Class Rules

Please note the update to the "Replacement of Sails" section, in bold italic"

Please also note the expanded instructions regarding "Sail materials", in bold italic.

General intent

The Cavalier 28 is a one-design yacht designed for racing and cruising. It is intended to provide, at reasonable cost, high-performance racing for inshore and limited offshore events, while at the same time providing simple and spacious accommodation to exploit the cruising potential of the yacht. It is with this racing and cruising potential of the yacht in mind, together with the aim of prohibiting the use of expensive and sophisticated equipment, that these rules and specifications for the Cavalier 28 Class have been formed.

It is fundamental to the interpretation of these rules and specifications that racing in Cavalier 28 Class events shall be a test of skill and seamanship in yachts which are essentially the same. Any yacht which differs from these rules and specifications or, which is deliberately altered in any way to gain an advantage over other yachts of the Class through exploiting a loophole in these rules and specifications contrary to the spirit thereof, shall not be accepted as being eligible for the Cavalier 28 Class.

Certification and measurement

In order to maintain the one design principle of the Cavalier 28 Yacht the certification and measurement of the yachts shall be the responsibility of a measurer appointed by the Committee of the Cavalier 28 Association (“the Committee”). Any measurer requiring clarification of matters arising from these class rules and specifications shall refer to the Committee for clarification.

The Committee or the measurer may inspect any yacht at any time in order to check that it complies with these rules and specifications.

Hull, deck, keel and rudder

The hull, deck, head liner furniture liner and keel shall be manufactured from moulds and patterns approved by the Committee and owned by Spartec Industries Pty Limited or such other person or company approved by the Committee (the “Yacht Builder”).

The rudder shall be of overall length not greater than 2130mm and width not greater than 408 mm.

No filling or sanding of the hull is permitted except for etching for painting and repair of damage. the keel shall be made of lead and filled to fair the surface to a thickness no greater than 6 mm but no alteration to the basic shape is permitted.

No material may be removed from hull, deck, keel or rudder except for the installation of legitimate hardware or reasonable size ventilators. All holes cut in the hull and deck must be sealed and made structurally sound.

All hatches shall be mechanically fastened to the deck or cockpit.

Equipment

the following equipment shall be fitted to each yacht and shall be substantially the same form, have substantially the same weight and shall be in substantially the same position as that supplied by the Yacht Builder for a fully fitted out yacht:

  • Bilge pump
  • Fuel tank with minimum capacity of 6 gallons
  • Hatches and washboards
  • Sink
  • Cockpit drains
  • Two burner methylated spirit stove
  • Full length toe rails
  • Toilet
  • Companionway steps
  • Cushions (for the main saloon area only)
  • Engine cover
  • Pulpit, pushpit, stanchions and life lines
  • Floorboards
  • Icebox

Electrical system

Each yacht shall carry at least one standard 12 volt DC battery weighing at least 9 kilograms and installed in position where the Yacht Builder would install it. It shall have a minimum capacity of 50 ampere hours.

Bulkheads and interior joinery

The bulkheads and interior joinery (including toilet door and table) of each yacht shall be substantially the same as that supplied by the Yacht Builder for a fully fitted out yacht.

Anchor

Each yacht shall carry in the anchor well an anchor and warp as specified in the AYF Safety Regulations, Addendum B Part 2.

Engine

Each yacht shall be fitted with a suitable inboard diesel engine weighing not less than 80 kg (including gearbox) and shall comply with the requirements of AYF Safety Regulations, Addendum B Part 1, in all respects. Saildrives are permitted.

Steering system

Each yacht shall be steered by a tiller, or by a wheel connected to a rudder to be fitted in such a position and to be of such a size and design as the Yacht Builder and the Committee approve, but in any event to be of similar size and design as the standard rudder.

Mast, boom and spinnaker pole

The mast, (other than a mast stepped as at 2 July 1987) is to an untapered sheerline S 200 M or similar straight section.

The applicable measurements are as follows:

P - 9.145m

J - 3.505m

I - 10.668m

E - 3.2m

Maximum length of the spinnaker pole (centre of the parrot beak to face of the mast) is 110% of J.

Sails

Sail materials

Aramid derivatives, such as Kevlar, PBO, Tarwon or Technora are not permitted in any sail.

Mylar and Pentex are permissible for use in all headsails. The mainsail shall be constructed of Dacron only.

Cold moulded sails are not permitted.

Spinnakers shall be of minimum weight 3/4 oz per square metre.

Replacement of sails

Each yacht shall be permitted to replace each sail only once each year.

All new sails constructed after the end of the 05/06 season must be stamped with a Certificate of Compliance with the class specifications by the sail maker.

Mainsail

The mainsail shall be set within black bands on the mast and boom at all times. the black bands shall be fitted as follows:

Lower black band on mast

Minimum 0.685m (27 inches) from the cabin top to top side of the band. Maximum 0.736m (29 inches) from the cabin top to top side of the band.

Upper black band on mast

Top side of lower black band on mast to lower side of top black band 9.144 m (30 feet).

Outhaul

Aft side of mast to inner edge of black band on boom 3.2m (10 ft 6 inches).

Leech

Shall not exceed 9.639m.

Headboard

Shall have a maximum width 0.125m.

Cross width measurement

shall not exceed 2.1m . It shall be measured (including the bolt rope) at the half height of the leech as found by folding the head to the clew and measuring to the nearest point on the luff.

Battens

There shall be four.

Genoas

The only measurement on the genoas shall be maximum LPs as follows:

No. 1 5.256m

No. 2 4.267m

No. 3 3.377m

No. 4 1.903m

All headsails shall be secured along the luff to the forestay.

A yacht's maximum number of sails carried and used during a racing or defined regatta (eg State Championships) shall be as follows:

  • Two of No. 1 as defined in the rules
  • One of No. 2 as defined in the rules
  • One of No. 3 as defined in the rules
  • One of No. 4 as defined in the rules

Spinnakers

Maximum size - full length 10.644 metres.

Maximum width 6.308 metres measured at any point across the sail.

The No. 2 spinnaker may be of any size smaller than the No. 1 spinnaker.

Extra sails

No bloopers shall be permitted nor any sail not specifically provided for in these rules.

Measurement

Measurement of sails shall be in accordance with the Equipment Rules of Sailing for 2005/2008 ISAF.

Winches

Each yacht shall be fitted with at least four winches, two of which shall be in the cabin top.

Hydraulic equipment

No hydraulic equipment shall be permitted.

Racing rules

Any helmsman or owner that has not raced five races with the Class at a recognised yacht club must seek the special approval by the Cavalier 28 Committee before entering any regatta of the Cavalier 28 Association.