I too have been following the above conversations with much interest, particularly because I am in need of new sails but don't yet want to buy them until I know which direction the class is going to go.

I think a subtle point should be made more bluntly: it doesn't matter what the class decides for OD, the non-OD owners are going to do (and buy) what they want anyway.

The class has OD rules. To race OD, you follow the rules, whatever they may be. The intent of OD rules isn't to put the "fastest" configuration of the boat on the water (although perhaps it should be), just that all the boats are the "same."

Of course, by that logic, the class could designate burlap as the preferred sail materail. I'm sure you could get a new burlap main for less than $300.

The guys who only race PHRF aren't going to care much about this thread, they are going to buy the sails that they want and that'll be the end of it. The guys who only race OD also shouldn't care (although I'm sure they do). The OD rules will be what they'll be. Sometimes a change is made, and you'll have to adapt.

The people who have a dog in this fight are the ones who will race mostly PHRF with an occasional OD event here and there. The issue is that a mostly PHRF racer doesn't want to have to buy a dacron main just for the occassional OD event.

In my opinion, the only question that actually matters is: Do string sails afford a competitive advantage in any given race?

If the answer is "yes" then a decision must be made and we'll all have to live with it. If you want to influence the vote, step up and volunteer for the Board of Governors. If you are on the Board of Governors and the vote went against you, well that's just the way it is. Ain't democracy grand?

If the answer is "no," then it seems like this is all academic. Let people use whatever sail they want. For me, I'm trying to retrofit a wing but am having balance problems once I get over 20 knots and pop up on plane. Perhaps some restrictions would be wise.

There are, of course, the "long term" arguments that string sails, over their life, are more competitve than dacron, of its life. Perhaps the rule should be: all materials are allowed. Dacron can be replaced every two years, string sails every four years (or something to that effect). Personally, I don't have the resources to afford new sails every 10 years, but I'll make due.

The larger point I'm trying to make is that there is a natural ebb and flow to every class. To best promote critical mass, the class should be as cheap as possible to enter. To best promote the most competitive sailing, the class should be allowed to use the best technology. A balance must be struck between the two and I am confident that the Board of Governors, who have thanklessley volunteered their time to promote the class, will make a thoughtful decision in the best interest of the class as a whole.

Cheers and happy sailing.

Well said! Particularly with regard to the thankless volunteering and efforts to promote the class. I could not agree more!

Regardless of the BoG decision on this matter, the boat, class, and people are all key reasons why I'm a very happy and fortunate owner!

Cheers,
- Jeff

Done.

Glad to have a few more points of view in this discussion, though I'll try to stick to voting here. Expanding on the last paragraph of my post in the White Main OD thread the J/105 Class Constitution charters Fleets of 3 or more boats in one location then grants a seat on their Executive Committee and a vote to 'Voting Fleets' with at least 10 members. This is consistent with my belief that ten is the number needed for one-design critical mass. 'Voting Fleets' earn one vote for every complete multiple of ten boats. Their ExecComm has four officers, six fleet reps (five with 2 votes), Past President, J/Boats rep, plus three At-Large reps so 15 members with 20 votes.

Overkill for us I realize, but I like that it puts decision in the hands of those representing active fleets. Maybe a number from four to six boats would work.

I wonder if we have a more basic discussion to address here: Is this class association all about racing OD?

And is this proposal to change the voting system just a selfserving plan to keep class decisions in the contol of the limited number of orthodox ODers?

I see no reason to change the current voting rules.

You can draw your own conclusions from the By-laws and Class Rules - excerpts pasted below with emphasis provided by me.

Bylaws...
I. The Class Association shall be governed by a Board of Governors. The Board of Governors shall have the authority, at a meeting called for such purpose, to amend, alter, add to, or repeal the Class Rules and One-Design Specifications....

Class Rules...
Notice to Owners and Sailmakers
It is impossible to foresee every conceivable innovation which may be thought of in the future and to mention every suggestion that has been ruled illegal in the past. When considering anything in connection with the boat or sails or equipment which is not within established practice in the J/30 Class or is not clearly covered by the plans or specifications, you must assume that it is illegal, and must obtain a ruling from the Chief Measurer before attempting it.

Rules and Specifications
The following rules and specifications shall govern J/30 events until modified, altered, added to, or repealed by the J/30 Class Association Board of Governors, effective 4/1/2009.

