J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Districts Pacific Northwest District Mainsail material vote

I bought a non-class legal Dacron sail, so I don't really care right now but I do support the un-restriction of mainsail material. I think most in the PNW will support this as we mostly race PHRF and tend to optimize for that. I think we should have a PNW discussion about the bag weight though. Building a string sail to a dacron weight seems a little silly, and it was suggested that weights could be added for the OD even but really, what is the point if you are just adding 3-5 pounds of weight to the tack. It isn't going to make a difference to how the sail flies.

For interest sake, I bet the bag weight of my new Code 6 main, built for Squamish conditions is pushing 40 lbs! (7 oz material and big beautiful roach)

I dunno, I'm probably in the minority but most of the boats I race against on Wednesday nights use dacron mains. I'd prefer to keep the class affordable. I'm officially against high tech mains.

I'll chime in. I support removing material restrictions. The freedom to choose material based upon fleet realities, preference of material, longevity of investment, and making the boat attractive to newer/younger buyers is important.

Bag weight, while convenient, seems to be a rather arbitrary measurement. But, it's probably the best option. Any (and I mean IF any advantage of a) sail 5 lbs lighter is completely negated by a couple crappy tacks, a strategic blunder on the first leg, or simply not trimming sails perfectly. I seriously do not understand what the dust-up is over this whole topic.

So - I am FOR the proposed rule change.

Seriously. Very much FOR it.

;-)

Thanks, Governors, for hearing our voices and taking them to the class leadership!
- Jeff