JYI5 One-Design Class Racing Rules
- as approved by Johnstone Yachts, Inc. 11/5/2010

1.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE CLASS RULES

1.1 The JYI5 is a one-design class created to promote the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. These rules are intended to preserve the similarity among boats in every way including construction, shape, weight, stiffness, and durability so that all JY15s will have equal performance characteristics. These rules are also intended to maintain the simplicity, economy of operation, comfort, and safety of the JYI5.

1.2 Except where variations are specifically permitted, all boats of this class shall be alike in hull, deck, centerboard, rudder, mast, boom, weight, weight distribution, sail plan, deck hardware, standing and running rigging, and other equipment and hardware.

1.3 All boats shall comply with official plans, building specifications, and class rules. No alterations, modifications, or additions are permitted unless explicitly stated in current rules.

1.4 Alterations or modifications to official plans, specifications, and class rules shall be permitted only with the joint approval of the copyright holder (Johnstone Yachts, Inc.) and the JYI5 Class Association.

2.0 ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Authority: The international authority for the class is the JY15 Class Association (JYCA) on all matters relating to these rules.

2.2 Language; The official language for the Class shall be English. The word "shall" is mandatory. The word "may" is permissive. In the event of a dispute over Class Rule interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

2.3 Builder: JY15s shall be built only by a builder licensed to do so under the copyright of Johnstone Yachts, Inc. (38 Broad Street, Stonington, CT USA) and shall comply with the building specs detailed by the copyright holder. The licensed builder as of 11/5/2010 is Nickels Boat Works, Inc, 1871 Tower Street, Flint, Michigan 48503.

2.4 Hull Numbers: No boat shall be deemed to be a JY15 until it has been completed with a building number assigned by the licensed builder. into the transom.

2.5 Owner Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the owner(s) to ensure that the JY15 complies at all times with the current Class Rules while racing one-design. In the absence of the owner(s), the helmsman bears this responsibility.

2.6 Membership: No boat shall race unless the helmsman is a member of the JY15 Class Association.

2.7 Measurement: A JY15 shall be measured only by a JYI5 class measurer recognized by the JY15 Class Association. Measurement tolerances specified in the rules are to provide for minimal building variations or age distortion. No variation in dimensions is intended where not specified in these rules.

2.8 Measurement Methods: The method of measurement, unless otherwise stated, shall be in accordance with the recommendations of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

2.9 Administration of Class Rule Protests: Class Rule protests shall be referred by race officers to the JYCA (or its authorized representative(s) at the scene) for action. For the purposes of scoring and awarding of prizes, a boat which is found to be in violation of Class Rules by the JYCA (or its authorized representatives at the scene) shall not be scored as a starter in any race held prior to clearance of the violation by a measurer appointed by the JYCA. An on-the-water violation of Class Rules shall be scored as a disqualification.

3.0 CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS - GENERAL

3.1 The hull, deck, centerboard, rudder, tiller, mast, boom, standing and running rigging, deck hardware, weight, weight distribution, and sail plan shall conform to the building specifications, class rules, and official plans.

3.1.2 The hull, deck, rudder, centerboard, and secondary parts shall be molded by the licensed builder from production tooling approved by the copyright holder.

3.1.3 The external skins of the hull, deck, centerboard, rudder shall not be fared in any way other than light surface sanding for surface smoothness with fine (no coarser than 320 grit) sandpaper. Use of fillers and/or sanding blocks or boards for the improvement of general surface fairness is prohibited. Where repair of genuine damage is necessary, final surface faring is permitted only at the point of the repaired damage.

3.1.4 The location and size of the hole at the deck for the mast shall not be altered. Mast chocks may be used to restrict movement of the mast at the deck.

3.2 The location, design and sizes of standard hardware fixed to the hull, deck, centerboard, rudder, tiller, and spars shall not be altered.

3.2.1 The tiller extension may be any length except that it shall not exceed 48" in length.

3.3 Coring, drilling out, rebuilding, replacement of materials, grinding or sanding through surface laminations, or any other practice which in any way reduces weight, improves moments of inertia, or changes standard shapes or structural characteristics is prohibited. Reshaping or faring of hull profiles or contours (including sharpening of the corner at the intersection of the hull under body and transom) is prohibited.

3.4 Any alleged or suspected alteration to the configuration or construction of the hull, centerboard, rudder, tiller, fittings, spars, or sails of a JY15 for which specific descriptions are not stated in the rules or specifications, or following a protest concerning the same, shall be compared to a sample of at least ten other JY15s by a measurer appointed by the JYCA. If there is evidence of any alternations having been made or if the dimensions are greater than the maximum or less than the minimum of those obtained from the sample of ten JY15s, the matter shall be referred to the JYCA, or its designated regatta representative, for action.

4.0 MAST, BOOM, RIGGING, AND FITTINGS

4.1 The mast, boom, rigging, and fittings shall conform to building specifications and be supplied by the copyright holder. All dimensions, weights, material specifications and plans shall be complied with. Tolerances are builder tolerances only. Spars and rigging shall not be altered in any way and shall be replaced only by the copyright holder.

4.1.1 The mast shall be either one of two configurations described in 4.1 and 4.1.2.

4.1.1 The mast shall be two pieces joined together as shown in the mast specification. The upper section shall be foam filled and the lower section hollow.

4.1.2 The mast shall be one piece with a single set of spreaders and spreader attachments as shown in the mast specifications. The upper half of the mast shall contain foam buoyancy. The use of tape on the shrouds to prevent movement of the spreader tips up or down is permitted.

