Since there have been recent posts regarding One Design rules regarding the chainplates and bow vent , I must bring up another rule clarification.
First some history, my father purchased hull # 124 in the fall of 1979. We raced and cruised her hard replacing the twin stay twice. In 1992 we sold # 124 and purchased #530 used because we loved the boat so much. As owner in 1995 the twin stay separated and I decided to not replace it and go with hanks on the genoa since we were racing in a 5 boat J/30 fleet locally with mostly PHRF racing everywhere else with few long distance races that required the twin stay for a quick sail change. At the time I was also cruising extensively with my wife and two daughters under the age of seven. As the years have gone by we have raced PHRF and have replaced numerous genoas with hanks. (More Weight Aloft)
In 2008 we decided to make the trip via trailer from Oswego, NY to NA's in Bristol, RI and got the One Design fever ( Headsails and Rig measured in fine) we returned to the NA's the next year in Westport, CT ( Sails and Rig measured in fine) again having a great time. We did not attend in 2010 because NA's were in the middle of summer. This past fall 2011 we trailered to Annapolis for NA's . The measurer there informed us that the hanks and lack of twin stay were illegal but allowed us to compete.
How is removing the twin stay illegal when you have to remove it to install a roller furling unit ?
We are planning on trailering to New Orleans for 2012 NA's . However, I need to be sure that we are legal before committing time and much expense to be told we are not class legal.
The J/30 is a Great Racer/Cruiser and the teams that attend NA's are very competitive and great people let's NOT make class rules that limit NA participation be so onerous to make it an exclusive group. Let's remember the currently NA's draw about 3% of boats built and the BOG is trying to increase participation at NA's .
