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sailboat j80

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Chafe Protection for Dock Lines

  • Sailboat Reviews

Looking for a fast sprit boat? The J/80 cant keep up with a Melges 24, but we think for racing and family fun, its a more well rounded boat. And its less expensive.

We imagine Rod and Bob Johnstone of J/ Boats faced a dilemma back in 1991 when they prepared to introduce a new line of boats. Among the several boats they were building at that time was the J/35, one of the most popular and successful boats on the racing scene.

The J/105 would be the first production keel boat rigged with a retractable bowsprit, conceived to in- crease performance by offering cruisers a user-friendly method of flying asymmetrical spinnakers. It, too, would measure almost 35 feet. So to give it a separate identity, they chose a metric name, vogue in the 1990s (10.5 meters equals 34.49).

The J/80

Five years after introduction of the J/105, the company has sold more than 400 sprit boats in sizes ranging from 26-50 feet, and several look-alikes have been introduced by competitors. New cruising boats are being offered with optional bowsprit arrangements; one line even has an articulating bowsprit. Theres no doubt: The concept has spawned a generation of so-called sport boats like the Ultimate 20 (October 15, 1995) and the Melges 24 (May 1, 1995), both sprightly, trailerable pocket rockets.

The history of J/Boats dates to 1976, when Rod John- stone designed the groundbreaking J/24, a fast, easy- to-sail racer that attracted sailors frustrated with the vagaries of MORC and PHRF handicapping systems. Rod formed the company with brother Bob, who came aboard to handle marketing. They hired Everett Pearson of Tillotson-Pearson, now TPI Composites, to construct the boats. In the ensuing 20 years, more than 5,200 J/24s were produced, and the fleet became the second largest one-design keel boat class in the world, behind the Star class. By the early 1990s, the company was a fixture in the boatbuilding business.

Following the successful launch of the J/105, the company unveiled the J/80, which is carving a niche in the marketplace with a broad customer base. Measuring 26 3, it is a versatile performer designed to have market appeal among those entering the performance arena for the first time, dinghy sailors stepping up to a keel boat, big boat racers seeking a simpler method of going around the buoys, and daysailors.

At a glance, the boats low profile and soft chine are aesthetically appealing. A spacious 12 cockpit offers plenty of room for a four-person race crew, and its decks are uncluttered by ankle-knocking hardware. More than 170 boats have been built since hull #1 was launched in April, 1993.

Construction

During his four decades of boatbuilding, Everett Pear- son has constructed more than 16,000 fiberglass hulls. The J/Boats are constructed at TPIs plant using the Seeman Composites Resin Infusion Molding Process (SCRIMP), a vacuum-assisted closed system designed to increase the integrity of hulls while reducing the amount of volatile organic compounds that enter the environment and workplace. The system has also been employed in the construction of 65 blades for wind machines, and in fabricating therapy pools (SwimEx) used by professional football teams.

The SCRIMP method was developed by Bill See- man, a Gulf Coast fiberglass expert, who worked with Baltek, a manufacturer of end-grain balsa used as core material in hulls and decks. During the 1980s, at the same time Seeman was exploring new methods of laminating composite panels, Baltek was experi- menting with various methods of developing a core product engineered for vacuum-bagging.

When Seeman was commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1990 to fabricate balsa-cored panels for a special project, he selected Balteks AL600 as the core because it contained a newly developed precoated copolymer that acted as a tie coat, strengthening the interlaminary bonds while reducing the amount of resin required. Baltek engineers continued to tinker with chemical formulations, eventually introducing the current generation of pre-coated balsa, AL600/10, which reduced cost of the balsa by a third. It is a key component in the SCRIMP process.

The J/80

Coincidentally, Pearson was on a parallel track, pursuing attempts to develop a similar system when he discovered Seemans. During a visit to Seemans plant in Mississippi he was so was so taken with the process that he immediately purchased manufacturing rights and began building SCRIMPed boats, including the line of J/Boats. That was 1993.

Alan Johnstone of J/Boats sees several additional advantages to the new system.

It produces laminates with glass/resin ratios that are within one percent of specifications, he says. It also reduces labor cost because of increased efficiency in the lay-up process, and we think it produces a better product because workers are not working in a hazardous, smelly environment.

The J/80 hulls are cored with 3/8 AL600 over which are laid layers of fiberglass chop and bi-directional and unidirectional mat. Three-ounce mat is used to reinforce the keel sump, and 6 wide strips of 3/4-ounce mat are used to reinforce deck flanges. The use of vinylester resin has inspired the company to offer a 10-year blister warranty.

