The following was posted on the Laser Class Web site. It may be a little harsh but it needs to be said. This is a one design class.

"It is your boat! You decided to play the game.
You are expected to read and understand the rules and take some personal responsibility. It doesn't matter where you got the boat, who set it up, who previously blessed it as legal, when that measurement happened, why that measurement happened, who you know, who you are, whether "it measured in at the worlds in Sardinia," whether your boat dealer knew the rules of the ILCA, who found WMDs and where they were found, whether Jupiter was aligned with Mars, or if a licensed builder put a tag on back of the cockpit and subsequently represented his product as a class legal toy. The rules are the rules and if your boat does not comply with the rules, you are not invited to use that boat to play the game. If your boat is EVER found to be out of compliance with the ILCA rules, you may be dragged through a hearing process and thrown out."

Too strict for me. It would just cost too much to get it back strictly to the rules. Guess you can expunge hull #62 from the class roster.

Hey, now that I officially have a PHRF boat I think I'll go out and buy a carbon #1 and "real" #2.

I do not believe that the One Design rules are overly strict in the 30 class. They are necessary to insure even performance at one design events, and lead to some great racing.

The biggest problem has to do with inconsistent regional interpretation of the impact of a One Design configuration on PHRF ratings, which in turn can affect certain aspects of OD performance.

A region that allows variation from OD sailcloth restrictions without impact on rating will potentially advantage boats from that region at OD events. A boat that races primarily under PHRF could maintain a non compliant wardrobe of sails for handicap racing, while maintaining a pristine OD suit of sails to be pulled out once or twice a year.

Joining and supporting a sailing class shouldn't have anything to do with PHRF vs. OD vs. Cruising. It is all about camaraderie. We jointly define the rules.

In our area, the PHRF rating committee is considering a 3 second penalty for those sailing significantly out of OD compliance.

Sure it is sometimes painful to follow rules, but this defines the spirit of OD racing. In theory, a team could sail on any OD compliant boat and perform the same. This brings a higher level of competition and excitement to the sport.

Cheers,
David Erwin
New Orleans

In my case, my boat is old and had been cared for poorly. In my effort to refurbish her some things happened that I expect would make it too hard to bring her back to OD spec. For example, my cockpit lockers are gone; had to go to repair the deck under the winches. Some other significant things changed down below as I determined that various items were unrecoverable. My new primaries aren't on your list either, though I believe mine are heavier (and considerably less expensive self tailers). Anyway, I don't expect any serious J30 OD competition on my puddle. Enjoy it if you can get it.

I am planning to extend my track and have a "real" #2 cut.

Good luck. I'll be disappointed if you leave the class.

Sounds like it will cost a bunch to get your hull to OD specifications. Sometimes local fleets will work with you to assist with flexability over time.

Let me know how much you end up paying for a carbon poll and PHRF sails. I want to compare with OD costs.

David,

There is no local fleet and I seem to be in St. Louis permanently (due to family reasons and a recent promption to associate professor (read tenure). Lake Carlyle, Illinois is likely it for hull #62. I have a trailer, but am more likely to tow my buddy's J24 to Chicago. You havn't really lost anything if I don't keep to OD specs.

She's certainly not lighter, just a bit different. The port q-birth is now a locker closed in by an expanded galley like the late models. And I have the biggest starboard q-birth you've ever seen, lined top to bottom in oak and ash. And then there are those opening port-lights where the bulkhead compasses were. My wife likes those.