Western Great Lakes District,
The last Board of Governers call included a level headed discussion about the pros & cons of allowing composite sailcloth for our mains. We are all well aware of the classic arguments either way. The newer information includes:
*Dacron weighs about the same as a standard composite sail except for cuben fibre which will be prohibited via the bagweight rule. All approximately weigh in the 30 to 36# range.
*The J/30 designer Rod Johnstone is in full support of the update - unequivocally. He loves what the class has done to keep the boat current and support his design. He enjoys the BOG calls. It is a privilege to participate with him.
*Unlike LMPHRF, there are other PHRF boards who enforce the dacron main for sailors who claim to be in OD compliance, since it's in our OD rules. So this rule is a hindrance to the class, in this odd way. Be assured that we are not letting PHRF sailors dictate our OD rules.
*It turns out that some of our class stalwarts unroll their Dacron main once a year for Nationals. Otherwise they sail with a compsite main anyway. If I can editorialize, does that make sense to require a special sail for Nationals?
*In our area, we have at least two boats who have sailed in otherwise OD configuration with a verbal waiver for their composite mains. I know that the Mac race J/30's (who we don't see sailing at OD regattas) have composite mains.
As a final point, I would like to make it clear that Dacron will continue to be legal, competitive and popular overall. In my opinion, allowing the choice doesn't really make Dacron suddenly obsolete.
This discussion has been very well considered by all interested J/30 sailors. I would encourage you to please back this proposal. However I do not have your clear support.
As your representative, I have logged 7 votes, not including myself. We have 3 voters clearly favoring Dacron
We had 2 more voters ambivalently favoring Dacron; total of 5 in favor of Dacron
We had 2 voters ambivalently in favor of composite.
The ambivalent votes look like this; "I have a composite main but I'm in favor of Dacron." Conversely we had "I suppose we should open it up to encourage participation but I prefer Dacron"
Of the five pro-Dacron voters, two of these have voted with their previous selection to race OD using a composite main.
Given the greater discussion points above, would you please consider backing the proposal.
I will take another poll of our District, and I will cast my vote per our wishes. Please cast your vote on this thread.
Yours,
DT
