The class rules generally specify 

 the construction materials that can 

 be used in their boats, but the 

 associations ore constantly testing 

 new materials. For instance, the 

 acceptance and approval by the 

 Comet Class Yacht Racing Associa- 

 tion of fiberglass hulls was made 

 after a great number of tests. The 

 X-2 was sailed by members of 

 the Association in several regattas 

 against other boats of similar size 

 (the Comet trails Finn class boat in 

 the above photograph) and com- 

 peted on completely even terms 



Class rules specify the type of sails that 

 can be used. For example, in the Star 

 Class no spinnaker can be employed, 

 thus when going down wind the skipper 

 of the boat above is sailing "wing-on- 

 wing" (the jib is on the opposite side of 

 mast from the mainsail) to obtain greater 

 speed and more effective sail area 