Bulkheads are located amidships, and in the bow and stern. Like deck flanges, they are tabbed to the hull with additional 6-wide overlays of cloth. The hull-deck joint is bonded with Plexus, a high strength adhesive Johnstone says is stronger than the laminate itself. The company says it has no reported hull-deck leaks since it began using Plexus. (We do know of one Lagoon catamaran that sprung a hull-deck leak, not because the adhesive failed, but because a worker had failed to fill the entire seam.)

The keel, which is cast from ceramic molds, is attached to a 12-deep stub using seven, 3/4 J-shaped stainless steel bolts. The 1,400-pound lead keel is coated with four coats of epoxy primer.

As on most J/Boats, the mast step is an aluminum I beam tabbed to the hull on both sides of its base. Transverse aluminum webs welded to each end are through-bolted at the aft end into the main bulkhead and forward to another bulkhead. The mast is attached with four bolts attached to a plate that allows fore and aft adjustment at the base.

The retractable bowsprit is located to starboard. When owners of early models experienced leaks into the forepeak, a rubber seal gasket was mounted on the front of the housing.

The fiberglass rudder is molded in two halves that are cored with balsa before being married and wrapped with fiberglass at leading and trailing edges.

The company delivered 49 boats within months of its introduction and, like newborns, experienced teething problems: Some of the original stanchion bases failed where spinnaker blocks were attached, so the factory welding method was improved. Some mast cranes with lightening holes failed. Stainless steel gudgeons on the rudder were initially under-engineered so have been increased in size from 1/8 to 3/16 material, as has the stainless tiller strap. Owners of early models were provided with retrofits.

We inspected hull #42, which has been raced extensively for two seasons but still appears factory fresh. Gelcoat surfaces are unblemished. There were no signs of crazing or stress cracks, and areas where the crew operates were clean. Though the owner has raced in 25- to 35-knot winds in San Francisco and Seattle, his only failure was at a stanchion base.

We have always thought that TPI does as good a job as anyone building with balsa. At the same time, it should be remembered that the current generation of lightweight performance boats, despite their stiff- ness, tend to be more fragile than older, more heavily laid-up cruisers.

Deck Layout

Because sprit boats fly asymmetrical spinnakers and are equipped with roller-furling headsails, the amount of clutter on deck and in the cockpit is greatly reduced. Replacing the spinnaker pole eliminates a need for deck chocks, foreguy and topping lift, afterguy, sheet stoppers and, perhaps, one winch.

Generally, four lines are led aft on the J/80: jib sheets and spinnaker sheets, which are led to Harken 32-2A winches in the cockpit. Two identical winches located on the coachroof are factory options, but may be redundant. One owner told us he uses them only when setting the spinnaker or doing a jibe set, and is considering removing them.

Main and jib halyards are cleated at the mast. The spinnaker halyard is led to a cam cleat on the coachroof, the spinnaker tack line to a cam cleat on the side of the cabin, as is the roller-furler line, and the pole launch line is inside the bulkhead with only the tail exposed. An outhaul and reef line located in the boom exit near a clam cleat on the underside of the boom, within reach of a crewperson. Cunningham and vang controls are also at the base of the mast, within reach of the cockpit or rail.

Mainsheet trim and backstay adjustment is easily accomplished by the helmsman from a position aft of the traveler. The mainsheet system includes a 2:1 Harken traveler system led to cam cleats in the coam- ing, and five-part Harken mainsheet system led to a swivel base cleat. The 4:1 split backstay tackle is led forward to a position at the helmsmans fingertips.

When sailing downwind in moderate breezes, trimmers are typically located opposite the primary winches, two body widths forward of the helmsman. To keep the boat level when going to weather in more than 15 knots of wind, the jib sheet is led to the weather winch.

As one experienced crewperson told us, This boat is so easy to sail that if you have an experienced helmsman, you can pick up three novices and go racing.

Hall Spars supplies the fractionally rigged, double spreader rig, which measures 31 above the deck. The mast is supported by a rod headstay and stainless steel 1×19 shrouds and backstay.

Space belowdecks is well organized and nicely finished, but there isn’t much of it. This is because of the boats narrow, 8 3 beam and long cockpit. Daylight enters the area through two Lexan ports, but the space will be dark at night unless one purchases the optional Halogen reading lights.

The main cabin has 4 of headroom, and is accented by a teak and holly sole. Single berths located amidships are more than 6 long, but only 19 wide. Big persons wont find them very comfortable. Tiny storage compartments are located beneath each settee.

The forepeak is more spacious, 5 6 wide at the main bulkhead, and almost 7 long. Theres storage in the forepeak for little more than the battery and some small items, because the hollow area below the berth is enclosed to provide flotation. A small anchor locker is located in the bow.

