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Wayfarer International Class Rules
effective April 2005
Authority: Wayfarer International Committee
Please note:
Length measurements are in millimetres (with Imperial in brackets).
Weight measurements are in kilograms (with pounds in brackets).
Volume measurements are in litres (with English gallons in brackets)

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22. THWARTS AND BENCHES
22.1 Centre thwart. (Wood boats only). Height of upper surface above hog. 432 +/- 26 (1’5” +/- 1”).
22.2 Side Benches.
(a) Shall be slatted, and in accordance with official drawings applying to specific version of boat.
(b) Overall plan width. 204 (8”) minimum. (Wayfarer World excluded).
      (MK III only) Overall plan width 191 (7½”) minimum
(c) Thickness. 19 (¾”) minimum. (Wayfarer World excluded).
(d) Distance between inner edges of opposite side benches. 991 (3’3”) maximum. (Wayfarer World excluded).
(e) Forward side benches shall be fitted in position when racing. Aft side benches may be removed.
(f) (Wayfarer World only). Shall be from the official mould as specified in the approved drawings.

23. FLOORBOARDS (Wayfarer World and SD versions excluded).
23.1 Position. Shall be fitted when racing, but shall be removable.
23.2 Material. Shall be plywood or G.R.P. of minimum thickness 8 (5/16”). Solid timber stiffening or framing permitted.
23.3 Number. Not more than three on each side of the centreline.
23.4 Apertures permitted for access to fixings and fittings and for finger holes where reasonable.
23.5 Extent. Shall be substantially in accordance with official drawings applying to specific version of boat.

24. SHROUD PLATES
24.1 Distance from outside transom to centre of pin hole in each shroud plate. 2743 (9’0”) maximum.
24.2 Distance athwartships between centres of pin holes in opposite shroud plates. 1575 (5’2”) minimum.


HULL WEIGHT CONTROLS

25.
HULL WEIGHT
25.1 Condition during weighing.
(a) All external and internal surfaces shall be dry, to the satisfaction of the measurer.
(b) No fitting shall be weighed with the hull unless it is securely bolted, screwed, bonded or otherwise fixed to the boat as permanent equipment to be carried when racing. Fittings not listed in 25.1(c) and (d) shall not be included in the measured weight.
(c) Items which shall be included during weighing:
    Centreboard.             
    Hatch covers.
    Forward side benches.     
    Floorboards
    Bow plate.
    Centreboard pivot bolt.
    Mast step.
    Rudder hangings.         
    Sheet horse.
    Shroud plates.       
    Stem band and keel band
[see Rule 11.4(e)].

(d) Items permitted to be included during weighing:
    Inspection port covers.     
    Mast pivot pin.
    Rigidly attached sheet fairleads.  
    Sheet cleats.
    Rowlock sockets.         
    Drain sockets.
    Not more than four lifting handles.      
    Bow fairlead.             
    Mooring and forestay cleats.
    Two self-bailers.         
    Cleats or eyes for fastening covers or securing oars or anchor or motor.
    Toe-straps with fittings.         
    Fendoff.             
    Fixed metalwork and fittings.
    Clamps or turnbuttons for attaching side benches or floorboards or hatches.



(e) Items excluded from measured weight:
    Aft side benches.         
    Detachable blocks.         
    Sheets.
    Rudder.             
    Tiller.
    Spars.     
    Additional main keel bands.
[see Rule 11.4(e)].
   (Wayfarer World only) Asymmetric pole (Boat to be weighed with pole. Measurer to subtract 1.4 kg to exclude pole weight)


25.2 Minimum weight. In condition specified in rule 25.1:
(a) All Versions: 182.3 kg (402 lbs) including floor boards
(b) Versions (a-g) (k-p): 168.7 kg  (372 lbs) excluding floor boards

25.3 Weight correction. Hulls weighing less than that specified under 25.2 and in the condition specified in 25.1 shall be made up to the required minimum weight by weight correctors made of any material, but of total weight not exceeding 6.8 kg (15 lbs). Weight correctors shall be fastened to the underside of the centre thwart.
25.4 Reduction of weight correctors. Shall not be permitted without an official reweighing.
25.5 Record of weight correction. Weight correctors shall be weighed separately and their weight entered on the Measurement Form.
25.6 Change in weight. Any permitted alteration to the hull or fittings resulting in a change in weight shall require an official reweighing.


