While I agree with some of your post, I don't think it's the whole story. By definition, the J/30 has an unbalanced rudder. Sail trim can _help_ the situation, but it cannot take care of it entirely. If you were racing one-design on the Chesapeake Bay, I can guarantee you that in 15-20 kts true, about three-fourths of the fleet would be flying their 163% genoa, a couple of folks would have their kevlar blade up, and maybe one person would be sailing their 140%. The helm would be loaded up significantly, no ifs, ands or buts! I do think that if one were to re-design the J/30's rudder with a more modern design, it would move the center of resistance closer to the axis of the pintles. This is what
J/Boats has done with their newer designs, like the J/80.
