Highlights of the 1997 edition of the J/30 Class Rules and Specifications:

Notable Rule Changes and Interpretations for 1997

Vang purchase restrictions have been eliminated. (5.9.1.2)

Swivel base mainsheeting systems are permitted. (5.9.1.2)

The #3 may be made from woven cloth or any laminated materials (including mylar/Kevlar^®) with no minimum cloth weight. (5.12.1.2 & 5.12.3)

Battens may be made of any material. (5.12.2.5 & 5.12.3.4)

Loose footed mainsails are legal. (5.12.2.7)

Integrated instruments calculating true wind speed and magnetic wind direction may be used. (6.1.1).

Navigation equipment is no longer limited to Loran C, RDF and GPS. (6.1.5)

Two class legal spinnakers may be carried, the second to be used only in case of damage to the first. (6.2.1)

The anchor must still be stored in the anchor well, but the chain may now be attached either to the anchor or anchor line. (6.5)

The "Helmsman Rule" was revised to treat single owners, joint owners and charterers uniformly and to recognize the importance of District qualifying procedures in determining eligibility for National events. (6.6.3)

In Case You Missed Previous Changes

Sparcraft of Charlotte, NC, (as the successor to I.M. Isomat and Kenyon Spars) joins Hall Spars of Bristol, RI and LeFeill Marine Products of Sante Fe Springs, CA as approved mast builders. (5.7.1)

Solid vangs are legal. (5.9.1.7)

Removal of the boom topping list is permitted. (5.9.1)

The crew weight limit (including skipper) is 1400 pounds. (6.7)

Class Association By-Laws

I. The Class Association shall be governed by a Board of Governors. The Board of Governors shall have the authority, at a meeting called for such purpose, to amend, alter, add to, or repeal the Class Rules and One-Design Specifications. The Board of Governors shall consist of the following.

A. Class President: The president shall be elected by the Board of Governors every two years at the North American Championships. The President shall be Chief Administrator of the Class, and shall appoint a Secretary and others to assist him.

B. District Governors: One District Governor shall be elected by class members from each geographical District as described in article II, below. Upon failure to so elect by Feb. 1 of each year, a District Governor shall be appointed by the Class President.

C. Chief Measurer: The Chief Measurer shall be appointed by the Class President with approval of the Board of Governors.

D. JBoats, Inc. Representative: This representative shall be selected by JBoats, Inc.

E. Immediate Past Class President

F. At-Large Members (up to three): At-large members may be appointed by the Class President with approval of the Board of Governors.

II. Districts comprise the geographical areas as listed below. Within the several Districts, Fleets may be organized by not less than three (3) full members of the Association. The District Governor of the District shall be notified of all Fleet organizations.

A. Northern New England: Southeastern Canada, Atlantic Coast from Canada to and including Eastern Cape Cod.

B. Southern New England: Chatham, MA, to and including Mystic, CT.

C. Long Island Sound: From Mystic, CT, to and including Atlantic City, NJ, and Long Island.

D. Chesapeake: From Atlantic City, NJ, to the North Carolina state line.

E. Carolina's: North and South Carolina.

F. Southeast: Georgia, Eastern Florida and the Florida Keys.

G. Gulf Coast: Western Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

H. California: Arizona and California.

I. Pacific Northwest: Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada.

J. Western Great Lakes: Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron.

K. Eastern Great Lakes: Lakes Erie and Ontario, upstate New York and Vermont.

III. Fleet officers shall consist, at a minimum, of the following.

A. Fleet Captain

B. Fleet Measurer

J/30 Class Rules and Specifications

Notice to Owners and Sailmakers

It is impossible to foresee every conceivable innovation which may be thought of in the future and to mention every suggestion that has been ruled illegal in the past. When considering anything in connection with the boat or sails or equipment which is not within established practice in the J/30 Class or is not clearly covered by the plans or specifications, you must assume that it is illegal, and must obtain a ruling from the Chief Measurer before attempting it.

Rules and Specifications

The following rules and specifications shall govern J/30 events until modified, altered, added to, or repealed by the J/30 Class Association Board of Governors, effective 1/1/97.

