Butterfly Class Rules
[Since the Butterfly Rules were first written, in the early 1960's, the parent organization of all sailboat racing, now called the International Sailing Federation, has held the there are two basic class rule systems, One-Design and Open. In an Open Class, any changes are allowed except what is mentioned in the Class Rules. In a One-Design class, only those changes specifically mentioned in the Class Rules are allowed. The Butterfly Class Rules, although written before those standards were settled upon and including a section on "Changes Not Allowed", specificially states that the class is One-Design, and as a pioneer class in that regard, adheres to the standards of the ISAF with regard to One-Design classes.]
NATIONAL BUTTERFLY ASSOCIATION RULES
last modified July 2011 to change 'Barnett Boats' to Barnett Boat Company Inc or its legal successors, and to allow rope bridles, with limits
In the interest of true one-design sailing, all boats will be the Barnett Butterfly design and will carry the Butterfly sail emblem. All changes in the design must be approved by the National Butterfly Association Committee (NBAC).
Interpretations -- In interpreting any point not adequately covered, or wording of obscure meaning, the NBAC shall consider the intended rather than any technical misconstruction that might be derived from the wording and shall bear in mind at all times, that the basic principle of the specifications is to maintain the class, within reasonable limitations, as a standard equalized one-design class.
RACING RULES
Racing Rules as set forth by the International Sailing Federation, as adopted by US Sailing, will be followed at all regattas. Any alteration of these Rules on an experimental basis must be approved by the NBAC, or, if not available, by the local Race Committee.
In cases where there is both a skipper and crew on the boat and they are racing as a team on the boat in every race of a regatta or series of races, either may act as skipper in any one entire race. In the team situation, only one person may act as skipper during any one entire race. Other than the team situation, the registered skipper must act as skipper during the entire regatta or series. The crew, if any, may be changed from race to race.
SINGLE HANDED EVENTS - In single handed events, no minimum weight limits are required of the skipper. The same skipper must sail single-handed in all races of any regatta or series -- no substitutions may be made. In the junior division, crew may be used. If a junior skipper uses a crew, the same crew must be used for the entire regatta. Junior skippers and crew may not be 17 on the first day of the regatta. (Added 2003)
OPEN EVENTS -- In open events, the boat may be sailed either single-handed or with crew, without weight limitations, in any race of the regatta or series, but the skipper must be the same person for all races.
JUNIOR EVENTS -- In junior events, the boat is sailed double-handed, that is, with 2 persons minimum on board for all races of the regatta or series, with no weight requirements. No one on board may have reached their 17th birthday before or during the event.
SAILS
1. Only sails obtained from Barnett Boat Company Inc or its legal successors either direct or through an authorized dealer, or certified by the class secretary before February 1, 1968, will be legal. (Sail measurements are kept on file at Barnett Boat Company Inc or its legal successors.) Sails may not be altered from stock other than normal repairs.
2. Only one sail shall be used in a regatta or race series.
3. Leach adjusting or reefing mechanisms are not allowed.
4. Sails may not be rigged loose footed.
5. Only one sail may be set at one time.
6. Sails must be set on the mast fully-hoisted to the mast head during racing; the height of the boom on the mast shall be controlled only by the bolt rope and luff of the sail, and the downhaul line, it is not allowed to fix the height of the boom with anything around the mast or in the sail track. (Added 2006)
7. A window is allowed; it must be set in the lower, front section of the sail, with the bottom no more than 6" above the boom sleeve, with a maximum size of 168 sq in. (Added 2006)
HULL
1. Molds for hull to be built only from plugs initialed by the NBAC.
2. Hull minimum weight -- 140 pounds. Hull weight is measured less sails but shall include mast, boom, standing and running rigging, center board, rudder, tiller, and all hull fittings and flotation equipment excluding life jackets. Boats are to be bailed completely dry.
CHANGES NOT ALLOWED
Daggerboards and rudders may not be reshaped, nor may the edges be rounded or sharpened.
Outriggers, trapezes or any additional hand or foot rails other than standard equipment, may not be used for racing.
No special arrangements for intentionally bending the mast are allowed.
The sheeting system may not be altered (see CHANGES ALLOWED).
The points of attachment for the stays may not be changed. The stays and fixed adjusters may be any fixed length.
The boat must be raced with the rudder fully down.
CHANGES ALLOWED
Tiller hiking sticks of any length may be added.
Hiking straps may be added either (1) a single strap athwartship attached on each side at a point along the length of the handrail only, or(2) two independent straps (or loops) each attached at a point or points along each handrail, but not connected with each other athwartships. No other hiking assist is allowed.
The outhaul may be modified to the extent of adding a cleat anywhere along the length of the boom to be connected to the sail clew by a single purchase line led throught the outhaul casting.
Forestay tighteners may be used.
Tell tales and/or wind vanes may be added for the determination of wind direction.
A boom vang with any type block and jamb cleat may be added. The vang must terminate at a single point on the mast or extension thereof and at a single point on the boom.
Mast flotation tips may be used to facilitate righting a capsized boat providing they do not increase sail area.
Special mooring cleats, lights, life preserver cushions and any convenience or safety device that does not increase performance of the boat may be added.
Any material may be used for sheets. Any non-metallic material may be used for the halyard.
An instant-release snubbing block may be used on the mainsheet, provided that the sheeting arrangement is not altered.
The internal mast stiffener is optional.
A single fixed block or lead for the mainsheet (with or without a cleat) can be placed anywhere along the centerline of the boat from the aft end of the daggeroard trunk to the aft end of the cockpit. Two (2) fixed cleats for the mainsheet can be placed anywhere on the deck.
Bridles may be made of rope or wire and shall be attached using only the existing attachment points on the deck. Bridles shall not be adjustable while racing. The minimum height of the bridle above the deck at its center shall be 4 1/2". (Added 2011)