Old Definition:

JIB -Any sail tacked forward of the foremast with a half width not exceeding 75% of the foot length is a jib.

SPINNAKER -Any other sail tacked fwd of the foremast (and not meeting the definition of a jib) is a spinnaker.

New Definition:

Measurements to be provided:

Headsails: Luff Length LL
Luff Perpendicular LP
Half Width HHW (for headsails with roach on leech)

Spinnakers: Luff Length SLU
Leech Length SLE
Foot Length SF
Mid Girth SMG
Pole Length SPL (mast to tip of spin pole)

Headsail: Any sail tacked forward of the foremast that is flown with the luff attached to a stay or otherwise not free-flown is a headsail. Any sail tacked forward of the foremast with a half width not exceeding 75% of the foot length with a free-flying luff is also a headsail. The boat's largest headsail will be rated by computing 100 times LP divided by J, where LP is the distance of a line perpendicular from the luff, to the clew. Boats carrying largest headsails with LP in excess of 100%, with battens or other stiffening devices shall declare that fact to PHRF SEF, and provide the measurements of the HHW, Luff, Leech, Foot and LP of the largest headsail. Headsails with LP in excess of J, with battens or stiffening devices will be rated on an individual basis.

Spinnaker: Any other loose luffed sail tacked forward of the foremast, with mid girth exceeding 75% of the foot length is a spinnaker. A Spinnaker is symmetrical if the luff and leech differ in length by four percent or less, and asymmetrical if the luff and leech lengths differ by more than four percent. Spinnaker maximum width is 180% of SPL, where SPL is the length reported for the spinnaker pole or bowsprit to which the spinnaker will be attached, with maximum girth measured from the midpoint of the spinnaker luff to the midpoint of the spinnaker leech. Symmetrical spinnaker maximum luff length shall not exceed .95*SQRT (I squared + SPL squared) or (if applicable), .95*SQRT (ISP squared + SPL squared). Asymmetrical spinnaker square footage will not exceed the area of the largest symmetrical spinnaker that could be carried by the same boat, determined by the following formula: Spinnaker Area = ((SLU + SLE)/2) * ((SF + (4 * SMG))/5) * .83 . Boats with spinnakers with battens or other stiffening devices shall declare that fact to PHRF SEF, and provide the measurements of the Luff, Leech, Foot and SMG. Spinnakers with battens or such stiffening devices will be rated on an individual basis.