J/30 events include all J/30 one-design races. One-design racing is defined as races with a J/30 start or races which score J/30s separately. A boat conforming to these rules should rate as a J/30 under performance or measurement handicapping systems.

Where specifically permitted in these rules, local fleets and organizers of a J/30 one-design event or series may adopt modifications, exceptions and additions to these rules which shall apply to local racing only.

1. One Design

1.1 The J/30 is a one-design class, created to fulfill the diverse needs of recreational sailors such as cruising, one-design racing, daysailing, handicap and offshore racing. These rules are intended to preserve important design characteristics: ease of handling, low cost of ownership, safety and comfort.

1.2 It is the intent of the J/30 Class Association and JBoats, Inc. to maintain the one-design performance characteristics of the J/30 To this end, any substantive change that alters the weight, distribution of weight, shape or performance of the hull, rig or underwater appendages shall be submitted by JBoats, Inc. to the J/30 Board of Governors for approval prior to implementation.

1.3 Except where variations are specifically permitted, yachts of this Class shall be alike in hull, deck and keel form, construction, weight and weight distribution, shape of rudder, sail plan and equipment. All boats shall be built in accordance with the plans, specifications and these class rules. No alternatives or modifications are permitted unless explicitly stated in these rules or on the official plans or building specifications.

1.4 Modifications shall be defined to include coring, drilling out, rebuilding or replacing materials, grinding, removing or relocating standard equipment in any way to reduce weight, to improve moments of inertia, or to change standard shapes, and filling in or closing with flaps any standard through hull fittings.

1.5 These Class Rules, however complete, cannot anticipate every situation which may arise. Owners should assume that anything not specifically permitted is prohibited until a ruling by the Chief Measurer is obtained.

1.6 Official interpretations of these rules shall be made by the Chief Measurer of the J/30 Class Association who may consult with the Class Board of Governors or the Class President or the IYRU. Fleet Measurers shall consult with the Chief Measurer when making interpretations of these rules at the local level. Interpretations of local rules shall be made by the Fleet Measurer who may consult with the local fleet organization.

1.7 These Class Rules may be amended, altered, added to, or repealed by a majority of the members of the Board of Governors present and voting at a meeting called for such purpose on at least 30 days notice. A quorum shall consist of 40% of the Governors who were serving at the time of the notice, and no action shall be taken without a quorum.

2. Administration

2.1 Language. The official language for the class shall be English. The word "shall" is mandatory. The word "may" is permissive. In the event of dispute over class rule interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

2.2 Builders. J/30s shall be built only by builders licensed to do so under the copyright of JBoats, Inc. (24 Mill Street, Newport, RI 02840) and shall comply with the building specifications detailed by the copyright holder.

.1 Building License. Applications for building license shall be made to JBoats, Inc., who shall request that the national authority of the country concerned indicates its support for the applicant.

2.3 Building Fee. The building fee shall be payable to JBoats, Inc. when the molding of the hull commences.

2.4 Registration and Measurement Certificates

.1 No yacht shall be deemed to be a J/30 until it has been completed with a building number assigned by JBoats, Inc. molded into the transom.

.2 The sail number shall be as required by a national authority or shall be that of the hull number.

.3 No yacht shall race unless a current valid measurement certificate has been issued. This provision may be waived or modified by local fleets or event organizers.

.4 Any alteration to the hull, keel, rudder, spars or other item of equipment measured by these rules or a major repair to any item may invalidate the measurement certificate and yacht.

3. Owner's Responsibility

3.1 It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that the yacht complies at all times with the current class rules.

3.2 No yacht shall race unless the owner(s) and helmsman(men) are full members of the J/30 Class Association. Local fleets, event organizers and other jurisdictions may require additional memberships.

4. Measurement

4.1 Tolerances are given in these rules and plans only to permit minor building errors or distortion through age.

4.2 Supplementary Measurements may be taken by an official measurer to ensure that construction, equipment, and practices do or do not accord with Class Rules. If the measurer considers an attempt has been made to depart from the One-Design Construction or these rules in any detail, or if he is unsure of any interpretation, he shall report the facts to the Chief Measurer.

4.3 Sails which are new or substantially altered are to be measured by an official measurer who will stamp or sign and date the sail near the tack. This provision may be waived or modified by local fleets or event organizers.

