Regulation 1

Specifications

1.01

Boats shall be standard Beetle Cat boats (wooden) built by Beetle, Inc. of South Dartmouth, MA or their predecessors Concordia Company of South Dartmouth, MA or Beetle Boat Builders of New Bedford, MA. The Sail Plan and Deck Plan, with descriptions, published by Beetle, Inc. in 1995, shall constitute part of these specifications for boats competing in NEBCBA sponsored events, except that, the following variations in Hull, Equipment, and Rig are permitted. Any alteration, addition, or deletion from the boat, as supplied by Builder, not specifically listed here, is prohibited:

1.02

Alternative outhauls for Clew and Peak are permitted.

1.03

Fixed position Shrouds are permitted.

1.04

Material and construction of rope used for Mainsheet and Halyards may vary but shall not be less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Material, construction, and diameter of rope used for bridle and centerboard pennant may vary.

1.05

Blocks for running rigging may be replaced, one-for-one, with other single-sheave blocks provided the original location is maintained.

1.06

The Peak Halyard may be arranged with either an additional single-sheave block on the mast or a double-sheave block replacing the original single-sheave block and with the dead end of the halyard attached near the end of the Gaff.

1.07

The Mainsheet Cleat may be added to, or replaced by, another cleat, block, or cleat/block combination fixed on the centerline floor board, centerboard box, or foredeck centerline.

1.08

Cleats may be added to the centerboard box, coaming, or deck for the sole purpose of holding the centerboard pennant.

1.09

Variation of the type and location of the two deck Halyard Cleats is permitted.

1.10

Additional cleats and chocks for mooring are permitted.

1.11

Traveller block deck protectors are permitted, but shall not stop traveller block short of traveller ends.

1.12

Fairing of the Centerboard and Rudder is permitted except that their outlines, as shown in the plan, shall be maintained, and that the centerboard shall be 3/4 inch (nominal) plywood or solid wood and may be tapered, and that the Rudder shall be 1 inch (nominal) plywood or solid wood and may not be tapered in the area within 12 inches of the forward edge.

1.13

The Officers of the New England Beetle Cat Boat Association have the authority to approve on a case-by-case basis, upon written request, the use of alternative repair methods and materials such as fiberglassing the hull, cold molding, and the like if a majority of the Officers find that the use of such methods and materials was (a) for the purpose of restoring or preserving the hull and (b) did not materially alter the sailing characteristics, weight, or appearance of the hull.

1.14

Tillers may be less than, but not more than, 48 inches in length.

1.15

Such items as cockpit and sail covers, drawers, shelves, compass, wind indicators, outboard brackets, name boards, graphics, color changes, personal gear, provisions,etc. are permitted.

1.16

Required Equipment aboard any boat taking part in a NEBCBA sponsored event includes at least an anchor with warp, a pump or bailer, a United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved Type I, II, or III Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board, an oar or paddle, and a whistle or other sound signalling device.

1.17

The sail may be made of Dacron or Natural fiber provided the weight of the fabric is no less than 3.5 ounces per 28 inch lineal yard for Natural fiber and 3.8 ounces for Dacron. Sail windows are permitted provided that the total area of window(s) does not exceed 10 square feet and that no part shall be closer than 12" from the luff and 6" from the foot.

(Sail specifications as published by Beetle Inc.)

1.18

Proposed changes in these regulations should be brought before the New England Beetle Cat Boat Association Board of Governors for possible adoption.

Regulation 2

Championship Races

2.0

A race or series of races should be conducted annually to determine the NEBCBA champions of the Beetle Cat class.

2.1

Open Championship

2.1.1

The Leo J. Telesmanick Championship consists of a race or series of races on one or more days at one location to determine the "Leo J. Telesmanick" champion.

2.1.2

The "Leo J. Telesmanick Championship" is open to any NEBCBA member properly registered for the event as the skipper and anyone properly registered for the event as a crew.

2.1.3

The "Leo J. Telesmanick" is a "bring your own boat" event. Host organizations are encouraged to make every effort to provide boats for use (on a first come, first served basis) by those wishing to compete but unable to bring a boat.

2.1.4

In addition to the overall champion award, other awards, as determined by NEBCBA, may be given to other finishers in the overall category and in other categories such as Women, Men, Old Salts, Juniors, Mitey Mites, Parent/Child, etc.

