International Blue Jay Constitution

ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization is "INTERNATIONAL BLUE JAY CLASS ASSOCIATION," hereinafter referred to in the Constitution and By-Laws as the Association or IBJCA.
ARTICLE II - OBJECT
The object of this Association shall be to promote and develop racing in Blue Jay Class Yachts, to formulate rules governing the construction and racing boats of this Class, and to exercise jurisdiction over all Class activities and to enforce its Constitution, By-Laws and Rules upon all members and Fleets which are subject to this jurisdiction. It shall be the policy of this Association to keep the Blue Jay strictly a one-design boat and to keep the cost of owning and racing a Blue Jay within the reach of the individual of
moderate means, without encouraging neglect in conditioning the boats.
ARTICLE III - EMBLEM
In accordance with Blue Jay sail plan, a block letter "J" of contrasting color with sail, preferably blue, and a minimum of nine inches in height.
ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION
1. The organization of this Association shall consist of Districts and Fleets, which shall be branches or units of the Association.
2. Any three or more owners or prospective owners of three or more Blue Jay Class Yachts may be granted a Fleet Charter upon the application to the President of the Association and the payment of such charges as may be fixed from time to time.
3. Fleet Charters may be suspended or revoked by the Executive Committee, at its discretion, for adequate reasons or causes.
4. Whenever a Fleet charter shall have been granted, applications for membership in the Association within the jurisdiction of that Fleet should be made to the officials of that Fleet, who shall be responsible to this Association for the collection of the dues of such members.
5. Each Fleet shall elect its own officers, including a Fleet Captain, and Fleet Secretary/ Treasurer. In all local matters, the Fleet shall be self-governing, provided its rules and regulations do not conflict with the rules of the Association.
6. Any two or more Fleets may be grouped in a District which, for purposes of administration, shall be under the direction of a District Secretary. Designation of Districts shall be made by the Executive Committee, and the Fleets composing a District and the title and boundary of a District may be changed from time to time by action of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V - MEMBERS
1. Regular membership in the Association is restricted to owners, part owners and bona fide charterers of Blue Jay Class Yachts. In the case of club owned boats, the club shall take out a regular membership in blank for each boat so owned, the membership being in the name of the club or a designated representative.
2. Associate membership in the Association is open to members or children of members of clubs having Blue Jay Fleets and to all who are interested in the activities of the Association, but who are not eligible for regular membership.
ARTICLE VI - DUES
Association dues shall be fixed by the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
1. The officers of this Association shall be a President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chief Measurer.
2. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Association, consisting of the officers and four members-at-large. Five members of the Executive Committee may be sustaining members of the Association, but the President and at least one Vice President must be regular members.
3. There shall be a Nominating Committee of three members, one to be elected each year to serve for a term of three fiscal years. Vacancies in the Nominating Committee occurring during any fiscal year shall be filled by the Executive Committee, to serve for the balance of that year, or until successors shall be duly elected and shall qualify.
Each year, in time for such nominations to be included in the notice of full-term membership on the Nominating Committee, and such other candidates for one-year membership thereon as may be necessary to fill vacancies.
4. Each District may have a District Secretary as its administrative officer.
ARTICLE III- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee herein provided for shall function between meeting of the Association for the purpose of performing such duties as may be designated by the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules. It shall have the ordinary powers of a Board of Directors with regard to the business of the Association, not inconsistent with any statutory provisions, and not inconsistent with the Constitution and By-Laws. Four members shall constitute a quorum. Voting on all questions of the Executive Committee may be by mail. The Executive Committee may appoint an Assistant Secretary and an Assistant Treasurer and other assistant officers from time to time and designate their duties.
ARTICLE IX- MEETINGS
The Annual Meeting shall be held in a place designated by the Executive Committee. Special meetings may be called by the President or on the written request of any two members of the Executive Committee. The Annual Meeting shall be held upon not less than one month's written notice to Regular and Sustaining members of the Association in good standing, and Special Meetings shall be called upon not less than fifteen (15) days like notice. At all meetings, twenty-five (25) members present in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE X- AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended at any meeting of the Association by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present in person or by proxy constituting a quorum, provided notice of such amendments is sent to Regular and Sustaining members in good standing of the Association, at least one month prior to the date of such a meeting.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I- DUES
1. The annual dues for Regular membership shall be determined by the Executive Committee on an annual basis. A member's dues for the current fiscal year must be paid in full before he shall be in good standing, and entitled to the privileges of membership in the Association for the balance of that year. The dues will be payable to the Class Secretary.
2. Fleet dues are optional, and if any are required they are the property of the Fleet.
3. The fiscal year of the Association will run September to September.
ARTICLE II- ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
1. All elective officers, the members-at-large of the Executive Committee, one member of the Nominating Committee for a full three-year term, District Secretaries, and such members of the Nominating Committee for one-year terms as may be necessary to fill vacancies on the Committee, shall all be elected at each Annual Meeting of the Association by plurality votes of those there present in person or by proxy; and they shall serve for the ensuing fiscal year (three fiscal years in the case of members of the Nominating Committee elected for full terms) or until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Vacancies in such elective offices and positions during the respective terms shall be filled for the balance of the fiscal year by majority vote of the Executive Committee.