4.4 Vested Interest. A measurer shall not measure a yacht, spars, sails, or equipment owned or built by himself, or in which he is an interested party or has a vested interest. Prior approval to do so may be granted by the Class President or Chief Measurer.

4.5 IYRU Measurement Instructions and Racing Rules. Except where other methods of measurement are clearly indicated in the Class Rules, the IYRU measurement instructions and IYRU racing rules shall apply.

4.6 All templates shall be made only from offsets approved by JBoats, Inc.

5. Construction & Measurement Rules

5.1 Production Molds for hull, deck, interior, hatches, and rudder shall be made from molds obtained from the one current official master plug. The casting pattern for the fin keel shall be cast from the one current official master pattern. The shape and forms of the patterns, plugs, and molds shall not be amended or altered unless specifically authorized by JBoats, Inc.

5.2 Hull and Deck construction shall be in accordance with approved laminate, general arrangement, construction plans and techniques, and specifications approved by JBoats, Inc.

5.3 Interior Equipment supplied with the standard boat from the factory may not be deleted or substituted for except by equivalent items of comparable weight (e.g. the stove). Optional equipment offered by the builder or comparable equipment installed by the dealer or owner is permitted as are other items such as shelves or drawers to personalize the interior.

Standard interior equipment includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• cushions for all berths and settees
• stove
• bulkhead door
• water tank
• holding tank
• folding tables except main cabin table
• storage bin covers

5.4 Deck Gear. No additions, relocations, or modifications are permitted except as herein provided.

.1 Permitted Alterations or Additions:

.1 Four pairs of deck padeyes to assist trimming of headsails or for use as boom preventers along with related blocks, cleats, and rope tackle.

.2 Alternative mooring cleats and chocks.

.3 Handrails or footblocks.

.4 Deck prisms and/or ventilators which must be watertight when sealed shut.

.5 Self-tailing winches of comparable size to those supplied provided they remain in the same position as the winches substituted for.

.6 Forward jib sheet tracks may be relocated fore and aft in line with the factory drilled holes so that no part of the track is more than 640mm aft of the shroud chainplates, nor more than 330mm forward of the shroud chainplates.

.7 A padeye, in addition to other allowable padeyes, may be located on the centerline between the mast and the forward hatch and may be used as an alternate location for the spinnaker pole downhaul.

.2 Prohibited Alterations or Additions:

.1 Thrudeck running or standing rigging controls or thrudeck spinnaker launchers.

.2 Lifeline stanchions which project outside a vertical line from the gunwale, lifelines attached to other than standard location on bow pulpit, and stern rail, lifeline wire design or size other than standard, or lifeline droop exceeding 125mm with a 5kg weight suspended between the pulpit and first stanchion.

.3 Relocating or changing the length of the mainsheet traveler or the use of an alternative mainsheet bridle system.

The standard traveler car and track may be replaced with an equivalent system. Automatic release or self-tacking traveler cars are permitted.

.4 Use of other than standard located jib tack hooks.

Standard deck gear includes 6 Barient winches: 2 #10 halyard, 2 #21 secondaries and 2 #25 primaries (or equivalent sizes), which shall not be removed or relocated.

5.5 Keel

.1 Casting of Keel. The fin keel shall be manufactured by approved builders only from the official pattern and shall be of lead.

.2 Weight of Keel. The weight of the fin keel shall be 935kg plus or minus 20kgs.

.3 Coating of keel may be by any synthetic material provided the shape and weight are within template tolerances.

.4 Trailing Edge. The trailing edge of the keel shall not be narrower than 5mm.

5.6 Rudder

.1 Construction. The rudder shall be made only by approved builders according to official plans. The trailing edge shall not be narrower than 5mm.

.2 Tiller and tiller extension may be altered in length and material, but must be equivalent to that provided by the builder.

5.7 Mast

.1 Material shall be of aluminum alloy extrusion with a continuous fixed groove integral with the spar, and shall be produced only by an approved manufacturer and supplied only through a builder approved by the J/30 Class Association in conformity with the official mast drawing.

Approved mast builders include Hall Spars of Bristol, RI, Sparcraft of Charlotte, NC, and LeFeill Marine Products of Sante Fe Springs, CA.