RIG CONTROLS

26. MAST
26.1 Material. Shall be metal or wood.
26.2 Design of metal or wood masts. Shall comply with the official drawings. Heel may be tenoned.
26.3 Metal masts shall be made from extrusion weighing not less than 1.089 kg/m (0.732 lbs/ft).
26.4 Position of mast. Shall be determined by position of pivot holes in mast and kingposts, controlled by official drawings and Rule 26.5. The mast shall be secured by a bolt or pin of minimum diameter  6 (¼”) through the pivot holes and shall always be capable of being lowered without the removal of the pivot bolt or pin, or the adjustment, removal or disconnection of any mast restraining device attached to the hull at or below fore-deck level, other than kicking strap (boom vang) or halyards
.
26.5 Pivot holes in king posts. Shall be:
(a) Centred 3163 +/- 13 (10’4½” +/- ½”) from outside of transom.
(b) Measured vertically below the sheer at the pin centreline 86 +/- 13 (3.3/8” +/- ½”). The sheer is the point at which the straight-line projection of the outer surface of the hull intersects with the upper surface of the deck.
(c)  (MK III only) Centred 457 +/- 13  (1’6” +/- ½”) above level of cockpit floor.
(d) Maximum diameter 16 (5/8”).
26.6 Sail limit bands. Of distinctive colour, not less than  7 (¼”) wide. Shall be marked on the mast as follows:
(a) Band No 1 with its upper edge 707 +/- 3 (2’3.13/16” +/- 1/8”) above the centre of pivot hole in mast.
(b) Band No 2 with its lower edge 4949 +/- 7 (16’2.13/16” +/- ¼”) above the centre of pivot hole in mast.
(c) Band No 3 with its lower edge not more than 5868 (19’3”) above the upper edge of Band No 1
26.7 Extended line of forestay and jib luff. Shall meet the mast below the lower edge of Band No 2 at a point not more than 75 (2.95") below the lower edge of this band.
26.8 Spinnaker halyard. Shall be suspended from a bearing point not more than 39 (1½”) in any direction from the lower edge of Band No 2.
26.9 The height of the spreaders, at the centres of their roots, shall be 2529 +/-51 (8'3½" +/- 2”) above the centre of the pivot hole in mast.


27. BOOM
27.1 Material. Shall be metal or wood.
27.2 Design of metal or wood booms. Shall comply with the official drawings, except that the boom wall forward of the sail limit band may have holes having a maximum aggregate area of 1290 sq. mm. (2 sq. in.) and aft of the sail limit band, some of the material may be cut away to accommodate a clew outhaul sheave.
27.3 Sail limit band No 4. Of distinctive colour not less than 7 (¼”) wide. Shall be marked on the boom with its inner edge not more than 3023 (9’11”) from the aft edge of the mast and track when in position on gooseneck.
27.4 Length overall including fittings. 3175 +/- 26 (10’5” +/- 1”)
27.5 No fittings, devices or material may be added to the boom, the purpose or effect of which is to increase the stiffness of the boom section.


28. SPINNAKER, ASYMMETRIC POLE and JIB STICK
28.1 Materials shall be metal or wood.
28.2 Spinnaker pole and Jib stick. Length overall. Shall not exceed 1982 (6’6")
28.3 Asymmetric pole (Wayfarer World only) Length overall shall not exceed 1685 mm (5’ 6.5/16).
28.4 Asymmetric pole shall be 50mm diameter, 16-gauge grade 6082 T6 alloy.


