Interpretation and Clarification of Rigging & Specification

Topics about Class Rules and the RRS.

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Bengt J
Posts: 54
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2016 2:36 pm

Interpretation and Clarification of Rigging & Specification

Post by Bengt J »

With the average age of the boats in our class now exceeding 10 years the need to replace worn or broken original equipment is increasing. To help owners keep the boats safe and competive and at the same time maintaining strict One Design Specification the Technical Committee with help of J/Boats have sorted true specifications to identify suitable/class legal replacements.
Several of the original suppliers are no longer in business or have stopped selling parts in the US.


Te document posted below can also be found at this link:
2/22/2017 – Class Measurer Rigging Specification Interpretations

Interpretation and clarification of J/109 Rigging & Specification Published 8/24/05

General Specifications.
No changes allowed unless clearly specified in the current class rules.

Mast & Boom.
No changes allowed unless clearly specified in the current class rules. See rules 4.4.5 a & b as well as the 30 November 2016 posting in the Forum class rules discussion regarding sprit end cap design. External track for main “slugs” allowed.

Standing Rigging (Rod)
No changes allowed unless clearly specified in the current class rules.
It has been posted on the Forum that some US built boats have shortened the upper part of the backstay, as long as it is not shorter than the French built boats, it will be “grand fathered”. Backstay adjusters may be replaced with the same size units from Harken, Sailtec or Navtec.

Running Rigging.
Posted list of cordage should be viewed as a snapshot of what was available/suitable at that time. It is a benefit to the class/owners to take advantage of the development of new lines at lower costs than in the past.
Rope manufacturer, core material or color-coding is not restricted and substitutions are allowed as long as the selected line is suitable and safe for the loads involved. Type of shackle or method of attaching lines to sails is not restricted.
No lines thinner than 1/4” (6 mm) are allowed as control lines handled by the crew, thinner lines are allowed in primary tackles or cascades. Lines made of PBO (or similar “exotic”) cores are not allowed.
Lines for the first reef must be rigged on the boom ready to attach to the mainsail, discontinuous lines for the first reef are allowed.
Maximum Genoa adjuster controls is 8:1, see rule 4.3.17.

Specifications of control systems not mentioned in this or other documents.
Vang 12:1 (Hall, Spartech, Selden or Nautos)
Outhaul 8:1
Cunningham 4:1/8:1
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kerryklingler
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 9:27 am

Re: Interpretation and Clarification of Rigging & Specification

Post by kerryklingler »

I have a customer, (Daniel Corcoran, boat name Strider) who I sailed with last night. We had two issues with the sailtec backstay adjuster. The first was the backstay was way too long, with the backstay becoming snug when the adjuster was ¾ of its length closed. The second being that the adjuster failed and was not working properly, So we are considering replacing it. I called Bengt and asked about the possibility of replacing it with a harken unit. He said it was legal and to look it up in the class forum, which I did. In looking at the post I see it is legal if it is the same size. The Issue I have it that the harken unit is longer in length than the sailtec unit. So is it legal? Also because it is longer we would need to shorten the backstay more to account for the difference in length of the unit. Is this legal?

thanks,
Kerry Klingler
Quantum Sails
Bengt J
Posts: 54
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2016 2:36 pm

Re: Interpretation and Clarification of Rigging & Specification

Post by Bengt J »

Based on the comment from Kerry and others it seems some boats have backstays that are too long for the standard J109 size 10 adjuster from Sailtec. In order to fit the overall length and stroke of the adjuster it is legal to shorten the backstay as well as adding toggles if too short.
To avoid a single supplier of adjusters we allow Sailtec, Harken and Navtec "size 10" adjusters. With Navtec out of business the only option to Sailtec is Harken (Selde'n may offer a size10 shortly and it may be added to allowed replacements), in any case it is legal to shorten the backstay to fit a substitute to a Sailtec adjuster.
Dan Corcoran
Posts: 278
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2017 4:32 pm

Re: Interpretation and Clarification of Rigging & Specification

Post by Dan Corcoran »

Has anyone installed a harken backstay adjuster? Any lessons learned to share?
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