*** Note, these rules were never ratified. ***

Soverel 33 Class Rules
December 2000


Soverel 33 Class Rules

Contents:

I. NAME
II. OBJECTIVES
III. MEASUREMENT
IV. MEMBERSHIP
V. CLASS STRUCTURE AND CLASS OFFICERS

A. CLASS OFFICERS

Class President
Secretary-Treasurer
Fleet Captains

B. CLASS COMMITTEE
C. REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
D. FLEETS


VI. ANNUAL MEETING
VII. GENERAL RULES
VII. SANCTIONED EVENTS
A. NATIONALS AND REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
B. ELIGIBILITY
VIII. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES

I. NAME: The name of the organization shall be "Soverel 33 Class Association"

II. OBJECTIVES:

The objective of the Class Association shall be to promote the development of the S-33 as a high performance sailboat and one-design racing class. It is recognized that the success of the class is dependent on the competitiveness of the S-33 in both handicap and one-design racing. It is the intent of these class rules to support the above concepts and to provide a structure for One-Design competition that will in turn enhance the success of the handicap racing. These class rules may be changed from time to time to allow for the healthy development and growth of this class. It is the intent of this class to encourage competitive sailing through the sharing of all information within the class to promote camaraderie and the development of the boat.

III. MEASUREMENT

A. The Measurement system for the S-33 class will be based on the "Box" system described below. Any deviation from the specifications described below or changes from the original boat must be reported in writing to the class secretary.

B. All Measurements below are Maximums, except for the Displacement. The class standard Mast mast is a 15/16th fractional aluminum rig with two sets of in-line spreaders supported by checkstays. The addition of true runners that attach at the hounds is permissible. Hoist height of all sails may not exceed the hounds for spinnakers or headsails and black band affixed as P measurement for mainsails. Spinnaker poles can be made of any material. Racing with stoves and cushions onboard is optional. The box is defined as:

LOA : 33.0 ft
SWL: 30.5 ft
BEAM: 11.0 ft
DRAFT: 5.85 ft
Max Headstay 44.5 ft
SPL: 14.0 ft
MIN DISPL: 5,200 lbs.

Black bands are necessary on all boats for the following:

P 41.0'
E 13.0'
J 12.75'

C. Hull:

The Soverel 33 shall be built to existing specifications as sanctioned by the association. No major changes may be made to the form or structure of the hull, keel or rudder. In Hulls prior to 1985 the stock rudder was rectangular and subsequently elliptical in shape. The rudder may be either of these two shapes. It is the intent of this rule to allow for repairs and minor fairing and sanding of the hull, keel and rudder, which do not alter the overall shape or weight distribution of the hull, or the weight, profile or sectional shape of the keel, and rudder. The Class Association shall maintain and make available official keel and rudder templates. Additional internal stiffening of the hull is allowed. All boats will carry minimum safety equipment per ORC standards for a vessel of her size.

D. Sails:

There are no restrictions on cloth material for sails and owners are free to use designs of any sailmaker provided they meet size and quantity limitations as this section dictates. There are currently no restrictions on the number of sails that can be purchased or carried.. All sail dimensions must conform to ORC standards. The following maximum dimension sails are allowed for One-Design Class racing:

Mainsail:

  1. P=41.0
  2. E=13.0
  3. Max Leach Length = 43.75'
  4. MGT (Midgirth 7/8) = 2.86'
  5. MGM (Midgirth Middle 3/4) = 8.45'
  6. MGU (Midgirth Upper 1/2) = 4.94'
  7. MGL (Midgirth) = 11.7'
  8. HB (Headboard) = 0.52'
  9. Full length battens are allowed

Headsails:

  1. I=42.5 ft
  2. J=12.75 ft
  3. Max Luff Length = 43.25 ft, tensioned to remove visible wrinkles
  4. headsails will not exceed max 155% J

Spinnakers:

  1. I=42.5 ft
  2. SPL=14.0 ft
  3. spinnakers will have luff limit, SL=42.5 ft
  4. spinnaker will have a girth limit, SMG = 25.6 ft
  5. ISP=42.5 ft


E. Crew:

The number of crew is not limited however the weight of all crew aboard during class sanctioned regattas is limited to 1620 pounds.


F. MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES

  1. Measurement of all Soverel 33's will be based on PHRF certificates. Owners must sign, that their boats conform to the standards above or note them on the certificate. A boat that does not comply with these standards can appeal to the class secretary for a temporary waiver.
  2. All production made Soverel 33's without any alterations will be considered conformed to class rules as long as they fit into the box described in Section III, rules A-D.
  3. Any deviation from Section III, Rule F.2 shall be detailed in writing with specific information detailing the change made to the boat prior to starting in any class race. It's up to the discretion of the class secretary to allow the boat to compete in sanctioned one design events with modifications.
  4. A boat may be disqualified from a Soverel 33 one-design race if the boat has a deviation and does not adhere to Section III, Rule F.3.
  5. Any Full Member has the right to request the measurement of any boat competing in a one-design event. The Measurer will be a person picked class secretary of his or her designee. If the measured boat is found out of compliance of the class rules by the Measurer, the owner will be subject to Section III, Rule F.4. If the measured boat is deemed compliant to class rules by the Measurer The Protesting Member will be responsible for all costs incurred, regardless of the decision.

IV. MEMBERSHIP

A. An active Full Member shall be an owner or part owner of a registered boat. Privileges are to hold office, to vote (with a limit of one vote per boat), to sail in Class Championships and other races organized by the Class Association.

