Introduction
Are concerned all the yachts or Classical boats of pleasure (the Old Gaffers are not concerned), with gaff or “Marconi” rigging, drawn and launched before 1975, December the 31st, as well as more recent boats whose plans and construction are in conformity with the classes rules defined below. Are accepted too the sailing boats "Spirit of tradition» answers to the following criteria: |
Class 1 (Vintage or Traditional)
Wood or steel boats built as mono-types or as part of a class, who were launched before December 31, 1975 built from a principal skeleton which forms the central piece of the boat: the frame. This frame receives a skin, the planking which forms the hull. The planks are riveted, that is attatched to the frame using mechanical assembly without primary use of adhesives or resin for wood, or welding for steel. Also considered are sailing boats built in this traditional way using authentic plans and materials and in the spirit of the period, but whose date of launch is after December 31, 1975. |
Class 2 (Traditional modern):
Wood, aluminum, steel, or polyester (GRP) sailing boats built as mono-types or as part of a class, who were launched before December 31, 1975, built without a principal frame, whose rigidity is assured via a "monobloc" skin obtained through the use of adhesives, resins or welding (cast-wood, laminated wood, polyester, weld metal...) and thus are lighter and have a better weight distribution than Class 1 boats. Also considered are sailing boats built this way using authentic plans and materials, and in the spirit of the period but whose date of launch is after December 31, 1975. |
Class 3 (Neo-classics or Spirt of Tradition):
All sailing boats, independant of materials used or type of contruction, having a traditional/classic look above the water-line built after December 31, 1975.
The three classes outlined above can be divided into subclasses at the discretion of the organizing committee. The minimum boat length (the deck length) admitted for the Transat Classique 2011 is 10 meters.
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Class 4 (Swan Classic class)
The Transat Classique 2011 has opened a special class for the Classic Swan yachts ie only those designed by Stephens are admitted. These boats will be classed separately. They are not eligible to win the Transat Classique but a scratch placement will be published. |
Traditional Yacht Definition:
There is no official definition of a "tradtional yacht". Hence, even if certain boats fulfil the criteria as listed above in the four classes, they may not be considered a "traditional yacht". In these cases, the owners must provide the race organizers with a file on the boat including the plans and photos as well as any historical facts or racing accolades pertaining to the particular boat or the series.
If, after studying the file it is found that the boat in question has had an important impact on open water racing or yachting in general (other than technical or economic) then the organizers may choose to admit it.
Admission to the race is entirely at the discrection of the Admissions Commitee.
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General Rules:
I The pilot cutters are eligible.
II Authenticity and modifications:
Within the framework of maintaining the authenticity of maritime heritage, the owners must strive to respect, as much as possible, the original character of the boat. However, many sailing boats have sustained modifications over the years. As long as modifications of the appendices, rigging and interior installations, respect the spirit of the period, they remain acceptable. However, the organizers reserve the right to refuse or reclassify a sailing boat which they consider a modification non-conform to the spirit of the time. Only pieces like topmast, spinnaker pole and bowsprit manufactured in carbon will be tolerated in Classes 1 and 2, with the appreciation of the Organizing Commitee. Modern equipment on the deck and for the sails is authorized (for example: self-tailing winches, furlers, rod-kickers, full batten mainsails with round leech in conformity with the period sail plan).
III Sails:
1. Authorized Materials for the Classes 1 and 2
- sails manufactured in woven materials like: cotton, hemp, flax, polyamide (Nylon®), polyester low module (Dacron) & polyester high module (ex: Pentex).
- All other materials like: aramide (ex: kevlard®, Twaron® PBO®, Cuben-Fiber®, Vectran ®, Carbon) are prohibited.
2. Construction for the Classes 1 and 2
- authorized sails with sewed and glued panels (for horizontal cut, cross-country race cut, rafter, radials, t-cut, d-cut), but any other system like: membranes and/or oriented fibre (ex: 3dl, D4, Genesis etc) are prohibited even with two taffetas of external protection.
Class 3: No restrictions on the choice of materials or construction.
IV Publicity |
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