DABCHICK ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA

PART 7 MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE FOR DABCHICK CLASS BOATS

Dabchicks shall be measured by a SAS appointed measurer. In order to achieve consistent and
accurate results the Measurers are to follow the procedure laid down here. The measurement is
intended to be made in the order given on the official measurement form.
The object of these instructions is to ensure that all boats are measured in exactly the same way.
Equipment needed for the measurement of a Dabchick :-
1) SAS measurers' stamp.
2) A 5 metre tape.
3) Callipers of the outside type.
4) One 1.5 metre straight batten.
5) Weighing machine capable of weighing up to 50kg accurate to 0.1kg.
6) Copy of the class rules and the measurement form.
7) A copy of the plans and the ISAF sail measurement rules may also be useful.
GENERAL
The hull shall be complete when presented for measurement. The Dabchick class yacht must be
built according to the class rules, the object being to ensure that all yachts in the class shall be as
nearly alike as possible. The measurements shall be taken in accordance with the official rules.
Measurers shall look for variations in measurements from the rules even if not specifically
mentioned in the measurement schedule. Measurers may ignore normal wear and tear on old
boats if, in their opinion, the basic speed is unaffected. If the measurer considers that there has
been an attempt to depart from the design measurements, he is to report the matter to the
Association. Tolerances are laid down to allow for errors in building, but intentional variations
within these tolerances are not allowed. Unless otherwise specified all tolerances shall be within
+/-15mm.
To help in expediting the issue of the measurement certificate, the measurer could assist by
requiring the owner and/or builder to rectify any errors which are outside the permitted tolerances,
prior to completing the measurement schedule and forwarding to SAS. If requested, the sail
number may be allocated on completion of the hull measurements, provided there are no
constructional errors.

HULL MEASUREMENTS
The measurement must be started with the boat the right way up.
The overall length is measured on the centre line of the boat.
The next item is to mark the beam measurement stations on the deck.
Beam measurements exclude any rubbing strake.
Perimeter of one half of bow is measured round the bow from centreline to a point 3300mm from
the transom. It is a maximum measurement.

HULL UPSIDE DOWN

Mark the positions for measurement on the bottom, making the measurements on a line parallel to
the centre line of the deck, on the centre line and sides.
Use the straight edge batten, as in the diagram. Fibreglass tape over the joints should be
accommodated within the prescribed measurements.
HULL MASS
A guaranteed weighing machine should be used. The measurer must ensure that the hull is dry
and free from sand etc. All loose gear, not permanently attached to the hull, must be removed

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prior to weighing.
Mass correctors must be fitted adjacent to the mast step.

BOAT ON ITS SIDE

The daggerboard and rudder projections below the hull are measured on a line at right angles to
the deck centreline.

EQUIPMENT
Callipers should be used to check the thickness of the daggerboard and rudder. When measuring
the spars, it should be noted that intentionally bent spars are prohibited but this does not preclude
tapering.

SAILS GENERAL
Sails are to be measured in accordance with the ISAF sail measurement rules. The following
notes are obtained from the 1993 version. In the case of doubt, the latest full instructions should
be referred to, or the technical committee consulted.
The "sail" shall include headboard, clewboard, reinforcement, bolt ropes. It shall not include parts
of fastening such as cringles, hanks, slides etc. which are outside the edges of the sail.
When measured a sail shall :-
be dry, not be attached to spars or rigging, have all battens removed,
have just sufficient tension applied to remove wrinkles across the line of measurement being
taken.
Sails shall be made of single ply woven fibre cloth. When a woven ply is torn it will be possible to
separate the fibres without leaving evidence of film. Reinforcement of sail is permitted only at a
corner of the sail and at the Cunningham.
Reinforcement size is measured from the relevant corner measurement point or Cunningham.
Primary reinforcement ( unrestricted number of additional ply ) for the Dabchick shall be less than
250mm for all sails. Secondary reinforcement ( not more than two additional ply of the same
material as the body of the sail ) for the Dabchick shall be less than 750mm for all sails.

DEFINITIONS:-
Head point The intersection of the luff extended if necessary and the line through the
highest point of the sail perpendicular to the luff.
Clew point The intersection of the foot and the leach, each extended if necessary.
Tack point The intersection of the foot and the luff, each extended if necessary.
Mid foot point The point on the foot equidistant from the tack point and the clew point

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MAINSAIL
a) The length of the leech for the purpose of measurement shall be the straight line distance
between the head point and clew point of the sail. Maximum length 3810mm.
b) The midpoint of the luff shall be determined by folding the sail upon itself, with the head
point even with the tack point.
The midpoint of the leech shall be determined with the head point even with the clew point.
The half height width folded shall be the distance between the midpoints of the luff and the
leech with the sail laid on the floor with just sufficient tension to remove the wrinkles. The
bolt rope shall be excluded. Maximum measurement 1485mm.
c) The headboard shall be measured square to the mast, excluding bolt rope and shall not
exceed 115mm.
d) Battens shall have a maximum length of 610mm.
e) Dabchick insignia - minimum size 200 x 140 x 30 mm
f) Sail numbers shall be : clearly visible, legible, and of a single colour which strongly
contrasts with the sail, capital letters and arabic numerals with line that are continuous,
upright or with a slope of not less than 10:1 (10 vertical to 1 horizontal ) relative to a line
through their base.
JIB
a) The length of the luff ( maximum 2667mm ) shall be the distance between the head point
and the tack point.
b) The length of the leech ( maximum 2667mm ) shall be the distance between the head point
and the clew point.
c) The length of the foot ( maximum 1473mm ) shall be the distance between the clewpoint
and the tack point.
d) Centre measurement ( foot median )
The foot mid point shall be determined with the tack point even with the clew point.
The length of the centre measurement shall be taken as the distance between the head
point and the lowest edge of the sail at the foot mid point.
This measurement shall not exceed 2720mm.
e) No battens or headboards are allowed.

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INTERPRETATIONS by the TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
To aid Measurers the DASA Technical Committee interpretations on various Class Rules are
given below :-
RULE
21 The general tolerance of +- 15mm is interpreted to mean 15mm above or below the
measurements stated in the rules, except where a maximum or minimum measurement is
stated (1/96 )
22b For this rule the 'jib attachment' is interpreted as the fitting to which the jib and forestay are
attached to the deck (1/96)
22f This rule is interpreted as follows, the deck should not deviate in the vertical plane from a
straight edge, if such a straight edge were placed along the centre line on the deck, from
transom to bow, taking into account the general tolerance allowed (1/96 )
31 The main sheet block, and any fitting that |can| be removed from the chain plates that are
permanently attached to the boat ( glued, bolted ), must be removed before the boat is
weighed. (1/96)
If the boat mass is to checked ( at an event and not for measurement certificate

purposes ) the boat may be weighed with the main sheet block as long as due allowance is
made for the block mass. ( If the boat is only 500gm over the allowed mass, then the
measurer can ask for the block to be removed. If the boat is 5Kg over - the block mass is
inconsequential.) (1/96)
33 As the Class Rules do not specify material of construction - only that the daggerboard float
- wood covered by GRP would be acceptable. (1/96)

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