下記は、Tony Norris（NATA会長, WTC Vice President）からWorld Councilメンバーに出されたメールです。メンバーである会長の許可を得て、ここに紹介します。
内容は、「ワンデザイン原則：テーザー艤装パーツの統一」についてのChris Parkinsonのメールへの返答です。
北米テーザー協会会長としての意見が述べられています。
All,
This is extremely frustrating to hear about this now with proposed implementation less than 2 months away. Especially hearing that you have spent quite a bit of time working this out amongst yourselves without some prior discussion with fellow ATC members. I also think this is particularly upsetting considering the parts you suggest be mandated have NO effect on the performance of the boat. I think it's fine if the Bethwaite's want to streamline their business to make delivering the Tasars they build more cost effectively but I absolutely disagree that the use of these parts be mandated throughout the class. This change is not needed to "re-establish" the one-design principle. Our rules are sufficiently clear to ensure that the Tasar is a one-design.
As an example one part on the list that particularly bothers me (makes me crazy actually) is the suggestion of going back to the plastic gudgeon. A metal gudgeon is the only answer for the Tasar that makes sense. The plastic gudgeons flex and fail. When a gudgeon fails (typically the bottom gudgeon) the rudder twists off and bends or fails the pintle. This makes for an expensive repair. Since, I have yet to see a cast alloy rudder head in person I can't tell you whether or not this only fails the pintle or also the rudder head. The North American rudder heads can be dismantled and rebuilt completely. Only the failed parts need be replaced. But of course this hasn't been a problem since we all got rid of our plastic gudgeons! (note: Even the Vanguard 15 has metal gudgeon!)
Also, the rudder head is a very very expensive part to be foisting on the rest of the world. Are there rudder heads out there that have a performance advantage over other iterations? If so why? If yes lets resolve the performance difference and not make obsolete a very expensive part. Also, not only do you make my rudder head obsolete but you make make my tiller obsolete as well!
This is not meant to be snide remark because I am truly worried about what might be the next ball to drop? Will the North American built boats be illegal too? (no RCB slides and CB case 2-3" forward of Aussie boats). Will a proper Tasar boom (ie made from the same extrusion as the mast) be made illegal? Will classic shroud slides be illegal?
Also, as a class are really willing to toss the world champ if they didn't have the right upper diamond bolt, vang attachment, mast plug or rotator stop? Lets keep our eye on the ball and focus on the things that matter. Australia might be experiencing great popularity with the Tasar but we are struggling to keep the Tasar class alive in North America. These changes you propose do not give me hope.
Additionally, here are some logistical issues that will make implementation very difficult and likely to be expensive for Tasar sailors if the parts are mandated.
-You note that the "Bethwaite" gooseneck fitting is on the list but is that for the 29er boom or a proper Tasar boom. Different goosenecks right?
-If you insist on only a "Bethwaite" gooseneck do the holes for connection to the mast match the holes on the North American gooseneck? If not the mast will be compromised significantly with additional holes drilled in the mast. We experienced this with some older boats that had early goosenecks that had a slightly different hole pattern. Re-drilling the extra holes typically ended with mast failure. I have a stump in my garage as evidence.
-does the cast rudder head fit the same gudgeon spacing as the North American rudder head?
-you note the under gunwale RCB support. Does that infer that you are mandating the use of the RCB slides or is this only intended for use with the RCB slides.
-When you put a new mast plug into a new mast it fits very nicely. However when you fit a new mast plug into a mast that has 10-15 years of sailing and the mast plug requires significant grinding and filing to make a good fit. Is that fitting still at "Tasar" fitting after it is modified?
-Does the Bethwaite rotator stop fill a proper Tasar boom?
-Will the Bethwaite vang attachment fit a proper Tasar Boom?
-No mention of the Holt-Allen jib tracks that ALL North American boats have installed?
Forcing everyone to use these parts does not solve a single "one-design" problem. A gudgeon is a gudgeon; A diamond bolt is a diamond bolt; If the vang is anchored to the base of the mast where is any one-design principle violated in any of this? The price differentials on many of these parts are small compared to the overall cost of the Tasar.
If we want to standardize parts lets to resolve true performance issues and have that discussion. If this discussion is purely economical (aka the 29er boom) then let the builders choose what to supply on their new boats but don't preclude the use of parts meet our class rules. The builders economical decisions should not dictate the class rules. There was certainly no discussion about using the 29er boom in place of a Tasar boom. Considering the niggling detail of the parts on the list the change to the 29er boom was of a higher magnitude. Also, I was unaware that our vote to approve the use of RCB shroud slides might be a vote to preclude future use of the classic slides. Can a boat still be purchased outside of North America without the deck modification?
Sorry for the abrupt nature of this email but it really bothers me that this is the first I've heard of this initiative. (plus it's really late at -8 hrs GMT) I don't think Tasar sailors in Australia understand how much Tasar sailing has regressed in North America. I am truly worried about the future of the Tasar in North America. I have been Tasar sailing for 15 years and have not seen participation as consistently low in all that time. I am very sensitive to changes that will make our class additionally difficult to attract newcomers or that will discourage folks with boats in garages from being active again.
Yours Truly,
Tony Norris
President NATA
Vice President WTC
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