I am for all of the changes that have been proposed. But then again I have implemented most of them already. I have aramid and carbon genoas. I have a kevlar full hoist #3 (bought before the cloth restrictions were lifted). I have a carbon pole and adjustable ball bearing jib cars. I even have a flat 153 genoa we call a #2 but is really a heavy #1, a 1/2oz spinnaker and a technora cascading backstay.
However, I have still been beaten by well sailed J-30's in the one design configuration and I bet the top of the fleet at the NA's this year still would. I maintain a class #1 from 1999 and class #3, vintage 1986. However, I do make sure my main and 3/4oz I use regularly are class legal. I have a tough time buying new class legal genaos and jibs for one or two regattas a year. I will spend money on currently class illegal improvements for my boat because I am racing against other boats with these improvements, and I believe (maybe mistakenly) that these will help my boat perform better for most of the races I enter.
As time and money have been tighter for me the last few years as my family is growing, I have had to cut back some in my racing time and budget. Some of the first things that seem to go, are the one design events. I usually have to travel to these events and loading and unloading the one design equipment takes some time and is a pain in the butt. Not to mention possible haul/trailer/launch or just a long delivery. For the PHRF events, I can usually race a decent local regatta, show up at my mooring in the morning, pump the bilge, clean the bottom and go racing.
In many places there are active one design fleets and I can see why there is reluctance for many of these changes. But, there are many boats on the fringe of one design areas that are stuck mostly sailing PHRF. These are the boats that will benefit the most from these changes. I also believe that this will benefit the class with increased participation at the big events by boats from this group.
Ed Austin
Chinook