.2 Measurement Bands of contrasting color, one inch in width, shall be affixed on the mast as indicated in the official mast drawing. The upper edge of the lower measurement band on the mast shall not be more than 2698mm above the surface of the molded mast step.

.3 Position of the mast shall be fixed at the deck 3505mm plus or minus 13mm from stemhead tip to the front edge of the mast. And it shall be permanently fixed to an immovable mast step so that the forward edge of the mast is not less than 25mm aft of the forward vertical face of the molded step in the sole liner.

.4 Mast hardware and spreaders may not be deleted, modified, or replaced by other than authorized builder. A system may be retrofitted to existing masts and fitted to new masts to prevent spreader brackets from pulling away from the mast. This system shall consist of a metal strap welded, bolted or riveted to the spreader brackets and going around the front of the mast to connect the brackets. The angle of the spreader shall not be changed nor shall the length of the spreader be changed.

5.8 Standing Rigging may not be altered in material, design or added to except as herein provided.

.1 Permitted Alternatives:

.1 Jib roller furling system to facilitate sail handling.

.2 Jib luff groove systems other than that which is provided standard shall not have a fore-and-aft dimension exceeding 31mm.

.2 Prohibited Alternatives or Additions:

.1 A headstay length which exceeds 10935mm when measured from pin to centerline as shown in the following diagram. (See figure 1.)

.2 Use of quick throw devices, tracks, or levers on shrouds or a headstay which is adjustable while sailing.

.3 Running backstays or arrangements to duplicate such.

.4 Use of hydraulics anywhere for any purpose.

5.9 Running Rigging may not be altered in material, design, or added to except as herein provided.

.1 Permitted Alternatives:

.1 Replacement of wire rope and/or rope of equivalent strength to that supplied by the builder.

.2 Substitute blocks or cleats for the headsail sheets, mainsail sheets, backstay adjuster, traveler controls, cunningham, outhaul, reefing gear, foreguy and vang.

Double-ending of the backstay adjuster, mainsheet fine-tuning controls (if installed) and foreguy is permitted. Power ratios on all block and tackle systems are unrestricted. Swivel base mainsheeting systems are permitted.

.3 Snap shackles or clips at the end of headsail sheets.

.4 Barber hauling and twing devices as covered in 5.4.1.1. Devices used to barberhaul headsails shall be attached a minimum of 250 mm outboard of the existing tracks.

.5 Light air spinnaker sheets and guys of any material and size.

.6 Aramid sheets or ropes.

.7 Solid mechanical boom vang.

Removal of the boom topping lift is permitted.

.2 Prohibited Alternatives or Additions:

.1 Spinnaker guy strut.

.2 Mainsheet pennants.

5.10 Main Boom

.1 Material shall be aluminum alloy extrusion with a continuous fixed groove integral with the section, and shall be produced only by an approved manufacturer and supplied only through a builder approved by the J/30 Class Association. Approved boom section must conform to Kenyon "E" Section dimensions as follows: Depth= 114mm, Width= 69mm, Wall Thickness= 2.6mm.

.2 Measurement Band of contrasting color shall be affixed on the boom with its inner edge not more than 3962mm from the aft side of the mast.

5.11 Spinnaker Boom

.1 Material shall be of aluminum alloy extrusion and supplied only through a builder approved by the J/30 Class Association.

.2 Length from tip to tip of the pole shall not exceed 3810 mm nor when attached to the fitting at the mast, extend more than 3842mm from the face of the mast.

5.12 Sails

.1 General

.1 Sails shall be constructed and measured in accordance with the IYRU sail measurement instructions except where otherwise stated herein.

.2 Sails shall be of single-ply woven sailcloth material which excludes laminated mylar-type material, except for Genoa #1 which, if made of mylar, shall conform to 5.12.5 and Genoa #3 which is not restricted.

.3 Sail numbers shall be placed immediately above the third batten (#2 sewn from the head of the mainsail) on the #1 and larger genoa in line with the mainsail numbers and on the spinnaker. The starboard or forward number shall be on top.

.4 Numbers shall be of the following dimensions in solid black, red, green or blue: height= 380mm, width= 254mm, thickness= 57-77mm, spacing= 77mm.

