The Lightning 368 is a 12ft. single handed g.r.p. sailing dinghy with flexible alloy mast and single bermudian sail. The hull, spars and sail are strictly one-design, but arrangement of the controls is optional.

The object of the class rules is :-

 i) To maintain an essential one-design class so as to control cost and avoid obsolescence.

 ii) To allow freedom in selection and arrangement of fittings and other matters of detail in so far as this does not conflict with i).

b) Modifications or additions to the standard hull/deck thwart assembly, such as additional reinforcing pads, may be included in construction provided they or others with equivalent function, could practicably be added to an existing boat. There shall be no change to shape of hull or deck or thwart mouldings externally, except as would be permitted by these rules.

c) The following may be attached to or incorporated in the hull etc. during construction or later (subject to restrictions in Appendix 1 Rule 2 (b) and provisions of Rule 9).

i) Additional reinforcing pads for attachment of fittings.

ii) Fittings permitted by these Rules.

iii) Centreboard slot gasket - optional alternative type. Clamp strips must not exceed 1.5sq. cm. Cross section area in total.

iv) Centreboard. friction or wear pads and Centreboard slot water deflector optional design, but no additional other than gasket clamp strips may extend outside of moulded centreboard case and case sides must remain essentially parallel. Pivot pin holes may be bushed and pin design is optional.

v) Drain Hole in base of mast housing through bottom of boat (note 1).

vi) Drains in buoyancy tanks and transom optional but good quality watertight type with secure bung.

vii) Inspection hand holes in buoyancy tanks, or in side or aft bulkheads in later boats which do not have tanks, optional but must be good quality watertight type ( note 2).

viii) Alternative hatch cover, with or without modified hatch opening, optional provided total weight is not less than that of standard, Rule 9 is satisfied and hatch cover is secure and virtually watertight. Hatch cover must be secured by shock-cord or other means while racing (note 3).

ix) Protective keel band optional in type and location, but keel band forward of centreboard must not exceed 1 sq.cm. cross section.

b) Rudder stock and hangings optional (note 4).

c) Tiller arm, extension, uphaul, downhaul and jamming devices optional.

b) Halyard cleat and/or other fittings optional but must be attached to mast only. Halyard type optional.

c) Gooseneck fitting designed to allow boom to pivot about horizontal axis but not to allow boom to rotate relative to the mast about vertical axis. Other fittings optional except that no fittings may extend outwards from side or end of boom and no cutouts beyond minimum necessary for operation of controls.

d) Spars to be essentially straight when not under loads imposed by sailing or use of permitted controls. No devices for controlling spar bend other than those permitted in these Rules.

To qualify as a starter in a race, there must be sufficient of the sail number on each side of the sail to be identifiable when the starting signal is made. Use of a sail with a number different from the number of the boat is permissible subject to race officer approval.

i) Kicking strap. Type and purchase ratio optional.

ii) Mainsheet. Type and purchase ratio optional but lower fittings must be attached to thwart. Either strop or fixed deck-eye maximum diameter 50mm permitted for forward block (note 5). The central pedestal moulded into the thwart for the swivel block assembly may be removed and the thwart made flush (note 5).

iii) Clew outhaul. Arrangement optional.

iv) Tack downhaul. Arrangement optional but must use cringle fitted in sail.

v) An attachment in addition to the tack downhaul to limit movement of tack aft of mast may be fitted but this must not be adjustable while sailing (note 6).

vi) Boom restrainer shock cord between forward deck fitting and boom passing each side of mast arrangement optional.

b) Size, type and arrangement of ropes, pulley blocks, cleats, jammers and fixings are optional, subject to to these Rules.

b) Toe straps. Arrangement optional but anchor paints must be within cockpit well.

c) Grabrail attached to side bulkheads of cockpit optional.

d) No extension outside gunwhale ( moulded edge of deck) and no other aids to sitting out, but padding to increase comfort is permitted inside gunwhale.

e) Flag halliard, flag staff holders, flag and/or other wind indicators optional.

f) Towing eyes, cleats, fairleads, grablines optional.

