What are IOM class rules all about?
Posted: 24 Dec 2003, 02:32
There are three often-mentioned issues for the IOM class rules. Steve has mentioned the first two in the "sail shape indicator stripe" topic, and there is a third:
- Does it affect performance?
- Can its legality be proven or checked?
- Is it cheap and/or simple?
For each of these three issues, there are two questions that can be asked:Jan Dejmo, in the old Yahoo IOMICA forum, wrote:The goal for a "one-design class" does not have to be to reduce cost or achieve simplicity. The main reason is to achieve some sort of level playing field. It is often as important for "one-design classes" to regulate for perception reasons as for real performance. The fact that something is simple and inexpensive does not, in itself, make it legal or even desirable in a one-design class.
- Is issue 1, 2, or 3 relevant in deciding whether the class rules in fact permit or prohibit the feature or fitting involved? That is, how are the class rules to be interpreted?
- Is issue 1, 2, or 3 relevant in deciding whether the class rules should permit or prohibit the feature or fitting involved? That is, how are the class rules to be changed?