There are six classes of boats. All boats must use human or wind power only. All boats must have bulkheads and/or positive flotation. Boats with bulkheads must have positive flotation in the event of a breached hatch or leaking hull. The various hulls of a multihull boat can be counted toward the positive flotation requirement.
Class 1 – Expedition Kayaks and Canoes: These are kayaks or canoes that are suitable for safe and efficient coastal and open water expeditions of four weeks or more. They are limited to singles and doubles only. The length to beam ratio cannot be more than 10.99 : 1.
A downwind sail rig is allowed but is limited to 1 square meter per paddler. Note that if a double is using a single sail with 2 square meters, then the reefing rules apply. If a double is using two sails with each sail up to 1 sq meter or one sail up to 1.5 square meters, then they do not have to have reefs. Easy dousing is always required.
Outriggers are not allowed. Centerboards, leeboards, daggerboards, etc. are not allowed.
Sponsons are allowed.
All sailing equipment including sponsons must be removable and stowable in a seaworthy manner.
Most canoes are intended for lakes and rivers and cannot meet the above criteria. One example of a canoe that can meet the criteria is a Kruger Sea Wind as long as it has a full cockpit cover.
Class 2 – Racing Kayaks and Canoes: These are skinny and fast kayaks or canoes that are suitable for safe and efficient coastal and open water expeditions of four weeks or more. They are limited to singles and doubles only. The length to beam ratio is greater than 10.99 : 1. Basically, if it is very long and very skinny it must go in class 2.
No sail rig of any kind is allowed. Kayaks that normally would go in class 1 may elect to join class 2 to avoid sail paranoia.
Surf skis go in this class and must be capable of carrying the required equipment in a safe and seaworthy manner. Special attention will be given to the equipment inspection of all surf skis, and due to past abuses, surf skis will be subject to surprise inspections at any checkpoint. Excessive equipment on the deck of a surf ski will result in a DQ for launch.
Single outrigger canoes go in this class. A safety ama on the off side is highly recommended. These boats are also subject to special attention regarding equipment.
Do these special inspection rules for surf skis and outrigger canoes mean I don’t like them? Heck no. Some of our best and most capable WaterTribers have used surf skis and outrigger canoes and they didn’t cheat. But carrying a real expedition load is difficult for these boats and some cheating has been brought to my attention. Basically some pass inspection but then launch leaving much of the required equipment out of the boat. If you cannot safely carry all the required equipment, why would you want to be in these races? There are plenty of races that don’t require any equipment.
Class 3 – Sailing Kayaks and Canoes: These are Class 1 kayaks or canoes that are suitable for safe and efficient coastal and open water expeditions of four weeks or more that have added a sail rig. They are limited to singles and doubles only. The length to beam ratio of the kayak or canoe hull cannot be more than 10.99 : 1.
A full sail rig is allowed but must be stowable inside the kayak or canoe.
Outriggers are allowed. Leeboards, daggerboards, etc. are allowed. Centerboards are not allowed because then the hull would not be a kayak or canoe.
Sponsons are allowed.
All sailing equipment including akas, amas and sponsons must be removable and stowable in a seaworthy manner.
Class 3 must adhere to the reefing rule for sailboats.
Most canoes are intended for lakes and rivers and cannot meet the above criteria. One example of a canoe that can meet the criteria is a Kruger Sea Wind as long as it has a full cockpit cover.
Class 4 – Monohull Sailboats and Small Craft: These are monohull small boats whose primary means of propulsion is a sail or rowing or pedal drive. Due to filters in the course design, it is highly recommended that any boat in this category be able to propel itself in shallow and constricted water. Also, you may have to use secondary propulsion for long distances in order to finish a Challenge. Reliance on sail power alone will not work most years. There are numerous mud banks and oyster bars so shallow draft is highly recommended.
Human or wind propulsion only. No motors of any kind are allowed on or in the boat. Anyone who thinks a motor is needed as part of your safety equipment should not be in these events.
You must launch off the beach from above the high water mark without assistance. You may use rollers and kedge off the beach, but all equipment that you use must be carried with you for the entire event.
You must safely drop the mast for at least one obstacle during the race.
Kayaks or surf skis that would normally be in class 2 are placed in class 4 if any type of sail is used.
Your boat must fit the spirit of the WaterTribe events. That means it is an expedition capable boat – not a round-the-buoys boat. If there is any doubt, it is your responsibility to send pictures and specs to Chief prior to registering. If you get DQed on the beach, it will be your fault and you won’t get a refund.
All class 4 boats must adhere to the reefing rule for sailboats.
Class 5 – Multihull Sailboats and Small Craft: These are multihull small boats with the same rules and guidelines as for class 4. The only difference is two or more hulls – usually a catamaran, trimaran or proa. Also, any class 3 type boat that has a non kayak or canoe hull(s) would go in this class.
Outrigger canoes that would normally be in class 2 are placed in class 5 if any type of sail is used.
Hobie AIs and TIs are in this class. There is a one-design designation for these boats.
Non modified beach cats and tris are not allowed. What is a beach cat or tri? Any cat or trimaran that is sold without reefs in the main is a beach cat and is not allowed. By rerigging and modifying the sail(s) a beach cat or tri is more than welcome in this class.
Your boat must fit the spirit of the WaterTribe events. That means it is an expedition capable boat – not a round-the-buoys boat. If there is any doubt, it is your responsibility to send pictures and specs to Chief prior to registering. If you get DQed on the beach, it will be your fault and you won’t get a refund.
All Class 5 boats must adhere to the reefing rule for sailboats.
Class 6 – 6-Person Outrigger Canoes (Electric Motors no longer allowed): This is a special class and must comply with all Class 2 rules but the boat is longer and has 6 paddlers. They must meet all equipment requirements. The boat must have a spray skirt for all 6 paddlers.
No sail of any kind is allowed.
A safety ama is not required, but it is highly recommended.
Reefing Rule for ALL Class 3, 4, and 5 Boats: All sailing classes must have a safe and efficient reefing, furling, or recovery system for all sails. You must know how to use your reefing system and it must be fully rigged and ready to go before you launch. If there is a small craft advisory at the time of launch and you don’t have all reefs in your sail, you will be immediately DQed.
Reefing is highly recommended but not required for standing sails less than or equal to 12 sqft.
At least one reef point is required for standing sails less than or equal to 36 sqft. Having two reef points is highly recommended for these sails.
At least two reef points is required for any standing sail greater than 36 sqft.
Instead of reef points, any standing sail can use roller reefing.
All standing sails must have a dousing and retrieving system that can be safely and efficiently operated from the cockpit, deck or main trampoline.
Headsails may use roller furling, roller reefing or dousing and retrieval systems that can be safely and efficiently operated from the cockpit, deck or main trampoline.
Cruising spinnakers and screechers are allowed keeping in mind the roller reefing, roller furling and/or sail dousing and retrieving requirement for all headsails.
All class 3, 4, and 5 WaterTribers must have “Reef Early and Reef Often” tattooed on their forehead. (Just kidding, but you get the idea.)