B. An Associate Member shall be a non-boat owner who is interested in the Class. He may act as helmsman or crew in any Class race and shall be entitled to receive Class Mailings. He may not vote or hold office.

C. Honorary Members may be elected, by resolution of the Soverel 33 Association upon recommendation of the Officers, from among those who have actively supported the Soverel 33 Association. Such Honorary Members shall have the same privileges as an Associate Member or, if a boat owner, a full member.


V. CLASS STRUCTURE AND CLASS OFFICERS

A. CLASS OFFICERS

These shall consist of a Class President, Class Secretary-Treasurer and Fleet Captains.

The Class President and Class Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected every two years at an Annual Meeting, the Class Secretary elected in alternate years with the Class President. Candidates for election shall be sent to the Class Secretary in time to be included in the written notice and agenda of the Annual Meeting. The Class Secretary in office shall invite nominations from the fleets six months before the meeting concerned.

The Class Committee may appoint a member to fill a vacancy until a new officer is elected by the above procedure.

B. DUTIES OF CLASS OFFICERS

Class President:

  1. shall schedule and preside over Annual Meeting and any Special Meetings as called for by Class Secretary.

Secretary-Treasurer:

  1. shall assume responsibilities above in absence of Class President,
  2. shall also serve as Class Information Officer. Class Information Officer will maintain records of Membership Roster (address and e-mail) and Boat Listing.
  3. Shall record minutes of all meetings.
  4. Shall send written notice of all upcoming meetings together with an agenda,
  5. Process applications for registration of boats and membership
  6. Keep records of all measurement deviations for all boats.
  7. Invite nominations from the fleet's six months before election of officers.
  8. Collect annual dues
  9. Post the financial standing of the Class Association in Annual Newsletter

Fleet Captains

  1. Shall maintain close contact with the other National Officers and neighboring Regions.
  2. Coordinate fleet racing so as to produce a cohesive regional schedule.
  3. Select suitable sites for Regional Championships, in cooperation with nearby regions.
  4. Assist Fleets in the conduct of Class Regattas.
  5. Act as or appoint a Regional Measurer to ensure that Class Rules are uniformly enforced throughout the Region.
  6. Maintain public and press awareness of class activities

C. CLASS COMMITTEE

  1. This committee shall consist of current and the prior Class Presidents, Class Secretaries, and Fleet Captains or their deputies who are still full members in good standing.
  2. It shall meet once a year before the Annual Meeting.
  3. Decisions shall be made by simple majority.
  4. 50% of the Committee shall make a quorum.
  5. Annual dues shall be determined for recommendation for the Annual Meeting.
  6. The class committee shall recommend the addition of fleets as appropriate.
  7. The class committee shall recommend the location of future class championships.

D. FLEETS

  1. The basic unit of the Soverel 33 Association shall be the Fleet.
  2. The Fleet shall be self governing in local matters not conflicting with Soverel 33 Class Rules.
  3. Fleets shall be numbered in order of their formation and also with a geographic or Yacht Club designation. Example: Fleet 1, Northeast.
  4. The Full Members shall hold a meeting at least once a year at which they shall elect a Fleet Captain, Fleet Secretary or such other officers as deemed necessary.
  5. The nearest fleet shall be responsible for rule observance and conduct of any Class Championship held in its area but shall be free to call upon the help of the Class President or Class Secretary for this purpose.

VI. ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting of the Soverel 33 Class Association shall be held at the time of the National Championships. The venue of the meeting shall be decided by the Class Association at the previous Annual Meeting but, in default, may be decided by the Class Committee.

The Class Secretary shall send written notice of the meeting together with an agenda to all members, not less than one month before the meeting.

Owners unable to attend may vote by write in proxies.

A Special Meeting may be called upon request to the Class Secretary by at least six owners.

All votes shall be decided by simple majority.

Annual dues shall be set by the Annual Meeting upon the recommendation of the
Class Committee after being posted in the written agenda prior to the meeting.

VII. GENERAL RULES

The Soverel 33 Class Association shall collect applications for membership and dues.

Applications for registration of boats and membership shall be made on an official form, obtainable from the Class Secretary. Applications shall be returned accompanied by a remittance in respect of the class dues.

The annual dues shall be payable on January 1st each year to the Class Secretary. Members joining after September 1st in any year shall not be required to pay further dues on the 1st of January following their election.

VII. SANCTIONED EVENTS

A. NATIONALS AND REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS/EVENTS

  1. These Championships shall be conducted in the vicinity of a fleet which shall assume responsibility to see that the Regatta is run properly.
  2. The Class Committee or Fleet Captain may appoint a committee to assist the fleet. Normally, the nearest Fleet Captain shall be on the Club's Organizing Committee to ensure continuity between the organizers and the Class.
  3. The location of future one-design championships shall be approved by the Class Committee

B. ELIGIBILITY

  1. Size of fleet: unlimited until further notice.
  2. The boat owner shall be registered with the class as a Full Member.
  3. The Full Member for each boat must be current on their class membership dues.

VIII. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES

A. Amendments to these rules shall be decided by a postal ballot of all Full Members.
B. Amendments may be proposed:

    1. By a majority vote at an Annual Meeting.
    2. By the Class Committee.
    3. By any two fleets.

      If by (2) or (3) the proposal shall be debated by the Class at an Annual Meeting.