At each Annual Meeting, the candidates for said elective offices and positions shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee in its annual report, those nominated by the Executive Committee for position on the Nominating Committee and all who have been nominated from the Association by petition, ruled with Secretary not less than two weeks prior to the scheduled date of the Annual Meeting and signed by at least ten (10) Regular members in good standing.
2. Voting at Association meetings on elections and other business shall be by ballot cast in person by proxy. Voting shall be on a boat basis, each boat being entitled to one vote, but an individual owning two or more boats shall be entitled to one vote only. Where two or more members share ownership in a single boat, they may vote through one of their number, or, if more than one of them vote, the single vote for their boat shall be taken to be the vote of the majority of them.
3. The President of the Association shall preside at the Association's meeting and shall be the Chairman of the Executive Committee and ex-officio member of all other committees. He shall appoint all special committees
4. One of the Vice Presidents shall, in the absence or incapacity of the President, perform duties of the President. He will be selected by majority vote of the Executive Board.
5. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be in charge of all secretarial work of the Association. He shall be responsible for the minutes of meetings, records, general information, correspondence, and other follow-up of plans sold and boats built or sold. He shall receive all dues, and shall be in charge of all funds for this Association. He shall disburse money only on the order of the President.
6. The Measurement Committee shall pass on all measurement data submitted by the Official Measurers, and be given authority to correct and adjust the specifications where necessary, within the bounds of strict One-Design principle, in order to eliminate amending the By-Laws. It shall either grant or reject applications for measurement certificates and report to the Secretary-Treasurer all certified boats. The Chief Measurer shall appoint all Official Measurers, for a term of one year, subject to the approval of the District Secretary within whose District the Official Measurer is located.
ARTICLE III- GENERAL RULES
1. If any major structural alterations or repairs are made to a Blue Jay, her measurement certificate shall be automatically voided until a certified Measurer shall re-measure said Blue Jay and attach a suitable rider to the original certificate or issue a new certificate.
2. The crew of a Blue Jay competing in a Blue Jay National Championship shall consist of (a) three members with no minimum weight restriction or (b) two members with a minimum combined weight, when dressed for sailing, of not less than 190 pounds.
3. Interpretation of "dressed for sailing" -- A. Crews shall be weighed dry with normal summer attire and lifejacket. B. The allowed make-up ballast shall be fresh water in plastic bottles, sealed (such as with tape). Crews should supply their own bottles. C. During each weigh-in, and except for correction of ballast, crews will be weighed only once, and must meet the minimum weight requirement at that time.
4. A local, regional, or any other Blue Jay racing association may eliminate or change the National Championship weight ruling to meet local conditions and/or age group requirements for any racing except the National Championship.
5. Regular members or persons assigned by them may skipper Blue Jays in Blue Jay events. In the case of club-owned boats, the club or its representative may designate the skipper.
6. No Blue Jay is permitted to race in the Class unless it has a valid measurement certificate on file at S&S or IBJCA, and the owner is a current member of the IBJCA as evidenced by a transom sticker which will be sent upon receipt of the annual dues.

ARTICLE IV- SPECIFICATIONS
The following general revision is effective January 1, 1985. It supersedes ARTICLE IV - SPECIFICATIONS as last revised in 1977 and published in the booklet entitled "International Blue Jay Class Association Constitution, By-Laws, Specifications, Rev. 1968" and contains all subsequent rulings now in force.
1. GENERAL. The Blue Jay is a strictly one-design yacht; nothing is optional in its design or construction, except as stated in these specifications. Tolerances are specified solely in order to accommodate the usual random variations in construction. They shall not be interpreted to permit deliberate variation from the normal lines or dimensions, nor are they sufficient to permit, evidence of such deliberate variation shall be grounds for refusing or revoking any measurement certificate. The intent of these specifications is to clarify and elaborate the official plans and all items not specifically covered by these specifications shall be as shown in the latest revision of the official plans. All dimension, intended or actual, not expressly prescribed in these specifications and the official plans shall be subject to a tolerance of plus or minus 1%. In case of conflict between these specifications and the official plans, these specifications shall govern. Interpreting any point not covered, or wording of obscure meaning, the intended meaning shall be considered, rather than any technical misconstruction that might be derived from the wording, keeping in mind at all times the basic intent of these specifications as set forth above. Any boat not conforming strictly throughout to the design, materials, construction, and dimensions set forth herein and on the plans will not be considered a Blue Jay, and will not be allowed to carry the Blue Jay Class emblem. In order to race in any regatta as a Blue Jay, a boat must have a valid measurement certificate on file with the Association.
