Diamondhandbook
Diamondhandbook
Diamondhandbook
of the
2006
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................................... 2
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 3
DESIGN .................................................................................................................. 4
MAY BE AMATEUR BUILT..................................................................................... 4
RESTRICTIONS ..................................................................................................... 5
ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................................. 6
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL .................................................................. 6
STATE ASSOCIATIONS ..................................................................................... 6
N.S.W.
VIC.
TAS.
W.A.
QLD. ....................................................... 6
AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION RULES of the YACHTING WORLD DIAMOND
CLASS .................................................................................................................... 7
UNIFORM STATE ASSOCIATION RULES of the NATIONAL YACHTING WORLD
DIAMOND CLASS ................................................................................................ 10
MEASUREMENTS - PART A ............................................................................... 13
NATIONAL YACHTING WORLD DIAMOND CLASS MEASUREMENT FORM ... 20
DEFINITION ...................................................................................................... 20
STRIKE OUT NOT APPLICABLE ......................................................................... 25
BUILDERS CERTIFICATE ................................................................................... 26
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INTRODUCTION
Here are the vital facts about the Yachting World Diamond, a single design class
racer.
This exciting yacht is raced in five States in Australia and various parts of the World.
This 9 metre keelboat originated in England in 1960, when the editors of Yachting
World magazine sought ideas for a reasonable priced yacht for national and
international racing. The main requirements of the yacht were to be low cost and high
performance. To meet these demands, an easily driven, light-displacement design
was indicated. The well-known dingy designer, Jack Holt, was approached. Already
Holt was famous for his build-her-yourself plywood dingy hulls, such as the Heron,
G.P. 14, Y.W. Cadet and Hornet classes. Although not a big boat designer, Holt used
his small boat knowledge to draw up a revolutionary yacht, which can properly be
called a 9 metre dingy with a keel.
The prototype of the class was displayed at the National Boat Show in London in
January 1961, and immediately aroused a great deal of interest. In July of that year, a
Diamond was outright winner in a mixed fleet of 250 yachts in a race around the Isle of
Wight. New registrations quickly followed and the class was established. The
confidence that Yachting World Magazine had shown in Jack Holt was completely
vindicated and here, at last, was a keelboat that would plane. Up until May, 1967, the
yachts were known by the design name of Yachting World Keelboat. The yachts
were given the title of Diamond Class after the Australian Association approached the
designer and the Yachting World Magazine, the holder of the name copyright.
The first Diamond in Australia was launched on Pittwater, in N.S.W., in January 1962.
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DESIGN
The Diamond is 9 meters overall, 7.3 metres waterline, 2 metres beam and 1.3 metres
draft. Displacement is 1075 kilograms of which weight, of which half is lead ballast.
Total sail area is 29 square metres consisting of a 14.5 square metre Genoa and a
14.3 square metre mainsail. A 9 square metre jib is optional and the spinnaker area is
approximately 42 square metres. The rig is a modern 7/8 ratio sloop rig and the
standing rigging is such that runners have been eliminated.
The hull has a moderately fine entry and a long flat run aft giving ample planing
surface. The topsides are unusually high which contributes to the dry sailing of the
keelboat. The foredeck is well cambered, tapering aft to a fairly to a fairly flat aft deck.
The cockpit is large and roomy making the boat a delight to work. It is divided by a box
girder, which results in a separate helmsmans cockpit. The layout provides many
advantages; the helmsman and crew have independent freedom of movement to
windward and leeward, the box thwart is ideal for centre mainsail sheeting and at the
same time, provides three storage lockers for small gear.
There is only perceptible weather helm on the wind and, properly tuned, a lifting
breeze should bring an instant similar response from the yacht. On a reach with a
good beam wind and spinnaker set, the Diamond will readily plane. Speeds of 15
knots are common with a strong wind aft. In the latter conditions, even at sea, the
flared bow resists any tendency for the nose to bury in the waves.
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RESTRICTIONS
The Diamond is designed as a class racer and, although tolerances are allowed for
errors in building, it is intended that the Diamond remains strictly a one-design class.
For this reason, the measurement procedure covers 100 measurements of the hull,
spars and sails. A boat must pass the examination of the official measurer before the
State Association will issue a racing certificate.
Each new boat must have its own set of plans that are numberer, the plan number
being the sail number. Plans are obtainable from the Y. W. Diamond Association of
Australia and cost $60.00, which includes Royalty payable to Jack Holt, printing of
plans and postage.
To keep running costs to a sensible level, restrictions are placed upon the frequency
of new sails. The total sail complement of a new boat is two genoas, one mainsail, two
spinnakers and one jib, for the first year. Thereafter the acquisition of new sails is
restricted to one only of any individual sail each year. The use of exotic sailcloth is
prohibited.
