A few years ago I extended the length of the mast track for the spinnaker pole ring car. The track now runs down to just above the deck.
Is that modification legal for one desing racing?

Russ,

This was previously ruled on by the class measurer in 2004. Here is the link with that discussion.

Thanks Bill - interesting ruling

Russ

no issue in longer down to the deck

Charlie,

Thanks for the reply. So what I think you just said as an official position of the J/30 Class Chief Measurer is:

The spinnaker pole track on the mast may be extended to the deck level, consistent with the way that some J/30s were delivered originally from the factory.

Is that what you just said?

That doesn't seem to be consistent with the previous ruling by Larry Christy. Are you changing that?

Yes if some boats came that way why should it not be allowed by all.

I have to admit, that seems more reasonable than the original decision.

Initially I had a similar thought. Then I talked to the past measurer and looked through notes I had compiled on technical rulings years ago.

The measurer’s response to a request for approval of a longer track in the other post summarizes a ruling made by committee on or around 6/19/2000 based on:

1. A survey of existing boats,
2. Consideration that the manufacturer changed original equipment specifications,
3. An allowance to grandfather those with the original long track, and
4. Class Rule 1.3

The survey noted that the average track was 1218 mm (48”) long and 135 mm (5 1/3”) below the black boom band or approximately 95.5 mm (37 1/2”) above the deck.

While there does not appear to be a specification for the bottom of the spin pole track as there is for the top, this location is consistent with the mast drawings published in the current rules and all copies of the rules I have ever seen going back to 4/1/1981.

So you might disagree with the decision or believe it should be reversed. But there was reasonable justification for it. Plus an accommodation was made for those already so configured.

Compare that to overturning a settled ruling on the basis of the opinion “…if some boats came that way why should it not be allowed by all?"

Thanks Charlie.
I'm not taking the bait here. Yes or No was all I was looking for, I'll take Charlie's response as a YES. From all the rancor, you'd think I was asking to change the head sail material or something.

While we're at it, can we discuss the stove...
Mine came with the boat, never been off - how do I weigh it? Does it have to weigh 12 lbs with or without alcohol in the canisters?

Se Ya'll in N'Orleans

My concern is that this may set a new precedent--find a boat with equipment you like and you can change your boat to match it.

For example, like the shorter pole track, at some point the teak and holly sole became standard and later boats like Wildcat and Bebop have wood battens on the interior of the hull. Since early boats don't have either is it now OK to to tear them out to save weight? This is not a hypothetical, two boats in our fleet actually did this.

Hull #545 was among the last few J/30 produced. It was delivered without halyard winches or deck organizers. Several other class members noticed and removed these items without contacting the measurer.

I appreciate as here and on the other post when people do the right thing and contact the measurer for guidance. It shouldn't be easier to ask for forgiveness than get permission.

J/Boats made numerous specification changes during the eight year production run. Some are obvious, others not so much. Boats are alike but not identical. J/30 Class Rule 1.3 states, "No alternatives or modifications are permitted unless explicitly stated in these rules or on the official plans or building specifications." It's up to the measurer to interpret the rules and leave it to the BOG to change them where necessary.

I have wooden battens in my hull? Exactly where are those things and how do I get them out?

I was thinking about changing back to the 3/4" prop shaft too?

And I still haven't figured out how to weigh the stove

What I refer to is the wood strips attached to the hull in the bow above the V-berth as battens. Probably only need a screw driver and a pry bar.

Also found in the main cabin, between the cabinets, and above the V berths as well (at least on hull #205). They are light pine. Took some of mine out in order to replace them.

Russ - glad to see that you'll be joining the fun in N'Orleans!

General comment for all posting: Please discuss each item in its own thread (e.g. spin pole ring, stove, wooden battens, etc.) and keep the discussion related to a single topic. This makes research and future retrieval of information much easier for those looking.