All questions regarding the interpretation of these specifications and the official plans, and all construction questions not covered by these specifications of the official plans, shall be referred to the Chief Measurer. At his discretion, the Chief Measurer may refer such matters to the full Measurement Committee for decision, and the Committee may, at its discretion, refer them to the Executive Committee for decision. A yacht's only permanent means of identification is her officially assigned number, which shall be cut or burned into the starboard side of the centerboard trunk, or on the top face of the centerboard trunk cap, or on the inside face of the transom, in numbers at least one inch (1") high; such numbers shall not be altered, defaced, or obliterated unless the hull is so far rebuilt that a new number is officially assigned.
2. PLANS. Plans are transferable only through the office of the designer. They are issued with the understanding that one boat only will be built from each set unless application is made to the designer and specific permission is granted to build extra boats. Such permission will be granted only under conditions set forth herein under Paragraph 3.
3. ROYALTIES. A royalty or number tax or $20.00 (twenty dollars) must be paid by the builder to the designer on each Blue Jay built, and any boat built from plans for which said payment is not received may not be properly sold or entered in any race as a Blue Jay, nor display the Blue Jay emblem on its sails.
4. MEASUREMENTS AND WEIGHTS. Measurements and weights in the specifications and plans are in feet, inches, and pounds in accordance with standards of the U.S. Bureau of Weights and Measurements.
5. HULL - GENERAL.
a. Except for fiberglass construction as described elsewhere in this Section 5, and except for fastenings, hardware, deck canvas, and protective or strengthening hull covering of fiberglass, elastic or comparable materials not violating one design concept except as set forth herein, the hull is to be entirely of wood. When kinds of wood are indicated as optional, alternate choices are given and no other woods are to be used, unless their weights equal or exceed that of the lightest wood listed, and then only if such wood is suitable in every respect for the part specified, consistent with accepted yacht-building practice. The construction shall follow the plans, and any departure will be at the builder's risk. Weight of hull at all times and under all conditions, with rigging, mast, boom, rudder, tiller, and centerboard, shall be at least two hundred seventy five pounds (275 lbs.). If the boat weighs less than two hundred seventy five pounds, the difference shall be made up by attaching any suitable material to the underside of the deck, over the keel, not to extend more than two inches (2") below the deck beams. At time of measurements, a weight certificate must be submitted and it, or a copy, must be attached to the measurement file.
b. Complete conformance to the official measurement certificate is required. All dimensions, shapes, hull weight, rigging, fitting specifications and locations, sail plan, etc., must conform, except that outer chine strips on all boats may be flush with topsides. The keel must stand proud as specified, with no less than 1/8" radius on glass hulls. Outer chine radius cannot exceed 1/8".
c. In order to simplify chine construction on wood boats, the use of a false outer chine 1/8" x 3/4" is permitted, if desired.
d. Double chine gussets are permitted on wood boats, provided that they are of same configuration and materials as shown on plans for single gussets.
e. Mast step and centerboard trunk, if of fiberglass, must be adequately reinforced to equal the original structural standard.
f. A king plank may be used on wood boats in lieu of or in conjunction with blocking on the forward deck centerline. King plank must not project more than 1/16" above decking. King plank must not exceed 6" wide (including rabbet) and 3/4" thick.
g. Side decks must be strong enough to lift boat.
h. Fiberglass boats must be identical to wood Blue Jays with respect to vertical center of gravity.
i. Protective hull, deck, centerboard, and rudder coverings of wood parts shall not exceed in weight or thickness the equivalent of one layer of 10 ounce fiberglass cloth and three applications of resin.
j. For flotation limitations, see Section 22.
k. Double fiberglass skin construction only of uniform thickness throughout permitted, with optional core (form, balsa, honeycomb, etc.). Flotation must be positive, either inherently or using foam-filled tanks or air tanks per Section 22.
6. HULL - DIMENSIONS . Length overall is 13'6". Greatest beam at deck
is 5'2". Greatest beam at chine is 4'5". For further dimensions see plans.
7. KEEL, TRANSOM, PLANKING, AND CHINE TIMBERS (not applicable to fiberglass).
a. Keel of mahogany or oak moulded one inch (1"0 as shown, sided not less than four and one-half inches (4 1/2") throughout and to stand not less than one eighth inch (1/8") proud of the bottom planking.
b. Bottom planking to be a single plank construction, waterproof plywood one quarter inch (1/4") thick. No other materials permitted.
c. Transom of mahogany or oak not less than five-eighths inch (5/8") thick, or one quarter inch (1/4") thick. No other materials permitted.
8. STEM. Stem to be of white oak or hack, three inches (3") sided and moulded as shown. Not applicable to fiberglass hulls.
9. FRAMES. Frames to be of oak, ash, mahogany, or spruce 3/4" x 1 1/2" sided and moulded as shown. Not applicable to fiberglass hulls.
10. DECK BEAMS. To be spruce or fir, 7/8" x 1 1/4" or 3/4" x 1 3/8" sided and moulded as shown. Not applicable to fiberglass hulls.
