Date: Sunday 4th October 2026 Venue: NDYC Clubhouse Time: 8pm approx. Present: approx. 20 sailors competing in the 2026 event 1.00 Purpose of meeting 1.01 Class Chairman, Paul Tanner, outlined the reason for convening the meeting and explained that, whilst our class rules allow for a separate Sport AGM, the purpose of the discussion is to overview various trends with the Sport Sailing mode. It was therefore appropriate that this discussion should be by predominantly Sport mode sailing members. 2.00 Overview 2.01 Our class rules describe in detail what is acceptable in terms of parts and rigging which assists in maintaining the one design nature of the Dart 15. It’s always been the position of the association that we should develop the class inline with trends and developments within the sailing community. (Refer to Sections 6 & 9 of the Class Rigging Manual.) 3.00 Items discussed. 3.01 Mainsail Drop proposal. To assist with dropping of mainsail quicker especially by junior sailors, the deletion of the hook on the mast should be allowed. A rope halyard (dyneema or similar) with either a shackle or ball for attachment to the mainsail head and to be cleated at the base of the mast. (refer to Section 6) Discussion Outcome : Meeting was generally in favour of adopting proposal. The main halyard ring to be replaced with either a shackle or ball for attachment to the mainsail with the halyard at the base of the mast with boat part SM782 as shown on page 7, fig.17 &18 of the dart 15 Rigging Manual. The hook on the top of the mast is to remain. Note: It was clarified by Brian Phipps that: - the original use for part SM782 was to cleat the original jib halyard. - the proposal may introduce additional forces on the guide wheel at the top of the mast and the halyard may stretch over time in use and when the downhawl is on tight. There was no definition on rope layup or material as long as it complies with length and diameter specification of5.5-6.5mm & 14-16m.
3.02 Jib Halyard proposal. The adoption of a dyneema jib halyard as an alternative to the standard wire halyard. The wire halyard tends to fur up quickly and the option of a rope halyard is a quick and inexpensive alternative. (refer to section 9) Discussion Outcome: The meeting was in favour of adopting the proposal. The wire jib halyard part D71508 may be replaced with dyneema. 3.03 Jib Furling Gear proposal. The furling gear on the jib must remain as part of the standard rig set up on all 15 manufactured from sail number 1200. For boats with sail number 1199 and below these would have not been always provided with a jib furler as standard so can sail without and still remain class legal. (refer to section 9) Discussion Outcome: Meeting discussed pros and cons of proposal which included: -deletion of the furler produced a performance advantage if only minimal. - allowing the jib to be furled in high winds provided a significant safety aspect. Subsequent reference to the Sport mode rules, clause (e) ii), clarified and states that as currently written, “A fixed or furling jib may be carried.” The meeting agreed that no change to the rules should be progressed.
3.04 Trapeze Adjustment proposal. The current trapeze adjustment arrangement includes all items as detailed within the class rules. (refer to Section 9) There are a number of sailors that have deleted the cleat in favour of a fixed length dyneema strop. Should the class continue with the adjustable arrangements as provided by the manufacturer or allow a fixed strop arrangement that deletes the cleat. (refer to section 6) Discussion outcome: Meeting generally agreed that the proposal represented a safety and ease of use improvement to the trapeze equipment. The resolution was to amend Amendment to section 10 t) to : “Allow the use of clamcleat CL253 trapeze jammer cleats as an alternative to the standard equipment or removal of the cleat to use a single, fixed line.” Whilst not discussed at the meeting, it may also be pertinent to delete the use of Englefield clips D40028 and allow attachment to the trapeze ring in any way. 3.05 Trapeze Bungee proposal. The trapeze bungee can be routed via the lower crimped thimble of the trapeze wire to allow a pretension of the trapeze hook on the trapeze harness hook. Discussion outcome: The meeting voted in favour of this proposal to allow a pre-tension of the trapeze ring on the trapeze harness hook. N.B. Additional notes with respect to the items discussed. 1. The proposals noted herein and as agreed in the discussion outcomes do not represent an approved change to the Class Rules. To have them approved, they should be put as Proposals to the next class AGM as provided under Clause 6.(b)v) of the Constitution of the United Kingdom Dart 15 Association. Such proposals should be submitted to the secretary not later than 21 days in advance of the AGM and should state the rationale behind the proposal. Proposals will only be considered on the basis that they offer no reduction in safety, are of minimal cost and offer no performance advantage. Note that the next AGM will be held at the 2027 Nationals at Weymouth on Friday 2 July. The deadline for proposals to be submitted is, therefore, Friday 11 June 2027.
2. There was additional discussion around the Clause (b) of the Dart 15 Sport Class Rules which states that “The Dart 15 Sport Class shall have separate Annual General Meetings, the date, time and place being at the Committee's discretion.” The meeting recognised that this separate AGM had not happened for many years and questioned if the rule was still appropriate. There was general agreement that the rule should be changed to state that the Sport Class AGM should be assimilated into the AGM normally occurring at the annual (non Sport) National Championships. However, and to ensure that opinions of sailors who sail and compete most often in Sport mode are adequately represented, a separate meeting would be held annually at the Sport Nationals where said sailors can air views, opinions and discuss potential rule changes for consideration at a future AGM. Such proposals would require to be put before the AGM and the deadlines for submission are as stated in additional note 1. above
(Ref: GL/101026/ver.2) |   |
