Ahoy fellow J-files;
Today I sent the following to our governing board to act upon. Mayhaps we will get some relief in time. I won't stop chasing this injustice until we have resolution.
Gentlemen;
Please take a look at the J30 forum under "The Boat, Sails and Equipment" and "Rudder search". There, please find discussion that you need to be involved in. There is serious malcontent over the apparent extortion of TPI and the cost of replacement rudders for these fine old relics, one of which I co-own with my son.
TPI advertises their price for a new rudder at $863 on their "official" equipment supplier page, last updated Feb. 10,04, yet, recently I was quoted $2000 more and was clearly told that they are the only "new" source. Unless the new rudders come filled with gasoline (thereby making them easily worth the price!) I share others view that we need to find another resource for foils and perhaps an alternative to the terrible design we were delt to a more balanced blade.
I have done some looking and find that there are any number of glass fabricators who will build these rudders for a more competitive price as you may imagine. Fiberglass is no longer rocket science albeit the cost is rising with oil prices.
The ball is in your court I believe, however, if I am barking up the wrong tree, perhaps you will share a different direction with me and I will tack away to a proper course. Simcerely, John Ritger Blew J 235
