Tidelines: Keel standards overhauled

Yachting New Zealand has revised stability requirements for keel yachts with moveable keels and variable ballast.

The changes, which are immediate, mean that owners of yachts with moveable ballast must now show the stability of their vessel by calculation rather than use an arbitrary limit of 10 degrees static heel, applied under the old rule.

ISAF Special Regulation Appendix K now requires compliance with the ISO Standards on Stability, proof of recovery from a knockdown, and some method of restoring control and locking a canting keel in the event of control system failure.

Clubs holding races that require a declaration to Category 4 Safety Standards are responsible for enforcing the new rules.

See Yachting New Zealand's website (www.yachtingnz.org.nz) under Race Management, Rules and Safety.

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EAGLE'S AFFORDABLE COLOUR RANGE

Eagle's easy-to-use monochrome fish finders have proved popular with local buyers because they provide good build quality, competitive features and reliable performance at affordable prices.

Eagle has now released a range of high-specification colour fish-finders, chart-plotters and chart-plotter/fish-finder combination units.

All Eagle models are designed for the saltwater environment and are waterproof, making them ideal for kayaks, trailer boats, yachts and launches.

For more information see: www.enl.co.nz.

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WATER-WATCH

Many winter yacht racing programmes continue this weekend on Auckland Harbour.

The sixth round in the RNZYS' MRX Match Racing Series will be sailed today.

Ponsonby Cruising Club continues its Ladies Winter Series today which will be sailed fortnightly until September 3.

Royal Akarana Yacht Club will sail their sixth winter round on Sunday; this winter series is also sailed fortnightly.

Ponsonby Cruising Club's Winter Series continues on Sunday and runs fortnightly until September 4.

Gulf Harbour Yacht Club's winter series is sailed fortnightly on Sundays, with the last race scheduled for September 4. GHYC have two divisions, cruising (no spinnakers) and racing (with extras).

Organisations planning events should register in advance with the ARC on (09) 366 2000. The 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.

* Geoff Green can be contacted by phone on (09) 428 1624