General

2.2

There may be other events as suggested to and approved by NEBCBA. The method of conduct and eligibility for such events shall be at the discretion of NEBCBA.

2.3

There shall be a Skipper and a Crew of one or more on board at all times while racing.

2.4

The dates and locations for all events shall be determined by the NEBCBA Board of Governors prior to June First of each year.

2.5

An agreement of Indemnification shall be made part of the official entry documentation for each event. This agreement, properly signed, must be in the hands of the race committee before the start of the first race

2.6

NEBCBA shall provide insurance, either through an established insurance company or through funds available in the treasury of NEBCBA, to pay for damage to or loss of equipment of Beetle Cat boats made available by host organizations for use in NEBCBA events. The insurance is to be in place during from the time the boats are available at the beginning of the event day until they are returned to mooring or dockage at the conclusion of racing for that day, as determined by the host Race Committee. This insurance is subject to the provisions covered in section 3.10.

2.7

NEBCBA shall provide regatta liability insurance through an established insurance company.

Regulation 3

Racing

3.0

All races shall be governed by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Racing Rules of Sailing, the United States Sailing Association (USSA) Prescriptions, and these Beetle Cat One Design Class Regulations. Further modifications, as permitted by the Racing Rules of Sailing and these Class Regulations, may be introduced in the host club's sailing instructions for the event.

3.1

NEBCBA shall provide not less than one Event Representative to be present at each NEBCBA event. The Chairman of the Regatta Committee shall appoint the Event Representative.

3.2

The host Race Committee shall have overall authority in matters pertaining to the management of the races at their Location.

3.3

The host club shall provide sailing instructions to each skipper prior to the event.

3.4

The Skipper (Helmsperson) shall be the person listed on the official entry form unless permission for a change is granted by the NEBCBA Event Representative.

3.5

In accordance with Federal and State law, a USCG approved Type I, II, or III PFD for each person shall be aboard while on the water and shall be worn as required by law.

3.6

The rudder, centerboard, sail, standing rigging, and running rigging may not be replaced or exchanged in the period of time between the beginning of the first race and the end of the last race on any race day except by specific permission of the NEBCBA Event Representative.

3.7

Time Limits

3.7.1

Individual race time limits shall be at the discretion of the Host Race Committee. In the absence of a time limit in the Sailing Instructions, there is no time limit.

3.7.2

As many races as possible shall be sailed within the daily race time. If, however, in the opinion of the Race Committee, adverse conditions exist, a single race may determine a championship.

3.8

Protests

The Host organization shall provide a Protest Committee and conduct any protest hearings according to the Racing Rules of Sailing. The NEBCBA Event Representative shall be a member of the Protest Committee.

3.9

Scoring shall be by the 'Low-Point Scoring System' as outlined in Appendix A of the Racing Rules of Sailing.

3.10

Round Robin & Borrowed Boats

3.10.1

When a round robin rotation is used, the host club shall give the NEBCBA Event Representative, prior to the start of each days racing, a list of the boats to be used by name, sail number, and owners name and a description of any defects.

3.10.2

At the conclusion of each days racing, the Host Race committee shall give the NEBCBA Event Representative a written report of all known loss of equipment or damage to the boats provided by the Host. The report shall include Boat Name, Sail number, and owner name and include detail of specific loss or damage and list any witnesses to that loss or damage.

3.10.3

The owners should submit any claims for damage or loss of equipment, as reported in 3.10.2, within 30 days of the event, to the Host organization. The Host should ascertain the validity of the claim to the best of their ability and forward the claim to the Regatta Chairman of NEBCBA, accompanied by appropriate endorsement.

3.10.4

Receipted bills for repair of damages or replacement of lost equipment shall then be approved by the Chairperson of the Host Race Committee and submitted to the Regatta Chairman of NEBCBA for reimbursement.

3.10.5

During a Round Robin event, each skipper is responsible for an inspection of the boat to which he is assigned. Any defects shall be reported to the Race Committee before racing. Any damage or loss, no matter how small, shall be reported to the Race Committee at the end of the race in which the damage or loss took place. Once a skipper has inspected the boat and started a race, failure to complete the race because of equipment shortage or failure will result in a score of DNF for that race.