J/30 events include all J/30 one-design races. One-design racing is defined as races with a J/30 start or races which score J/30s separately. A boat conforming to these rules should rate as a J/30 under performance or measurement handicapping systems.

Where specifically permitted in these rules, local fleets and organizers of a J/30 one-design event or series may adopt modifications, exceptions and additions to these rules which shall apply to local racing only.

1. One Design

1.1 The J/30 is a one-design class, created to fulfill the diverse needs of recreational sailors such as cruising, one-design racing, day sailing, handicap and offshore racing. These rules are intended to preserve important design characteristics: ease of handling, low cost of ownership, safety and comfort.

1.2 It is the intent of the J/30 Class Association and J/Boats, Inc. to maintain the one-design performance characteristics of the J/30 To this end, any substantive change that alters the weight, distribution of weight, shape or performance of the hull, rig or underwater appendages shall be submitted by J/Boats, Inc. to the J/30 Board of Governors for approval prior to implementation.

1.3 Except where variations are specifically permitted, yachts of this Class shall be alike in hull, deck and keel form, construction, weight and weight distribution, shape of rudder, sail plan and equipment. All boats shall be built in accordance with the plans, specifications and these class rules. No alternatives or modifications are permitted unless explicitly stated in these rules or on the official plans or building specifications.
.....

Thanks Bill. You've done a great job of making the point of the purpose of the J/30 Class Association. And further, I think even the application for joining the association states something about promoting J/30 One Design events.

And there in lies my issue with the main sail and with the proposed change in the voting. It is my belief that the majority of the owners of J/30's don't have the opportunity to race OD. It's not ease for the majority of J/30 owners to do an OD race. We can't just go out on a Wednesday night and have 3-10 j/30's show up. We have to travel long distances to participate in OD races.
On Lake Erie, in several years of trying - we have not yet been able to put 4 J/30's on the same starting line.
For the past several years, I have been invited to do the Verve Cup in Chicago - with the promise that there will be a fleet of J/30's, enough to have our own start. If memory serves, in the last two years there was only 1 local J/30 in the race + one boat from New Orleans. Dell Todd reported to me that the j/30's on Lake Michigan are scattered from west Michigan to north of Chicago. This year the Western Great Lakes District wants to try to do a Levels racing event and will invite the S2 9.1's in order to have enough boats
Reading other District news, one of the New England districts wants to do OD events but can't do level racing because too many of the boats are PHRF modified and thus the race will have to be handicapped

There are only a few pockets remaining where true one design racing takes place on a regular basis. And to those areas and boaters that pull it off - I say congrats. I wish we could accomplish that here in Lake Erie.

My point though is this. Most J/30's that race race mostly PHRF. Even most racing J/30's that want to do or get to do OD still race mostly PHRF.
Bob Rutsch is quite obviously a great spokesman for OD racing and as he states - that's all he does. I'm guessing though that he represents a small minority.

I propose two things
1. Change the rule on the main to allow string sails so that the OD configuration is compatible with the majority of J/30 racers that race PHRF and may want to do OD racing.
2. Don't change the voting rule to skew it towards the few that only race OD. Keep the rule so that it is inclusive of the PHRF racers.

In conclusion; a lot has changed in the 30+ years since the boat was designed and the OD rules were implemented. To the BOG - Look at the OD fleets; look at the districts; look around at what's changing and what has already changed. Then ask yourselves this; there are over 400 J/30's identified in our fleet - what can the association do to be inclusive of that fleet? Would it really be benificial to be more exclusive in the voting?
One of the biggest problems with doing OD events is getting boats to the events and the cost of travel. So, make loaner boats available, help find inexpensive lodging and do everything possible to contact the active PHRF sailors to come join the fun.

Since the association is all about 1 Design then I ask this. How many times have the individual BOG members reached out to individuals in their district fleets to find out what it would take to get the boat owners to participate in an OD event

from the Peanut Gallary

In fairness and to make sure I am not bending facts - I received an e-mail from the Northern New England District that they are doing OD racing using PHRF handicaps in an attempt to encourage the PHRF modified boats to partake in OD events, not because they don't have enough boats participating in OD.
Sorry for mis stating what is happening and CONGRATS for the efforts to pull boats into OD racing!

In SNE we reached out and asked any boat that is not OD compliant to ask the measurer if they can race in local OD events "as-is" with no PHRF adjustments. Two boats indicated they will race with the OD fleet as a result of it. No time corrections.