COMET TRIO Mk1 and Mk2 CLASS RULES (Ratified 9th Jan 2021)
1. INTRODUCTION.
1.1. The Comet Trio is a 2 or 3 person hiking dinghy used for cruising, training and racing.
1.2. The Comet Trio was designed by Phil Morrison and is a Single Manufacturer One Design dinghy. It was produced by Comet Dinghies (Sail Nos:300 to 495) between 1995 and 2008. It is now built solely by Peak Dinghies Ltd who changed the production method of the hull from chopper gun layup to chop strand mat in polyester resin. The change of construction has not changed the weight of the hull. Peak Dinghies built one Comet Trio (Sail No: 500) in 2016 and subsequently introduced new spars by Selden and new sails by North. Comet Trios may now sail either as a Comet Trio Mk1 or a Comet Trio Mk2 depending on the combination of sails chosen.
1.3. Much work has gone into making the new spars and sails that have been introduced compatible with the existing fleet of Comet Trios so that any Comet Trio hull may be sailed as a Comet Trio Mk1 or as a Comet Trio Mk2 as the owner wishes. The spars and sails can be replaced on an individual basis (ie. North sails fit the original spars and original sails fit the Selden spars). It should be noted that because the North Mk2 mainsails and Mk2 spinnaker are larger than the original designs, incorporation of these components changes the designation of the boat from a Comet Trio Mk1 to a Comet Trio Mk2 (see definitions at Paragraph 5).
1.4. These Class Rules should be read in conjunction with the Constitution of the Combined Comet Class Association.
2. PROTECTION OF ONE DESIGN.
2.1. The intention of the Class Rules shall be to maintain the Comet Trio Mk1 and the Comet Trio MK2 as classes in which racing is a true test of sailing skill. The boats in each class shall be as alike as possible in all aspects affecting speed and ease of handling. The boat’s characteristics of simplicity, safety, moderate cost and low maintenance shall be maintained.
2.2. To be a Comet Trio Mk1 or a Comet Trio Mk2, the boat and its Major Components (see Paragraph 4) must comply with these Class Rules.
2.3. Only Builders who are holders of a valid licence from Mr P Morrison shall be entitled to build Comet Trio sailing dinghies.
2.4. Builders shall be required by their licence to produce boats and parts in accordance with the official plans and specifications issued by Mr P Morrison and in accordance with these Class Rules.
2.5. Each Comet Trio is issued with a sail number when built and shall be recognised only by that number whether sailing as a Comet Trio Mk1 or a Comet Trio MK2.
2.6. All Major Components shall be obtained from the Builder, who may themselves utilise components from more than one supplier.
2.7. The intention is that all Major Components shall be strictly one design. However, the builder may from time to time have to vary the specification of the Major Components. Should this be necessary the Committee of the Combined Comet Class Association shall be consulted prior to the changes. The Committee will notify members of any changes to Major Components when implemented by the builder.
2.8. No additions or alterations shall be made to Major Components as supplied by the Builder unless specifically authorised by these Rules.
2.9. Post manufacture, it shall be the responsibility of the owner to ensure that the Comet Trio Mk1 or Comet Trio MK2 complies with the Class Rules .
3 INTERPRETATIONS.
3.1. The CCCA Committee shall appoint a Trio owner with suitable experience as the Rules Co-ordinator.
3.2 Any Comet Trio shall be liable to be inspected and examined for compliance with these Class Rules by the Rules Co-ordinator or the CCCA Committee.
3.3 Interpretations of these Comet Trio Class Rules shall be made by the Committee of the Combined Comet Class Association. All interpretations shall be published as soon as practical.
4 MAJOR COMPONENTS.
4.1. Hull.
The GRP hull and deck shall be produced only from official moulds to the standards and specifications of the Builder. Note: the hull moulding around the mast foot was changed after hull 500 to facilitate the Selden mast foot. Comet Dinghies parallel sided masts cannot be fitted to hulls 501 onwards.
4.2. Spars
4.2.1 Mast
- Parallel sided (as supplied by Comet Dinghies and on Trio 500 by Peak Dinghies)
- Selden tapered mast (as supplied by Peak Dinghies)
4.2.2 Boom
- Same section as mast (as supplied by Comet Dinghies and on Trio 500 by Peak Dinghies)
- Selden boom (as supplied by Peak Dinghies)
4.2.3 Bowsprit.
Telescopic sections (as supplied by Comet Dinghies or Peak Dinghies).
- The bowsprit shall be retracted so that it’s forward end is within 300 mm 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 maximum extension of the bowsprit shall be 1380 mm from its end to the forward most point of the hull.
4.3. Foils
- Centreboard.
- Rudder.