g) All fittings and modifications must satisfy Rule 9. (Except only that keelband within Rule 2 (c) (ix) is permitted outside hull underwater.)

b) Any reinforcement or repair must be made in such a way as not to infringe any of these Rules so far as is practicable.

c) No cut out from hull, deck, thwart assembly as supplied except the minimum necessary for attachment and operation of permitted equipment, fittings and controls.

d) No removal of material to reduce weight after certification.

e) Modifications and attachments to be made in such a way as to not reduce the integrity of the hull, deck, thwart, buoyancy chambers. fastenings into hull, deck, thwart mouldings which carry appreciable load must be through bolted with washers or pads under the nuts. Self tapping screws may be used only where the load is slight or there is suitable reinforcing to take the screws (e.g. standard toe straps, centreboard gasket cover, rudder fittings on transom) (note 7).

f) No fittings or attachments may extend outside the edge of the deck moulding, or otherwise, so as to represent any hazard to other boats or risk of fouling other boats or crews.

g) Flat or angled pads or supports may be fastened to deck or thwart together with permitted fittings where these are required for proper operation of the fittings.

h) Other fittings which do not in any way add to sailing efficiency, such as holders for paddles, spare clothing, drinking bottle and which do not specifically conflict with any Rule, are permitted.

i) Foam block buoyancy or bags may be fitted in cavity between deck and hull mouldings.

j) In interpreting these Rules, it is understood that major removal or addition of material so as to reduce weight or strength appreciably is prohibited. In general cut outs will not be regarded as reducing weight or strength if there is adequate reinforcement or strength in the attached fitting and if the total weight added compensates for the weight of material removed.

i) By GRP Ltd. in respect of all boats, centreboards, rudder blades supplied by them, also masts, booms and sails supplied by them.

ii) By Needlespar in respect of spars and by Banks in respect of sails. These shall be passed to GRP Ltd. in respect of new boats and to the purchaser in respect of replacements ordered direct.

b) Identification with respect to Certificates:-

i) Boats shall be clearly identified by the Sail Number allocated being painted clearly on the hull inside below the foredeck.

ii) Centreboards and rudder blades will not be individually numbered: the receipt provided by GRP Ltd. shall serve as a Certificate.

iii) Masts and booms supplied by Needlespar will not be individually numbered. The receipt or delivery note shall confirm that the spar conforms to the Class Rules and shall serve as a Certificate.

iv) Sails supplied by Banks shall be identified by a maker's number indelibly marked near the tack together with the Bank's trademark. This number is to be noted on the receipt or delivery note which shall confirm that the sail conforms to the Rules and this shall serve as a Certificate.

c) Sail numbers shall be issued by GRP Ltd. ( note 8).

d) Any addition or modification which does not conform to the Class Rules shall invalidate a Certificate. The Certificate shall become valid again as soon as the cause of invalidation is rectified in accordance with the Rules.

e) Buoyancy inspection/test shall be carried out in accordance with Appendix 4 and recorded on the Certificate Endorsement. The Certificate shall become invalid 15 months after the last Buoyancy Endorsement.

b) Any modification made subsequent to the supply but prior to the date of issue of these Rules which does not comply with these Rules shall invalidate the Certificate unless a request for dispensation is made to the secretary within 6 months of issue of the Rules. If the Committee does not grant dispensation the modification must be rectified within two months of the Committee's notification to the owner of its decision. When a dispensation is given the Certificate must be endorsed accordingly.

Adopted February 1980

Issued 1st March 1980

APPENDIX 1            Hull assembly, Rudder, Centreboard

Adopted                    Jan 1981

Issued                        Feb 1981

APPENDIX 2           Mast and Boom

Adopted                    Jan 1981 Amendment 30th Aug 1997

Issued                        Feb 1981 Amendment Sept 1997

APPENDIX 3           Sail

Adopted                    Jan 1981

Issued                        Feb 1981

APPENDIX 4           Buoyancy Test

Adopted                    Feb 1980

Issued                        1st March 1980