29. RIGGING
29.1 Standing rigging. Shall be a forestay and two shrouds. Shrouds shall be linked to the mast by one pair of spreaders which shall not be equipped with controls suitable for adjusting their angle or effective length while sailing. The forestay shall be capable of supporting the mast at all times when sailing.
29.2 Effective length of standing rigging. Alteration shall be prohibited after the preparatory signal of a race, except in the case of breakage or failure in any part of the standing rigging.
29.3 Jib tack position. The extended line of the luff of the jib shall meet the foredeck at a point not more than 13 (1/2”) from its centre line and not more than 89 (3½”) from the extreme forward end of the hull, including fittings and stemband permitted by Rules 11.4 and 16.1(a).
29.4 Mainsheet. Shall not be taken to a centre mainsheet horse or track. It shall not use more than a single purchase tackle (or its equivalent power gain) between the boom and the hull at any position forward of the transom.
29.5 Kicking strap (boom vang). Shall not be attached to the boom at a point less than 2109 (6’11”) from the inner edge of Band No. 4 (Rule 27.3)


SAILS

30. SAIL CONSTRUCTION AND MARKINGS
30.1 Sail material. Shall be of single ply woven fibre cloth. The body of the sail shall be capable of being folded flat in any direction without damaging the ply. The material shall be such that if torn it can be separated into fibres without leaving evidence of a film.
30.2 Unwoven transparent panels. One shall be permitted in any sail, but it shall be contained within a 800 x 350 (2’7½” x 1’1¾”) rectangle. Except that a second transparent window shall be permitted in the mainsail near spreader height contained within a 550 x 300 (22” x 12”) rectangle.  The longest side of the second panel shall be vertical.  No part of any transparent panel shall be less than 153 (6”) from any edge of a sail.
30.3 Cringles.
(a) Cringles, not exceeding 45 (1¾”) in any dimension shall be fitted at tack, clew and head so that their centres lie not more than 51 (2”) from the edge (including roping) of the sail at the corners.
(b) At a corner where there is more than one cringle within the cloth of the sail and complying with 30.3(a), the measurements shall be taken from the outermost.
30.4 Sailmaker's marks. Shall only be placed near the tack (or in the case of spinnakers, the foot) of the sail and shall not exceed 153 x 153 (6” x 6”).
30.5 Emblem. Shall be shown on both sides of the mainsail. To be in accordance with the official drawings (a stylised W, with its wing trailing towards the leech of the mainsail). On white sails the class emblem shall be red, and on other coloured sails of contrasting colour to sail.
30.6 Sail numbers on mainsail. Shall be shown on both sides below the class emblem and above the upper of the two lower battens. The numbers shall be of contrasting colour to the sail and not less than 300 (11¾”) in height, nor 200 (7.7/8”) in width (except for numeral 1) nor 45 (1¾”) in thickness.
30.7 Sail numbers on spinnaker. Shall be shown on the front, or on both sides, at approximately half height. The numbers shall be of contrasting colour to the sail and not less than 300 (11¾”) in height nor 200 (7.7/8") in width (except for numeral 1) nor 45 (1¾") in thickness.
30.8 Other marks. Shall not be permitted within 915 (3’0”) of the emblem and numbers specified in rules 30.5, 30.6, and 30.7.
30.9 Reinforcement at corners. Reinforcement of any fabric having the effect of stiffening the sail is permitted only in accordance with Rules 31.6, 32.7 and 33.8. Other reinforcement, as a continuation of corner stiffening or elsewhere, shall comply with the ISAF Measurement Instructions Section III.

SAIL DIMENSIONS AND THEIR MEASUREMENT
All sail measurements in rules 31, 32 and 33 shall be taken with the sail dry and laid on a flat surface with just sufficient tension to remove wrinkles across the line of measurement. Sail measurements involving cringles shall be taken from cringle centres.

