According to the rules as stated in the "Laser Current Rules- Class One" Part Three, Section 14, article C and Section 15, article B (see below), it is stated that resurfacing may be done to both centreboard and rudder "provided the original shape, thickness and characteristics are not altered". I did indeed resurface a centreboard and rudder by sanding them with 220 grit, one thin coat of dark grey polyester primer, wet sanded with 320 grit, then one thin coat of white hi-gloss Linear Polyurethane. Together the primer and paint are perhaps .020-.030 inches. In other words, paper thin. I do not see how the resurfacing work i did is outside of the stated rules. However the customer that i did the work for is stating that "she was told by a Laser expert that the manner in which I resurfaced is illegal and will disqualify her boat". She was told by this expert that the required technique for resurfacing is one coat of white gelcoat, two coats of Flat LP. Furthermore I just received an email in which she states that "FYI...Last year a sailor who was quite good and performing well at this regatta was disqualified based on his Centerboard being painted incorrectly. One of the issues was the color (dark grey/black) and the other was that they were shiny.". I would appreciate clarification on the subject. Thank you. Gary/BoatAid
14. CENTREBOARD
(a) A rope handle passing through not more than two
holes of maximum diameter 12.5 mm above a line
drawn from the bottom of the centreboard stop,
parallel to the top of the centreboard is permitted.
A plastic/rubber tube and/or tape are permitted on
the handle of the centreboard.
(b) The trailing edge of the centreboard may be
sharpened by sanding the blade between the
trailing edge and a line 100 mm parallel to the
trailing edge, provided the distance between the
leading edge and the trailing edge of the blade is
not reduced.
(c) Surface refinishing of the centreboard is permitted
provided the original shape, thickness and
characteristics are not altered.
(d) One layer of general purpose self adhesive plastic
tape (includes duct and gaffer tape) of maximum
2mm thickness and of a maximum size of 30mm
x 30mm may be applied at the top front corner of
the centreboard case.
(e) A wood centreboard shall not be used on a hull
that was originally supplied with a non wood
centreboard.
(f) A tie line or shock cord shall be attached to
the small hole in the upper forward corner of
the centreboard, and any of the bow eye, the
cunningham fairlead, the “Builder Supplied” deck
block fitting and the mast to prevent loss of the
centreboard in event of a capsize. The tie line or
shock cord may be looped around the bow, but
shall not be attached to the gunwale. Attachment
can be by knots or loops in the shock cord, and/or
tie lines, shackles, clips, hooks or eyes.
(g) The components of the "Builder Supplied"
centreboard stopper may be secured together by
glue, screws, bolts, nuts and washers, provided
the original shape and dimensions are not
reduced.
15. RUDDER
(a) The trailing edge of the rudder blade may be
sharpened by sanding the blade between the
trailing edge and a line 60 mm parallel to the
trailing edge, provided the distance between the
leading edge and the trailing edge of the blade is
not reduced.
(b) Surface refinishing of the rudder blade is permitted
provided that the original shape, thickness and
characteristics are not altered.
(c) The rudder blade and/or rudder head holes may
be enlarged up to a maximum diameter of 10mm.
The rudder bolt and bush set may be replaced
with a larger diameter bolt to fit this hole. The bolt
head, nut and washers shall fall within a 20mm
diameter circle.
(d) To achieve the maximum 78 degree rudder angle
relative to the bottom edge of the rudder head, the
leading edge of the blade may be cut away where
it touches the spacing pin.
(e) To restrict the rudder angle to maximum 78
degrees relative to the bottom edge of the rudder
head, the lower forward spacing pin shall be
wound with flexible adhesive tape.
(f) The rudder pintles may be fitted with spacers to lift
the rudder head to allow the tiller to clear the deck
at the transom.
(g) The rudder downhaul line may have multiple
purchases.
(h) A hole may be drilled in the top rudder pintle and
a pin or clip inserted in the hole to prevent loss of
the rudder.
14. CENTREBOARD
(a) A rope handle passing through not more than two
holes of maximum diameter 12.5 mm above a line
drawn from the bottom of the centreboard stop,
parallel to the top of the centreboard is permitted.
A plastic/rubber tube and/or tape are permitted on
the handle of the centreboard.
(b) The trailing edge of the centreboard may be
sharpened by sanding the blade between the
trailing edge and a line 100 mm parallel to the
trailing edge, provided the distance between the
leading edge and the trailing edge of the blade is
not reduced.
(c) Surface refinishing of the centreboard is permitted
provided the original shape, thickness and
characteristics are not altered.
(d) One layer of general purpose self adhesive plastic
tape (includes duct and gaffer tape) of maximum
2mm thickness and of a maximum size of 30mm
x 30mm may be applied at the top front corner of
the centreboard case.
(e) A wood centreboard shall not be used on a hull
that was originally supplied with a non wood
centreboard.
(f) A tie line or shock cord shall be attached to
the small hole in the upper forward corner of
the centreboard, and any of the bow eye, the
cunningham fairlead, the “Builder Supplied” deck
block fitting and the mast to prevent loss of the
centreboard in event of a capsize. The tie line or
shock cord may be looped around the bow, but
shall not be attached to the gunwale. Attachment
can be by knots or loops in the shock cord, and/or
tie lines, shackles, clips, hooks or eyes.
(g) The components of the "Builder Supplied"
centreboard stopper may be secured together by
glue, screws, bolts, nuts and washers, provided
the original shape and dimensions are not
reduced.
15. RUDDER
(a) The trailing edge of the rudder blade may be
sharpened by sanding the blade between the
trailing edge and a line 60 mm parallel to the
trailing edge, provided the distance between the
leading edge and the trailing edge of the blade is
not reduced.
(b) Surface refinishing of the rudder blade is permitted
provided that the original shape, thickness and
characteristics are not altered.
(c) The rudder blade and/or rudder head holes may
be enlarged up to a maximum diameter of 10mm.
The rudder bolt and bush set may be replaced
with a larger diameter bolt to fit this hole. The bolt
head, nut and washers shall fall within a 20mm
diameter circle.
(d) To achieve the maximum 78 degree rudder angle
relative to the bottom edge of the rudder head, the
leading edge of the blade may be cut away where
it touches the spacing pin.
(e) To restrict the rudder angle to maximum 78
degrees relative to the bottom edge of the rudder
head, the lower forward spacing pin shall be
wound with flexible adhesive tape.
(f) The rudder pintles may be fitted with spacers to lift
the rudder head to allow the tiller to clear the deck
at the transom.
(g) The rudder downhaul line may have multiple
purchases.
(h) A hole may be drilled in the top rudder pintle and
a pin or clip inserted in the hole to prevent loss of
the rudder.