.5 Windows. There is no limit on the number or design of collision, telltale, or spreader tip windows on the mainsail or genoas.

.2 Mainsail

.1 Minimum cloth weight is 6.25oz.

.2 The length of the leech, measured in a straight line from the head to the clew, shall not exceed 12.395m.

.3 The width of the sail from the midpoint of the leach to the nearest point on the luff, including the bolt rope, shall not exceed 2621mm.

.4 The width of the headboard measured at right angles to the mast shall not exceed 158mm.

.5 There shall be four batten pockets. Spacing between battens and the nearest part of the headboard and clew shall not be less than 2300mm as measured along the leach. The angle of the battens to the mast may vary on each batten. The battens may not cross the line between the luff and leach of each reef. The length, material and construction of battens are unrestricted.

.6 One reef shall be included at least 1675mm above the tack at the luff and perpendicular to the mast. At least two intermediate grommets must be built into the sail on each reef. Additional reefs above the mandatory reef are permitted.

.7 A clam opening shelf and/or flattening reef (with the outhaul grommet no higher than 305mm from the clew grommet, measured on grommet centerlines) is permitted.

Loose-footed mains are permitted.

.3 Genoa (#3)

.1 The length of the LP shall not exceed 3658mm nor be less than 3550mm.

.2 One reef point may be included with a maximum height of 1220mm along the luff from the center of the tack. Cunninghams are not permitted.

.3 Maximum luff length is 9982mm (32.75').

.4 Up to three battens are permitted between the head and the clew evenly spaced on the leach. The length, material and construction of battens are unrestricted.

.4 Genoa (#2)

.1 Minimum cloth weight is 5.50oz.

.2 The length of LP shall not exceed 4907mm nor be less than 4800mm.

.3 No reef point or cunninghams allowed.

.4 Maximum luff length is 10.515m (34.5').

.5 Genoa (#1)

.1 Minimum cloth weight is 3.50oz. Effective after January 1, 1985, a minimum 3.00oz. mylar is a permitted alternative.

.2 The length of LP shall not exceed 5665mm nor be less than 5250mm.

.3 The length of the leach shall permit windward trimming to the existing genoa tracks.

.4 No reef points or cunninghams are allowed.

.5 Maximum luff length is 10.670m.

.6 Spinnaker

.1 Minimum cloth weight is 0.75oz. nominal and 0.9oz. actual weight. Spinnakers must be made of nylon.

.2 The maximum length of the leaches is 10.515m. The half width at half height, measured from midpoint of the leaches to the nearest point on the centerfold shall not exceed 3429mm (11.25'). The foot shall be contained by a 110° angle from the clews. Maximum spinnaker half width at any point on the luff shall not exceed 3429mm.

5.13 Auxiliary Engine and Propeller

.1 Weight. The engine dry weight including adjacent batteries shall not be less than 145kg.

.2 Manufacturer. The engine used must be from a supplier and of a type approved by JBoats, Inc.

.3 Propeller, shaft and strut shall be in accordance with the standard installation with a propeller diameter of not less than 356mm.

Removal of the engine cooling water intake screen is permitted.

5.14 Sailing Weight

.1 Comparable sailing weight among boats shall be achieved through the use of draft marks located on the stem and on the rudder of each boat. Draft marks shall be 12mm wide and extend aft at least 100mm from the leading edge on both sides of the stem and rudder. Draft marks are to be painted on by owners or molded by the builder in sharply contrasting color. Local fleets or event organizers for a J/30 One-Design event or series may waive this requirement for draft marks. In the case of a waiver, the sailing weight may be determined by measuring the distance as specified herein for the location of the draft marks.

.2 The Bottom of the stem mark shall be 1403 mm down the stem from an extension of the line formed by the top of the hull flange at the stem, not including the deck. (See figure 2.)

.3 The bottom of the rudder mark shall be 853 mm down from an extension of the line formed by the top of the hull flange at the center of the transom. (See figure 3.)

.4 When in sailing trim (without crew) with all supplies, sails, stores, tankage, and sailing gear, the bottom of both lines should touch the water.

5.15 Official Class Identification

.1 Color is solid PMS Reflex blue, black, red or green. Outline insignias are prohibited.

