There will be a J/30 Class Association Board of Governor's meeting on Thursday 18 September 4pm to 5pm East Coast time. The meeting will be held at Bristol Yacht Club and a phone conference number will be provided for those unable to attend in person.

The topics on the agenda are posted in the thread below. Class members who have comments for consideration, please post in this thread: http://j30.us/ubb/Forum13/HTML/000029.html

2008 Board of Governors
Co-Class President - John McArthur (Smiles - Hull #115)
Co-Class President - Carl Sherter (Fat City - Hull #76)
Immediate Past President - Dennis Bartley (Planxty - Hull #205)
Measurer - Larry Christy (Big Kahuna - Hull #182)
Governor at Large - Bob Rutsch (Bebop - Hull #481)
Governor at Large - David Erwin (Rampage - Hull #87)
J/Boats Representative - Rod Johnstone

2008 District Governors
Southern New England - Bill Kneller (Rhapsody - Hull #348)
Northern New England - David Bows (Mallorca - Hull #397)
Long Island Sound – John McArthur (Smiles - Hull #115)
Chesapeake – Tom Watson (Avita - Hull #515)
Carolinas – Jason Jarvis (Double Jay - Hull #244)
Southeast - David Berg (Hot Air III - Hull #423)
Gulf Coast – Michael Hotaling (Black Magic - Hull #428)
Pacific Northwest – Jeff Browning (Still Crazy - Hull #426)
Western Great Lakes - Dell Todd (Temptation - Hull #311)
Eastern Great Lakes - Brendan Benson (Blaze - Hull #339)
California - Shawn Ivie (Friction Loss Hull #6)

Topics for discussion are potential rules changes as posted on the forum: http://j30.us/ubb/Forum13/HTML/000029.html

Minutes of 18 Sept 2008 BOG Meeting

The J/30 Class Association Board of Governor's met at Bristol Yacht Club on Thursday 18 September 2008. The list of personnel is annotated below prefixed with the following codes: A – Absent, C – Present via conference call, P - Present. Additionally other class members were permitted to participate in the discussion, but only the BOG personnel were permitted to vote.

2008 Board of Governors
P: Co-Class President - John McArthur (Smiles - Hull #115)
P: Co-Class President - Carl Sherter (Fat City - Hull #76)
A: Immediate Past President - Dennis Bartley (Planxty - Hull #205)
P: Measurer - Larry Christy (Big Kahuna - Hull #182)
C: Governor at Large - Bob Rutsch (Bebop - Hull #481)
A: Governor at Large - David Erwin (Rampage - Hull #87)
A: J/Boats Representative - Rod Johnstone

2008 District Governors
P: Southern New England - Bill Kneller (Rhapsody - Hull #348)
P: Northern New England - David Bows (Mallorca - Hull #397)
P: Long Island Sound – John McArthur (Smiles - Hull #115)
C: Chesapeake – Tom Watson (Avita - Hull #515)
A: Carolinas – Jason Jarvis (Double Jay - Hull #244)
A: Southeast - David Berg (Hot Air III - Hull #423)
C: Gulf Coast – Michael Hotaling (Black Magic - Hull #428)
A: Pacific Northwest – Jeff Browning (Still Crazy - Hull #426)
C: Western Great Lakes - Dell Todd (Temptation - Hull #311)
C: Eastern Great Lakes - Brendan Benson (Blaze - Hull #339)
P: California - Shawn Ivie (Friction Loss Hull #6)

The following summarizes the results of discussions and votes taken (thanks to Shawn Ivie for capturing the discussion notes).

1. There would be no rules changes voted on until specific topics were researched and proposed wording made available for the class to review. There would be further research done on some items proposed for discussion.

2. Main Sail Material: It was determined by a 90% consensus of the governors present that there was no need to change the restriction on main sail material. This was driven by the lack of any conclusive cost effective performance/longevity benefit. Shawn Ivie presented sample material that was Dacron with high tech material woven in a grid pattern for additional strength. This material is no longer available. It was determined that over the next year, the class will investigate what potential sail cloth material could be used for a cost effective alternatives to those currently allowed.

3. Rudder Additional Source: The proposal by Competition Composites Inc (aka Phil’s Foils) as a potential second source was reviewed. It was the consensus of the board that a second source was highly desirable. The board determined that in order for a second source to be approved, the manufacturer would need to submit a rudder for inspection that had been fabricated from class drawings and specifications. The class would not pay to have this done, as it should be a business decision based on the market for a commercial company. John McArthur will provide this feedback to Phil’s Foils.

4. Alternate Backstay Materials: The board unanimously rejected the proposal to allow high tech backstay materials or cascaded backstay adjusters as alternatives to the wire backstay and pincher arrangement. Class rules currently have no restrictions on the purchase allowed for backstay adjustment via the pincher. This decision was based on no perceived improvement and not being cost effective.

5. ISAF Advertising Class: The board unanimously agreed there was no need to change from ISAF Class A and allow advertising on boats per ISAF Class C. It was felt that this could cause an unfair advantage and lead to a potential “arms war”.

6. Chart Table Removal: The board unanimously agreed there was no need to change the requirement to maintain the sliding chart table top.

7. Additional Potential Rule Changes: During the measurement for the 2008 North Americans, there were a number of items discovered in the rules wording that were ambiguous. Charlie Stoddard will propose wording for the areas that are ambiguous. Specifically the items include:
a. Measurement of main sail headboard width and whether it includes luff tape
b. Review required safety equipment and refer to higher authority such as USCG requirements rather than discreet list of equipment that may be inconsistent with higher authority.
c. Reword use of second spinnaker while racing as intended; Only single spinnaker used in a race unless damaged; notify RC once this occurs
d. Look at requirements at making reef points in main sail optional, as nobody uses them for racing.
e. Investigate elimination of quarter berth cushions for racing similar to V-berth cushions. This needs to be thoroughly discussed on the forum.

8. 2009 J/30 North American Championship Location: Proposals were provided via the forum and by the BOG as follows: Hyannis YC Hyannis MA, Cedar Point YC Wesport CT (Oct), Boston YC Marblehead MA (July). Discussion included the switching locations over multiple districts each year, timing (earlier or later in season), ability to get loaner boats, distance to travel and ability to get boats to sail both locally and from out of area. New Orleans was discussed as a possibility, but Michael Hotaling indicated it would take until 2010 until the fleet and infrastructure were sufficiently rebuilt from the impact of hurricane Katrina.

A decision was made to discuss the location with 2008 NA participants over the weekend and make the final decision on Sunday. On Sunday 21 September a poll of all members present was taken and Cedar Point YC the last weekend in September received the most votes.

9. 2010 J/30 North American Championship Location: Discussions were held on the need to identify locations for 2010 and beyond. This would permit 2-3 years planning for the respective clubs. Potential locations discussed were Gulf Coast, Chicago, Lake Ontario and others. It was agreed that this should be discussed on the forum so input from the class could be obtained.

10. Perpetual Trophy: The perpetual trophy was brought from Annapolis by Larry Christy. The winner of the 2008 NAs would receive this. It needs to have the label plates updated. Note after Fuzzy Wuzzy won the 2008 NAs, Bengt Johannson was given the trophy on Sunday and will have the label plates engraved.


[This message has been edited by Rhapsody #348 (edited 09-27-2008).]