31. MAINSAIL
31.1 Limits on spars. Shall be as follows:
(a) At the tack. The projected upper edge of the boom at the gooseneck shall not extend below the upper edge of Band No 1 [Rule 26.6(a)].
(b) At the head. No part of the mainsail shall extend above the lower edge of Band No 3 [Rule 26.6(c)].
(c) At the clew. No part of the mainsail shall extend beyond the forward edge of Band No 4 (Rule 27.3).
31.2 Headboard width. Maximum 102 (4”), measured at right angles to luff.
31.3 Leech length. Maximum 6503 (21’4”) measured between centres of head and clew cringles.
31.4 Width measurements. Shall be taken under the following conditions:
(a) Half luff point. Shall be determined by folding the sail so that the centre of the head cringle lies directly over the centre of the tack cringle, with the two halves of the luff coinciding. The fold so formed indicates the half luff point and is marked on the sail.
(b) Three-quarter luff point. Shall be determined by folding so that the centre of the head cringle lies directly over the mark made at half luff point [31.4(a)]. The fold indicates three-quarter luff point and is marked on the sail.
(c) Half leech point. Shall be determined by folding so that the centre of the head cringle lies directly over the centre of the clew cringle. The fold so formed indicates the half leech point and is marked on the sail.
(d) Three-quarter leech point. Shall be determined by folding so that the centre of the head cringle lies directly over the mark made at half leech point [31.4(c)]. The fold indicates three-quarter leech point and is marked on the sail.
(e) Width measurements. Shall be taken between luff and leech measurement points, over the full width of the sail, including roping, and any hollows in the leech shall be bridged by straight lines.
(f) Width at half height. 2007 (6’7”) maximum.
(g) Width at three-quarter height. 1143 (3’9”) maximum.
31.5 Battens. Shall be permitted as follows:
(a) Not more than four.
(b) Shall divide the leech into approximately equal parts.
(c) Length of top batten. 610 (2’0”) maximum.
(d) Length of battens other than top. 762 (2’6”) maximum.
(e) Width of battens. 51 (2”) maximum.
31.6 Stiffening at corners. Shall be of woven fabric. Shall not extend more than 327 (1’0.7/8”) from the centres of outermost corner cringles.
31.7 Sail Head Buoyancy. Shall be permitted as follows:
(a) A patch may be sewn onto one side of the sail to form an openable self-draining pocket for buoyancy material. It may extend for a maximum of 915 (3’0”) from the centre of the head cringle.
(b) Nothing inserted into the pocket shall have the effect of extending the leech.
(c) Nothing shall be inserted into the pocket other than buoyancy material.
31.8 Loose-footed mainsails are prohibited. The mainsail shall be fitted with a bolt rope along the foot from no more than 305 (12”) from the tack to no more than 76 (3”) from the clew. A slug slide may be fitted at the clew cringle. The bolt rope shall be contained within the groove in the boom whilst racing. The tack of the mainsail shall be secured by a pin through the tack fitting on the boom and the tack cringle on the sail.

32. JIBS
32.1 The jib shall be a three cornered sail. A convex curve is permitted in the foot but not in the leech. The luff of the sail shall not enclose the forestay.
32.2 Luff length. Maximum 4115 (13’6”) measured between centres of head and tack cringles.
32.3 Foot length. Maximum 2198 (7’2”) measured between centres of tack and clew cringles.
32.4 Leech length. Maximum 3963 (13’0”) measured between centres of head and clew cringles.
32.5 Foot depth. Maximum 4064 (13’4”) measured from centre of head cringle to mid point on the foot.  Mid point of the foot shall be found by folding so that the centre of tack cringle lies directly over the centre of clew cringle.
32.6 Battens. Prohibited.
32.7 Stiffening at corners. Shall be of woven fabric. Shall not extend more than 273 (10¾”) from the centres of corner cringles.