.2 Location on the mainsail shall be formed by two 400mmx 800mm rectangles located on top of one another and between the top and next lower battens, centered on a line drawn from the center of the headboard to the center of the mainsail foot. The top of the "J" on the port side shall be approximately 100mm from the bottom of the "3" on the starboard side.

.3 Design of the insignia shall be as indicated in the adjacent plan.

6. Additional Rules

6.1 Instruments. The following instruments are permitted for one-design racing.

.1 One electronic device transmitting wind direction and speed.

.2 One electronic device transmitting boat speed and distance.

.3 One electronic device transmitting water depth.

.4 Mechanical telltales of any kind.

.5 Navigational devices of any type.

.6 VHF, CB or similar transmitter radios.

.7 Compasses and mechanical trim indicators.

6.2 Sails

.1 The number of sails on board during a regatta series or race shall be five: #1, #2, and #3 genoas, mainsail and spinnaker. A second spinnaker may be carried on board, but only used if the primary spinnaker is damaged.

.2 A local fleet may adopt, for local racing only, a rule to carry additional sail or sails such as a storm jib for heavy wind areas, or when sailing in long distance or offshore events.

.3 Alteration or substitution of sails during a regatta series is not permitted. A sail damaged beyond repair may be replaced with the approval of the host fleet measurer or event organizer, as appropriate.

.4 Except as provided herein, each class sail may be replaced a maximum of once in a calendar year. If a new sail is damaged beyond repair, it may be replaced only with the approval of the local fleet governing body. Local fleets may further limit replacement of sails and restrict the use of old sails after they are replaced.

6.3 Pumping of the spinnaker guy or halyard under any conditions is prohibited. Pumping of the spinnaker sheet or main sail is restricted to one pump per major wave.

6.4 Safety Gear and Equipment. These rules are in no way to be interpreted as being restrictive with regard to safety. Safety devices and equipment prescribed by local rule, owner preference or regulation are permitted. The equipment specified in the ORC Minimum Equipment and Accommodations Standards, Category4 shall be carried on board except where those standards conflict with these rules. Local fleets or event organizers may modify the Category 4 equipment list as necessary to account for local conditions.

6.5 Storage of Gear. Use of other than normally required sailing gear in normal, designed or proper storage areas to attain sailing displacement is prohibited. The intent of this rule is to prevent use of lead pigs, excess tools, winch handles in bags, unattached anchor chain, or other high density materials to reach sailing weight with optimized moments of inertia.

The anchor shall be stored in the anchor well. A minimum of six feet of chain shall be attached to the anchor or the anchor line.

6.6 Helmsman Rule

.1 The helmsman shall be a legal owner of the yacht. For all national events, the owner must be the primary helmsman. He must be at the helm throughout the five minutes prior to and including the start, for all windward legs, all mark roundings, and the finish. Local fleets may waive or modify this provision for local events only.

.2 Legal ownership shall include long term charter arrangements (three months or more at fair market value) and members of the owner's immediate family (sons, daughters, parents and spouse). Ownership of less than twenty five percent interest shall not be considered ownership for purposes of the Helmsman rule. Joint ownership must be bona fide and must be evidenced by payment of fair market value. Legal ownership to circumvent these rules is prohibited.

.3 For all national events, the helmsman must have been a J/30 Class Association member at least sixty days prior to the event, helmed the yacht in at least two regattas in the preceding two months and satisfied District qualifying requirements.

The Class President shall determine eligibility for national events and may alter or waive qualifying requirements in special circumstances.

The Helmsman Rule prescribes that the J/30 is an owner-steered class and that, except as provided herein, the owner shall steer the boat while racing. The owner may, in accordance with the limitations above, utilize a regular crewmember as a relief helmsman. While owners are encouraged to utilize sailing professionals as crew, their primary role should be instructional.

6.7 Crew Limit. Total crew weight shall be limited to 1400 pounds. Event organizers may place limitations on the substitution of crew members during a regatta series. The crew limit may be waived or modified by local fleets or event organizers for any event other than the North American Championships or the Mid-Winter Championships.

6.8 Other Provisions. Local fleets are authorized to adopt additional rules providing they are more restrictive than these Class Rules and do not contradict them.