Available for viewing and download below are the J/80 International Class Rules, as approved by the ISAF for International Class status.  These files are in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf) and require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software available from adobe to open, read & print.

The J/80 Class is an "ISAF Recognized" class, meaning that all changes to Class Rules and the Constitution must be approved not only by the J/80 Class but by ISAF as well.  This is a positive, in that the ISAF 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 our current 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? 
In the US, there are three conduits to the ICA Executive Committee.  1^st is the US representative to the ICA Executive Committee; 2^nd is the US representative to the ICA Technical Committee, and 3^rd is the Copyright Holder (J-Boats).

In general, there are three types of rules changes: 

Proposals involving type 1 & 2 changes are always encouraged and can be submitted to the J/80 Class Association USA 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. 

The normal ISAF procedure calls for all Class Approved rules proposals to be received by their office no later than August 31 of the year preceding the desired implementation date.  The standard ISAF implementation date for new Class Rules is the March 1st following approval at their November meeting.  While ISAF Recognized Classes are able to obtain ISAF approval for rules changes on a year-round basis, the following is the J/80 Class adopted guideline for J/80 rules proposals:

This timetable allows 90 days for each NCA to review with their class Members prior to an ICA vote.