Russ, ouch - a bit strong like my coffee this morning.

Hi everyone, we talked on the phone tonight about the issue to say hello, catch up and define next steps. Here goes:

(1) J/Boats Charlie, Bill, Bob and I will develop an equipment list and a drawing of all standard equipment on the top side of the deck including positions of hardware.

(2) Present a rule change to the BOG to include the top side specifications.

(3) Vote on the above in October at the NAs BOG meeting.

If after talking to J/Boats, we conclude the front cowl vent was not standard equipment, this issue is dead.

If we conclude the front cowl was standard on all J/30s, we'll vote to allow fill and conver at the NA Bog meeting.

Thanks for everyone's input. Also, special thanks to Don King for attending tonight's meeting. It was nice meeting Don who sails out of Detriot, MI.

Cheers,
Davd@j30.us
Zephyr V2.0 Hull # 87

The process David describes seems very pragmatic. Can't we accelerate to avoid having to wait until later in year to rule?

I'm considering a deck refurbishment project and don't want to violate any OD rules. I have at least 7 holes in the deck/cabin top that serve no racing purpose. 3 are vent holes, one in the bow and two in the back of the cockpit.
There are 4 holes in the cabin top, currently covered with plexiglass or similar material (some call these cabin windows)
These I'm thinking of replacing with glass. Or to be more specific, fiberglass. Since others have replaced the plexi with tempered glass, I am assuming I can cover with fiber glass.
Similarly, I have a vent in my bow covered with plastic. I want to replace the plastic with glass, that is fiber glass.

wait ... those two "vent" holes in the stern are supposed to be used as as big red cup holders! That has been brought out in previous posts.

There's entirely too much ball busting going on here!

Keep it coming...

Russ, you might be surprised to hear I gave you credit at the teleconference for requesting rulings on your anchor locker repair and spin pole track, not to mention moving the mast step to pass measurement and buying a Dacron main. Don't worry though, I still don't have a sense of humor.

I'm sure not many liked being laughed - at.

I understand the mast step. As much as I was hoping someone would say 1/8" is close enough, in the end 1/8" makes a difference at the top of the mast - and rig tune should have some finite limits for racing. I get it...

I get the sail material too. While I think the association made a mistake in keeping the Dacron rule, the majority clearly want it. OK, I want to race one design and am able and willing to pony up the extra $3k for a sail I'll only use in OD events.

I'm thankful and pleasingly surprised that I can keep the spin track down to the deck. I was prepared to change it back. It is race related and some could percive the longer track as an advnantage. Decision made... I'm off to the race track

For the record, I asked about the achor well from a point of sarcasim. If I hadn't told anyone, no one would have known. And certainly, in my opinion, no one should have cared. It is a sturctural improvement. It doesn't change the function nor the performance of the boat in any way. Clearly the measurer didn't think it was an issue.

I designed and put larger chain plates on the boat. I'm not asking for permission. If someone has a problem, tell me now. I can still cancel the sail, save $4-$6k for a trailer and won't have to buy a truck. Those chainplates are not negotiable!

Similarly, the cowl vent, issue is, again in my opinion, over the top. The only laughing I'm doing is at the absurtity. It's a freekin hole.

I am so tempted to fiberglass in my cabin windows just to make that point.

There you go. I was trying to be pleasant, spread a little good will by commending you for adhering to the Class rules. Even made a little self-deprecating remark about my lack of humor. Now you go and tell me it was sarcasm and propose a straw man of glassing in your windows. Shame on me.