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| ted and tenacious |
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| measuring the twelves |
The 12 meters must meet the criteria set in the international 12 meter rule in order to sail officially in the class; which was the chosen class since 1958 until 1987 to compete for the America’s Cup. Bob Blumenstock was the official measurer for the New York Yacht Club and the America’s Cup.
Preparation for measurement was always an involved process. The design process is the beginning. The 12 meter rule conceived in 1906 is a very sound rule. It allows changes and innovations, but if you take from one area, you must give up something in another area. Changes are therefore subtle.
But here we are at Bannister’s Wharf, our syndicate headquarters, being measured. Still water is essential. The boats are built and assumed to be within the rule. There were things we able, within the rule, to make sure we “measured in.” In our time, measuring in, while serious, was a far cry from the process today.