11. DECK. Waterproof fir or mahogany plywood 1/4" thick. covered with eight (8) ounce canvas or fiberglass, carried down over edge of deck and covered with moulding. Doubling blocks, etc.. must be uncovered only if made of mahogany plywood 1/4" thick, thoroughly painted. Not applicable to fiberglass hulls.
12. COCKPIT.
a. Size and shape as shown on plans. Deck surrounding the cockpit shall not be less than six inches (6") at any point, coamings of ash, oak, teak, mahogany or fiberglass. Floorboards are to be of the outline shown on plans, and may be solid or slats of material 1/2" thick, plus or minus 1/16". Wooden floorboards are not required when watertight floor flotation is used. Wooden floorboards may be removed but the boat must maintain minimum weight of 275 lbs. Cockpit braces shall be of corrosion-resistant metal or of wood, not less than 3/4" thick. Options: lockers and shelves.
b. Hiking straps of rope or webbing no more than 2" wide in fore and aft direction on sides of centerboard trunk, or on floor, are permitted. They may also be taken aft over the keel to the transom. Hiking straps may be other than described above, provided they remain entirely within the cockpit and below deck level. The use of transverse hiking straps is permitted.
c. Cockpit coamings and centerboard cap must be used and must be of wood or fiberglass. Splash boards may be of wood or moulded fiberglass construction. Fiberglass splash boards must be identical in height and location to wood splash boards. Floorboards may be of wood, or a moulded fiberglass non-skid cockpit sole is required in lieu of wood floorboards. Floorboard or molded fiberglass sole must be no less than 1 3/4" over outer surface of bottom as per plans. Rub rail material optional, but required, and to conform to dimensions on plan.
d. Cockpit seats are not permitted.
e. For flotation limitations, see Section 22.
13. HATCHES. One small hatch on aft deck for attaching outboard motor may be used.
14. FASTENINGS. Hull fastenings on wood boats can be of galvanized materials not permitted. Use of suitable waterproof glue throughout is recommended but not required.
15. MAST STEP. Oak, mahogany, teak, or fiberglass, stainless steel or bronze, as per plans, except that after placement of restraining wedges at mast heel, fore and aft movement of mast is permitted to a limit of 1/2". Mast partners are be permanently fixed to prevent movement of mast at the deck. Refer to Section 17a for prohibition of movement of mast during race. Top of step not to exceed 1 1/4" above D.W.L.
16. WOOD SPARS.
a. Mast to be solid, rectangular or round, of spruce. Dimensions as per plans. Overall length of mast shall be 19'6 3/4". Sail must be attached to mast with 5/8" track and slides. Rotating masts are prohibited. Hollow wooden masts are not permitted.
b. Boom to be solid and of spruce, T, rectangular or round in section, not to vary in any dimension from plans. Foot of sail must fasten in a straight line in both plan and profile, attached the same as on mast. No arched or curved tracks are allowed, and no transverse movement is permissible in the foot of the sail. Length of boom from aft side of mast to extreme end shall be 7' 11" maximum, including fittings. Carbo Blocks are permitted.
c. Spinnaker pole shall not be greater than 4' 1 1/2" long, including fittings when measured square off. To be made of spruce. Pivot point of forward side of mast not to project more than 1 1/2". Minimum diameter of pole to be not less than 1 1/4". A whisker pole can be provided, to be used for the jib only. Said whisker pole to be forth-eight inches (48") in length, plus or minus two inches (2"). The spinnaker pole can be used as a whisker pole. When in use, the whisker or spinnaker pole must be attached to the mast.
d. ALUMINUM SPARS. Hollow aluminum alloy spars are permitted subject to following:
1. Overall length must conform to plans and specifications for wooden mast, boom, and spinnaker pole.
2. Minimum diameter for round mast shall not be less than 2 1/2".
3. Shaped section masts shall not exceed 3" fore and aft, and 2 1/2" athwart ships.
4. Bare mast extrusion shall not weigh less than 14 pounds.
5. Tapered extrusions are not permitted.
6. Mast may be fitted with conventional or slot rack, but if slot track, sails 7. No fittings or gear may be mounted or led internally except as provided in Paragraph 16.d.6.
8. Mast, boom, and spinnaker pole must be sealed and watertight, so as to float when detached from the boat in a horizontal position with all rigging attached.
9. Mast center of gravity, with headcasting, sheave, and heel casting in place, distance of CG(in inches) from extreme base of mast, multiplied by weight (in pounds) shall not be less than 1500 or more than 2000.
10. Hollow aluminum booms must conform to plans and specifications for overall length of wood booms. Minimum cross-sectional dimension shall not be less than 1 3/4". Maximum cross -sectional dimension shall not be more than 2 1/2". Bare extrusion weight not less than 4 lbs. Flotation must comply with Paragraph 16.d.8. Tapering not allowed. Track and sail attachments must conform to Paragraph 16.d.6.
