ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name
of this association shall be the SAN
FRANCISCO BAY BIRD BOAT ASSOCIATION.
ARTICLE II
The
object of this Association shall be to promote and govern racing of the
one-design Bird Class boats and to promote and develop the interest of this
class in San Francisco Bay as well as other sections.
ARTICLE III
1. Voting
Membership of this Association shall consist of owners of boats, in good
standing as set forth in the By-Laws, officially accepted as belonging to the
class of San Francisco Bay Bird Boats and holding a valid certificate. One voting member for each boat.
2. Associate
Membership may be held by :
(a) A person holding at least one-third (1/3) ownership in a
Bird Boat.
(b) A person having been a Bird Boat owner or an active crew
member , upon a majority vote at any regular meeting and paying the dues as set
forth in the By-Laws.
c) Associate members will have no vote except when acting as
proxy for a voting member.
3. Honorary
Membership may be held by a person who through his/her interest and efforts
in behalf of the Association, shall be voted as such by a two-thirds vote at a
quorum meeting, in appreciation of his/her contribution to the Bird Class.
ARTICLE IV
In the
absence of a boat owner from a meeting he/she may be represented by a
substitute having written authority to vote in his/her behalf.
ARTICLE V
1. The
officers of the Association shall be: Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The offices of the Secretary and Treasurer
may be held by the same person.
2. The
Chairperson shall preside at all meetings and shall have all such powers and
duties as usually appertain to such office.
3. The
Secretary shall keep a full and complete record of the proceedings of all
meetings and shall preserve all documents, reports and communications connected
with the business of the Association, send out all notices, compile the records
for Championships and perform such other duties as usually appertain to such
office.
4. (a)
The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys, keep a correct account
thereof, and deposit same, in the name of the Association, in such bank as may
be approved by the Association, and shall disburse same in payment of debts of
the Association.
(b) At the Annual Meeting of the
Association, the Treasurer shall submit a full report, in writing, of the
financial condition of the Association, which shall previously have been
audited and approved by the Auditing Committee.
ARTICLE VI
1. The
Chairperson shall appoint the nominating and auditing committee to be approved
by a vote of the members.
2.
Nominating Committee - shall consist of three (3) members of this
Association. It shall report to the
Secretary fifteen (15) days before the Annual Meeting with the nominations for
Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and members of the Rules and Measurement
Committee. Other nominations may be
made at the Annual Meeting.
3.
Auditing Committee - shall consist of three (3) delegates and shall audit, and
finding it correct, approve the Treasurers annual statement before the Annual
Meeting.
4. The
Rules and Measurement Committee shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. It shall consist of three(3) members
receiving the three(3) largest votes on a single ballot and two alternates
receiving the next two (2) largest votes on the same ballot. This Committee shall measure and certify all
boats and decide any questions on racing rules in accordance with the class
regulations.
ARTICLE VII
1. The
Annual Meeting shall be held during early November at such hour and place as
the Chairperson shall designate.
2. The
Chairperson may call such other meetings at such place and time as he/she shall
designate and upon written request of four (4) delegates he shall call a
meeting within thirty (30) days after the filing of such request.
3.
Notices of each meeting of the Association shall be sent in writing to each
boat owner not less than seven (7) days prior to such meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
Certified Boats
1. Any
person wishing to enter a boat in this Association shall file with the
secretary prior to starting construction, and by complying with all the
provisions of the By-Laws.
2. A
statement of compliance and completion shall be furnished by the builder and
approved by the Rules and Measurement Committee, together with a weigh-masters
certificate for the keel.
3. Upon
being accepted by the committee, the boat will be issued a Bird Boat
Certificate. A Certificate constitutes
current membership in the San Francisco Bay Bird Boat Association and is valid
for one year.
4. Upon
application a new owner will be issued a new Certificate by complying with the
following requirements:
(a) By surrendering the old certificate properly endorsed by
the previous owner
(b) Approval of Rules and Measurement Committee.
(c) Complying with By-Laws.
ARTICLE IX
1. No
action may be taken at any meeting amending the Articles of Association or
modifying or otherwise effecting the qualifications of boats belonging to the
Association unless notices covering the matter shall have been sent out seven
(7) days prior to the meeting, sixty (60) percent of the members or their
proxies being present, and two-thirds (2/3) of the members present voting in favor
thereof.
2. No
change in racing regulations shall be made by any meeting unless notice
covering such change shall have been out seven (7) days prior to the meeting.
