Available for viewing and download below are the J/80 International Class Rules, as approved by World Sailing for International Class status. These files are in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf).

J/80 International Class Rules   (Effective April 1, 2018)

Class Rules Changes 2018   (Effective April 1, 2018)

J/80 Standard Building Specifications    (Effective December 1, 2020)

J/80 Class Association Constitution (Effective 15 Dec 2014)

Technical Committee Interpretations

May 2002 - Rule Interpretations

Changes to J/80 Class Rules

The J/80 Class is a "World Sailing Recognized" class, meaning that all changes to Class Rules and the Constitution must be approved not only by the J/80 Class but by World Sailing as well. This is a positive, in that the World Sailing subcommittees that deal with class rule changes have a great deal of experience across a number of classes. The side effect is that the process can be lengthy.

Under the ICA (International J/80 Class Association) Constitution, the ICA Executive Committee is responsible for managing the class affairs, which includes modification of the Class Rules and Constitution. To date, rules change proposals have generally come from an NCA (National J/80 Class Association), a measurer or a licensed builder. The proposals are reviewed/screened by the ICA Technical Committee, then a resolution is returned to the Executive Committee for vote after a review period.

How does one go about submitting a rules change proposal?

There are three conduits to the ICA Executive Committee. 1st is the National Class Association (NCA) representative to the ICA Executive Committee; 2nd is the NCA representative to the ICA Technical Committee, and 3rd is the Copyright Holder (J-Boats).

In general, there are three types of rules changes:

1. Typos and minor grammatical corrections needed to more clearly define the existing rules.
2. Measurement related wording changes, usually a result of measurers' experience in the field.
3. Equipment or racing related changes (like crew weight, sails, etc.) that impact the way the boat is sailed.

Proposals involving type 1 & 2 changes are always encouraged and can be submitted to the J/80 NCA Executive Committee by any Member. If not self-evident, the proposal should include reasons for the change. Proposals of type 3 variety should first have the backing of an exisiting J/80 fleet or at least 20 J/80 Members before being considered. This is a minimum "acid test" so that the class is not inundated with individual requests for rules changes that haven't demonstrated wider grass-roots support.

Timetable

Unless an emergency rules change proposal is required,  rules change proposals are usually considered on an annual basis during the ICA's Annual General Meeting at the end of the calendar year.  Changes that are approved at the AGM are then submitted to World Sailing for approval, and then normally put into effect in the Spring.  Prior to an AGM vote on rules change proposals, the Class Constitution requires a minium of a 60 day review period by class members.