I have sailed on my parents j-30 for many years now and we don't do much racing. However, next year I hope to invest in new sails and get out doing some PHRF sailing on LIS. I have a lot of experience on other boats such as a farr 40 and baltic 43 and j-92. On the j-30 it seems like everyone takes the pole off the mast to jibe. However I would think it would be quicker and easier just to do a dip jibe and get spinaker sheets which have a lazy guy and lazy sheet. Obviously this means rigging the car on the mast differently so its easier to bring up for the jibe, but does anyone dip the pole to jibe ? I would also imagine that this might go against class rules but I don't want to do much one design racing since almost all the regattas around where I am are PHRF.

I have never seen anyone dip pole jibe a J-30. I think having the weight of a crew person all the way on the bow would be slow. In heavy air, it would make the boat harder to steer and more likely to wipe out (though we have used sheets and guys in heavy air). In light air, the weight of sheets and guys hurt spinnaker shape. Also, if you end up short handed, its next to impossible for one person to dip pole jibe on the foredeck. Finally, the J-30 pole is oversized, so it would have to go up pretty high on the mast to swing easily through the foretriangle. I think most boats below 34 feet end for end jibe, and most larger boats dip.

Because the clas J/30 pole is 1 foot oversized, it's a bit more difficult to dip. Almost everone I know of end-for-end gybes. It's not difficult actually, and most importatantly, keeps weight off the bow.

It is still possible to use lazy sheets if it's really blowing.

I raced on a J41 for awhile some years ago. Dip pole gybes are a pain in the backside. you need 3 people just to handle the pole. You have a mastman to raise the pole on the mast and trip the jaw. You have a pitperson to dip the pole with the topping lift. And you have a foredecker to put the new guy in the jaw. This along with the 2 trimmers and, if the winds blowing, 2 grinders. Once you add the driver and the maintrimmer, you can see why they need 10 people on the big boats.

I'll take the simplicity of end-for-end gybes anytime. Two skilled sailors can handle it.

Thanks for the help, seems like end to end jibes are the best way. On a separate note I assume that the normal crew size on a j-30 including the skipper is around 6 to 7 people?

Take a look at the description of a 7 person crew organization from the Articles section of the web site. It's at:
http://www.j30.org/html/technical/articles/crew_assign.html

i just have one more question (for now ). in terms of sail makers which is the best to use for a j-30 in the LIS area (preferably a local sail maker). Obviously North makes very good quality sails but are they that familiar with j-30 sails? I noticed that Banks Sails has a tuning guide posted here. also what is the current price range for a new set of sails (is it still within like the 2,000 to 4,000 range for a new main?). thanks
-chris

Being on the west coast, I can't say who's good in LIS but, I am very happy with my North Sails. I bought a class legal main (dacron) in 1998 for around $1700. Shouldn't be much more than that now. Check with North about their sale in August. You can get up to 25% off by trading in any old J30 sail. They do this every year around this time. I got a 3DL genoa and a spinnaker by trading in some of the original sails. Everybodies got 'em.

Awsome. We have been very happy with our north sails on the j-30 (and since they are around 15 to 20 years old it's time for a new set). There is a North Sails loft fairly close to where I am which is good. Thanks for the advice
-chris

I have had decent luck with both Z-Sails in Stamford, and UK Sails in City Island building me PHRF and class sails. Where will you be racing on the Sound? Any plans for racing this fall?

On sails, all the majors as well as some of the smaller lofts have had success in our class--and I think we each have our favorites! But regardless of the loft you choose, don't overlook service. A pro can and should help you get your rig tuned to match the sails, show you the proper fairlead settings and how to trim the sails in various conditions. If you're lucky he or she will do a couple races with you, aid in getting your crew organized, and help point you in the right direction.

With regard to crew size. It will depend if you are sailing one design or PHRF. I sail with 5-7 depending on attendance, but have struggled against other J-30s in PHRF with 10-12 crew. If you are sailing in PHRF and anything other than light air, invite the neighbours, co-workers, potential dates, liquor reps, and anybody else who might come to mind.

PHRF on Long Island Sound has weight limits - 1260lbs for a J-30. This means you have to sail lighter than for class racing (1400lbs or 7 people of any weight...). You can bump up to 1440lbs for 3 seconds a mile.