11. Hollow aluminum spinnaker poles must conform to length of the wood pole and not be less than 1 1/4" min. dia. Flotation as per Paragraph 16.d.8. No tapering.
12. Use of aluminum spars in entirely optional.
e. If sliding gooseneck is used, a stopper shall be permanently fixed in the goose neck slide track to prevent the boom at the line extended from the top of the boom track, as located on the plans, from being lowered below the top of the 1" wide distinguishing color band, which shall be painted or taped around the mast. The top edge of the distinguishing color band shall be 16' 1" below the bottom of the uppermost trough of the main halyard sheave.
17. RIGGING
a. Standing. To be as shown on plans. Headstay to intersect mast at a point 15'2" above the top of the mast step. Shrouds to intersect mast at a point 14' 11" above the top of the mast step. Must be of wire galvanized or stainless steel. Rod rigging and other materials not permitted. Method of attaching to mast and hull optional, but location of chain plates on hull shall be as shown on plans. Except for emergency, no change to standing rigging shall be made during a race. The distance from the halyard catch, when raised to the top of the mast to the rear of the transom, shall be a minimum of 19'2".
b. Running.
1. To be shown on plans.
2. Halyard latches prohibited. Prohibition of halyard latches applies permanently attached rope tails, provided such hooks are made secure below level of distinguishing color band on mast.
3. Sliding goosenecks with spring-loaded adjusting latches are permitted only with cleated main halyard and not with halyard hooks. Also see Section 16.e.
4. A two-part tackle boom vang with becket block on the mast above the deck is permitted.
5. Hiking straps are permitted. See Section 12.
6. Jib leads.
a. Fixed jib sheet leads are permitted, consisting of a fixed jib lip lead, a single swivel block lead on fixed mount, or a fixed lip and cam cleat lead combination, located on the inside of the cockpit coaming, or on the deck within an area prescribed by two arcs 7' and 8' 3" from the stemhead.
b. Single slide, single track, adjustable jib sheet leads are permitted mounded on deck or on the inside of the coaming, one assembly to each side of boat, consisting of a straight, unbroken track, no longer than 15" overall, including end stoppers, and having one sliding lip or block lead. Entire assembly may be located only within an area prescribed by two arcs 7' and 8' 3" from the stemhead. Material of components optional.
c. A simple adjustable block-line-cleat rig is permitted (barber hauler) solely for the purpose of allowing jib trim as close to centerline as skipper desires. Any elaborate rigs, or using more than the foregoing tackle, or serving any other purpose, are prohibited, except that single slide, single track, adjustable jib sheet leads may be used in combination with barber hauler rig. Cleat location is optional.
d. Barber hauler may be led through a fixed eye on forward coaming or on deck, thence to a cleat on coaming or deck aft of mast.
7. Stopped line-cleat arrangement on the main sheet (described as hinder binder) to overhaul the main sheet, and trim it closer to the centerline (on the after deck) is prohibited. All other types of adjustable main sheet bridles are prohibited, except as specified on plans.
8. A multi-part clew outhaul on the main boom is permitted via the following modification to existing outhaul system shown on plans: a block may deadend current wire or rope tail, at any point along the boom. A pull line with one end fastened to the boom may run through the block to give a 2:1 purchase, and may be cleated as close to the forward end to the boom as desired.
9. Topping lift may lead only through an eye-strap on mast.
10. A fixed bridle shall be allowed, providing it is not adjustable and is permanently fixed. The top of the shive shall be a a maximum of 16" above the deck.
18. CENTERBOARD, CENTERBOARD PIN, AND CENTERBOARD TRUNK.
a. Centerboard. As per plans, 3/4" thick mahogany, solid or plywood laminated, or molded fiberglass skin construction with syntactic foam core. No other maters permitted except as elsewhere provided in this Section 18. Center board not to vary in any dimension from pattern on plans, except in an area bound by triangle formed by the top and forward edges at their intersection and having legs 4 1/2" long to allow for pennant fittings or for a notch to allow it to drop to vertical. Lead weight, no more than 8 lbs., to be installed in centerboard as shown on plans. The board may be faired, but strictly in accordance with limitations, specific or implied, imposed by dimensions and pattern on plan.
1. Fairing or "streamlining" the centerboard is limited to rounding each corner of the trailing edge (not above the point permitted, as shown on the plans) to a radius of 1/16" and rounding each corner of the leading edge (not above the point permitted, as shown on the plans) to a radius of from 1/8" at the upper end (decreasing in a straight line) to 1/16" at the lower end, each then expanding in a straight line along the bottom of the centerboard to a radius of 3/16" at the board centerline. Under no circumstances is the foregoing to be construed as permitting knife edges, or odd shapes, which are strictly prohibited. Any evidence of deliberate attempt to circumvent the restrictive intent of this ruling shall be grounds for refusing or revoking a measurement certificate.
Minimum width of trailing edge is 1/8" and forward edge 1/4". Square trailing edge (unradiused) is not permitted.
