| The
Open 30 concept started in mid 2000 as a larger answer to the Open
6.50. With very little interest in North America for the Open 6.50,
and no events, a larger, safer, more marketable, and accepted answer
was needed. The ideal size, without getting too costly seemed to
be 30 feet.
Sailors,designers, and builders, looking for something with
a bit more, interested in breaking all the rules by putting ratings
and self obsoleting one design rules aside, took to the internet
to pool ideas, share resources, and come up with a winner....
The Open 30 Rule.
Within three months interest built, and a core group of ten
members formed which studied, debated and founded the rule as
we know it. All aspects were discussed, safety, righting, sails,
rigs, materials, venues, and acceptance. The group decided boats
had to be offshore capable, singlehanded and crewed, around the
bouys thoroughbreads, chined, composite, ply, fixed, wing, canting,
or retractable keels, daggerboards and canards. Every imaginable
race should not be ruled out. To be fair to the other 30 foot
boats, and to ensure a truely open rule, it was agreed to grandfather
in all stock and custom boats built before October 1, 2000 with
a length shorter than 9.6 meters.
The Open 30 Rule is simple, and safe, and exactly what it states,
open.Designs are being drawn up, and boats are coming."Fast and Free",
the class motto is the future...
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