The Pre Regatta Measurement Process is aimed at having designated people available in each Tasar Region to assist competitors by checking as many boats as possible prior to a major regatta. In a specified period prior to the regatta (a maximum of 3 months before the regatta) boats will be checked for compliance with the Tasar Class Rules. 

The Measurement Checklist can be downloaded by clicking this link Measurement Checklist (18.69 kB)

A Tasar Measurement Checklist consisting of 2 parts is to be completed. Part A is completed at the pre regatta measurement session conducted by the Regional Measurer. If weighing facilities are available on calibrated scales then part B 13, 14 and 15 can also be completed regionally. Completed Measurement Checklists are then to be brought to McCrae.

To complete registration sails, boards and battens will be presented at registration for signature checking and batten marking.

Facilities will be available to weigh boats at McCrae YC prior to and during the regatta. 

Normal checking of boats at random from the whole fleet will occur during the nationals. If a boat during post race checking is found not to comply tasar class rules then they will be excluded from that racing session. A committee of Regional Measurers/Measurers may be formed to adjudicate on such issues.

It must be stressed that this process correctly places the responsibility for compliance back on individual owners. The Tasar Measurement Checklist is neither complicated nor difficult to complete. Most items can be checked in a rigging area prior to normal club racing. 

It is also important to understand that this checklist once complete does not ensure a boat remains compliant, and that with any rigging changes or adjustments made, the boat must remain compliant, ie it is the responsibility of the owner to re-check after any changes are made. 

The Class Rules are available on the internet and all competitors are encouraged to access and become familiar with them. Regatta Officials, and particularly Measurers, are not meant to be the ones responsible for ensuring competitors equipment is within the Class Rules. Their role is to provide advice/guidance and assistance in this process only. 

The Regional Measurer's role is to organize a specific day within the set timeframe to get all intending competitors together and complete as much as possible in a formal manner. The communication lines will be open for reference to the Australian National Measurer or Chief Measurer for any issues that arise. 

It is accepted there will be instances where intending competitors will not have access to Regional Measurers in order to complete the checklist. To address this there will be limited facilities for full measurement to be completed at registration. Our aim is to have less than 20% of competitors requiring full measurement. 

As a guide, it is not advisable to measure boats more than 3 months out unless access to measuring is limited. Owners must understand that any alterations or changes after measurement may invalidate their checklist.                       

Tips For Regional Measurers 

Item 1 -Sails 

It is advisable to lay the sails, dacron or mylar, over a relatively new set. They should be near identical in dimension. There are no set dimensions but if as a guide all seams do not line up or appear different by more than say 10mm, then further investigation is required. Stamps to be placed on the starboard side on the tack reinforcing. 

Check numbers/letters are fitted in the right location, ie numbers above and below 4^th batten from the head, 300mm high x 200mm wide, spacing of approx 50mm and no closer than 60mm to a sail edge. Starboard side uppermost. The letters are the same dimensions, lined up under the lower numbers, again starboard side uppermost. 

Leech take-up on dacron sails - no more than 150mm of altered seam and 200mm of stitching from the leech. Any piercing of the sail other than for repairs, repositioning batten ends and protectors against shroud rubbing is not allowed. Quickly inspect all seams/edges.

Be mindful that Interpretations 35 and 36 allow re-adjustment of main/jib leech tapes and replacement of jib battens on mylar sails. There may be stitching present at these points only but it will be limited to what is in these interpretations.

Jibs may have a cleat fitted at the tack. 

The sails if approved will be clearly signed by the measurer with name and date at the tack on the starboard side with a permanent texta.

As many sails as requested can be checked/signed at regional measuring. At registration one set, including up to 2 jibs, are presented for checking of signatures. These sails are the only ones that can be used at this regatta.  

Item 2 - Foils 

There is no set profile other than a diagram used in 1985. Use a known, genuine, near new fibreglass set. All foils must be substantially within this profile. Any measurement outside/inside this by more than 10mm requires further checking and should not be passed. Wear and tear on older timber foils can cause measurement variation. The only solution is to build up the edges with fibreglass.

Foils that pass will be signed by the Regional Measurer. Sign the rudder on the starboard side below the stock, centerboard on the starboard side below the handle near the top of the board.  

Item 3 - Hull Weight Correctors 

Correctors must be securely fixed inside the hull - normally around the centreboard case or thwart pedestal but cannot be just taped in place. Digital photographs of correctors may be taken at the regatta for future reference.  

Item 4 - Whisker Pole 

Total length including beaks and fittings is 2038mm. Material may be alloy, wood or FRP. The pole must float.  

Item 5 - Forestay Measurement 

It is important for sailors to recognize that it is easy to break this rule especially with some of the new adjustable forestays used with mylar sails. Once measured owners must be advised that unless they are aware of exactly the effects an adjustment will make to this measurement, not to alter it. Forestay changes, including adding shackles, adjustable fittings at the top, etc, can all easily put a boat outside the legal limit. A new, same length forestay should be approximately 5mm shorter than the one it replaces, to allow for any stretch. 

Rig the boat and lay it on its side. Pull the stays back so they are under some tension, ie remove all play in the rigging. Place the rotation arm in the central position with the hounds facing forward. Measure from the foredeck - level to and next to the bow fitting to the lower bearing point of the shackle pin at the hounds fitting.  

