe 9.50, with the help of a weight indicator also substantiated by the Classe 9.50. This person will supply the class with a report of the weigh-in.
302. 90° TEST
This test is aimed at proving that the boat is capable of righting itself from the broached position.
It must be completed in the presence of a measurer substantiated by the Class 9.50
The boat in loading conditions §201 is heeled at 90° and kept in this position with the aid of a strop passed around the mast at the level of the band at the top point of the mast (see §208 of the present rules). For boat whose mast height is 15.50 m, the tension exerted on the strop must not be lower than 130 kg, or higher than 170 kg. These values are only applicable for a band at a height of 15.50 metres. For a boat whose mast is shorter or longer, the force applied to the strop will have to be higher than a moment of 130 kg x 15.50 = 2015 kg.m/H but no higher than 170 kg x 15.50 m = 2635 kg.m/H (ie: For a mast of 14.50m, 2015/14.50=139 kg and 2635/14.50=182 kg. For a mast of 16.50m 122 kg minimum and 160 kg maximum).
The boat is considered as heeled at 90° when the aftermost points of the sheerlines are situated in the same vertical plane.
303. WATERTIGHT BULKHEAD
A watertight collision bulkhead must be installed within 5 and 10% of LWL aft of the forward extremity of Lh and aft of the forward extremity of waterline.
304. COMBINED DECK CAMBER AND ROOF VOLUME
Its minimum volume, measured from the plan passing via the sheer lines (such as is defined in the EN/ISO 8666), must be at least equal to the boat’s maximum beam expressed in m³. The presence of a coach roof is compulsory. It must provide minimum headroom of 1.80 m on a ground area of 2m².A certificate signed by the architect mentioning this volume and the minimum ground surface will have to be provided.
305. BUOYANCY VOLUMES
The yacht will have to conform to the prescriptions of the EN/ISO 12217-2 § 6.3.2.b. standard.
306. PROPULSION
An engine with its fixed propulsion as well as a propeller must be installed and enable the boat to reach the minimum speed required by the OSR rules.
307. MARQUAGE DE COQUE
The sail number (without its ‘root’) must be very clearly inscribed once on the deck (minimum height of 500 mm) and once each side of the hull (minimum height of 500 mm).
308. SAFETY MATERIAL
Reminder: The onboard equipment must conform to the OSR ruling for the relevant race category, such as is modified by the present rules. The location of the life raft must enable its quick and easy launch, whatever the trim of the boat.
It will have to be fixed to its designated location, and will possibly be sealed with lead. A ground tackle is compulsory and should include a 12 kg anchor, 12 m of chain measuring a minimum of 8 mm in diameter and 30 m of Nylon warp measuring a minimum diameter of 12 mm. This so called ‘safety’ ground tackle must be permanently installed in the boat with dedicated stowage where it will possibly be sealed with lead.
Chapter 4
COST RESTRICTIONS
MATERIALS
400. HULL, DECK, INTERNAL STRUTURE AND FIXTURES
Materials forbidden in the construction of the hull, deck, the interior structure and fittings are: Fibres: Carbon fibre, Aramide fibre and S or R Glass fibre (only E Glass is permitted) Cores: Nomex and Aluminium alloy Honeycomb cores
401. CHAINPLATES
Titanium and carbon are forbidden.
402. PULLPIT, PUSHPITS AND STANCHIONS
Any material other than steel is forbidden
OSR 3.14.3a): delete the terms “forward of the headstay” in the official English version
403. BALLAST
All materials denser than lead are forbidden.
404. KEEL FOIL, RUDDER AND STEERING SYSTEM
The forbidden materials are:
Carbon fibre, S or R Glass, Titanium, Nomex and Aluminium alloy Honeycomb cores
The milling of metallic keel fin is forbidden
405. MAST, BOOM, POLE AND BOWSPRIT
The forbidden materials are:
Titanium, Carbon fibre whose tension modulus is greater than 245 GPa (manufacturer certification compulsory), Halyard hooks are forbidden
406. LATERAL STANDING RIGGING
Any material other than steel is forbidden
407. SAIL MATERIALS
See § 103 and 212.05
Chapiter 5
CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES
500. HULL, DECK, INTERNAL STRUTURE AND FIXTURES
Processes involving resin pre impregnated reinforcements are forbidden in the construction of the hull, deck, internal structure and fittings.
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