Space aft of the companionway below the cockpit is open for storage, and is accessible by removing the companionway steps, which are mounted on a stainless steel frame attached to the hull with quick release pins. The space is adequate for storage of a cooler, portable toilet, outboard, and fuel tank. Wed recommend installation of a sliding tray or bracket to simplify the process and make access easier.

A bulkhead 6 from the stern encloses the aft section of the boat, adding additional flotation. Though the area can be inspected through removable plastic plates located belowdecks and in the cockpit, repairs to the area will present a challenge.

Exposed wiring from running lights is secured by cable ties screwed to tabbing in the hull. They detract from the boats appearance and could pose a hazard if pulled loose.?Though there is room for storage of equipment necessary for weekending, the challenge will be in the organization of gear and supplies.

Auxiliary power is furnished most often by a 3-hp. outboard motor on a transom bracket. There is no special locker for the portable fuel tank, so it sits in the cockpit. To minimize weight, capacity usually is limited to about 2 gallons.

Performance

We sailed Steve Painters Climax in moderate winds and flat water on Puget Sound and found her to be responsive from the moment we left the dock. In close quarters amidst a fleet of returning boats, we unfurled the jib and, once clear of traffic, the main was hoisted. The boats response was to lower its right shoulder and shoot forward into the wind.

We estimated wind speed at 10-12 knots (the design class does not allow wind instruments), a range Painter said is trickiest when sailing in competitive situations.

She likes it when the wind is under ten, because she performs well in light air, and when its over fifteen, because then she will plane when sailing downwind. In ten to fifteen knots we find it difficult to sail to her handicap, he told us.

A veteran sailor who has owned and campaigned a Star boat, Catalina 30, and most recently a C & C 44, Painter says hes having more fun with the J/80 than with any of the others.

When equipped with a non-overlapping jib, the boat rates 127 PHRF on the Sound, but regional handicaps differ by as much as 12-15 seconds. More than 170 boats have been produced and one-design fleets are organizing across the country, though most quickly on the East Coast.

When we took the helm we found that the designers claims of a neutral helm and positive tracking were not exaggerations. A Forespar tiller extension allows the helmsman to position himself comfortably with a single lifeline for back support and a 3 footrest built into the sole for lateral support.?Tacking is as simple as stepping across the boat, because the mainsheet is well forward of the tiller. Crew movement is rather straightforward as well. The boom is high enough that the risk of head-knocking has been reduced, and the coachroof far enough forward that its not necessary to crawl across it on a tack.

Having tested other sprit boats, weve become accustomed to launching the asymmetrical spinnaker, and have an increased appreciation for them as they allow cruisers and racers to sail fast without dealing with the potential for disaster that always exists with a conventional spinnaker setup.

The spinnaker, which is always tacked to the bow-sprit, is launched by pulling the pole forward and hoisting it from a J/24-style canvas basket in the companionway. With one person sweating the halyard and a second taking the sheet, it is aloft and pulling within 30 seconds.

Like any boat with an asymmetrical spinnaker, the J/80s best point of sail downwind is broad reaching. When the wind pipes up, the crew moves aft, the bow comes out of the water and shes planing. Compared to conventionally rigged boats, which sail fast with the pole on the headstay, sailing high jibe angles downwind is inefficient.

Because theres no spinnaker pole, theres no need for a foredecker. Jibing is simply a matter of pulling the clew across the boat in front of the headstay and trimming to the new course.

Spinnaker takedowns are simpler as well, especially when the sail is doused to weather. We unfurled the jib, jibed and eased the spinnaker halyard as the sail fell to the deck with assistance from one crewman controlling the clew.

J/80 vs. Melges 24

Initial reaction to the introduction of sprit boats was a combination of skepticism and curiosity. Judging from the success of J/Boats as well as new boats introduced by competitors, market acceptance is now a given in both racing and cruising fleets.

However, there are clear distinctions among boats on the market, which requires that a buyer clarify his needs before writing a check. Comparing the J/80 with the Melges 24 may provide a frame of reference because of their similarities and differences. The Melges is clearly a faster boat, rating in the 90s, despite being nearly 2 shorter.

Both have cavernous cockpits designed and rigged to maximize performance. Though waterline length, draft, and beam measurements are close, there are major differences. The Melges has a retractable keel and performs like an overgrown dinghy; the J/80 has a fixed keel. It is less buoyant and more comfortable going to weather in a chop.

