Well I just tried to vote and the poll works... But it wouldn't let me vote more than once.
I only noticed after clicking around 50 times though!
Interestingly I don't use carbon battens now that I had to shave a set of blokart battens for the NZOpen this year, Not because I think that blokart battens are better, but because they are the same and I am too lazy to change them over.
I point of clarification on the carbon battens though.. It seems that some see them (and other things I do on my kart) as against the spirit of blokarting as it has given the impression of the "deepest pockets"
This is not the case. My battens cost me nothing as I am in the yacht building industry. I would not have done them if they were more expensive than other battens.
As for some of Nicks comments, The latest revision of the equipment rules which is before the international committee I believe is quite well spelt out in terms of what can be done and what cant.
"So where parts are not identifiable or are of a custom design for a Blokart I think any similar replacement should be OK"... Well we cant do that otherwise front forks, keel bars, stub axles & pulley whips (all custom blokart parts with no identifier on it) all of which I could have made at material cost and only Paul and the blokart boys could tell the difference (if at all)
Despite what some may think, I actually believe that ALL parts should be blokart parts. Tyres, Bearings, battens the whole lot. But I do have the reservation of it turning into other complete one design sports where the suppliers take advantage of the monopoly situation. Thanks to Blokart for so far keeping price realistic.
I think the bigger issue of blokarting at the moment is, and should be, the sailing rules rather than the equipment rules.
Ross.
On 19/12/06 7:09 PM, "Nick ABC" <(Address removed)> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I thought I would try out the poll feature in Mailspaces.
I am not sure how it works exactly so my apologies if it results in lots
of emails.To kick off – a poll on the Batten Rule...
My Thoughts on this lively & interesting debate.
1) While the sails are computer cut there will be manufacturing
tolerances in the sail and battens. If you know what your doing or wish
to experiment why not be allowed to sand down battens for a better
shape? If you don't know – ask – I am sure someone here will help.
2) The important thing is the shape of the sail – does this matter how
it is achieved?On 1 Design I am all for it however...
There is nothing on the Blokart Battens to identify them as of Blokart
manufacture. This is something Russell has pointed out – with his
windsurf shop ones you can't tell the difference. So where parts are not
identifiable or are of a custom design for a Blokart I think any similar
replacement should be OK. This would include tires, tubes, bearings,
pulleys, cleats, ropes, battens. Parts you would have to buy from
Blokart would be: Pulley whips, wheels, stub axles, front forks, keels,
cranes and mast sections.I believe the tricky part is writing clear rules everyone understands
that will allow some room for individuality. There is a lot of skill in
sailing a Blokart around a course quickly. Do we also want to include
some skill in setting up a kart to be as quick as possible for your
sailing style, weight & wind conditions? Else you end up with in the
situation where all competitors hire standard karts that are drawn for
each race, and everyone is weighted to the same weight – then it is
simply sailing ability.I am running Standard Blokart Battens & I managed to beat Haydn in a
race. I also have no problems with Ross running carbon fiber battens. I
haven't tried different battens yet since I don't want to change too
much and not understand the effects of the change or have two changes
cancel out. No prizes for guessing what I am voting for!Nicholas
(ABC)
Poll: Batterns – what should be allowed?
* Standard Blokart Only – no modifications.
* Blokart Batterns Only – allowed to modify (sand / shave to change
shape).
* Anything goes as long as it has similar plastic endcaps.
Poll closes at 20 December 2006 01:09.
View poll results at
http://www.mailspaces.com/spaces/blokart/discussion/polls/471936.www.mailspaces.com – Making communities, smarter