4.4. Rudder Stock and Tiller
4.5. Sails
4.5.1 Jib
| Name | Characteristics |
| Rowsell Jib | Made by Rowsell (supplied by Comet Dinghies and on Trio 500 by Peak Dinghies) |
| North Jib | Made by North (supplied by Peak Dinghies) |
4.5.2 Jib furling gear.
- Jib furling top swivel and jib furling drum shall always be fitted.
- No rope or fittings shall inhibit or prevent the furling of the jib while afloat.
4.5.3 Mainsail
| Name | Characteristics |
| MK1 Rowsell | White Dacron, panel cut and reefable, made by Rowsell (supplied by Comet Dinghies and on Trio 500 by Peak Dinghies) |
| MK1 North | White Dacron, reefable, made by North (supplied by Peak Dinghies) |
| MK2 North Dacron | White Dacron, panel cut and reefable Mk2, made by North (supplied by Peak Dinghies) |
| MK2 North Laminate | Laminate, radial cut, not reefable Mk2, made by North (supplied by Peak Dinghies) |
- No rope or fittings shall inhibit or prevent:
- the lowering of the mainsail while afloat.
- the reefing of the Dacron mainsails while afloat.
4.5.4 Spinnaker
| Name | Characteristics |
| Rowsell Spinnaker | Made by Rowsell (supplied by Comet Dinghies and on Trio 500 by Peak Dinghies) |
| North Mk2 Spinnaker | A deeper cut and powerful spinnaker than the North Code Zero. Made by North (supplied by Peak Dinghies) |
| North Code Zero | Similar characteristics to the Rowsell Spinnaker. Made by North (supplied by Peak Dinghies) |
4.5.5 Repairs.
- Sails shall not be recut, resewn or altered other than for bona fide repairs. Sails shall not be fitted with stiffening patches or additional cringles.
4.5.6 Proof of compliance with Rule 2.6
| 4.5.6.1 North Sails, which are only available through Peak Dinghies, will carry a North Sails mark. |
| 4.5.6.2 Rowsell Sails purchased before Sunday 1st August 2021 must be marked by the owner and registered with the CCCA Committee in accordance with the procedure at Annex A. |
| 4.5.6.3 After Sunday 1st August 2021 only sails carrying either a North Sails mark or a Rowsell sail marked in accordance with Annex A will be considered compliant with Rule 2.6 |
4.6. A spinnaker chute launch and retrieval system.
4.7. Toe Strap Mountings.
5. DEFINITIONS OF ACCEPTABLE COMBINATIONS OF SAILS AND SPARS FOR COMET TRIO MK1 AND COMET TRIO MK2.
| Comet Trio Mk1 | Comet Trio Mk2 | |
| Spars | Comet Dinghies mast and boom or Selden mast and boom | Comet Dinghies mast and boom or Selden mast and boom |
| Jib | Rowsell Jib or North Jib | Rowsell Jib or North Jib |
| Main | MK1 Rowsell Mainsail or MK1 North Mainsail | MK2 North Laminate or MK2 North Dacron |
| Spinnaker | Rowsell Spinnaker or North Code Zero | Rowsell Spinnaker or North Asymmetric or North Code Zero |
6. PERMITTED ALTERATIONS, ADDITIONS & REPAIRS.
6.1. The following may be replaced by parts from any manufacturer or supplier, provided they perform the same function:
6.1.1 Blocks
6.1.2 Tiller extension
6.1.3 Shackles, pins, swivels
6.1.4 Centre mainsheet swivel
6.1.5 Spinnaker bag
6.1.6 Standing Rigging
- Shrouds.
i. Parallel section mast – Length overall between bearing surfaces 4650 mm +/- 10 mm. Wire diameter 3 mm.
ii Selden tapered mast – Length overall between bearing surfaces 4660 mm +/- 10 mm. Wire diameter 3 mm
- Forestay for both parallel section and Selden tapered masts. length overall between bearing surfaces 4840 mm +/- 10 mm. Wire diameter 3 mm. The forestay shall be fitted at all times the mast is in place unless a suitable mast gate is fitted to prevent the mast falling when jib tension is removed.
- Shroud adjusters. Multi hole type. Distance between shroud attachment and deck fitting hole centres. Maximum 82 mm. Minimum 18 mm.
- No additional shackles or rigging links etc. shall be fitted.
6.1.7 Jib Halyard
a. Parallel section mast
i. Shall be of external type, maintaining buoyancy of mast. Flexible, stainless steel wire diameter 3 mm.
ii. Length overall between bearing surfaces 4740 mm +/- 10 mm.
iii. Jib halyard hook. Length between bearing surfaces Maximum 65 mm. Minimum 55 mm.
b. Seldon tapered mast
- Length overall between bearing surfaces 5000 mm +/- 10 mm. Flexible, stainless steel wire diameter 3 mm.
- The jib halyard tensioner shall not have a velocity ratio in excess of 6:1.
