J-120 SoCal Fleet 4: Equalizing

Procedure for Equalizing Boat Weight for Class Racing

A. Install Hull Flotation Marks. Install contrasting 12mm x 75mm flotation marks on both sides of stem at the bow, and on both sides of aft end of rudder (long axis of marks parallel to waterline). The bottom of these marks shall be located as follows. Aft Flotation Mark: Locate aft hull point 314mm forward of transom along centerline of hull bottom. With the rudder fitted in its normal position, the bottom of the flotation mark shall be 50mm vertically below the aft hull point and shall be marked on both sides of the rudder at its trailing edge. Forward Flotation Mark: The bottom of the flotation mark shall be 1347mm below the projection of the top of hull flange where it intersects the forward side of the stem head fitting measured down and around the forward face of the stem.

B. Measurement Afloat. Boat shall include only the equipment and other items specified in Paragraph C for its initial measurement. With dry bilges, boat shall be trimmed level (flotation marks approximately equidistant from the flotation plane) by temporarily relocating equipment aboard as necessary. No further equipment or ballast need be placed aboard if both the forward and aft flotation marks are touching (or are below) the surface of the water (proper sink).

C. Required Equipment and other Items for Measurement Trim. Running rigging as used for racing including all sheets, halyards and control lines; emergency tiller; life jackets for all crew; one anchor with attached chain and/or rode; tool kit; the one-design mainsail, two headsails, and two spinnakers that will be used for racing; aft and main cabin berth cushions; fuel to at least 1/4 full on gauge; empty ice box and water tanks; two batteries; and all other equipment required by the J120 Class Association Rules ("Class Rules"); and by USCG rules.

D. Trim Equalization Procedure. If the boat cannot be trimmed to proper sink with only the equipment and other items required in Paragraph C on board, the owner shall choose any combination of the following options to correct the trim to achieve proper sink:

Any optional items or standard factory installations not required to be on board by Class Rules, such as v-berth cushions, cockpit table or 3rd battery [J1] .
Optional sailing gear such as spare sheets, blocks, winch handles, a second anchor with attached chain & rode, foul weather gear or other sailing related gear that is part of the yacht's permanent inventory, but not including daily provisions such as food, drink and personal crew bags.
Up to 75 gallons of water in the standard factory tanks.
Lead corrector weight installed (bolted or glassed) inside the forward port side hanging locker, the aft cabin hanging locker and/or the aft port cockpit locker outboard of the fore/aft divider.

E. Not Permitted: Excepting sails, the locating of ballast or equipment under Paragraphs C and D either below or on top of the flooring in each of these areas: main cabin, aft cabin, head or forepeak while racing is not permitted.

All items under Paragraph D required aboard to achieve proper sink shall be listed on a J120 CLASS FLOTATION WORKSHEET & CERTIFICATE substantially in the form of Exhibit 7.3B to the Class Rules, with its corresponding weight or gallons indicated, where applicable, a copy of which shall be aboard at all times while racing.

[J1] See comment above; cushions and battery shouldn't be required to be in standard location