Craft specifications

Racing Canoes and Kayaks

C1, C2, C4, K1, K2 & K4

The specifications for these canoes and kayaks are determined by the International Canoe Federation (ICF), and are uniform throughout the world.

Class	Max. Length	Min Length	Min Bean	Min. WaterLine Beam	Rudder
K1	520 cm	457.2 cm	-	-	OK
K2	650 cm	457.2 cm	-	-	OK
K4	1100 cm	-	-	-	OK
C1	520 cm	426.7 cm	-	-	No
C2	650 cm	426.7 cm	-	-	No
C4	900 cm	503 cm	-	-	No
C7	1100 cm	800 cm	-	-	No

 

Touring Canoes and Kayaks

TC1, TC2, TC4, TK1 & TK2

The specifications for these canoes and kayaks are as approved by the Marathon Committee of Australian Canoeing (AC). 

Class	Max. Length	Min Length	Min Bean	Min. WaterLine Beam	Rudder
TK1	457.2 cm	381 cm	58.5 cm	50.8 cm	Trailing
TK2	548.7 cm	404 cm	61 cm	53.3 cm	Trailing
TC1	503 cm	396 cm	-	71.2 cm	No
TC2	503 cm	396 cm	-	71.2 cm	No

 

 Surf Skis

All surf skis are to carry appropriate manufacturer’s compliance labels or they will be measured to ensure they comply with Surf Lifesaving Australia specifications. No temporary additions will be permitted.

Wildwater Kayak (Down River Racer DRR)

Specifications for these craft are determined by the ICF. These craft are generally paddled in wild water, down river racing conditions, and are designed for this special purpose. No steering device is permitted on wildwater boats.

Class	Max. Length	Min Length	Min Beam	Min Waterline Beam	Rudder
DRR	450 cm	-	60cm	-	No

 

 

 

Recreational Kayaks (Rec)

Kayaks that are not specifically designed to meet the ICF or AC specifications for the “racing” and “touring” classes or the Surf Ski classes, will be classified as Recreational or Unrestricted.

Short Recreational (SRec)

Short Recreational craft are not more than 4.5m in length. Minimum widths apply (see appendix. No steerable rudders are permitted. Fixed skegs are allowed. Boats equipped with rudders will enter the medium recreational class.

A “measuring box” has been defined relating to a specific area of the kayak for assisting the scrutineers to ascertain the compliance or non-compliance of waterline width measurements. No concave surfaces are permitted within the box area.

The measuring box covers 600mm (300mm each side of the centre line) of hull and measurements are taken 102mm from keel line.

Class	Max. Length	Min Length	Min Beam	Min Waterline Beam	Rudder
SREC1	450 cm	-	58.5 cm	53.5 cm	No

 

 

 

Sample of SREC

Dolphin	Explorer 4	Minnow
French Tourer	Sprite	Bass
B-line Petrel	Manitou

Single Medium Recreational and Long Recreational (MRec1 or LRec1)

Most of the commercially available single sea kayaks and estuary boats on the market fall into these classes. A “measuring box” has been defined relating to a specific area of the kayak for assisting the scrutineers to ascertain the compliance or non-compliance of waterline width measurements. No concave surfaces are permitted within the box area.

The measuring box covers 600mm of hull and measurements are taken 150mm from keel line.

Class	Max. Length	Min Length	Min Bean	Min. WaterLine Beam	Rudder
MREC1	550 cm	451 cm	51.5 cm at least, 53cm at the widest point in the measuring box		OK
LREC1	600 cm	551 cm			OK

 Sample of MREC1                               

Arctic Raider	Mirage 17 & 530	Contour 450	Penguin
Australis Salamander	Kakadu 4	Tasman Express	Ocean Raider
Flash	Marauder	Apollo X1	Epic S
Horizon EnV	Nadgee	Challenger Sequel & Breeze	Greenlander 17 & 550

 Sample of LREC1                               

Raider X	Mirage 19 & 580	Comet	Challenger
Horizon Tourer	Flyer	Horizon 580	Q-Kayaks Torres
Northstart	Tasman 19

 Double Recreational (Rec2 or LRec2)

Most of the commercially available double sea kayaks and estuary boats on the market fall into these classes.

A double “measuring box” has been defined relating to a specific area of the kayak for assisting the scrutineers to ascertain the compliance or non-compliance of waterline width measurements. No concave surfaces are permitted within the box area.

The measuring box covers 600mm of hull and measurements are taken 170mm from keel.

A general purpose single or double kayak is likely to comply with the specification for both TK and Rec eligibility. If not a recognised competition TK design, it is suggested paddlers enter the appropriate Rec Class. 

Class	Max. Length	Min Length	Min Beam	Min Waterline Beam	Rudder
REC2	600cm	-	58.5 cm in box		OK
LRec2	750cm	601 cm			OK

 

 

 

 

Unrestricted Class (UN1 and UN2).

This unrestricted class is for craft which do not fit the requirements of other classes. Any craft will be permitted, provided that it meets safety requirements and:

• The paddlers are facing forward.

• The craft is powered by hand held paddles only.

There is no restriction on length, width, hull shape or construction. Single or double bladed paddles may be used.

Class	Max. Length	Min Length	Min Bean	Min. WaterLine Beam	Rudder
Un1 / Un2	No specific dimensions - refer explanatory notes above				OK

 Outriggers

Outriggers are permitted in the Classic. Trophies will be awarded if classes can be constituted. Specifications are as per those laid down by Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association Incorporated (AOCRA).

All Outriggers must carry the appropriate manufacturer’s compliance label. No temporary additions will be permitted. (eg they must have the State and registration number displayed at the front of the craft). 

Class	Max. Length	Min Length	Min Bean	Min. WaterLine Beam	Rudder
OC1	Must carry appropriate manufacture's compliance label and state registration number must be displayed on the front of the craft				OK
OC2					OK
OC6					No

 Ocean Racing Ski: ORS1

A long, narrow, lightweight kayak with an open (sit-on-top) cockpit, usually with a foort pedal controlled rudder.  They are generally 5 -6.5m long and just 40-50cm wide.

 

Stand Up Paddle Boards

Stand up paddle boards are permitted in the classic. Following heroic finishes in the 2008 Classic by two stand up paddle boarders, Stuart Murray and Inoke Tuhukava, there will be a SUP class in 2009. However it will not be divided into age and gender groups.

Committee’s discretion

Craft which do not fit in any of the above classes may be permitted to start at the discretion of the organising committee provided they meet buoyancy and other safety conditions.

Regardless of any specifications outlined in the “Craft Specifications”, the Organising Committee reserves the right for any reason whatsoever to:

• Not permit a craft to start.

• Withdraw a craft at any time during the Classic.

General rules for all craft

Kayaks are defined as all craft powered by double-bladed paddles, unless they comply with SLSA surf ski specifications.

Canoes are defined as sit in craft, propelled by single-bladed paddles, unless they comply to outrigger association specifications.

Paddlers must be facing forward.

Paddles must not be supported on the boat in any way.

The craft must be powered by hand held paddles only and have there is no mechanical devices.

All craft must carry sufficient buoyancy to remain floating level when full of water.