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The 3 Ply Challenge is development of last season's successful 5 Ply Challenge. This season's boats will be smaller, making them easier to build in garages and easier to transport on car tops. Also, after last year's experimentation with windsurfer rigs on two of the competing vessels, windsurfer rigs are fixed as the class rig. So, as before, The 3 Ply Challenge is intended to provide the least expensive and least time consuming route for would-be sailboat designers/builders to get boats on the water. With vessel materials costs expected to be $300.00 or less and build times less than 75 hours, this class can fulfill the desire of many folks that have an interest in small boat design, building and racing, but cannot afford the usual steep price of entry. With costs and construction time requirement low, the hope is that competitors can try new ideas, ideally building a new boat every season.
This year an emphasis will be placed on encouraging high school and college students to join the challenge. Ideally these teams will have a SNAME or ASNE member as a sponsor/mentor who can help and guide the students. A set of generic plans with simple building instructions will be provided for a tack and tape sharpy style boat similar to the 5 Ply Challenge's sample plan vessel.
Please watch this site, as some aspects of the class rules and scoring scheme may be changed. Your thoughts and suggestions for the existing rules are welcome. Please use the egroup forum or "contact us" for comments. |