Class Rules

Link to International Class Rules

J/24 International Pulse Issue 9 • February 2016 

The Substance Changes in the New 2016 Class Rules
These are the changes that were voted in at the World Council Meeting of 2014 in Germany:

C.2.2(c)
While seated on the deck, crew  shall have their torsos inboard of the lifelines and the
sheerline at all times. Legs may be outboard of the sheerline

This Rule is an extension of RRS 49 which prohibits torsos
outside the lifelines. World Sailing judges’ interpretation
of this Rule is pretty much in line with what our new Class
Rule says. We just make it much clearer in this Rule.

C.5.1(b)(1)
One outboard engine/motor of 12kg minimum
weight empty of fuel. The engine/motor shall be stowed
under a quarter berth or aft of the sill of the main
companionway. Both the engine/motor and its fuel tank/
battery shall be secured against movement in the event
of capsize. Electric motors shall be weighed with a single
battery if the battery is mounted on the motor during use.
This Rule allows the use of gasoline, propane or electric
engines/motors. The weight requirement is less than what
it used to be, but the engine/motor must be weighed
without fuel.

C.7.2(a)(9)
A minimum of one fixed (if the mount for the device is fixed to the
mast or hull, it satisfies this requirement) device to deliver either a magnetic compass
heading or course over the ground. This device shall not
include charting capability. This Rule now allows for
GPS-driven compasses (course over the ground). World
Sailing does not want us to specify technology, only the
functions that we will allow.

C.7.2(a)(7)
The vertical companionway hatch board shall
be originally supplied by a licensed builder but may be
replaced with one of the same design and material from
any source.
The old Rule restricted the hatch board or its
replacement to be supplied only by a licensed builder.

C.7.3(a)(4)
Electronic devices to record, measure and calculate speed or speed over the ground, distance,
water depth, distance to a fixed point or line and time.
Such devices shall not have charting capabilities.
These are the functions we will allow in electronic
equipment. Technology is not specified, so equipment like
the Velocitek ProStart and many other devices like it are
now allowed.

C.7.3(a)(11)
Elastic (shock) cord may only be used for the following purposes:

To hold down sails

To retain the throwable lifesaving device in the ready position in the cockpit

To return the backstay  adjuster toward the un-tensioned position

Across the back of the pushpit to keep the slack backstay from falling into the cockpit area.

As a single length wrapped around the mast  and/or across the cabin top behind the mast for the purpose of retaining rope tails.
This expands the uses for which shock cord is allowed.

F.5
SPINNAKER POLE – There is no longer a weight requirement on the spinnaker pole.

F.6.3(b)(1)
Forestay rigging links and/or rigging screw (turnbuckle).
This allows a rigging screw or turnbuckle on the forestay. The forestay length requirements have not
changed. This only allows the forestay to be adjustable between 8595 mm and 8670 mm.