Posted by: Doug Lord on Sep. 24 2002,09:33

The Formula 100 Class allows more sail area, more power to carry sail and more innovation than any other one meter class:
Class Rules:
1)-LOA--one meter
2)-Beam--(max) 35 cm (13.77"). NOTE: this does NOT include canting keel or an on-deck movable ballast system as long as these systems fall within the beam measurement when centered.
3)-Draft--(max) 57.5cm(22.6")
4)-Max Distance masthead to waterline: 185cm(72.8")
5) All appendages must be removable from hull.
6)-When centered / retracted no part of the rig may extend forward of the bow or aft of the transom.
A) Spinnakers are legal if, when retracted (doused), the sail and its equipment follow the rule above.
B) The mainsail shall carry the F100 logo in the upper third of the sail.
C) The boat must be powered exclusively by the action of the wind.
7)-Ballast of a higher density than lead is not permitted.
8)-No radio restrictions whatsoever
9)-Anything not specifically restricted or prohibited by the rules is permitted.
10)-Movable ballast is legal(see2 above and 11 below)
-ISAF RRS 51 shall not apply to this class.
-ISAF RRS Appendix E4.7 shall not apply to this class.
11)-Notes:  Movable ballast systems are legal including canting keels, on- deck sliding rack systems as well as water ballast pump in/out and transfer.. Hydrofoils are legal as long as they don't exceed beam or length rules when centered. Rig planform and type is Open.
 

Contact: Doug Lord for more information.( lorsail@webtv.net ) The French/International Class website is: http://www.formula100.org and the US will have a site before too long.

Posted by: lorsail on Sep. 25 2002,07:53

The class is just starting; I heard about it from Chris Jackson in the UK.
I believe it has a lot of potential and I will be offering a kit in a few months.
 One of the cool things is that boats with hull shapes like the US One Meter are particularly suitable for this class. Installing a canting keel may or may not be important down the line; I personally believe that one of the keys to success in this class is to use movable ballast to the maximum limits provided in the rules.
 This is the beginning of the class so there are no other boats in the states --that I am aware of. But that shouldn't slow you down--every class has to start somewhere!
 This class has the potential to be the unquestioned technological leader among monohull sailboats since NO other monohull development class allows this level of development.F100's SHOULD be the fastest of the one meter monohulls -no if's ands or buts-- but only time will tell!

Posted by: lorsail on Oct. 06 2002,15:58

Update from France: There are 8 boats sailing regularly and 15-20 under construction. Many people are considering entering the class by modifying their IOM's. It is expected, in the short run, that those boats may be competitive but as the new moving ballast boats come in  they may not--but the racing will tell the tale!

Posted by: lorsail on April 30 2003,11:52

Now that Graham Bantock is designing a boat that will sail in the Formula 100 Class I believe the beauty of the  basic rules format  will draw more interest. The Class rules allow for the most technologically advanced one meter rc yachts in history . Movable ballast along with rectangular planform sails are legal as are hydrofoils and water ballast. This class is not just open to production boats; at this size almost anybody could design and build a boat that would fit F100 rules;  some existing boats will convert competitively  especially US One Meters; IOM's will be less likely to be competitive.
 This is the first development class in history to legalize movable ballast --and its about time! The increased power available with movable ballast systems like canting keels or combinations of canting keels and on-deck systems will lead to very fast boats. Designs that use no ballast below the water (or very little) will be explored.
 Design innovation and new sailing skills will be the hallmarks of this class with racing occurring at a whole different level than sailing a fixed keel boat. The Formula 100 class will produce boats that are sailed much more like full size boats than like currently existing RC raceboats which will produce exciting racing--putting a new premium on boat handling skills.
 There are a number of people building/designing boats to this rule in the US now and help is available to anyone interested.