The Melges is a lightweight at just 1,700 lbs., com- pared to the J/80s 2,900 lbs. The Melges carbon fiber rig and spreaders, which weigh only 62 lbs., plus the difference in overall displacement, translates into speed, especially downwind, when it breaks free of the surface and begins planing in 10 knots of wind. The J/80 simply needs more wind to overcome its displacement and the 185-pound rig. However, in 15 knots of wind, J/80 speeds reach into the teens, and weve seen them crack the 20-knot barrier on gusty San Francisco days. At those speeds, sailing is thrilling and challenging, regardless of the boat.

An equally important consideration is the proficiency of the crew. We agree with those who contend that the Melges requires a talented crew to be sailed to the victory circle. The 40- to 50-boat fleets that successfully contend at Key West Race Week are littered with professional sailors. By comparison, the J/80 provides veteran sailors, like Painter, an opportunity to compete at a high level without recruiting so-called rock stars.

Both boats are trailerable, though we would not want to set up the J/80 every weekend. Stepping the mast requires a gin pole, at the least, and hands and muscles, or, preferably, a hoist. By comparison, the Melges can be launched from a trailer and easily rigged in 30 minutes. The fixed keel on the J/80 also means a higher profile when traveling, though Johnstone told us that J/80 sailors trailer their boats from coast to coast to attend regattas.

The J/80 is slightly less expensive. At $33,200, it is priced $2,250 less than the Melges. Sails will add $4,500 to the cost, approximately $500 less than the Melges.

In our view, the issue is not one of performance be- cause both boats are quick, and perform well in light and heavy winds. Both have excellent designs, are well constructed, and have strong factory support programs.

The Melges is faster and may have more sex appeal. When measuring overall utility-including family sailing-the J/80 gets the nod. We wouldnt be afraid to take the boat into the ocean, but wed think twice about a coastal passage in the Melges.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Hello, I am upgrading from a J30 to a J80 and very new to this set up on the J80. I was wondering if I could have the email to Darrell Nichollson just to ask some questions as I come across them? My first question is there are no docking cleats for dock lines or for fastening an anchor. I notice the present owner uses docklines with a hook tied to the end and the hook connected to the plate mounted on the fordeck and to the stern stantions. Is that correct set up when leaving the boat in the water at a dock? Also, the anchor is stored inside the cabin in the forepeak? To get the anchor for use, one must go below to the bow and grab in with the anchor line? Thanks, Jon

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Sailboat specifications

  • Last update: 13rd March 2020

J/80's main features

J/80's main dimensions, j/80's rig and sails, j/80's performances, j/80's auxiliary engine, j/80's accommodations and layout.

J/Boats J/80  Picture extracted from the commercial documentation © J/Boats

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  • Sailboat Guide

J/80 is a 26 ′ 2 ″ / 8 m monohull sailboat designed by Rod Johnstone and built by J Boats and Waterline Systems, LLC starting in 1992.

  • 2 / 4 Long Beach, CA, US 1999 J/80 $27,500 USD View
  • 3 / 4 Long Beach, CA, US 1999 J/80 $27,500 USD View
  • 4 / 4 Long Beach, CA, US 1999 J/80 $27,500 USD View

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

  • SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
  • D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
  • LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
  • LOA: Length overall in feet
  • Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

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Home  News  Fun, Fast, and Fair – the J/80 at its Best!

Fun, Fast, and Fair – the J/80 at its Best!

This article is from an interview with Ramzi Bannura, President of the J/80 North American Class Association – www.j80na.org.

sailboat j80

US Sailing: What is the appeal of the J-80 class?

Ramzi Bannura: The allure is that the J/80 is a competitive one design class that has pockets of established fleets and boats across the US and Canada, such as Annapolis, Toronto, Seattle, Austin and New Hampshire . The class has closed class rules so that means that anything that is not expressly permitted is prohibited.  One of the most attractive features of the class is that sailors are open and engaging, meaning sailors teach each other how to sail/race better and optimally tune their boats. It is not unusual to see open and honest discussion happening on the dock about set ups, or chatter about spinnaker take down techniques, or why one side of the course or the other was better in a post race debrief.  The J/80 class is  a like-minded community of sailors that seeks camaraderie through healthy competition.

Though mainly sailed by middle-aged men in the 40+ age range, it is common to see teenagers and women skippering a competitive J/80, and it is worth noting that the J/80 is commonly used for family cruising and PHRF sailing in all venues.

sailboat j80

US Sailing: How is the J/80 class growing?