3. A
quorum for action at any meeting shall consist of at least eight (8) members or
their proxies.
4. Boats
built approximately in accordance with the plans and specification in effect at
the time they were built shall not be later disqualified on account of changes
in hull specifications.
5. Spars
and sails shall conform at all times to the current regulations or shall be
changed to so conform not later than two (2) weeks after passing of revised
regulations.
BY-LAWS
1. A fee
of $50.00 shall accompany the application for any new boat. This fee will be paid to cover the
following:
(a) Two sets of builders plans and specifications for Bird
Boat.
(b) The necessary inspection (not less than three) at stages
of construction to satisfy the Rules and Measurement Committee.
(c) The Association or the Rules and Measurement Committee
will not supervise building or guarantee the acceptance of any completed boat.
(d) Additional plans and specifications may be procured at
$10.00 for plans and $5.00 for specifications per set.
2. When
a boat is completed and approved by the Rules and Measurement Committee, upon
receipt of $5.00 the Secretary will issue the owner a Bird Boat Certificate and
a set of Articles and By-Laws of the Association, thereby making the new boat
owner a member in good standing of the Association. The annual certificate of this Association shall include
membership and shall be $40.00, payable in advance before February 15th of each
year. Certificates are subject to
recall for any violation of the Articles and By-Laws of this Association
without refund. To be eligible to compete
in class racing a boat must hold a certificate countersigned by the Chairperson
of the Rules and Measurement Committee.
3. Any
purchaser of a certified boat will pay a fee of $10.00 for certificate
transfer.
4. Dues
Schedule:
Certificate holding boat
owner $40.00 per
year.
Associate Member $10.00
per year
Honorary Member Free
Membership
RACING RULES
RULE 1. The
intent of the Bird One Design Class is to promote the sport of yacht racing
whereby a race shall be won by superior seamanship only, and therefore the
boats shall be on an equal basis and as nearly alike as physically possible.
RULE 2. Rule
IV, Section 4, of the North American Yacht Racing Union rules, gives one design
classes the right to make their own class rules and regulations, and yachts of
such class not conforming to such class rules and regulations, shall not be
entitled to start.
RULE 3. In
Yacht Racing Association qualifying races and The Bird Perpetual race, a boat
may be sailed only by its certified owner in good standing or by a regular crew
member belonging to a recognized yacht club who has sailed in at least 50% of
the races on that boat in the current season.
Co-owners will be treated as crew members in enforcing this rule.
Racing
rules which are not in conflict with the special rules of this class, shall be
those in general use at the time and place of races. No professional sailors shall be on board during races. Professionalism to be as defined by the
N.A.Y.R.U. Rules. Crew in any race to
consist of not more than five (5) persons,.
RULE 4. The
Secretary of the Association shall notify immediately the Yacht Racing
Association and/or all race committees concerned when certificates of boats
belonging to the Association have not been renewed; having been recalled or
when a boat becomes ineligible to race, prior to the next ensuing race.
RULE 5.
Upon signed request of three (3) members, the Measurement Committee shall
re-measure the load water line, sails, spars and/or rigging of any boat. A standard fee for this re-measurement is
$30.00, to be paid by the members requesting such measurement if the boat is
found to comply with the regulations, and to be paid by the owner of the boat
if boat is found not to comply with the regulations.
RULE 6. The Association Secretary shall notify in
writing the Yacht Racing Association and/or the Race Committee of the various
clubs concerned, the boats which are properly certified by the Rules and
Measurement Committee and only boats so certified and in good standing shall be
entitled to start in races for this class.
Changes made after certification is issued, which would have prevented
the issuance of same, shall render a boat subject to disqualification.
RULE 7. Protest
for violation of the rules of the road or right of way shall be made to the
Race Committee in the manner provided by N.A.Y.R.U. rules. Protests involving class rules and/or
measurement shall be made to the Rules and Measurement Committee and their
decision shall be reported to the race committee. It shall, however, be the duty of the race committee to
disqualify any boat for violation of the special class rules, if said violation
comes to their direct notice. Any
disqualification shall be subject to appeal as provided in N.A.Y.R.U. rules,
excepting a ruling of the Rules and Measurement Committee from which there
shall be no appeal.
RULE 8. Light
sails shall consist of spinnaker only.
No attachment on jib stay shall be permitted between tack and
headboard. Headboard to conform with
N.A.Y.R.U. rules. Only one light
sail shall be on board at one time.