Construction can be in materials other than plywood, such as fibreglass and
aluminium provided the relevant specification is followed.
The box girder can be lowered from its plan position so long as the carlin and gunwale
is braced and fixed to the skin and chines.
Winches are not allowed for halyards, down-hauls or kicking straps.
Permanently bent or rotating masts are prohibited.
Total sail complement while racing is one mainsail, two genoas, one jib and two
spinnakers.
Headsails and spinnakers can be changed while racing.
Headsail reefing gear is permissible, but not as a reefing medium to windward.
The forestay can be pulled forward by the use of an elastic shock cord to prevent the
forestay fouling the headsail reefing gear, but the luff of the furling headsail and the
forestay must be independently capable of supporting the mast in the event of either
breaking.
Loose-footed mainsails are permitted. Mainsail reefing equipment and/or reefing
points are permitted and the mainsail may be reefed while racing.
Amateur builders should seek co-operation of their State Association, which is eager
to help with advice and with making approved moulds available where possible.
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ADMINISTRATION
N.S.W.
VIC.
TAS.
W.A.
QLD.
The Diamonds are nationally controlled by the National Yachting World Diamond
Association of Australia. The affairs of this association are managed by a National
Council which comprises delegates from the states.
The objectives of the Association are the promotion of the Yachting World Diamond
Class in all States of Australia under uniform rules, the representation of the Class and
the views of its members at National levels, co-operation with all other yachting
bodies, the organisation of an Annual National Championship and other interstate
events, the control of the Measurement Rules and Registration of boats, and to act as
an instrument of liaison between State Associations.
The State Associations use uniform State Rules and may control various fleets in their
states.
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6. SUBSCRIPTIONS
The subscriptions payable by the member State Associations shall be by a levy
imposed by unanimous agreement of the Chairmen and Secretaries representing their
State Associations on the National Council. The levy may be by equal contribution or
based on the number of boats in a particular State or by any other method that may be
considered equitable at the time.
7. MEASUREMENT
a. The Australian Association has the responsibility for ensuring the observance of
the Rules of Measurement and Construction.
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b. The National Council may, after due consideration and consultation where
considered necessary with the designer, make an alteration to the Rules of
Measurement and Construction. Such alteration must be by the unanimous
vote of the Council members, and may only stand for one year from the date of
the minuted approval. For such alteration to be permitted, the provisions of
Section 5(i) shall apply.
c. Any boat refused a Measurement Certificate by the State Measurement
Committee for any reason whatsoever must have the Form of Measurement
and comments from the Measurer and/or Secretary of the State Measurement
Committee submitted to the National Council for their consideration. State
Secretaries may issue certificates only to those boats whose measurements fall
within the tolerance shown on the Measurement Form.
d. A National Measurer shall be appointed to be a member of the National
Council. He shall have a counselling and adjudicating role and shall act through
the State Measurer on state measuring matters.
e. A Measurement Committee consisting of a representative of each competing
State shall be established for each National Championship to ensure all
competing boats comply with the rules.
f. All sails to be used in National Championships are to be declared, measured,
stamped and signed on the measuring days immediately prior to the regatta.
8. REGISTRATION OF BOATS
It is the responsibility of the State Secretary to forward regular information concerning
additions to their fleets, changing of ownership, and any other data affecting the
National Boat Register. The Australian Association has control over the issuance of
sail numbers.
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2. OBJECTS
The objects of the (State) Association shall be the promotion, control and regulation of
the Yachting World Diamond Class in (State), to represent the views of its members to
the Australian Association, to ensure the observance of the Australian Association
Rules and the organization of the (State) Championship and other State events.
3. MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Association shall be open to any person interested in the Yachting
World Diamond.
4. SUBSCRIPTIONS
Each States Associate shall determine the Annual Subscription payable by members.
5. MANAGEMENT
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In swinging a Yachting World Diamond two crew may use trapezes, any or all crew
may use body or toe straps that shall not extend outboard of the gunwale.
These shall be the only methods of swinging.
MEASUREMENTS - PART A
1. GENERAL
The Yachting World Diamond is a one-design class. The tolerances on the
measurement form are to cover unintentional errors in building, or changes in shape
through age or use. The measurement form contains as many measurements as
considered practical, but the boat, spars and sails should be to the designed size in all
places. Errors at other parts of the hull could invalidate the certificate at the discretion
of the Measurement Committee.
Builders are warned to check measurement No. 13 after turning the hull over and
before fitting the deck, as the hog is inclined to spring.
