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COLGATE 26 CLASS ASSOCIATION
To comply with ORC Category 4 safety regulations required by PHRF, Ted Squire, owner C26 Alannah, has compiled the following resource in response to a query from another owner:
Some time ago I said I would send you a write up on what I did to comply with PHRF requirements, meaning ORC Category 4.
In most areas Cat 4 is spelled out by the General Sailing Instructions. Some casual PHRF SIs might not require Cat 4. But here in New England Cat 4 is most common even for causal weeknight races.
Colgate doesn't suggest that the boat, as it comes, has all of the safety gadgets necessary for any particular racing or sailing arena. They have an option for US Coast Guard equipment and it thoughtfully includes extra things that all owners should have on board.
If this is your first boat of this size, I strongly suggest purchasing Colgate's safety package as a great starting point. You might be able to beat the price by a tiny bit but I, for example, didn't try. Besides there are other pesky issues. Like the Colgate package includes an anchor that perfectly fits the locker and it complies with the anchor listed in the Class Rules. So their package is easy, safe and less work.
With that disclaimer and justification of Steve Colgate's standard equipment list, I'll outline what I did to comply with the precise letter and spirit of the PHRF safety equipment requirements.
Before I do that let me make another comment:
I was the first C-26 racing in our area. We raced the boat very hard from the very first day. I had incredibly good crew and we won some races. Thus there was pressure against the boat in every area. Meaning folks questioned if we were carrying any safety gear at all and whether our handicap was fair and reasonable.
Since I carry a full compliment of day sailing gear, including cabin cushions I was a bit non-plused.
So I decided to get a copy of the full OCR Category 4 safety regulations. That's the requirement for day racing in PHRF unless your local Sailing Instructions specifically say otherwise.
You can find them at: www.orc.org from the home page click on Special Regulations and then "Extract for Category 4 Monohulls" That makes it reasonable to read just what applies to you.
I'll mention the regs we care about or that will require that you purchase safety gear not covered by the US Coast Guard requirements. (again Colgate's package nicely covers the CG.)
Sections 1 thru 3.12
I corresponded with Jim Taylor and his opinion was that his design complies. You might wish to add a latch pin to hold the hatch boards in place. I have a small hole and a light cord.
Section 3.14
The dip in the bow pulpit should have a lifeline across it but the New England measurer suggested he did not think it was necessary for three reasons: The dip was not very deep or wide. That's the way the boat came. That rule was written for a different bow pulpit design. Another measurer could force you to add a little lifeline, but I doubt it.
I chose not to add a safety wire to my bow pulpit.
A second concern about lifelines is something across the stern of the boat. My local measurer brought this to my attention and I was not about to tell him I think our stern is safe as Colgate built it.
The Marblehead boats now have a wire lifeline from the aft end of the cockpit railings that goes around the backstay. We used different methods of attachment to the cockpit railings. I am cheap so I seized d-rings to the railings and tie the wire with a legal "taut lanyard of synthetic rope". Others bought 2 clamps and mounted them to the rail. Most of us seized d-rings to the backstays. I think all of us remove this wire for daysailing. It makes it easier to install and use the outboard motor, particularly for us single-handers.
Section 3.14.6 Lifeline materials
item a) says that "Lifelines installed from 1/99 shall be uncoated and used without close-fitting sleeving".
You have a decision here. I looked carefully at the lifelines and replaced only the wire and end studs. The existing adjusters and attachment stuff work with the new wire. The other four boats in our fleet decided to stay with the plastic coated wire as came from the factory. The cost was very low and I wanted to race the New England Championships without any fears of protest. This wire was a clear signal to everyone that I had done all of my homework on this topic.
You Pays U Money and U Takes U Pick. Changing the wire is probably a bit anal retentive while adding the stern strap is not.
Editor's note 12/02: Future C26's will have uncoated 3/16" 1x19 lifelines
Section 3.18 Head
We carry the standard Porti-Potti
Section 3.23 Bilge pumps and buckets
Find yourself two 2.4 gal buckets and attach a lanyard to each. I found that the cheap 10 quart white buckets from Boat US filled the bill. With one inside the other I also had a great storage spot for all of the other loose safety gear. When I place a 5 lb fire extinguisher in each of the drink holders on the starboard bunk, everything stays nicely and neatly in place.
Section 4.03 Soft Wooden Plugs
Not required unless you have the sink and electronics thru-hulls. I carry just one. It will be given to the next SOB who asks if I carry them!