Ramzi Bannura: In the past two years, based on class membership numbers, the J/80 class has seen a 20% growth. Since there is a shortage of boats, although new ones can be built to order today, class members are looking to locate boats that are not currently being sailed so that new owners can get involved competing in the class. The boats hold value well – 25 to 30 year old boats are still very competitive and hold championship trophies. The boats perform well in light air but the real performance starts when the breeze gets up to 15 knots and the boats start planning downwind at times approaching 20 knots. Fear is not a large factor as the breeze goes up since the J/80 demonstrates the art of solid handling and even graceful broaching as opposed to traditionally scary knockdowns. The J/80 is very easy to rig, tow and launch which makes opportunities for traveling an inviting adventure.

When all is said and done, the J/80 is ridiculously competitive and the class rules and one design specification consistency over the years makes the skipper and crew the primary difference in the performance of the boat, not all the extra high-tech gear common today!

US Sailing: What best practices does the J/80 class have to share for participation and retention of sailors?

Ramzi Bannura: The J/80 class has a member-only section of the website ( www.j80na.org ) where members have exclusive access to the J/80 “knowledge base” and other tools which is particularly helpful to new J/80 owners, as well as access to the North American member directory. Hints and tips along with tuning information on how to make the boat go faster are also readily available.

The J/80 North American class is not a “Pro” dominant class since the owner/driver rule tends to limit the number of pro drivers unless they are boat owners. Pro sailors are otherwise active in the class as crew and trusted advisers for boat owners/programs on a regular basis.  If a sailor wants to sail the class events, they will be required to be a boat owner. The class welcomes the participation of pros as they continue to share their knowledge and expertise in the spirit of camaraderie through competition.

US Sailing: How has the J/80 class been able to help contain the costs of participation?

Ramzi Bannura: Boat owners are only allowed to buy one suit of sails per year; this restriction tends to temper an arms race. Many teams save those “championship” sails for the big events, and regularly use other used sails in their regular club and evening races. New sails definitely make a difference, but the biggest differentiator is the skill of the sailors.

The other way that many sailors are able to manage costs of traveling outside of their local area is through the invitation and generosity of other J/80 sailors across the country.  If there is an event, many local fleet sailors offer to host/house out of town sailors to make travel to events more affordable. Hospitality encourages participation and friendships are born through that participation. This is an amazing and notable element of the J/80 class that has led to well attended events and good friendships.

sailboat j80

US Sailing: Any final thoughts and additional information you would like to share?

Ramzi Bannura: There are more than 1,000 boats that have been built world-wide, with 250+ boats here in the US and Canada. The average price ranges between $25-35,000 all up, and as previously mentioned, the J/80 tends to hold its value since older boats are build solid and are competitive with newer boats.  Not only is the J/80 being used for racing (with max crew weight of 770 lbs/350 kg) but its versatility is shown in its regular use by clubs and sailing organizations for learn to sail and instructional programs, for boat rentals within programs, and for family time sailing.

It is important to note that the J/80 is as global as any worldwide one design class.  In addition to North America, there is a strong presence in Asia and Europe.  North American sailors can participate in international events and our champions hold their own against anyone from anywhere.  And the One Design Insurance policies from the Gowrie Group can be a huge benefit to one design sailors when they are sailing/competing at home or abroad, giving boat owners that additional peace of mind.  J/80 World Championship is currently planned for 2022 in North America.

Any and all are welcome to sail the J/80 and join the class – it is a fun, fast and fair class to be part of!

For more stories and resources for one design sailors, visit US Sailing’s One Design Central !

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J/80 vs J/22: Which is Right For You?

March 9, 2015 by Sail1Design Editor Leave a Comment

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sailboat j80

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    Beam:  8'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  8.25'    Draft:  4.9'
    Beam:  83'    Draft:  411'
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    Beam:  8.18'    Draft:  5.75'
    Beam:  8.8'    Draft:  6'
    Beam:  8' 6'    Draft:  4' 5'
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  5'
    Beam:  8.25'    Draft:  4.75'
    Beam:  8'    Draft:  4.5'
    Beam:  8.3'    Draft:  4.9'
    Beam:  8.30'    Draft:  4.90'

sailboat j80

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no-frills-sailing.com

J80 Sailboat Action

  • November 2nd, 2018
  • Cruise Report

You don´t have too many chances to be sailing with one of the best of their class. You really don´t get too many of them. The more I was thrilled when a text message from Martin Menzer reached me: “Want to experience real sailing? Last chance this season – come aboard our J80 and we cast off!” That was an invitation I of course couldn´t refuse and so I drove down an hour for the City of Kiel, or called “Sailing City” to meet Martin and his crew man, bosun and trimmer, Mika.

sailboat j80

As I walked down the pontoon, most of the yachts had been out of the water and winterized as the season of 2018 was really coming to an end, but Martin and his neighbour remained in the water: It has been such a great summer and still, being end of October we´ve had a nice, 12 degrees Celsius warm late-summer´s day. Perfect conditions! I began to feel happy. And it would turn out to be a lot more happy later on.