33. SPINNAKER
33.1 Shape
. Shall be three cornered and symmetrical about a centreline which joins the centre of the head cringle to the midpoint of the foot.
33.2 Measurement conditions. For the purposes of 33.3, 33.4 and 33.5, the sail shall be folded in half about its vertical centreline, with both halves coinciding.
33.3 Length. Maximum 4725 (15’6”) from centre of head cringle to any part of the foot.
33.4 Width measurement points on the luffs and centrefold. Each shall be determined by measurement in a straight line 2172 (7’1.1/2”) from the centre of the head cringle.
33.5 Width measurements. Between the points determined in Rule 33.4. Maximum 1677 (5’6”) Minimum 1575 (5’2”).
33.6 Head Shape. Points shall be marked on the luffs at 130 (5.1/8”) measured in a straight line from the centre of the head cringle, with the sail unfolded. Maximum distance between these points measured over the surface of the sail shall be 251 (9.7/8”).
33.7 Foot. Measured (unfolded) between centres of clew and tack cringles. Maximum 3353 (11’0”).
33.8 Stiffening. Stiffening shall be of woven fabric. Shall not extend more than 296 (11.5/8”) from the centres of the head, tack, clew or downhaul cringles.
33.9 Spinnaker retrieval patches. Maximum of 2 per sail, each contained within an area of 300 x 300 (11¾" x 11¾").


SECTION IV - GENERAL

34. BUOYANCY
34.1 Buoyancy compartments. Shall be of watertight construction.
(Wayfarer World only). The buoyancy shall be in three separate airtight compartments as follows:
    1. Floor bearer support structure
    2. Forward buoyancy compartment
    3. Remainder of boat
34.2 Holes or openings into the buoyancy compartments. Shall not be permitted except as specified in Rules 15.5 and 20.
34.3 Compartments. Hatch covers shall be secured in position and drain holes effectively stoppered when racing.
34.4 Positive buoyancy units of closed cell plastics foam. Shall be securely fixed within the hull of G.R.P. and composite boats, as follows (lift refers to buoyancy when submerged in fresh water):
(a) (MK I and MKIA only) One unit providing not less than 81.65 (180 lbs) lift in the forward compartment. Not more than two units providing not less than 40.82 (90 lbs) total lift in the aft compartment.
(b) [Mk II (except SD versions)]. One unit providing not less than 40.82 (90 lbs) lift in the forward compartment. Units providing a total lift of not less than 40.82 (90 lbs) under each side deck, aft of the main shrouds.
(c) Alternative for
MK IA and MK II (except SD versions). One unit providing not less than 40.82 (90 lbs) lift in the forward compartment. Units providing a total of not less than 13.6 (30 lbs) beneath each side deck and two units providing a total of not less than 54.42 (120 lbs) lift in the aft compartment. The units shall be positioned according to the official drawing.
(d) (Mark II SD and Mk III). Not more than two units providing not less than 150 lbs (68.04 kg) lift in the forward buoyancy area. Not more than two units providing not less than 54.42 (120 lbs) lift in the aft compartment.
(e) (+S). Not more than two units providing not less than 22.7 (50 lbs) lift in the forward compartment. Not more than two units providing not less than 22.7 (50 lbs) lift in the aft compartment.
(f) (Wayfarer World). Two (2) no. 20 litre plastic cubitainers in forward buoyancy compartment and eight (8) no. 5 litre cubitainers located either side of the centreboard case under the floor.
34.5 Buoyancy test. Shall be conducted according to Rule 34.7 or 34.8.
34.6 Buoyancy equipment in excess of that specified in Rules 34.1 and 34.4 shall be permitted, but shall be removed before carrying out the alternative wet buoyancy test in Rule 34.8.
34.7 Dry Buoyancy Test. (Alternative to 34.8). Shall be conducted as follows:
(a) Hatches shall be closed normally, using only the boat‘s own hatch covers and fasteners.
(b) Drainage holes from buoyancy compartments shall be closed with their normal stoppers, except where tubes to a pressure/vacuum source and gauge are connected.
(c) Equipment for producing and assessing pressure differentials between the buoyancy compartment and surrounding atmosphere, and including a U-tube water gauge, shall be connected to the compartment.
(d) Super-atmospheric or sub-atmospheric pressure shall be applied to the compartment, sufficient to produce a differential reading of at least 127 (5”) on the water gauge.
(e) After isolating the buoyancy compartment from the vacuum or pressure source, the pressure differential specified in 34.7(d) above shall not reduce from 127 (5”) to 51 (2”) in less than 30 seconds.
34.8 Wet Buoyancy Tests (Except for SD versions and Wayfarer World. Alternative to 34.7) Shall be conducted as follows:
(a) Buoyancy compartment joints, hatch gaskets and hatch fasteners. Shall be inspected by the buoyancy tester for efficiency.
(b) Hatches shall be closed normally, using only the boat‘s own hatch covers and fasteners.
(c) Drainage holes from buoyancy compartments shall be closed with their normal stoppers.  
(d) Excess buoyancy equipment permitted under Rule 34.6 shall be removed.
(e) The boat shall be floated on its beam ends with the masthead touching the water. A load of at least 113.4 (250 lbs) shall be applied vertically to the hull (the weight of two persons can conveniently provide this load). After a minimum of 5 minutes in this condition with one gunwale submerged, the test shall be repeated for a minimum of 5 minutes with the other gunwale submerged.
(f) The boat shall be floated upright in a waterlogged condition, with water overflowing the top of the centreboard case, immediately after the test in 34.8(e). It shall remain in this condition for a minimum of 10 minutes, then be emptied.
(g) The buoyancy compartments shall be inspected for significant leakage immediately after completion of 34.8(f). There shall be no more than 6.8 litres (1.1/2 gallons) in the aft buoyancy compartment. The leakage totalled over all compartments comprising the bow buoyancy compartment shall be no more than 6.8 litres (1.1/2 gallons).