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Fibreglass sandwich boats should be built by consulting Australian Standard 1799.41985. The hull shall conform with plywood yachts in respect to strength, weight and
uniform thickness of construction and such will be deemed satisfied by compliance
with Chapter 5 of the AS 1799.4-1985.
Natural E glass fibres only to be used (eg no Kevlar or carbon fibre or S glass).
Alternative materials must conform to the specifications approved by the National
Council.
4. WEIGHT OF BOAT
The overall weight of the hull, less all loose fittings but including buoyancy and its
fixings shall be not less than 508.023kg. and the all-up weight which includes mast,
spars and running rigging, flotation and fixed fittings but excludes sails, safety gear
and anchor shall be 1075kg minimum. The weight also includes protective finish,
either paint or plastics.
Correctors of any material up to a total of 22.5kg may be fitted to the underside of the
deck at the position of the mast.
5. DECK PLAN
As per plans, there must not be any openings other than for halyard and downhauls.
There must be handrails, splash boards and correct cockpit shape.
Rounded corners to a maximum radius of 0.229m on the corners of the cockpit are an
optional feature of the cockpit layout.
An opening may be permitted on the foredeck portside for a spinnaker
launching/retrieval tube.
The railings, splash boards, deck coamings and rubbing beads on boats launched
after 1/2/1967 must comply with the measurement form.
6. THE KEEL
The keel must be as plan. The ply fin is to be of Makori, Sapele, Utile, or similar
quality B.S.S. 1088 or better. At least two-thirds of the veneers should run vertically.
The keel could be specially made or made from standard boards glued together, such
as two 8mm and two 9mm, giving 12 vertical veneers and 6 horizontal. Alternative
materials must conform to the specifications approved by the National Council.
The alternative materials as listed below may be used in the construction of the fin.
Conventionally constructed ply to B.S.S 1088 standard or better may be used (6/13
vertical veneers) plus fibreglass reinforcing with one 400 g/m2 unidirectional E glass
and one 200 g/m2 E glass each side using epoxy resin exclusively.
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Fibreglass sandwich construction built on a core of 12mm closed cell PVC foam (75
kg/m3) with a total of 4424 g/m2 E glass on each side. With solid glass top and bottom
to accept the bolts for the lead and angle irons.
The plan shows the bevel on the fore and aft edge as 76mm., this is a maximum, and
30mm is the minimum thickness inclusive of paint or plastic finish. The ply fin is fixed
to the hull as shown on plan, by two 76mm x 76mm metal angles the full length of the
ply, and bolted through the floor in the hull.
The hull and fin may be faired to the metal angles, extending outboard from the metal
angle a distance of 50mm maximum at the sides and 75mm at the fore and aft ends.
The lead ballast to be shaped as plan. That is with the cross section of the fitted leads
aft from approximately 0.102 from the leading edge, being rectangular in shape with
the corners curved to a maximum radius of 35mm.
The wood blocks at the rear of the lead may be faired through to the aft edge of the
fin.
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9. RIGGING OF MAST
Standing rigging shall consist of one forestay, one or two backstays to the transom
centreline or quarters from the masthead, two main shrouds to forestay height over
spreaders 635mm-686mm from mast, two lower shrouds from spreader roots and one
pair of jumper struts at approximately forestay height, with rigging from the mast head
to the spreader roots, and rigging screws for any or all of the standing rigging. Devices
for slacking the rigging other than backstay/s when under way are not allowed.
Rigging screw/s above deck are allowed but are not to be adjusted while racing. The
running rigging is one main halyard, one headsail halyard, one spinnaker halyard,
main boom downhaul, spinnaker boom down haul and topping lift, sheets and kicking
strap. Optional one main boom topping lift and flag pennants.
The standing rigging must be round section wire, but size and construction optional.
The forestay only may be rod.
The running rigging is optional material and size.
The main, fore and spinnaker halyards may all lead down inside the mast.
Twin or single adjustable backstays are permitted, and they may come forward
beneath the deck.
Jumper stays may terminate anywhere on the mast providing they pass through a
point at the spreaders, as though they were anchored there.
The use of a preventer is acceptable and is to be used only when the spinnaker pole
is in the elevated position. The maximum height to be as Measurement No.60, 1.905m
to intersect the deck at any point on a straight line between the front face of the mast
and the forestay. This preventer shall not be carried in the taut position unless a
spinnaker is being flown.
10. SAILS
Laminated cloths are not permitted. (Such as Mylar or Kevlar).
The sizes on plans are maxima, but smaller sails are not allowed. This is the reason
for minimum sizes on the measurement form.
