The MYA 2005 Footy Class intentions

The MYA 2005 Footy Class intentions

Before there can be words written down to form a rule there must be an idea of what was intended. Later, when the rule is discussed critically these thoughts about the design of the rule are often not available. This can lead to disastrous changes to the original intent, because only the words of the rule are left and with the best will in the world these words cannot describe that intent perfectly. Fortunately for the Footy Class the intense discusssions in 2005 are not too distant and the people involved are still around to give their intentions.

As far as the UK was concerned the MYA Council generated official interest in the class and gave a clear brief to their Technical team, the generality of which is covered by an article written 2005-10-5 entitled ‘ Footy boats’ for Marine Modelling International. As the prime mover in the MYA tech team Roger Stollery gives below the intentions of the detail of the individual rules for the radio sailing Footy. Where appropriate, the ERS gives the definitions of the terms used.

A.2 The "approximately 1 foot long" is the only reference to imperial measurements and was intended to be a very approximate only. The word ‘boat’ is not in bold as an overhanging rudder boat is already 2" over a foot long and with an overhanging rig even longer, if the bold ERS definition was used.

B.1 The important intent was that a boat should be measured in racing trim, so that a 12" wide boat with its rig up and set for every course would not be able to fit sideways within the box. The intention was to permit a boat to be fitted with its axes at an angle to the box axes. Otherwise a tank measurement or some other complicated method would have be required to establish the waterline axis normally required by the ERS.

B.2, B.3, B.4 The intention was to define the exceptions to the whole fitting within the box, but not to restrict what was above the box, except for the small rig height.

C.2 The intention was that AA batteries would regular batteries bought at a shop.

C.3 (a) The intention was to prevent actively moved ballast. The ERS definition of ballast excludes jib boom counterweights.

(c) The intention was that measurement of small rig height would relate to the box axes, ie vertically from the top of the box.

E. 1, E.2, E.3 The intention was to permit one rudder that overhung and to directly limit its thickness only. The 200mm deep slot in the box was intended to accept all existing single rudder boats without alteration. The V groove at the top of that slot was to permit a tiller

controlling an externally mounted rudder to pass though the box.

E.4 The intention, like all the International classes, was to prohibit exotic and expensive appendage materials by stating a maximum density, which just happens to be the regular ballast material, lead. The material density is the important factor, not the lead.

F.1, F.2 The intention of prohibiting more one small spar was to prevent lots of small bits forming extra length through the front and rear slots in the box.

F.3 Likewise this restriction was intended to prevent ‘a large volume’ fitting on the end of the spars forming extra hull length.

Roger Stollery, 2007-02-13