Don,
I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to racing the J/30 in PHRF.
Wildcat is class configured with 163% headsail, longer pole and oversize (for PHRF) kite. Western Lake Erie is similar to Lake St. Clair with shallow water (20 ft or less), light to moderate air, etc. etc. In 2010 Wildcat won PHRF western Lake Erie boat of the year and 3 years in a row won first in class in the Mills Race(including 4th overall in 2009, 1st overall in 2010 and 3rd overall in 2011 - beat by a Hobie 33 and a j/105) . All that done in its class configuration.
The only real test against other
J/Boats was 2010 Bay week. In our fleet we raced two other J/30's, owing each 3 secs. Wildcat took first in class including beating the other J/30's both boat for boat and on corrected time.
My recommendations for PHRF; forget the 155, forget the roller furling, keep the 1 ft longer pole and oversize kite and learn to sail the boat fast.
You're not that far away, next spring come down for a sail or two or three.
In my opinion, Rod J knew what he was doing when he configured the boat. You don't need to mess with success.