sailboat j80

Martin Menzner is a one-of-a-kind person whom I got to know last year when I saw an aluminium yacht at a crane out of my office window, grabbed my camera and ran down. You all know about my passion for aluminium yacht. And there she was, a 43 feet beauty and Martin was inspecting her keel. As it turned out after I approached him, mistaking him for the owner, he was the designer of this boat. Martin Menzner is the brain behind the much admired Berckemeyer.

sailboat j80

But the more I learned about his marvellous Berckemeyer-yachts the more I learned that Martin was much more than “just” a naval architect. As it turned out, he is a sailing buff, a true Champion and much feared regatta-ace in the J80-community. As on big German yachting magazine once called him: “There is no way past Martin Menzner”. And of course his boat, the famous J80 PIKE, which I was about to board. “Welcome, Lars, make yourself comfortable. We are just rigging the boat and the we´re off”, he greets me, as well as Mika, the co-owner and trimmer of PIKE.

sailboat j80

PIKE and her 4-men crew had been winning the Kiel Week in their class for eleven times, of which this year the ninth time in succession! 2017 they had won the German Open. J80 PIKE was and still is the benchmark in regatta sailing when it comes to the J80 one-design class. As Martin reveals, they hate travelling, most of all, putting the boat on a trailer. I am sure, if this wouldn´t be the case, PIKE and her crew would be stirring up European J80 races as well for sure.

A review in short: The J80 sailboat

Martin Menzner is used to designing real heavy duty yachts made of aluminium, fast, sleek and beautiful performance yachts up to 70 feet. One of his latest works, the BM49 Pilot House has been visited by myself two times up to now and I was a bit puzzled seeing him on this relatively small, 26 feet J80: “This, Lars, is real no-frills-sailing! This is a fast, simple and ultra-fun sailboat. It´s just pure sailing. And this is what I love about J80.”

sailboat j80

Looking at the boat I credited her crew first of all for having this boat – nearly 15 years of age – in such a perfect shape. The GRP and Gelcoat looked as it was brand new from the yard. The lines all in best shape, same for the rollers and clamps. The clean, open transom just housed the long tiller (for a big leverage) and the pulley for the backstay. Simple. Yet beautiful.

sailboat j80

The J80 measures 26 feet over all, which is 8 metres in total. The boat has a max beam of 2.51 metres and a fixed keel with a ballast of 635 kilograms. That´s a ballast-displacement- ratio of draft of 48 per cent, which is roughly double that of a modern production cruiser. Huge stability and pointing ability built in here. The draft of the boat is 1.49 metres.

sailboat j80

“Class rules are very strict”, tells me Mika as both were taking off the tarps of the mainsail and attached the luff to the mast: “One design class rules state that we are only allowed to buy one set of sails per year for the races. That’s why we practice – or go out for fun – in older sails from previous years.” Martin amends, that class rules in addition are only allowing Dacron main sails.

sailboat j80

What will the day out be like?As both were fitting the sails, connecting the sheets and rigging the Gennaker for being hoisted, I took a quick look to the interior of the boat. Which was pretty roomy, I could probably imagine that two people may find space to stretch out and sleep here, but honestly the boat was practically empty. Not made for a sleepover, just, as Marting mentioned, a piece of sports equipment.

sailboat j80

What was indeed springing to my mind on the other hand was the seemingly good building quality of this boat: All joints and lamination-works seemed to have been made by professionals. Again, I was wondering how well kept in good shape this boat was, even inside, even under the floorboards she looked as if she was brand new. Thy love their boat for sure, I thought to myself.

sailboat j80

Just 15 minutes after arriving the bowlines were put off and we pulled the boat by the aft lines out of her berth. Mika was hoisting the mainsail and it catched wind immediately. Martin, the skipper, steered the boat through the jetties, we turned 90 degrees to the main canal out of the Schilksee Marina and up the job went. At an instant the boat made speed well and created a nice wave at her bow. And all this without even one word from either of my sailing mates …

Gennaker´s up: A lesson in Sails Trim

Okay, I sat down and readied my camera, as Martin turned to port again, slacked off the sails and turned towards the exit of the Kiel fjord: Open Sea. Martin and Mika didn´t exchanged a word. A well-rehearsed crew that does not need a word. Everybody of them two knows exactly what to do. When Martin later was to change a course, a mere blink with an eye, a simple nod with his head or just single words like: “Off, now?!” and Mika would spring to life and do a tack, a gybe or trim-work on the sails.