6.1.8 Main Halyard, of synthetic rope construction only.
6.1.9 Running rigging, mainsheet, jib sheet, kicking strap & lashings.
6.1.10 Self bailers
6.1.11 Jib sheet fairleads, adjustable tracks and cleats etc. may be fitted anywhere on the forward end of the side seat moulding. Jib fairlead shall not overhang the side seat when viewed vertically from above.
6.2 Permitted additional and alterations
The following additions and alterations are permitted and may include parts which can be obtained from any supplier:
- non slip material may be added to the internal mouldings.
- an additional purchase may be incorporated in the jibsheet system (maximum velocity ratio 2:1) (refer to rule about the positioning of jib sheet fairleads)
- an additional purchase may be incorporated in the mainsheet system.
- additional blocks and cleats may be added to lead outhaul, kicking strap and Cunningham sail controls aft.
- the total velocity ratio of each individual control line system shall not exceed outhaul 8:1, kicking strap 16:1, Cunningham 4:1
- any number and design of mechanical wind indicators may be fitted.
- any compass may be fitted.
- any additional equipment relating to safety purposes may be fitted.
- additional hatches may be fitted provided they do not compromise the watertight integrity of any hull compartments.
- rowlock sockets.
- A wide mainsheet horse rope may be fitted to two eyes or two drilled holes positioned on corner of side deck and top of transom. The holes shall not compromise the watertight integrity of the hull compartment.
- A spinnaker halyard bungee and blocks take away system to prevent tangling can be added.
6.3 Builder fitted alterations
The following additions and alterations may be permitted as long as they are fitted by the builder:
- a rear storage locker
6.4 Additions and alterations permitted if supplied by the builder
The following additions and alterations may be permitted as long as they are supplied by the builder and fitted in the standard position as indicated by the builder:
- jibstick and two eyes on mast.
- asymmetric spinnaker kit comprising extending bow sprit.
- a maximum of two transom flaps.
- outboard pad on transom.
- spinnaker chute.
7. REPAIRS & REPLACEMENTS.
7.1. Repairs shall be permitted to damaged Major Components provided that such repairs do not alter shape or characteristics of the component so that its strength or performance is materially affected.
8. CREW.
8.1. A minimum of two and a maximum of three people shall be in the boat when racing.
8.2 Exceptionally the Comet Trio Mk1 or Comet Trio Mk2 may be raced single handed at club level provided this is explicitly permitted in the sailing instructions for the race in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing Rule 87. The organising authority shall consider whether an adjustment to the handicap rating should be applied in these circumstances
9. ASYMMETRIC SPINNAKER USAGE.
9.1. The Comet Trio Mk1 or Comet Trio Mk2 may be raced as a two sail dinghy without spinnaker or as a three sail dinghy with spinnaker, depending on individual events and race instructions.
10. PORTSMOUTH YARDSTICK.
10.1. The Comet Trio Mk1 or Comet Trio MK2 will race on handicap with two different Portsmouth yardstick ratings. Clubs reporting to the RYA must distinguish between Mk1 and Mk2 on their RYA returns.
ANNEX A to COMET TRIO CLASS RULES
Procedure for Marking Rowsell Sails in Accordance with Trio Class Rules – Rule 4.5.6
Trio Owners wishing to comply with the Trio Class Rules – Rule 4.5.6 shall carry out the following procedure before Sunday 1st August 2021:
- Gather together the Rowsell sails that you wish to be marked. The sails shall be dry and the area around the makers mark shall be clean.
- The sails shall be marked with an indelible permanent marker in a strongly contrasting colour to the sail colour, with the Sail number of the Trio to which they belong, the date of marking and your signature.
- The height of the sail number and date lettering shall not be less than 30mm. The sails will be marked in the following locations.
- Mainsail – port side of the sail near to the Rowsell logo (and not on the Rowsell logo) near the tack of the sail.
- Jib – port side of the jib at the tack near to the Rowsell logo.
- Spinnaker – port side near the Rowsell logo at the tack.
- The height of the sail number and date lettering shall not be less than 30mm. The sails will be marked in the following locations.
- Take a photograph of the marking on the sails, see example below (Just the marking please! please try to get all the sails for one boat on one photo if possible, if not as few photos as possible please!).
4. Email the photograph of the sail marking to the secretary of the CCCA with details of the sails marked, eg. Trio 311 – 1 Jib, 1 Main, 1 Spinnaker marked by Steve White, owner on 13th June 2020.
5. The Secretary shall maintain a record of the details of the marking and the photograph against the Sail number of the Trio. These records shall be brought to CCCA organised racing events (Inlands and Nationals) as evidence of compliance with Trio Class Rules – Rule 4.5.6 should this be challenged by other competitors.
6. Should you purchase a Comet Trio Mk1 with unmarked sails after Sunday 1st August 2021 and plan to use those sails at a CCCA event, please contact the Secretary as soon as convenient and before attending any Inland or National event to discuss the provenance and get the Rowsell sails marked and recorded as above.