35. SPECIAL PROHIBITIONS
35.1 Ballast. Whether attached to boat or carried by crew. Prohibited.
35.2 Trapeze or any apparatus or contrivance extending outboard from the hull, spars or rigging and attached to the crew, the purpose or effect of which is, or may be, to support or assist in supporting a member of the crew, outboard or partially outboard. Prohibited.
35.3 Electrically operated instruments or mechanisms. All electrical or electronic devices or instruments are prohibited except for watches, compasses and equipment for the recording of sound or pictures, unless otherwise permitted or required by the Sailing Instructions.
35.4 Spinnaker Chutes. Permitted as detailed in the official drawings and specifications.
35.5 When racing, not more than one spinnaker shall be on board.
35.6 Devices to adjust the position of the mast at deck level shall not extend higher than 75mm (3") from the deck line.

36. CLASS NUMBER
Numbers shall be permanently displayed on the official license plate fixed to the forward face of the aft bulkhead or on the centreboard case capping immediately aft of the main thwart. Height of figures 3 (1/8”) minimum. On wood boats the numbers shall also be carved on forward exposed face of transom beam. Height of figures 26 (1”) minimum.

37. CREW
The boat shall be raced by not less than two persons except in single-handed events.


38. CLASS SIGNAL
Flag bearing class insignia is recommended. Not obligatory.


Effective April 2005


Dispensations registered with the W.I.C.     

  • UKWA: Wayfarer World Asymmetric: As of 31 Jan 2001, the UKWA has given dispensation for asymmetric-rigged Wayfarer Worlds to compete with Spinnaker boats using Traditional Rig.
  • CWA: As of 31 Jan 2002 and until further notice, Rule 35.5 of Wayfarer Class Rules will be changed to: “When racing, not more than one spinnaker shall be used during a single race.”  for boats sailing in any Canadian-based Wayfarer event.
  • SWS: As of 1978, the SWS permits removal of all side benches when racing. This changes Rule 22.2(e).

W.I.C. approved interpretations of the Class Rules

  • UKWA, 2004: " In pursuance of rules 5.10 and 5.12, it is the responsibility of the owner of a boat which is the subject of major repair or renovation to show that the original shape of the hull has been maintained and that the materials used are as close to the original as reasonably practical and of acceptable specification."

    It might significantly help the owner's case, for example, if the boat was measured *before* the renovation commenced, as far as that might be possible. If the boat had previously been measured at some point in its history then appropriate measurements could be checked. Measurement could then be checked and completed when the renovation is complete. Involvement of a class measurer would provide an independent check, but it is important that the measurer should be able to inspect the boat before work commences. Photographic evidence of how the work was carried out might also support the owner's case.