Overlapping or Genoa jibs shall be barred. Spinnaker pole shall not be used as a bowsprit by lashing to deck
or stays. Tack of sail when used as a
ballooner shall not extend beyond intersection of jib stay and deck, and shall
not be sheeted to any spar or outrigger other than the main boom.
RULE 9. The
maximum ballasted waterline length allowable shall be 243 (twenty-four feet,
three inches). A boat shall not be
permitted to change waterline length during the racing season dating from the
first scheduled race of the season to the last scheduled race of the
season. The Measurement Committee shall
act as a board of judges to try anyone for violation of this rule, and shall
fix the penalty for conviction thereof, not to be more serious than
disqualification for the balance of the season. Scuppers and hull outlets are to be open at all times.
RULE 10. Measurement
of Maximum Waterline Length: Effective 1996, all boats will be measured in RACE-READY
CONDITION. That is to say, with all
the required equipment and ANY optional
gear which an owner intends to have aboard as they depart the dock to race. This includes outboard motors, gas tanks,
ice chest, batteries, etc.
In other
words, Owners must prepare their boats in race ready condition prior to annual
static measurement. This is to insure
that no boat exceeds the maximum permitted waterline length of 243 and
permit, via the Quick Check Measurement, instant validation of compliance
with this rule, at the dock before or after any race.
RULE 11. The
Quick Check Measurement will be instituted to allow for instant
verification of waterline length. This
measurement is taken as shown on the sample form at time of annual
certification. All boat owners will
receive this (completed) form showing the measurement of their own boat, as
well as that of all boats certified to race during that current season. If boats are added to the certified program
during the year, all owners will receive an updated roster.
RULE 12. Required
Gear: YRA Minimum Equipment Requirements (As of 2/96):
(a) One anchor, not less
than twelve (12) lb.
(b) 100 foot anchor
line.
(c) Boat hook.
(d) Fog horn.
(e) Fire extinguisher.
(f) One life preserver
for each person on board,
(g) One life ring on
deck 18 dia.
(h) Marine compass.
(i) Bilge pump.
(j) Suitable charts for
piloting.
RULE 13. Scoring:
The
following scoring system is to be used for determining a Seasons Champion in
the Y.R.A. Series.
1. The
winner of each race is scored 3/4 point, second yacht 2 points, third yacht, 3
points, etc.
2. A
yacht not finishing (DNF) or withdrawing prior to protest hearing will be
scored one more point than the number of yachts in that race.
3. A
yacht not starting (DNS) will be scored 2 more points than the number of yachts
in that race.
4. A
yacht disqualified (DSQ) will be scored 3 more points than the number of yachts
in that race.
5. The
yacht with the lowest total score at the end of the YRA season will be declared
the Seasons Champion.
6. In
case of a tie, that yacht is the winner which has the most first, or if that
still leaves a tie, the most seconds, and so on. In case this fails to break the tie, that yacht is the winner
which has finished ahead of the other or each of the others more often than it
has finished behind.
7. A
yacht finding no competitor shall be entitled to sail the course as a starter
and shall be awarded points as provides above.
All
races designated as Qualifying by the Y.R.A., and designated by the Bird Boat
Association Race Calendar shall be used in computing a yachts score.
RULE 14. Spars
and sails shall conform at all times to the current regulations or shall be
changed to so conform not later than two (2) weeks after passing of revised
regulations.
RULE 15. A
boat shall not be equipped with new sails more often than once in any three
year period. In case of damage or other
circumstances, the case must be referred to the measurement committee, and a
decision made in writing, before renewing prior to the three year period. The date of first launching shall be the
basis for determining first renewal date, and the date of purchase of sails on
all subsequent renewals. The
Burden-of-Proof as to the date of purchase of sails will be upon the owner -(Bill
of Sale & Sailmakers certificate).
SPAR, SAILS AND
RIGGING SPECIFICATIONS
Spars
All to
be solid, of round section to sizes shown on sail plan, to include mast, main
boom, jib boom, and spinnaker boom of crotch or double ended fitting type and
all made from pine or fir. Mast, main
boom and jib boom to have 5/8 track to receive sail.
Rigging
All
standard rigging to be stainless, to be of sizes shown on sail plan. Upper end to have proper leather covered
spliced eye around mast. All
turn-buckles to be bronze or stainless to sizes on sail plan. The following options may be used:
(a) Halyard winches.
(b) Tangs on mast to receive standing rigging.
(c) Detachable fitting on head stay.
