Class Rules

 

South African Cape 31Class Association

published 14 February 2025
  1. The Equipment Rules of Sailing shall apply.
    Equipment Rules of Sailing
  2. Measurements shall be done in accordance with the International Measurement System.
    Measurment System

    The Boat
  3. The hull, hull appendages, spars, fittings and standing rigging shall be as supplied by the builder originally or at a later date and may not be modified, except as provided by these rules.
  4. The following changes are permitted:
    1. Holes may be made in the hull for take up systems and drop lines.
    2. Blocks and cleats may be replace by similar sized or stronger versions.
    3. Additional fittings may be used used to retain line tails.
    4. The mast P measurement shall be a maximum of 12.540m.
    5. The boom measurment E shall be a maximum of 4.500 m.
    6. Fasteners may be replaced with the same or stronger fasteners.
    7. Protective materials may be applied.
    8. Bags to store equipment, clothering and food and drinks.
    9. Non skid may be applied to the deck and bowsprit.
    10. Footrests may be added.
    11. A batten may be added to the bowsprit.
    12. Padding and protective coverings may be applied to lifelines.
    13. A retrieval line may be attached to the asymmetrical spinnaker.
  5. The hull underneath the waterline shall be painted with a commercially available anti-fouling paint. This rule shall not apply to boats not permanently based in South Africa.

    The crew
  6. The crew maximum weight, in light street clothing, shall be 595 kg.

    Running rigging
  7. Running rigging shall be as supplied by the builder, except that:
    1. Running rigging may be of any diameter.
    2. Additional line(s) may be used to sheet the headsail on downwind legs.

      Safety
  8. The anchor and chain shall weigh at least 8 kg and the anchor line shall be at least 100 m of line with a minimum diameter of 10 mm.
  9. Stanchions and life lines shall be as supplied by the builder.
  10. The life lines spanning the transom shall not deflect more than 75 mm when a 5kg weight is attached to the mid point between supports. The minimum diameter of these life lines shall be 4 mm.
  11. Other life lines shall not deflect more than 50 mm when a 5kg weight is attached to the mid point between supports.
  12. Additional safety equipment may be carried.

    Sails
  13. Sails shall be measured by a national ORC measurer, if not measured by the Cape 31 class measurer before 31 January 2025.
  14. A boat shall carry at least a Main, an All Purpose jib, a Heavy Weather jib and two asymmetrical spinnakers on board while racing.
  15. The maximum dimensions of the main shall be:
    MHB 1.120
    MUW 1.520
    MTW 2.120
    MHW 3.060
    MQW 3.810
  16. The maximum dimensions of the All Purpose jib shall be:
    HHB 0.15
    HUW 0.630
    HTW 1.120
    HHW 2.000
    HQW 2.870
    HLU 12.480
    HLP 3.730
  17. The heavy weather jib shall weigh at least 8 kg, and shall have eyes on the luff so that it can be attached to the forestay in case of failure of the headstay foil (but do not need ties in these eyes). The maxiumum area shall be 21.0 m² (calculated in accordance with OSR 4.27.3). The heavy weather jib shall have been measured by a Cape 31 measurer or a national ORC measurer.
  18. The maximum dimensions for the asymmetrical spinnaker shall be:
    SLU 15.730
    SLE 13.740
    SHW 9.530
    SFL 9.790


    Conditions for racing

  19. Spinnaker sheets shall be sheeted through the blocks in the standard position.
  20. Shrouds and the forestay shall not be adjusted while racing.

    Penalties
  21. In addition to Racing Rule of Sailing rule 61, if the protest committee decides that a boat has broken a class rule, but that the breach of the rule did not improve the performance of the boat, the boat shall not be penalized.
  22. If the protest committee decides that a boat has broken a class rule, but that the breach of the rule did not significantly improve the performance of the boat, the protest committee shall impose a discretionary penalty.