The mainsail luff must be set between the black bands on the mast, the foot between
the mast and the black band on the boom. The leech is measured from the head
nearest to the mast in a straight line to the clew cringle, with no tension on the sail.
There is no control of the fullness of the mainsail, only the half height and threequarter height luff to leach across the shortest chord. The mainsail has 5 batten
pockets extending the full width of the sail, luff to leach, dividing the sail into
approximately 6 equal parts. For this rule, approximately means within 100mm of sail
plan position. The battens may be of any length, material or number up to five, but not
wider than 50mm.
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This shall be found by laying the highest point of the sail on the headboard
directly over the centre of the clew cringles. The resulting fold at half height
must be made free from wrinkles. The half height cross measurement is
measured along the edge of this fold.
e. The three-quarter height cross measurement (maximum 2.184m).
This shall be found by folding the highest point of the sail on the headboard
back onto the fold just created (under iv) at the edge of the luffs. The resulting
fold shall be made free from wrinkles. The three-quarter height cross
measurement is measured along the edge of this fold.
f. The foot and luffs shall be fitted with a non-stretch tape.
The sail shall be symmetrical about its centrefold.
12. BUOYANCY
Each boat must have at least 0.8 cubic metres of buoyant material, expanded plastics
or similar, not air bags, not weighing more than 34kgs. securely fastened. The
buoyancy must be distributed to allow the boat to float at gunwale level when settled.
Fastenings shall be adequate and not to deck.
13. FITTINGS
Fittings as per list on plans and may be of any material, except the ballast and the keel
angles which are lead and metal respectively.
Winches are not allowed for halyards, downhauls or kicking straps, except for
backstays which can be optional.
Two winches are allowed for sheets and spinnaker guys, fitted as plan. Any number of
blocks or parts in any sheet are permitted. Mooring cleats must be fitted bow and
stern.
Anchor and 36 metres of line, minimum weight 11 kg. ( for example 7 kg. CQR and
36m of 8 mm diameter nylon line). Two paddles.
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DEFINITION
The chine and the gunwale is the corner formed where the outside surfaces of the
planking meet, or where, the angle is rounded, would meet if extended.
Measurement
Description
Number
1
Dry weight of hull, fin, angles,
rudder and tiller (no fittings)
2
All up weight (no anchor and
chain)
3
Length overall between verticals
4
Length aft vertical to centre of
mast
5
Length aft vertical to fore end of
aft deck
6
Length aft vertical to aft end of
foredeck
7
Horizontal width of side deck at
aft end of foredeck from gunwale
to inside of coaming
8
Horizontal width of side deck at
fore end of aft deck from gunwale
to inside of coaming
9
Beam, outside of skin at transom,
gunwale height
10
Beam, outside of skin 2.743m
from transom, gunwale height
Beam, outside of skin 4.572m from
11
12
13
Minimum
Actual
Maximum
508.023
kg
1075 kg
9.131m
4 5.321 m
2.730m
9.182m
5.372m
2.781m
4.712m
4.762m
0.432m
0.483m
0.203m
0.254m
1.022m
1.054m
1.988m
2.026m
2.051m
2.089m
1.213m
0.775m
1.251m
0.826m
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Measurement
Number
13a
14
14a
15
16
17
18
19
19a
20
20a
21
21a
22
22a
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Description
Minimum
Actual
Maximum
0.819m
0.870m
1.118m
1.168m
1.162m
1.213m
0.260m
0.298m
2.641m
2.692m
0.432m
0.483m
1.524m
1.562m
1.505m
1.543m
1.810m
1.848m
1.829m
1.854m
1.549m
1.587m
1.549m
Beam at 4.572m from aft vertical,
at lower chine
1.536m
Beam at 4.572m from aft vertical,
to inside of skin at top of stringer,
at upper chine
1.860m
Beam at 4.572m from aft vertical,
at upper chine
1.879m
Lower chine beam at 6.400m
forward of aft vertical
1.098m
Transom beam outside of skin at
upper chine
1.010m
Transom beam outside of skin at
lower chine
0.838m
Numbers 26 and 27 set the Datum line for measuring.