(d) Maximum of (3) three deck winches.
(e) Spinnaker Halyard block not to be more than 13 (One
foot, three inches) above intersection of jib stay and mast.
Sails
Allowed
woven material: cotton duck, nylon, or dacron.
(a) Main: To be no less than 7-1/4 oz. min. wt. (28-1/2 x
36).
(b) Jib: 6-1/2 oz.
(c) Spinnaker: 3/4 oz. minimum.
Sails to
include mainsail, jib and spinnaker.
The
Owner will obtain from their Sailmaker, certification that type and weight of
material and dimensions used in newly purchased sails are compliant with these
class rules.
Mainsail:
Length
of luff and foot governed by spars.
Luff not to exceed 32 from band on mast to top of sheeve. Foot, not to exceed 207 from after edge of
track on mast to end of boom. Leech,
not to exceed 356 at points of intersection with luff and foot. Maximum girth 126 measured half-way on
luff and leech. Mainsail to have 5/8 track slides at luff and foot. Racing
numbers to be as specified in the N.A.Y.R.U. and sewed on each side of
mainsail. There will be four battens in
the mainsail. Battens not to exceed 36
and 42. Batten pockets to be a maximum
of 37-1/2 and 43-1/2. There will be 7-3/8 maximum head board at
right angles to luff.
Jib:
Luff,
202 maximum; Leech, 161 maximum;
Foot, governed by spar, 95 maximum from intersection of jib stay to end of
boom. Girth measurement must not exceed 48, 9 from head board on luff and
leech. Battens to be according to sail
plan. No zippers are allowed. Jib to have 5/8 slides on foot and snap hooks on
luff.
Spinnaker:
The
maximum dimensions shall be as follows: Luff, twenty-two feet, three inches
(223). Foot, seventeen feet, four
inches (174), Leech, twenty-two feet, three inches (223).
Travelers:
Main
sheet travelers are permissible. Track
or bar type.
Mast Head Sheave:
The
maximum main halyard sheave size is 6.
The sheave shall not extend more than 2 past the line of the mast in
either the forward or aft dimension.
1. Rules
and specifications governing the measurement of One Design Bird Class
Sloops. The plans and specifications
adopted by this Association on November 25, 1947, attached hereto, shall be the
official measurements of Bird Class Boats and are a part of the rules and
regulations.
Hull Specifications
2.
Adopted by San Francisco Bay Bird Class Association to govern the construction
of boats in Bird Class contracted for after November 1, 1947. Materials and construction as set forth in
the following specifications and as shown on plans are minimum requirements. Substitutions in materials, fittings,
rigging and gear of equal or better quality may be made only with the consent
of the owner and the Rules and Measurement Committee. Where galvanized fittings are specified, bronze, stainless or
monel fittings may be substituted without approval of the Rules and Regulations
Committee.
3.
Authentic plans and specifications prepared and approved by the San Francisco
Bird Boat Association will be furnished by the owner. Hull must be strictly to lines on plans to be eligible for racing
in this class. The specifications and
drawings are intended to cooperate, so that any works exhibited in the drawings
and not mentioned in the specifications, or vice-versa, are to be executed the
same as if they were mentioned in the specifications and set forth in the
drawings, without any extra charge whatever to the owner. No change is to be made in the plans and/or
specifications without written consent of the Association. The maximum water line length shall be
twenty-four feet, three inches. (243).
Dimensions:
4. Length overall 301
Length, waterline 243
Beam - extreme 78
Draft 53 plus or minus
Materials and Workmanship
5. In
carrying out these specifications, it is understood that only the best
materials shall be used and skilled workmen employed. All woods shall be sound, well seasoned and of a kind and quality
suitable for the use intended. Any
defective material or workmanship will be rejected at whatever stage of the
work discovered, and shall be made good by the builder, at his expense, to the
complete satisfaction of the owner or by his representative.
Wood Keel Forward and After
Overhead Timber
6. Wood
keel to be of O.P. molded and sided as per plans. Forward and after overhead timer of oak or Jenssero tapered per
line plan molded as per instruction plan.
Stem
7. Oak
or Jenessero sided 3 molded to plan to extend above deck. Bolted to overhead timer with 3/8 bolts and
nuts.
