The J/109 Class Association Forum

I have hull 34, a 2003 North American build and have finally set the mast base up as per the north 2004 tuning guide, i.e. 480 mm behind the bulkhead. I cannot shift it forward any more without pulling it and re drilling / tapping bolt holes in the mast step. Otherwise, my mast rake (headstay length) and etc. are within a 1/4 inch of correct. Has anyone with an older hull gone with a mast base at 460mm ? is it worth the effort ? Are the bulkheads in the same relative positions in the boats, or did things change over the course of the builds ?

I've not raced with the new set up yet so its not clear what impact it will have. real soon now though.

Your mast position and inability to reach the desired end point is a common J/109 condition. See this procedure I posted a few years back in Tipe & Tuning section.

I'm using North Sails and was told it was close enough without redrilling.

I saw that, thanks, mostly just wondered if there was any difference for the older hulls.

On Zig Zag, hull #37, the mast butt is all the way forward at 464 mm, rake at 2252 mm(swing arc), J at 4072 mm. This setting works very well with our Quantum sails.
TPI the builder of US boats was never known for accuracy, variations of up to plus/minus 0.5" to be expected. Still boats of different age are very evenly matched for speed and point, crew work and tactics makes the biggest difference.