Item 6 - Hounds To Deck Measurement 

Still with the boat on its side - measure from the fibreglass foredeck next to the mast step (not from the step itself) to the bearing point of the shackle pin at the hounds fitting. Be aware that a large amount of rig tension will compress and bend the mast, shortening this measurement. Have enough rig tension on to take the play out of the rig but no more to avoid this. Also note that if a new spacer or step washer is fitted there will be some packing down over time and allowance for this must be considered. Wear and tear on the mast washer will shorten this measurement. Hence avoid measuring too many months away from the event.

For a new spacer setting allow 6-8mm (3726-8mm) and recheck after a dozen or more outings. For a mast step washer allow approx 2mm packing down.  

Item 7 - Mainsheet Strop Measurement 

Measure from bearing point to bearing point of the strop itself, not including any shackles, etc. Measurement should be a minimum of 240mm. Strops may be of Spectra, etc and fitted above or below the pulleys.  

Item 8 - Shroud Pullbacks 

With the shroud slides all the way forward pull the handles straight back along the track. Measure from the aft most point of the metal track to the bearing point of the knot in whatever type of handle is used. Maximum length of the pullback is 150mm.

A direct 2:1 pulley system can now be used but the method of measurement for the line length is the same.  

Item 9 - Hounds To Top Of Jib Measurement 

For dacron sails only. Measure from the very top point of the jib to the bearing point of the shackle pin at the hounds fitting. Be aware that if the adjustment line has been freshly tied it will stretch several millimetres during use, so allow for this.  

Item 10 - Centreboard Case Padding 

Must be flexible, front and back, ie not filled or solid. Carpet on sides where board goes through must be one piece only, either side, top and bottom - 4 pieces in total. 

Item 11 - Topmast Stiffeners 

As per the Class Rules, Topmast stiffeners (as standard in Australian TASARS) are required. 

Item 12 - Topmast Support 

As per the Class Rules, the top mast shall be supported on an insert located and supported by the upper diamond bolt and having the same cross section as the top mast sleeve  

Item 13 - Crew Weight 

Dry weight in light clothing, ie ideally weighed in just shorts/shirt with no shoes.

At registration a calibrated set of scales will be available to record crew weights and use of this for recording of official weights is advisable.

Ensure for any pre regatta weighing the scales used are checked with a known weight.  If close to 130kg and 3 months out from the regatta it is advisable that the crews use this as a guide only and monitor their own weight.  

Item 14 - Hull Weight Including Correctors 

Check tanks are dry, any fitted bags are empty, sponges, drink bottles, sheets removed or held up. Anything normally fixed to the hull, ie compasses/hatch covers/furlers, etc remain in.

Any sign of moisture - do not weigh it. It is only putting the owner at risk if a damp boat is weighed.  

Item 15 - Crew Weight Ballast 

If crew weight ballast is required then it must be fixed securely around the centerboard case or thwart pedestal.  

Item 16 - Battens 

Only one set of battens can be used for a particular event, no substitution after registration is allowed unless approved by the Race Committee. Battens must all be FRP, solid, may be tapered/untapered but must not be altered in shape/weight once registered. 

Item 16, 17, 18 

Battens, boards and sails will be presented at registration.

Battens will be marked and signatures on sails and boards will be checked. Once this is done the competitors can then present the completed form at the registration desk and register for the event. 

Further Notes

Replacement Equipment 

Tasar Class Rule C.2.1.c refers to equipment replacement after measurement during an event. Basically no item can be replaced, including sheets, ropes, spars, foils, tiller or fittings, etc without Race Committee approval. If any item is damaged or wears out then it can be replaced but a letter must be submitted prior to use. Failure to do this may result in disqualification. This is not commonly known and should be highlighted. Any suspect items should be replaced prior to an event. 

The Intent of the Pre Regatta Measurement Process 

The intent of the Pre Regatta Measurement Process is to highlight the competitor's responsibility to ensure their boat complies with all the Tasar Class Rules. Any changes or alterations made after measurement may invalidate the checklist. If boats are measured some time out from an event there is a risk that inadvertent changes may make the boat incompliant. Encouragement is needed for owners to become more familiar with the rules and assume this responsibility for themselves, ie do their own checking so that checklists and post race measurement checks become a stress free formality. 

Post Race Measurement Checks 

Measurement checks are made on the basis of random selection and include all levels of competition. Skippers and crew should seek to understand the post race directions in order to make this a quick and relatively easy process.

Selected competitors will be greeted on arrival back at the beach. Sails may be dropped but must be left attached to halyards. Skipper and or crew must be with the boat at all times. Move the boat immediately to the inspection area and allow full access by officials to the boat, assisting where required. A selection of measurements will be conducted which differ from day to day. The boat may only be removed from the inspection area and fully unrigged when released by the measurement official.

In addition to the set checks an allover visual inspection may be done and extra items checked. A failure on any item on the regatta checklist will result in loss of points for all races in that session. Any other item discovered may be referred to a sub committee of Regional Measurers including the Chief Measurer for adjudication and possible subsequent forwarding to the Race Committee. All decisions on measurement issues will be final and not open for appeal. 

The Post Race Measurement Inspection Sheet contains a comments section where anything out of the ordinary can be noted. Noting an item on this checklist even if it is subsequently fixed is helpful for rechecking later. It may also serve to raise an alert to various added/extended functions that might be creeping into the class and trigger future timely reminders to be sent to the Tasar community via websites, etc. 

Any problems encountered with the Pre Regatta Measurement Process, queries etc can be directed to either myself or Graham Hanna. Our contact details are listed below. 

Australian Measurer                                             World Measurer

Craig Mcphee                                                            Graham Hanna

61 08 85564201                                                         61 02 9420 4111

                                                                                0407 900 989 or 0413 290 451

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