2. Centerboard may be fiberglass covered in accordance with Section 5.i.
b. Centerboard Pin is to be of 1/2" diameter bronze or stainless steel, installed as per plans.
c. Centerboard Trunk, if of wood, to be shown on plans, sides of 1/4" plywood, log and upper stiffeners 3/4" oak or mahogany capped with oak or mahogany 5/8" x 3". Vertical stiffeners of 5/8" mahogany to be installed at frames 5 and 6. Top of trunk log to be parallel to baseline. If of fiberglass, trunk to be structurally similar to wood trunk. Inside width of trunk shall be just sufficient to permit board to pivot freely, but without side-to-side play. A small strip of Delrin (or equivalent) may be placed on top inner sides of centerboard trunk, to stop excessive wobbling of the board.
1. The forward end of the centerboard trunk cap may be notched or slotted no farther aft than to a point at which the centerboard is restrained from moving to a position forward of vertical. "Vertical" is defined as when the forward edge of the centerboard is perpendicular to the design waterline.
2. The installation of an additional centerboard trunk stiffener is permitted at Frame #7 port and starboard.
3. Centerboard trunk logs may be extended forward to form a mast step, provided the following restrictions are observed:
a. Height of top of step shall be as per plans.
b. Step shall terminate in way of Frame #3 as per plans.
19. RUDDER, SKEG, AND TILLER
a. Rudder. To be of mahogany, not less than 3/4" thick and may not vary from plans in any underwater dimensions. Cheek pieces may be used to strengthen rudder head at builder's option; Pivoted flip-up rudders may be used, provided that they do not vary from plans in any underwater dimensions. Rudder may be faired, but strictly in accordance with limitations, specific or implied, imposed by dimensions and pattern on plan, and with same restrictions as for centerboard per Section 18.a.1. Rudder may be of molded fiberglass skin construction only of uniform thickness throughout, with synthetic foam core. Fiberglass rudder may not vary from plan in any underwater dimensions.
1. Rudder must be at all times during a race at full depth, except for momentary lifting necessary to clear seaweed and obstacles.
2. Rudder may be fiberglass covered in accordance with Section 5.1.
b.1. Skeg. May be of wood or fiberglass, not less than 3/4" thick. If of wood, to be oak or mahogany, as per plan, well fastened to keel. Maximum depth at the after end shall not exceed 5" below waterline on plan. Length of skeg along bottom shall be 2'2", and bottom of skeg shall be a straight line. May be faired no more than 2" in from after and bottom edges.
b.2 Skeg may be elimiminated.
c. Tiller. Of ash as shown on plans. Option: tillers longer than 47" shown on plan, with or without hiking stick, may be installed, if desired, and strengthening members may be added.
20. SAILS. Cotton or synthetic woven fabric only permitted. Cotton to be not less than 4 ounces per yard of 28 1/2” width, and synthetic not less than 2.6 ounces per yard of 28 1/2" with, except spinnaker. No sails other than standard size jib, mainsail, and spinnaker allowed. Loose footed mainsails, jib booms or part length clubs, double luff mainsails and perforated sails other than reef points or accidental are barred. Racing number and emblem, height of each to be not less than 9 1/2", must be of design shown on sail plan, attached to each side of mainsail and spinnaker. The emblem color of gold is reserved for Class Champion and the emblem color of silver is reserved for President’s Cup winner. Sails may be reefed at foot only, as shown on plans. Roach reefs are barred. Jib and mainsail shall be stretched and tight when measuring. Under no circumstances will any sail be measured which shows evidence of having been temporarily shrunk by heating or other methods, nor is any sail, having been measured and rejected, to be re-measured unless evidence exists of recutting, resewing, or other permanent alteration.
Special notice to Sailmakers and Blue Jay customers: No Dynac, Mylar, or Kevlar may be used for any Blue Jay sail-mainsail, jib, or spinnaker. Also, no leech lines are permitted in mainsail or jib. Use of Dynac material for any Blue Jay sails is illegal as of October 1, 1978. Sails made before this are exempted from above ruling.
a. Battens. Number and position to be as shown on sail plan. Three in mainsail, upper and lower to measure 12" and 16" respectively, middle to measure 18". Battens in jib are not allowed. Material of battens is optional: fiberglass or wood.
b. Mainsail.
1. Shall measure no more than 15' 10" along the luff, 17' 3" along the leech, and 7' 11" along the foot. A tolerance of minus 4" is allowed in these dimensions. (Note restrictive dimension paragraph 16. b., length of boom). Corner to corner dimensions of the mainsail shall include the bolt rope and shall be measured in a straight line, as follows:
a. Luff length between the highest point of the headboard, or sail material if no headboard, including bolt rope, if any, and the lowest point of the sail at the tack, including bolt rope, if any.
b. Foot length between the most forward point of the sail directly ahead of the tack, including bolt rope, if any, and the aftermost point of the sail, including bolt rope, if any.
c. Leech length between the lowest point of the sail directly under the clew, including bolt rope, if any, and the highest point of the headboard,
or sail material if headboard, including bolt rope, if any.
