J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum One Design Class Rules By-Laws, Districts, Fleets and Voting

You can draw your own conclusions from the By-laws and Class Rules - excerpts pasted below with emphasis provided by me.

Bylaws...
I. The Class Association shall be governed by a Board of Governors. The Board of Governors shall have the authority, at a meeting called for such purpose, to amend, alter, add to, or repeal the Class Rules and One-Design Specifications....

Class Rules...
Notice to Owners and Sailmakers
It is impossible to foresee every conceivable innovation which may be thought of in the future and to mention every suggestion that has been ruled illegal in the past. When considering anything in connection with the boat or sails or equipment which is not within established practice in the J/30 Class or is not clearly covered by the plans or specifications, you must assume that it is illegal, and must obtain a ruling from the Chief Measurer before attempting it.

Rules and Specifications
The following rules and specifications shall govern J/30 events until modified, altered, added to, or repealed by the J/30 Class Association Board of Governors, effective 4/1/2009.

J/30 events include all J/30 one-design races. One-design racing is defined as races with a J/30 start or races which score J/30s separately. A boat conforming to these rules should rate as a J/30 under performance or measurement handicapping systems.

Where specifically permitted in these rules, local fleets and organizers of a J/30 one-design event or series may adopt modifications, exceptions and additions to these rules which shall apply to local racing only.

1. One Design

1.1 The J/30 is a one-design class, created to fulfill the diverse needs of recreational sailors such as cruising, one-design racing, day sailing, handicap and offshore racing. These rules are intended to preserve important design characteristics: ease of handling, low cost of ownership, safety and comfort.

1.2 It is the intent of the J/30 Class Association and J/Boats, Inc. to maintain the one-design performance characteristics of the J/30 To this end, any substantive change that alters the weight, distribution of weight, shape or performance of the hull, rig or underwater appendages shall be submitted by J/Boats, Inc. to the J/30 Board of Governors for approval prior to implementation.

1.3 Except where variations are specifically permitted, yachts of this Class shall be alike in hull, deck and keel form, construction, weight and weight distribution, shape of rudder, sail plan and equipment. All boats shall be built in accordance with the plans, specifications and these class rules. No alternatives or modifications are permitted unless explicitly stated in these rules or on the official plans or building specifications.
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