Datum line to underside of hull at
centreline of transom
0.406m
Datum line to underside of hull at
8.23m forward of aft vertical
0.349m
Upper chines above datum at
transom
0.654m
Lower chines above datum at
0.514m transom
0.489m
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1.587m
1.562m
1.898m
1.905m
1.130m
1.048m
0.854m
0.686m
Measurement
Description
Number
30
Lower chines above at 2.743
forward of aft datum
31
Datum line at 2.743m forward of
aft vertical to underside of hull at
centreline
32
Lowest point of hull or angles
above
33
Lower chines above datum at
6.400m forward of aft vertical
34
Datum line at 6.400m forward of
aft vertical to underside of hull at
centreline
35
Underside of hull at centreline at
transom forward of aft vertical
36
Aft edge of fin, where it meets
skin, from aft vertical
37
Overall length of fin
38
Thickness of fin (including finish
39
Fore end of ballast from aft
vertical
40
Length of lead ballast
41
Depth of lead ballast
42
Thickness of lead ballast (each
half)
43
Depth of keel from underside of
hull at fore end of lead ballast
44
Centre of rudder post at skin from
aft vertical
45
Length of rudder blade on line
parallel to fore edge
46
Width of rudder blade at right
angles to fore edge
47
Thickness at thickest part of
rudder blade
48
Centreline of rudder stock from
trailing edge measured along top
of blade
49
Most aft point of rudder from aft
vertical
50
Overall length of mast
51
Weight of bare mast and all fixed
fittings (no rigging, rigging screws
or goosenecks)
52
Height of jumpers above deck
53
Length of jumpers (from fore of
mast)
54
Angle between jumpers
55
Top of spinnaker halyard sheave
above top of deck
56
Forestay cuts fore side of mast
above top of deck
Minimum
Actual
Maximum
0.235m
0.260m
0.111m
0.000m
0.143m
0.070m
above
datum line
0.273m
0.298m
0.044m
0.070m
0.179m
0.229m
3.543m
2.184m
0.030m
3.594m
2.235m
0.038m
4.966m
0.940m
0.216m
5.016m
1.016m
0.241m
0.101m
0.127m
0.940m
0.990m
1.794m
1.870m
0.762m
0.813m
0.419m
0.457m
0.038m
0.047m
0.229m
1.310m
8.992m
9.144m
22.680kg
7.925m
0.356m
80 degrees
0.406m
100 deg
7.820m
7.620m
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7.671m
Measurement
Description
Minimum
Actual
Maximum
Number
57
Top of foresail halyard sheave
above top of deck
7.468m
7.671m
58
Height of spreaders above top of
deck
4.699m
4.750m
59
Spreader length (from face of
mast)
0.635m
0.686m
60
Spinnaker track or ring above top
of deck
1.905m
61
Bottom of upper black band on
mast to top of deck
8.839m
62
Top of lower black band on mast
to top of off deck
0.686m
63
Fore side of black band on boom
from centre of mast
3.570m
64
Overall length of spinnaker boom
3.048m
Sails are too measured in accordance with the ISAF/YA measuring manual, except where
another method is proscribed by the Class Rules. Measurements 69 and 70 are total
widths across the shortest chord.
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
Main luff
Main foot
Width of head of sail from outside
edge of headboard on leach to
outside edge of rope on luff
Straight line from forward, upper
corner of Headboard to centre of
clew cringle
Width of mainsail at height
Width of mainsail at height
Jib luff
Jib foot
Jib leach
Genoa luff
Genoa foot
Genoa leach
Spinnaker luff
Spinnaker foot measured from
clews to centre fold
Length of the middle fold of the
spinnaker
Width of spinnaker at height
Width of spinnaker at height
Railings
Height above deck
Width, constant proportions to full
length
cut-away sections
Length
Distance from bow of forward end
of Handrail at the deck
Distance from gunwale to outer
8.001m
3.403m
8.153m
3.505m
0.152m
8.611m
1.194m
2.159m
7.240m
2.675m
6.665m
7.239m
3.962m
7.087m
8.788m
1.270m
2.235m
7.315m
2.750m
6.740m
7.315m
4.039m
7.163m
8.382m
2.591m
2.642m
9.373m
2.184m
2.743m
0.045m
0.064m
0.025m
7
2.100m
0.038m
8
2.591m
0.915m
0.229m
1.450m
0.381m
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Measurement
Number
88
89
90
9291
93
94
95
96
97
Description
Minimum
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Actual
Maximum
1.346m
0.032m
0.153m
0.051m
0.340m
0.051m
0.064m
0.127m
0.250m
0.032m
YES
NO
Is the class number carved into the hog in figures not less than
0.038m high at about 2.743m from the stern?
YES
NO
YES
NO
Have the mainsail and spinnaker the class insignia and class
number on both sides, and the genoa the class number?
YES
NO
The insignia 457mm high and 380mm wide, and fitted back to back.
The numbers to be 380mm high and 63mm wide and below the
class insignia and positioned as in ISAF rules.
YES
NO
YES
NO
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BUILDERS CERTIFICATE
Yacht Name:
Owner:
Number:
Builders Name:
Signature:
Date:
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