sailboat j80

No wonder that these people win races, I thought: If you have a crew that acts without any commands or explanation needed, this will save time, increase reaction time and make for huge advantages over others. Suddenly – have I missed another of Martin´s nods? – Mika was standing next to me readying the Gennaker sheets: “Go to the mast, upon my Go, pull the halyard and hoist the sail!” Yes, Sir!

sailboat j80

Just some seconds later, the jib was rolled in and I pulled the halyard. Up the white Gennaker went and like it was the simplest thing in the world it unfolded. Mika took his seat next to Martin, his gloves on, and had the Gennaker sheet in his hands, constantly trimming. Like is was nothing, the J80 accelerated ever so gently up to a point when I was pointing to the bow and hurrayed in excitement: “Look how the sail is pulling up the bow out of the water!” Both smiled and nodded.

sailboat j80

PIKE was picking up speed. I couldn´t find a wind speed indicator, but there wasn´t much wind at that day, but the boat was taking off immediately. Like a rush the J80 began to ride on her own wave. With every little gusty puff the I felt the boat making a jump forward, as if it wanted to come out of the water. Are we planing? “Not today”, Martin shook his head: “The hull seems to be grown over by algae and stuff, the boat isn´t that fast today.” Not that fast?!

sailboat j80

With top speed exceeding 11.6 nots over ground, I couldn´t believe my eyes. This small boat with a max hull speed of … what? … is so effortless gliding and cheating wind? I have seen pictures of Martin racing PIKE and they looked quite rapid, but actually witnessing this small jollyboat making this speed was a true revelation, I must admit. No wonder that Martin´s Berckemeyer designs are winning races too.

sailboat j80

But what was looking so effortless and easy was constant work. Martin at the helm was constantly checking wind direction and angle, steering the boat perfectly in the waves which were coming in from astern. Mika as well was highly concentrated on the Gennaker sheet to have this sail generating maximum lift at any time. They again hardly spoke a word, everybody did what was his duty on his station.

sailboat j80

Now I understood what Martin meant with “real sailing” and what he was talking about when he spoke of the J80 as a “real sailboat”. There is really no complicated thing about the J80. No gadgets, no fooling around. Just attaching the sails and off you go. No engine, no fuel, no electric stuff. Just a boat for bare sailing. After some minutes and bringing some miles between us and the land both began to relax. Martin even smiled. Now, that was their true element, “short vacation”, as they called it.

sailboat j80

I seized the chance and began asking. Up until that day I had only sailed a single time with a Gennaker, which was on the Pogo 40 on our way back from the Island of Heligoland two years ago. During our pretty perfect sailing trip in a 40 ft aluminium performance cruiser my sailing mate and me tried to hoist the Gennaker but failed in doing so because it wouldn´t unfold due to hassle of the lines. So I asked Mika a thousand questions on Gennaker trim. For example, which purpose had the barber hauler and when they would tighten or loosen the line.

sailboat j80

“Well, it depends on our point of sail”, Mika explained: “The more we are getting the wind from astern, the more we want the sail to become bulgy. So, sheeting in the barber hauler will generate a kind of pocket in the upper part of the Gennaker.” Same way around the more wind comes in from aside, then the hauler will be slackened to flatten out the sail.

A real no frills sailboat: The J-boat at its best

Both had real fun in driving the boat. Like integral parts of a machine bother were doing their works. In that it seemed that steering, trimming and driving the boat to optimum speeds was so effortless, but in fact we all know how much experience and routine is needed to let it look like it was done without any effort.

sailboat j80

“We never put the Gennaker sheet to the winch”, tells me Mika. “We always drive the headsail by hand.” Can imagine this: Reaction time is much quicker and switching between tightening and slacking off the sheet is one single movement. “I constantly sheet in the Gennaker until the luff kills, the I let off some of the sheet … and then it starts all over again.”, says Mika: “When the luff is not killing, the Gennaker is sheeted in too close definitely, so that´s my indicator.” Martin agrees.

sailboat j80

Martin on the other hand controls the mainsheet which is on a clamp but he has the line ready to let go the mainsail when a gust hits or take it in closer. His other hand has a firm grip on the stick which moves the tiller. The boat is moving away from the coast fast: Sailing with a Gennaker in these winds makes miles eat away like nothing. We quickly cross the Kiel fjord and pass Marina Wendtorf where I started my last sailing trip, when – unnoticed by me because I missed another nod of Martin – the Gennaker came down in a matter of seconds, we tacked and went upwind again.

sailboat j80

The boat heeled nicely and the sun was creating a great effect on the black jib. Although we didn´t had any waves because of the offshore wind that had no fetch at all, the boat was going through the water without any – otherwise so upwind-typical – movements. An almost surreal feeling to have such a stable, fast yet barely moving nor rocking boat.

sailboat j80

“Time to go home again”, said Martin after we sailed an hour or so that fast before the wind, now the time to win back the miles by tacking into the fjord. “Where will the J92 be?”, the two men were wondering. Shortly behind us their neighbours had been casting off for a last sailing trip as well. There was a nice little rivalry going on between both: “The owner of that J92 is our premium trimmer when we race PIKE”, said Martin. Understood!

