The J/109 Class Association Forum

The following email was received from Mark Haas who owns Bonfire 4, Hull #220 and is posted for the Class Measurer to review and comment.

Question 1: Can you refer me to the Class rules would prohibit the windward sheeting car?

Question 2: Does the Class rules allow leeway in adjusting the rigging setup? I am interested in changing the blocks on the gunwale and repositioning the cleat (notably putting it on a camcleat riser). The French-built J/109’s have the traveler camcleat in a different position than the US-built boats.

I am not interested in the windward sheeting cars, so much as I am interested in understanding the rule. I would like keep the same functional layout. I am interested in putting the traveler camcleat on a riser, though.

Question 3: Will the rules allow one traveler line rather than two?

Windward sheeting traveler cars are not allowed according to 4.1 and 4.3.14. The method of cleating/un-cleating the car is different therefore the function is changed.

After reviewing photos of 5 US built boats and 5 French built boats all was found to have the same configuration to control the traveler car, a double upright block with a cam cleat above mounted on the vertical surface outboard of the track (P&S)- no changes allowed.

Using one continuous line that is terminated on the starboard and port end of the track is allowed to control the traveler car.