BDA Rules

In addition to the rules of the British Dragon Association below, the International Dragon Association (IDA) also have a fixed set of criteria governing many aspects of the class. Visit the IDA site for more information.

1. Objects of the Association
   The British Dragon Association was founded on the 29th February 1956, with the object of co-ordinating and representing the interests of Dragon owners in Great Britain in all matters concerning the International Rules of the Dragon Class and acting for such owners generally and, in particular, in negotiating with the I.S.A.F. and the R.Y.A.
   
   
2. Membership
   Membership shall be open to those with an interest in British registered Dragons, or in the Class generally, who wish to be kept informed regarding Class matters.
   
   
3. Subscriptions
   The annual subscription shall be £40 from each boat owning member and £15 from each other member, to be collected by the Fleet Secretaries or by Direct Debit and sent to the Hon. Treasurer not later that the 31st March in each year.
   Overseas membership is £20.
   
   
4. Management
   1. The Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Chairman, Vice- Chairman, Hon. Secretary, and an Hon. Treasurer.
      
   2. The Officers of the Association shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-election, save that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall serve for a period not exceeding 4 successive years and shall then stand down for at least one year.
      
   3. The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a Committee consisting of the Officers and a member representing each Dragon Fleet.  For the purpose of rule, a Dragon Fleet shall consist of a minimum of five Dragons, the owners of which are members of the Association.
      Each Fleet shall have the right to nominate one member to serve on the Committee with the voting power of 1 (one). The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Hon. Secretary may not vote unless attending as a Fleet representative.  The President shall have a casting vote only.
      The following Fleets are recognised:
      Clyde, Torbay,
      Forth, Cork Harbour,
      Lowestoft, Dublin Bay,
      Aldeburgh, Belfast Lough,
      Glandore, Burnham-on-Crouch,
      Medway, Solent,
      Falmouth.
   4. No boat may be registered with more than one Fleet.
   5. Fleet representation on the Committee shall be reviewed annually at the General Meeting.
   6. A Fleet representative unable to attend a Committee Meeting may appoint a deputy.
   7. At a Committee Meeting three members shall form  a quorum.
   8. The Agenda for Meetings must be sent to Fleet Hon. Secretaries twenty-one days before the date of the Meeting and no decision may be taken at the Meeting on any matter affecting the Rules of the International Dragon Class which is not included on the Agenda.
      
      
5. Committee Meetings
   Committee Meetings will be held in London, except when it may seem desirable to hold a Meeting during a main Regatta.
   
   
6. Annual General Meeting
   1. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in London between 31st October and 31st January.  At no time shall more than fifteen months elapse between Annual General Meetings.
   2. At a General or Special Meeting each member shall be entitled to one vote. A member may request that another member exercises his vote by proxy. All proxy votes must be advised to the class administrator in writing (or email) at least 24 hours before the meeting.
   3. At a General or Special Meeting only a simple majority of votes is necessary for a resolution on a matter not constituting alterations to the Rules of the Association.
      
      
7. Affiliation
   The Association is entitled to be represented at all meetings of the R.Y.A. Keel Boat Committee when matters affecting the Class are under discussion.
   
   
8. Alteration to Rules
   The Rules of the Association may be altered by a majority of not less than two-thirds of those voting at the Annual General Meeting or a General Meeting summoned for the purpose.
   
   
9. Chair at Meetings
   The Chair at all Meetings shall be taken by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman. In his absence, the Committee will elect its own Chairman.
   
   
10. Finance
    Statements of Accounts shall be made up to 31st October in each year and submitted for approval to the Annual General Meeting.
    
    
11. Conduct of Rules
    Races in areas where there is a recognised Fleet will be sailed under the I.S.A.F. and International Class Rules and the Rules of the Association.
    
    
12.  Safety & Sail Limits
    The BDA shall require the organisers of the Edinburgh Cup, South Coast Championships, East Coast Championships, Northern Area Championships  to include the following requirements in the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions:
    "that all Dragons shall carry flares to a minimum of two orange smokes". "that no competitor may use more than 8 separate sails during the event, except  in exceptional circumstances, with the Race Officer's permission. The sails which a competitor intends to use must be specified by reference to the IDA sail sticker number, on registration."
    The Association recognises that Fleets may desire to modify the above Rules. Such local rules shall be approved by the Committee of the Association and shall only be enforced;-
    
    1. when no foreign Dragon is competing, or
    2. when to do so is not contrary to the wish of the donor of any trophy or prize to be competed for.
       
       
13. Local Rules
    Dragons of a recognised Fleet racing in other Fleet areas when approved local rules are in force shall be bound by such rules.
    
    

1. The Trophy presented by H.R.H. Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, shall be known as the Edinburgh Cup.
2. Entries shall be open to all Dragons of all nations having a valid certificate of rating.
3. The Cup, which is a Challenge Cup, shall be competed for annually, and shall be held by the winner for a period of twelve months.
4. It shall be competed for in rotation in the main Dragon areas of the United Kingdom. 
5. The races will be sailed under the Rules of the International Dragon Class.
6. Competition for the Cup shall consist of 6 races.  Of the 6 races a yacht will count only the points for her best 5 races, or if weather conditions are such that  only 5 races are sailed her best 4 races, or if only 4 races are sailed all shall count.  If less than 4 races are sailed the Cup shall not be awarded.  Every effort should be made to complete at least 5 races.  The Cup shall be awarded to the winning Dragon under the current Olympic scoring system.  The method of scoring shall be printed in full in the sailing instructions. The agreement of the Officers and Committee of the British Dragon Association must be obtained before any start of more than 40 boats are authorised.
7. The Cup shall be returned to the Royal Yachting Association not less than fourteen days prior to the date on which the next competition is due to be held.
8. The Cup has been insured by the Donor.  The name of the winning boat and the owner is to be engraved on the Cup by the Winner.
9. As far as possible the course of the races shall be so arranged as to give a beat to windward, from the starting line to, the first mark. Thereafter the course should consist of either a fair test on all points of sailing, or a windward leeward course, at the discretion of the Race Officer as previously agreed with the Officers and Committee of the British Dragon Association.
10. These rules are subject to alteration and additions as may from time to time be necessary, as proposed by the R.Y.A. and with the consent of the Donor.