2. The draft and luff and leech roaches of mainsail to be controlled by measurement taken from midpoint of luff to midpoint of leech (midgirth) and from 1/4 and 3/4 along luff and leech respectively (1/4 girth and 3/4 girth), said measurements not to exceed:
1/4 girth: 2.78 feet or 2' 9 3/8"
Mid-girth: 4.87 feet or 4' 10 1/2"
3/4 girth: 6.66 feet or 6' 8"
Cross measurement of the mainsail shall include the bolt rope. The measurements shall be obtained in the following manner:
a. The luff midpoint shall be determined by folding the sail upon itself, with the topmost edge of the headboard, lowermost edge of the sail material at the tack, including bolt rope, if any.
b. The leech midpoint shall be determined in similar fashion, with the headboard folded down to the clew.
c. The 1/4 girth and 3/4 girth measurements shall be similarly obtained, by folding the sail upon itself from midpoint to respective corners, as defined above.
3. All sail measurements shall be made with the sail on a flat surface, with or without battens.
4. Headboard of mainsail---the width of the mainsail headboard perpendicular to the luff, shall not exceed four inches (4").
5. Windows are allowed in mainsail. One per sail, no larger than 300 sq. in. located in lower half of sail only. The intent of this ruling solely to improve visibility and reduce the danger of collision.
6. Section 16, Paragraph b. of the By-Laws prohibits the so-called "shelf foot mainsail," or any other mainsails similarly designed or contrived, wherein an extra panel of sail cloth is added for the purposes of obtaining a sail foot surface laying roughly parallel to the deck to achieve the effect of a loose footed mainsail.
7. Mitre cut mainsails are permitted, provided that all dimensions and other
requirements in the plans and specifications are adhered to.
8. The placement of a grommet within the boundaries of the main sail plan for the purpose of a cunningham is permitted.
c. Jib.
1. Shall measure no more than 12' 2 1/2" along the luff, 10' 1" along the leech, and 5' 3" along the foot. The jib luff wire, if any, shall not exceed 12' 3 1/2" in length between the inner ends of thimbles, grommets, rings, or similar devices. A tolerance of minus 4" is allowed in these dimensions.
a. Head to midfoot measurement of jib---the distance between the head of the sail and lowest edge of the sail at the mid-point of the foot shall not exceed 11' 3". The mid-point of the foot shall be determined by the tack cringle over the clew and tensioning both halves of the foot equally. The head to midfoot measurement shall be taken as a straight line measurement with just sufficient tension to remove the wrinkles along the line measurement.
2. Corner to corner dimensions of the jib shall be measured in a straight line as follows:
a. Luff length between the highest point of the sail material, including bolt rope, if any, at the head and the lowest point of the sail material, including bolt rope, if any, at the tack.
b. Foot length between the most forward point of the sail material, including bolt rope, if any, at the tack and the aftermost point of the sail material at the clew, including bolt rope, if any.
c. Leech length between the lowest point of the sail material directly under the clew, including bolt rope, if any and the highest point of the sail material, including bolt rope, if any, at the head.
3. Cross measurement of jib - this shall be determined by the same method used in measuring cross point of mainsail, and this measurement shall not
exceed 2'8" in a straight line, including bolt rope, if any.
4. Windows are allowed in jib. One per sail no larger than 200 sq. inches, located in lower half of sail only. The intent of this ruling is solely to improve visibility and reduce the danger of collision.
5. The jib must be fitted to the jibstay with snap hooks or piston hanks. No other devices are permitted.
d. Spinnaker
1. Weight of cloth to be no less than 0.75 ounces per yard of 28 1/2" width. Luff and leech to measure 13.75 feet. Foot to measure 8.2 feet. Tolerances as described below.
2. Measuring - Measurement of spinnaker to be made by folding sail in half, luff to leech, clew to clew, and the following dimensions found as described:
Measurement C, 3' 3 5/8", plus or minus 2", taken between two points found as follows:
A, from underside of swivel, 3'6" down luff and leech. No tolerance allowed in this dimension.
B, from underside of swivel, 4'1 1/4" down the opposite side of sail as folded. No tolerance allowed in this dimension.
Measurement Z, 4'9", plus or minus 2", taken between two pints found as follows:
X, from underside of swivel, 6' 10 7/8" down luff and leech. No tolerance allowed in this dimension.
Y, from underside of swivel, 7'6" down opposite side of sail as folded. No tolerance allowed in this dimension.
Measurement P, 4' 1 1/4", plus or minus 2", taken between two points found as follows:
D, from underside of swivel, 13' 9", plus or minus 4", down luff and leech to clew.
L, from underside of swivel, 13' 10" plus or minus 4", down opposite side of sail as folded to foot.