Lead Keel
8. Keel
to weigh 3600 pounds, allowing not more than 5% error, of lead, cast in one
piece and securely fastened as shown on construction plan with through bolts of
sizes shown. Lead to be shaped exactly
to designed lines. Bolts to be threaded
at each end, and fitted with nuts and washers each end. Bottom nuts to be secured by upsetting end
of thread. A weighmasters certificate
of the keel will be required. Inside
ballast may be added to trim the boat to any desired water line length not to
exceed twenty-four feet, three inches (243).
Frames
9. to be
clear white oak steam bent to shape, sided 1-3/8 net molded 1-3/8 net
allowance made for beveling frames to fit planking.
Floors
10. To
be of oak, fitted at every pair of frames as shown.
11. To
be cut through floors to allow water to run to deepest part of bilge. Pockets between frames to be pitch filled.
Lifting Bolts
12.
Optional.
Transom
13. To
be of oak or teak 7/8 thick reinforced at edges to take plank fastenings.
Planking
14. To
be full length air dried vertical grain Oregon pine in narrow strakes as shown
finished 7/8 and fastened with suitable fastenings. Planking to be planed smooth, seams caulked with cotton, payed
and filled with white lead putty and well scraped and sandpapered so that no
plane marks, flat or unfair places show after final finishing.
Clamp & Stringer
15.
Clamps of Oregon pine in two lengths, upper and lower as shown, 2-1/2 molded
and 1-3/4 sided amidship through bolted to each frame with 1/4 countersink
headscrew bolts set up on washers.
Bilge stringer or Oregon pine 1-1/2 x 2-1/2 for half their length,
tapered to 1-1/2 x 1-3/4 at ends and fastened with bolts set up on washers.
Deck Beams
16. To
be of clear white oak after deck crowned 4 in 8 feet, forward deck to be
crowned 6 in 78 at after end, all beams forward to crown so as to make
straight line to stem. Main beams sided
1-3/4 molded 1-3/4 balance of beams sided 1-3/8 molded 1-3/4. All located as shown on plans.
Knees
17. To
be of natural pine crook, sided 1-3/8 molded and located as shown on
plans. Or equivalent in maritime
plywood.
Decks
18. To
be 3/4 x 3 T. & G. pine covered with 10 oz. canvas laid in thick fresh
white lead, fastened with copper tacks.
Marine plywood 5/8 inches thick may be used in place of the 3/4 x 3 T.
& G. pine.
Wash Rails
19. To
be of teak or mahogany as shown 7/8 thick and fastened to deck beams with
bolts.
Rudder Gear
20. Oak
tiller with bronze fittings. full
length rudder stick 1-1/4 Tobin bronze bolted to rudder with six 3/8 Tobin
bronze bolts. Rudder port to be 1-1/4
pipe threaded through stern timber and fitted with stuffing box in inboard
end. Rudder blade of teak or mahogany
tapered to thin edge and securely edge bolted with drift bolts. Straps of copper 1-3/4 x 3/16 set flush
extending 5 on deadwood secured with copper through bolts on both wood and
lead.
Interior Work
21.
Portion forward of mast to be slightly raised and loosely floored. All to be of pine or other soft wood stained
and varnished. Companion ladder to be
pine and varnished bright. The interior
arrangement is optional provided the above equipment is carried.
Toilet
22.
-Optional- and should comply with all existing environmental ordinances.
Boom Crutch
23. To
be of oak or mahogany with proper cleats installed at after end of cockpit to
receive same.
Chain Plates
24.
1-1/2 x 3/16 x 26 three each side of mast set inside planking. Runner plates 1-1/2 x 3/16 x 2 set inside
of planking all with extra backing frame to take inside of bolts.
Cleats and Chocks
25. As
shown on construction and sail plans.
Ventilators
26. Set
flush in deck one forward and one aft 3 size - (Minimum Recommended).
Boat Name
27. To
be the name of a bird shown on transom.
Finish
28.
Boats to be finished with suitable material to maintain attractive appearance and
adequate protection.
Insurance
29.
Owner will carry the usual form of Builders Risk Insurance made out to owner
and builder as interest may appear for protection against fire only.
CHANGES &
ADDENDUMS TO BYLAWS
Please notice these changes whenever
reviewing the by-laws:
Jib:
Luff,
202 maximum; Leech, 161 maximum; Foot, governed by spar, 95 maximum from
intersection of jib stay to end of boom.
Girth Measurement must not exceed 48, 9 from point of intersection of
leech and luff. Battens to be 15 (1)
and 21(2) length maximum. No zippers
allowed. Jib to have 5/8 slides on foot and snap hooks on luff.
Unanimously approved 2/13/98