K6 Class Rules

The K6 class has been created as strict one-design high performance racing boat. It been designed against the fundamental principle that the racing results should depend solely on the attributes and skills of the crew. The fundamental objective of these Class Rules (the Rules) is to ensure that this concept is maintained in association with the class specific appendices.

The English text of these Rules shall govern.

All words that appear in quotation marks will, throughout these Rules have the meaning given to them as defined in appendix 1.

To be eligible to compete in events run under the auspices of the UK K6 Class Association (the Class Association) the owner, joint owner or a nominated representative of an organisation owning K6 must be a full member of the Class Association.

To be eligible to have results from individual “Circuit” events included in the overall series results the Helm or Crew must be a full member of the Class Association.

To be eligible to compete in the Class Association “National Championships” either the Helm or Crew must be a full member of the Class Association.

The complete boat and its crew/helmsman shall conform to these Rules at all times when racing.

The external and internal mouldings including the “Hull” of the “K6 One Design” shall only be produced by a Licensed Builder from production moulds taken from the Master plugs held by the Copyright Holder.

All other equipment comprising “Spars”, “Sails”, “Foils”, rudder stock, tiller, fittings, toe strap mountings, spinnaker chute mouldings, whether original or replacement, shall be those supplied by a licensed K6 dealer except as specifically authorised by the individual class appendix to these Rules.

No additions, alterations or repairs may be made to the “K6 One Design” unless specifically authorised by individual class appendix. These restrictions shall extend to the position and intended function of each item.

No significant performance advantage shall be obtained from any permitted replacement, addition or repair. The permitted replacements, additions, alterations and repairs described in the individual class appendix are subject to this overriding limitation.

Repairs and preventative maintenance may be carried out without violating these rules, provided repairs are made in such a way that the essential shape, characteristics or function of the original are not affected.

Preventative maintenance shall include the replacement of fastenings with alternatives provided that the equipment is replaced in the original position and in accordance with these rules where relevant.

Polishing or burnishing of hull is permitted, but substantial filing or abrasion, other than for the purpose of repair, with the effect of modifying the shape or performance is not allowed. Painting and subsequent burnishing of a hull which requires refinishing is permitted.
The refaring and refining of the sectional shape of foils is permitted within 50mm of the leading edge and 100mm of the trailing edge, provided the structural integrity of the foil is maintained. The trailing edge shall have a minimum width of 1mm. Surface re-coating using gel coat is permitted, to a maximum thickness of 1mm. No other new or non-standard material shall be introduced into any part of the foils other than for the sole purpose of repairing damage. Polishing or burnishing of all parts of the foils is permitted. The outline shape of the foils shall not be altered.

Sponsorship & Advertising: All K6 events will be operated under the ISAF Category C. There will be no restriction on the number or coverage of advertisers logos or slogans except for the front 25% of the hull and bottom 10% of the mainsail are reserved for event and circuit sponsors.

The Builders of the “K6 One Design” shall be only those licensed by the Copyright Holder under a Builder’s Agreement (the Licensed Builder).

Each hull shall carry a moulded-in hull number or individually numbered Royalty Plaque fixed in a readily visible position as prescribed by the Copyright Holder.

On being advised of the hull or Royalty Plaque number the Copyright Holder (or his authorised agent) shall issue each new hull with a Sail Number.

The Class Insignia shall be the “K6 One Design” class logo as prescribed by the Licensed Builder, and shall be displayed on the top half of the mainsail, in the position prescribed by the Licensed Builder.

In the event of a dispute alleging non-compliance with these Rules, the matter shall be referred to the Rules Co-ordinator and relevant Class Rules Representative(s) of the Class Association. Their decision shall be final and binding on all parties.

In the case of a measurement dispute not explicitly covered by these Rules, the following procedure shall be adopted:

The total weight of all clothing and equipment worn by the helmsman or crew shall not exceed 12kg when weighted in accordance with Appendix H of the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing.

No clothing and equipment of the helm and crew shall be worn with the specific feature of adding weight by water absorption or holding water in pockets, compartments, containers or any other method.

The K6 shall be raced with two or three persons on board. Changes to the number and content of the crew during a regatta will only be permitted in extenuating circumstances following written permission of the Race Committee.

The Class insignia and sail numbers shall be displayed on the upper half of the mainsail. The upper half of the sail shall be defined as above a line drawn parallel with the foot of the sail passing through a point on the luff half way from the tack to the head . Sail Numbers shall be below the Class insignia and displayed on each side of the sail, with the upper numbers on the starboard side.

The Sail Number shall be displayed on each side of the mainsail between the second and third battens, with the upper numbers on the starboard side.

There is no requirement to carry sail numbers and national letters on the spinnaker.

The sprit shall be retracted so that its forward end is within 400mm of the forward most point of the hull at all times other than when the spinnaker is set or in the act of being set or recovered.

The main shrouds and lower shrouds shall not be adjusted while the boat is racing.

The keel must be in the fully lowered position at all times whilst racing, unless it has to be raised to refloat the boat after grounding. The keel should be lowered immediately following re-floating of the boat after such grounding.

The keel must be maintained in a condition that allows it to be lifted.

The spreader angle shall be set so that if a straight edge is placed from the aft face of one shroud to the aft face of the other shroud adjacent to the spreader ends, and a measurement taken of the shortest distance from the straight edge to the aft face of the sail track on the mast, that distance shall not be less than 235mm.

The Copyright Holder

The Licensed Builder

A majority vote of the relevant members of the Class Association who return written replies within one month of the circulation of the proposed rule change.

The following parts or equipment may be replaced providing that the replacement is of a similar type and performs the same function. The replacement parts or equipment may be obtained from any supplier: -

The following parts or equipment may be replaced providing that the replacement performs a similar function. The replacement parts or equipment may be obtained from any supplier: -