Here is something that you west coasters can clear up for me, maybe you have had this problem before...

The rules state this: Life lines to the aft stanchions and the stanchions only have to be 12" tall. From the website pictures, it looks like this is an effective way to get crew weight outboard and keep the boat nice and flat and fast.

My problem: No OD racing out here and the bigger PHRF races that I will compete in require ORC cat 3 & 4 specs to be met (Block Is Race Week, NYYC Race Week).

My question: Do the class rules ultimately trump any other rules when these situations arise? If your boat is set up for class racing, do you have to modify it to meet with ORC regs?? I have seen Melges 24s race PHRF with their OD set-up as well as other class boats. Out here we actulally have jerks from other boats that will examine their competitors boats at the docks to see if they comply with every rule!! Well...just one jerk.