Each line of measurement (except L) to be pulled as free of wrinkles as possible while that dimension is being measured. All three measurements of each of the triangles A-B-C, X-Y-Z and D-L,F respectively, to be taken simultaneously, and without regard for position of rest of sail. All nine measurements to be taken without intervening opportunity for the stretching or shrinking of any dimension, and in a straight line, not measuring, around contour.
3. "Venturi" type spinnakers are not allowed.
4. All Blue Jay spinnakers must have boat numbers in letters at least 9 1/2" high in accordance with USSA Rule #25E.
5. The spinnaker halyard proper may be led through either a small block or an eye-strap on the mast, then to a cleat on the mast below the color band, or to a cleat on the deck just aft of the mast, or on the forward face of the cockpit coaming, or down through the deck to a block on the mast, mast step, or centerboard trunk, then to a cleat on the forward or after end of the centerboard trunk. No other exceptions or uses of the spinnaker halyard are allowed.
21. FITTINGS
a. The actual pattern of fittings is optional. However, they must equal and serve the purpose of those indicated on the plans.
b. The position of chain plates and points of attachment of stays to hull shall be shown on plans. Fittings may be galvanized or plated, made of iron, steel, bronze, brass, copper, aluminum or any alloy made basically of combinations thereof, but not of other lightweight materials, except as specifically provided for herein. Plastic or aluminum main halyard sheaves, plastic shell and sheave blocks, plastic cam cleats and plastic cleats are permitted, and aluminum brummel hooks. Carbo blocks are permitted.
c. Aluminum alloy hardware fittings, but not fastenings, are permitted provided their use does not reduce weight of hull below the minimum required by Paragraph 5 of the By-Laws.
d. Lifting eyes, rings, or shackles must be provided, but must be solely
functional and not exceed size, weight, or shape required for lifting the boat.
e. Cam cleats and winch on centerboard trunk cap for mainsail and jib sheets are permissible.
f. The plans show a single fixed spinnaker pole fitting on mast, which prohibits the use of adjustable fitting. Locations shall be at owner's option. Per Section 16.c., pole fitting not to project more that 1 1/2".
g. Spinnaker sheet leads through the deck are optional.
22. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
a. While racing, each boat must carry the following:
1. 4 lb., Danforth or equivalent anchor, or 10 lb. standard anchor.
2. 50 ft. 3/8" diameter manila, or 1/4" nylon anchor line.
3. U.S.C.G. approved vest-type life jacket for each crew member.
4. Bailing equipment--10 qt. non-collapsible bucket. Sponge and pump optional.
5. 4 ft. paddle.
6. Life jackets must be worn and properly closed in all weather conditions on Blue Jays racing in the Blue Jay Nationals and other Class-sponsored races.
b. Pumps and Bailers.
1. Hand-operated pumps may be installed in the forward part of the hull, with a discharge hose draining out over the deck or through the center-board trunk.
2. So-called "self-bailers" are permitted, limited to types with positive automatic in-flow prevention and positive locking capability, two only per boat, installed port and starboard approximately amidships, and gasketed to assure watertightness. The Executive Committee expressly authorizes the Chief Measurer to summarily reject, as he sees fit, any bailer at any time for reasons of safety and inadequacy.
3. Transom plugs are permitted.
c. Flotation. Additional flotation material may be added to all boats at owner's option. The following options are permitted in order to make the
Blue Jay easier to right and drain after capsizing or swamping.
Option I - Watertight bulkheads, one to each side, may be installed approximately 6" inboard from and running parallel to the topsides, and joining in a V under the foredeck. (This method can be used on either wood or fiber glass Blue Jays fairly easily.)
Option II - A separate floor may be installed approximately 5" above the existing inner bottom forming a watertight seal with access to the centerboard pin. Transom flap bailers may be used and floorboards may be eliminated.
A slight down-ward pitch in the sole aftward is recommended.
Option III - Airbags under deck.
The following interpretations are included for clarity:
1. Where side tank flotation is used, tanks may be terminated just forward of the cockpit at builder's option.
2. Where watertight floor flotation is used, it is understood that stated height of approximately 5" is intended as a guide only, and that any reasonable departure from it to achieve the "self-bailing" goal is permissible.
(It should be noted that because the floor must pitch downward aft to have this method work, it would be impossible to set a single height, and that the need to keep crew weight as low as possible will "self police" any tendency to raise the floor unreasonable high, which would be self-defeating. The Chief Measurer will exercise his authority in this if any problem arises.)
3. Local fleets may, at their option, restrict the right of re-enter into a race after capsizing of Blue Jays with one of the "self-bailing"setups, if it seems necessary, in order to equalize competitive factors.
4. Access holes in flotation tanks are permitted if flanges are securely through bolted and if screw-on type lids are used, properly secured against non-functional opening. Tanks should have drain holes, properly plugged, to handle condensation and random leaking.

ARTICLE V - AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended in any meeting of the Association by two-thirds vote of those present in person, or by proxy, constituting a quorum, provided notice of amendment is sent to the Regular and Sustaining members in good standing, at least one month prior to the date of such a meeting.