4.05 Fire Extinguishers
Use two small 5 pounder's to comply. That means you don't need the 10 pounder in the Colgate safety package.
4.06 Anchors
Colgate has us covered
4.08 First aid manual and kit
Steve Colgate wins again
4.09 Foghorn
Ditto
4.10 Radar Reflector
I had one from another boat. It fits perfectly between the cooler and the vee-berth. The lowest priced Davis reflector is a great bargain and it always gets good reviews for size and strength of reflection.
4.11 Navigation Equipment
I have a huge collection from other boats and doing deliveries. If you have nothing: ChartKit, light list, large local chart, simple plotting tool kit from BoatUS or West Marine.
Note: You must have the light list for your area. But it is only revised every 4-6 years.
4.12 Stowage Chart
This is a layout of your boats equipment stowage and only requires mention of the major items of safety equipment.
I labeled my bucket!
4.13 Echo sounder or lead line
My lead line lives in the bucket. It's amazing how many one-design racers carry some type of sounding thingee.
4.16 Tools
Tools and spare parts, including effective means to quickly disconnect or sever the standing rigging from the hull shall be provided.
If you've had someone clip your backstay just before a start, then you've had a mast in your lap. You also know this isn't a silly rule. Good cutters are very useful. Pack them in a zip lock with some oil and they last a lifetime.
4.17 Yacht's name
On misc "buoyant equipment". My wife does great looking printing and has a waterproof permanent marker.
4.22 Life Buoys
The new $99 LifeSling works great for us. With the scoop stern you don't need fancy lifting gear and anyone is strong enough to get a heavy person back aboard.
4.24 Pyrotechnic signals
After much research I purchased all Solas Flares. Steve Colgate kindly checked with US Sailing about a phantom regulation that says we are not required to have Solas flares. Such a US Sailing regulation turned out to be a myth.
Solas Flares are not what's required by the US CG and they cost more. White US CG flares meet the Solas specification. Red US CG flares do not. Be careful when purchasing or you will spend more than you must.
NOTE: SOLAS flares are legal for a longer period so they are not that much more expensive in the long run. But they are MUCH better performing flares. (see West or BoatUS catalogs)
4.24 Heaving line
Try BoatUS or West Marine. West has a nifty little throw able bag you can hang on the cockpit railing.
4.26 Storm & heavy weather sails
There is an old work-around to this. Have your sailmaker put tiny rings in your jib's luff tape at 3 foot intervals. Then cover both sides of the rings with insignia cloth. That stops any chafe of the rings on the headstay. The rings are to be used to lace this heavy weather jib to the headstay, thus eliminating reliance on just the luff groove for safety.
Two of the Marblehead boats are raced with C-26 Class legal racing jibs, so we made this change to our factory sails. For heavy air races we use the factory jib and in light air it gets carried on the forwardbunk.
Total cost = $00.00 unless your local sailmaker is a jerk.
5.01 Lifejackets
Like many boats today I require my crew to bring their own Cat 4 compliant lifejacket. And we wear them from mooring to mooring. The regs require whistle, reflective material, owners name.
It's my opinion that no reasonable seaman will skimp in this area. But then I'm old fashioned and don't sail with such fools.
Try www.westmarine.com for pricing on these items. But the total isn't a big deal compared to total cost of boat, racing sails, etc. I'd guess I spent more this year on drinks and food for my crew.
If you are only doing weekday evening style racing you might decide to comply with Cat 4 by purchases spread over the first season or seasons. I don't know how you or your competitors think about safety gear. As you probably guessed, I'm serious. And now that I fully comply I never need worry about it. Just purchase new flares every five years.
I hope this helps you. I'll be happy to answer other questions you may have. If you join us in owning a Colgate you won't be disappointed. This weekend I sailed a Sonar. It's a nice boat, but the Colgate is heads and shoulders better. It's even better at things like sailing up and stopping at your mooring or sculling over to the boat hoist.
Where is your home and homeport? If you purchase will you be within striking distance of Marblehead/Salem? And don't forget to purchase a trailer. It will pay for itself in boat yard storage bills. My backyard boatyard reminds me of sailing all winter long. And you'll need it to travel around New England to race with us! The five boats in our local fleet all have trailers. Some for dry storage and some to vacation in Maine.
ted squire C-26 #152 "Alannah", Marblehead, MA ------------------------------------