4.2 Standing rigging shall consist of one forestay and one set of shrouds of multi-strand stainless steel wire 1/8" in diameter as supplied by the copyright holder.

4.2.1 Attachment points on the mast and on the boat for standing rigging are fixed and shall not be altered or relocated, Standard shroud adjusters and forestay lever attached to lower end of standing rigging shall not be altered.

4.2.2 Lengths of standing rigging shall not be altered or adjusted except through use of adjustment holes in standard shroud adjusters and forestay lever.

4.2.3 The forestay and shrouds shall not be adjusted while racing. The forestay lever shall be pinned closed at all times while racing.

4.2.4 Any device or action intended to change tension of standing rigging while racing is prohibited.

4.3 Inventory of running rigging

a. One main halyard of synthetic rope not less than 6mm in diameter which may be knotted with a loop to achieve a 3:1 purchase using existing halyard cleat. Halyard may be attached to mainsail directly without a shackle.

b. One jib halyard of synthetic rope not less than 6mm in diameter which may be knotted with a loop to achieve a 3:1 purchase using existing halyard cleat.

c. One set of jib sheets of synthetic rope not less than 6mm which lead through a single set of fixed sheet blocks and may be led through the sail clew and dead ended on the fixed sheet block.

d. One kicking strap (vang) of synthetic rope not less than 6mm in diameter contained in a 4:1 power ratio tackle with integral jamming cleat.

e. One mainsail sheet of synthetic rope not less than 8mm in diameter through 3:1 power ratio tackle.

f. One fixed mainsheet traveler of synthetic rope not less than 4mm diameter with mainsheet block fixed in center suspended between two fixed points on the transom flange as shown in the specifications. The measurement, taken from the top of the transom at the centerline of the boat to the deepest point of the sheave where the main sheet will bear while holding the bridle in it’s vertical position under tension, shall not exceed 16”.

g. One main boom outhaul of synthetic rope not less than 4mm in diameter with maximum of 2:1 power ratio. Location of the mainsail outhaul cleat on the boom is optional.

h. Cunningham for mainsail of synthetic rope not exceeding 2:1 power ratio may be rigged using standard halyard cleats and/or standard mast hardware or by adding an extra cleat and extra eye strap to the mast.

i. Rudder up and down lines of a minimum 4mm diameter attached to the rudder in accordance with the rudder plan.

j. Centerboard uphaul line of synthetic rope of a minimum 3/16" diameter and downhaul line of elastic shock cord material.

k. Foot hiking straps (two) of synthetic webbed material with attachments as shown in the builder's specifications. Only standard hardware and line intended for the purpose shall be used to secure hiking straps. Hiking strap shock cord may be secured to the mast. There are two approved standard locations for attachment of the aft end of the forward hiking straps whose aft attachment point has a standard location further aft than the old standard attachment point.

4.3.1 All running shall be external to the mast, boom, hull, and deck,

4.3.2 Replacement of standard rope running rigging with exotic materials such as KEVLAR tm or SPECTRA tm is prohibited.

5.0 SAILS

5.1 One mainsail and one jib only shall be aboard while racing. Sails shall conform to the design, construction materials, weights, and dimensions as contained in the sails specifications. Only one main and one jib shall be used in a regatta.

5.2 Standard sails are provided from a single source by the copyright holder and shall not be altered in any way. Replacement sails shall be purchased only from the copyright holder. Only sails certified and labeled by the copyright holder shall be used in a race.

5.3 Display of national letters on the mainsail is not required.

6.0 CREW

6.1 Crew shall consist of a minimum of two and a maximum of three people.

6.2 The crew nominated or listed for a regatta or series of races held over consecutive days, including any lay day, shall remain the same throughout the event unless substitution is authorized by the Race Committee.

6.3 Each crew member shall be equipped with a personal flotation device (PFD) as required by local regulations.

7.0 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

7.1 Shroud telltales, masthead wind vane, and telltales on mainsail and jib.

7.2 Safety equipment such as anchor and rope, foghorn, first aid kit, and other safety equipment as may be desired.

7.3 Bow painter line for convenience in tethering or mooring of boat.

7.3.1 Mooring line attachment rings in approved locations.

7.4 A fixed and/or portable non-electric card compass.

7.5 Paddle(s) or paddling devices.

7.6 Storage Containers. Storage bags and containers for equipment, food, and personal gear for the convenience of the crew.

7.7 Non-skid material. Additional non-skid material may be placed on the deck and side tanks.

8.0 PROHIBITIONS

The following are not permitted while racing:

8.1 Any device or means to change the location of the fixed jib sheet leads, including changing the dimensions of standard shackles.

8.1.1 Any device for sheeting the jib using any other than the standard fixed jib sheet lead blocks. Direct manual sheeting of jib is permitted when reaching and running.

8.2 Any device or means to adjust the fixed main sheet traveler while racing or to cause the lower main sheet block to slide the traveler.

8.3 Addition to or deletion of or relocation of standard hardware anywhere on boat unless specifically permitted under Rule 6.

8.4 Any equipment or device to adjust the position of the mast at the deck or at the heel while racing. Mast chocks permitted under Rule 3.4.4 shall not be changed while racing.

8.5 Sudden movement of body forward or aft (ooching).

8.5.1 Use of the mast or shrouds to promote roll tacking or jibing or sudden fanning of air over the mainsail.

8.5.2 Hiking assist other than standard foot hiking straps.

8.5.3 Hiking outboard beyond a point where a crew member's thighs are in contact with the top of the boat's side tanks.

8.6 Any halyard lock, or simulation of same, that reduces compression on the mast.

Download a PDF version of the JY15 Class Rules