Rulechanges in the 34th America's Cup?

Do the match racing rules need to be changed for the 34^th America's Cup?
The editor of Scuttlebutt asked me this question some time ago and I've been thinking about it, on and off.

I've come up with the following analysis by looking first at this question:

What are the big(ger) differences between 'conventional' mono hulls and these huge wingsail cats?

• big acceleration
• slow tacking - like any multi-hull
• boats are very wide, with lots of water in between the hulls
• overall speed

The acceleration issue comes into play, for instance, after a tack. One boat tacking to starboard while a Port boat is keeping clear by passing in front. But due to the acceleration of the Starboard boat, a few moments later Port cannot pass in front any more. Starboard has not changed course after she has completed her tack, so she does not have to give room under rule 16.1. Only rule 15 is applicable. Starboard becomes right of way boat after her tack and initially has to give the other boat room to keep clear. I do not think this warrants a rule change, but falls within the definition of room. 

The type of boat used and it's characteristics are part of the circumstances and therefore room under 15 must be more in these huge catamarans, then with mono hulls. Sailors need to be aware of it. Umpires need to consider this when asked to judge an issue where acceleration is a factor

Slow tacking then. Will that dictate a rule change?

Let me again illustrate with an example. A boat clear ahead rounds a leeward mark leaving it to starboard and sails four, five lengths upwind before tacking. While she's luffing the trailing boat arrives at the mark, rounds it and heads up. She's changing course around the mark and is now heading straight for the tacking boat. That boat - passed head to wind - is now keep clear boat either under 13 (tacking) or under rule 10 (Port Starboard), but cannot do anything until she's gained speed. 

Meanwhile the other (starboard) boat is sailing three, four lengths in a straight line toward her. A clear port / starboard issue, you say? No, it is not, in my opinion. 

Again, because of the type of boats, the definition room must include more. Rule 16.1 dictates that Starboard, who initiated the collision course, must provide the room to the other boat to keep clear. Once Port is passed head to wind and tacking, that includes room to finish that tack. Port has no other way to keep clear. Going back is not going to work, that would only take more time. No rule change needed, but again, an adjustment in how to use them.
This was already an issue in the last AC (34). Starboard entered and held course for two or three lengths aiming straight at Port, who tried to head up to keep clear. She was not doing enough, according to the penalty given, but it was a judgement call. Everybody will need lots and lots of practice before we have a balance between 'room to keep clear' and 'not doing enough' in these new boats. Sailors and Umpires alike
We have learned a lot in the Extreme 40 - circuit, but that has been mostly fleet racing.

What slow tacking might influence are the penalties in match racing. A penalty on a downwind leg in the match racing rules is to tack and, as soon as reasonably possible, bear away to a course that is more than ninety degrees from the true wind. In multi-hulls this is a huge disadvantage. Once you have a penalty, you need a very big lead to have time to take it and not lose that lead. Therefore penalties might have a much bigger influence then sailors (or organizers) want. They might want to change those in the AC match racing rules. Second issue with the tack penalty is the dropping of the kite or gennaker. The sail is so huge it will take lots and lots of time to get the head below the gooseneck, let alone hoist it again. Perhaps that should be deleted in the AC-rules? If the boats can tack with it still up, that is.







Because of the two hulls and the forward position of the aft beam in between, there is lots of water to sail into from behind. Enough to stick a windward hull into, or a bowsprit. That will mean an overlap and then the rules change from rule 12 to rule 11. The trailing boat is suddenly the right of way boat. Again, rule 15 initially will give her a restriction, but that does not last. From the moment the overlap was established the leading boat must do everything to keep clear.
If the trailing boat is changing course, she again has a restriction to give the other boat room to keep clear, but at these high speeds that might impossible to judge. The overlap already will be almost impossible to see. For sure, in the races there will have to be a dedicated wing boat to help umpires. They can't speed up to a position to see and then still judge course changes by the trailing boat.

But does rule 12 need an adjustment because of this? Perhaps.
I've seen solutions to this problem whereby the water in between the hulls is considered as part of the boat. By stringing a cord between the two most aft points on the hulls. A bowsprit or a bow passing that string is then considered breaking rule 12..... That certainly does the trick without a rule change.

Finally, overall speed. It will no doubt have a big impact on tactics, but not on the rules as far as I can predict. An adjustment in how to use them, perhaps, but that's all.  
With that speed comes also flying the hull - these big cats might fly over a mark, but that is no problem, as long as they don't touch it. 

Oh, keep the colored lights from the 32nd AC indicating overlap and zone. That seemed to work well.

And, keep rule 18.3 as the changed in Appendix C for any fleet racing the AC might do. Something else we learned from the Extreme Sailing Series Europe and iShares Cup.

Please, don't hesitate to give me your opinion on needed rule changes in the 34th AC.