J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Lifelines

The current OD rules require lifeline material to be "standard." Is standard coated 1x19 lifeline? ORC specifications now require uncoated wire. I personally know of a few unexpected failures of coated material. For safety reasons, riggers recommend uncoated, 7x7 wire as sufficient, easier to work with, and more economical. Does anyone foresee a OD compliance problem with switching to 7x7 uncoated?

Seth, have you submitted your question to the Class Measurer? His ruling is the only one that matters. Asking on the board isn't anything more than a yacht club bar discussion taking place over an extended geography. I'm not trying to be harsh, but that's why we have the process in place.

I don't see the harm in posing measurement questions on this site. Someone in the fleet may have already received a determination on the issue, and will be able to share it here with a broader audience. As a matter of fact, I would hope that all rule clarifications/modifications (as well as requests for same) would be posted on the web site. As a matter of fact, another new 30 owner from my club asked me the exact same question last weekend. I would think that the answer would be of interest to many owners, and hope to hear about it here.

No personal criticism intended: I have not been able to elicit any response from the class measurer via email (using an address that has worked in the past and the one posted here recently). If you can recommend the correct or better process, I would be happy to use it.

On this topic, I'd suggest the class accept the ORC guidelines as an acceptable (but not necessarily unique) standard. It stipulates wire size, material, max length of strops on the ends (if used), etc.

I didn't intend to flame anyone in my reply. I'm all for public discussion of issues. However, I was reacting to the wording "Does anyone foresee a OD compliance problem with ...". That _could_ be read by someone who doesn't know/understand our measurement process as seeking permission from the other readers of the Forum to make a change. The only proper way to make a substitution is by receiving an affirmative answer from the Class Measurer. {/soapbox mode OFF}

Seth, I'm glad you attempted to get an answer from Larry Christy. I know he's been doing quite a bit of traveling lately, so he may not have yet received your inquiry.



[This message has been edited by jmruzzi (edited 11-23-2003).]

I have been having problems posting replies on the forum. The website does not allow me to use my member name and password.

I have been trying to get a forum topic set up for rules questions.

Larry Christy
Measurer

The rules do not permit a change in the life lines. Going to line that would be broken down by UV would not be an improvement on the current liflines.

Larry Christy
Class Measurer

Larry,
To clarify, per our discussion, uncoated wire rope is fine. Rope strops (instead of turnbuckles) are not, and the gate is optional.

A follow-up to the uncoated lifeline discussion...
While corrosion is obviously easy to spot, uncoated lifelines are very abrasive. They saw through sheets, guys and fingers with ease. Probably not healthy for sails either. Had several injuries already, involving falling against & grabbing the lifelines. I'd recommend chafe gear and long-fingered gloves for anyone going this route, or stick to coated and replace periodically.

ORC regs do not permit coated lifelines. Therefore all replacements must be done with uncoated wire.