Upwind heading home: This small beast eats miles!

Again, very suddenly, Mika jumps up and climbs over me to the mast where he is for some seconds squinting his eyes taking a sharp look at the foot of the mainsail. Then, with one hand, he loosens a loop and holds on for some seconds, nod to himself and returns to his position.

sailboat j80

Well, sailing upwind now there wasn´t really anything to do for him as the job has been trimmed nicely, meaning, sheeted in for close hauled sailing. Martin hold his due course and the boat made between 5.5 and just over 6 knots over ground. Here´s the downside of a small boat, I though to myself: Length runs. And 26 feet isn´t much of a length. Nevertheless, this small boat was making good speed indeed.

sailboat j80

Quickly again without a single tack we reached the inner fjord of Kiel approach and the sun was going down. Autumn creates the best of colours, water is still kind of warm from a long summer and most of the other boats are ashore so that´s the best time for sailing. I praised Marting and Mika for having invited me, sat myself next to Mika on the coaming for being living ballast and stared quietly into the sunset.

sailboat j80

Later, of course, we chatted again about sailing. About yachts. About racing. More than ever I admired Martin for being such a humble person, not running around with his titles, with him being a well-known and widely respected yacht designer. Such an empathic, friendly, humorous and open person. There was no place in the world I would have been rather that being aboard PIKE at this very moment.

sailboat j80

“There they are!”, shouted Mika with excitement and suddenly the vacation-mode ended. With a hellish smile both decided to scramble the J92 and have a little match race back home with her. So we tacked and sailed towards her, criss-crossing the fairway for the large commercial freighters entering Kiel for the Kiel Canal or the harbour. Another quick gybe when we´be had them abeam. “Gennaker ho!”, was the command and I pulled the halyard whereas Mika was taking in the jib. Being on a beam reach now, the boat sprung to life again and gained speed.

sailboat j80

The wind was slowly going down with the sun, nevertheless we managed to reach some 8 knots in the course of the events. What I found astonishing was the fact that J80 PIKE was able to not only accelerate faster but to sail away in front of the much bigger J92 with such easiness that we´ve had more than ten boat lengths between us in a matter of minutes!

sailboat j80

“Normally we are faster then they on every point of sail”, said Martin, “Except for sailing close hauled.” There we have it again. It got fresher and then colder and it was a good decision to go home for the berth again. Suddenly I felt winter crawling up my legs: As soon as the rays of the sun didn´t reach us anymore, temperaturs dropped immediately. Luckily we reached Kiel-Schilksee, home port of Pike, some minutes later.

sailboat j80

The J92 arrived when we had our sails taken off the rigg and the sheets coiled up smoothly. Maybe they haven´t been in the mood for a match race that day. But when they came in, I again admired the easiness of manoeuvering an engine-less boat in harbour. They would have taken down the mainsail and come in slowly driven by jib, Martin and Mika had taken down every of the two sails and were warping in the boat by pushing the boat from pillar to pillar.

Review of the J80 sailboat

Nice, smooth, no noise. Elegant and no frills. When I went off the boat, said Goodbye to Mika, Martin and PIKE I had to think about some stuff when I drove home. For example about the fact that size really does not matter. That even such a small, easy and simple boat like the J80 can generate so much fun, so much excitement and in this is so deeply elegant. I can imagine how deeply influenced Martin may be by his sailing experience in this boat when he is designing the Berckemeyer yachts.

sailboat j80

In the end, this really was a perfect sailing day. 5 hours of Gennaker sailing practice, a long day out in the Kiel fjord with one of the best J80 sailors out there: What more can I have asked for? Thanks so much Martin, Mika and your tough little PIKE! It was so much fun and a revelation indeed.

Like small sailing boats? Here is more:

Learning to sail on a Menhir sailboat

Quick sailing in a Beneteau First 30 R

Test sailing a Beneteau First 27 – the ex-Seascape 27 

J80 Class

  • Class Rules
  • Measurement
  • North America
  • J/80 Best Practices

J/80 Event News

: 14-Aug-2024
: 31-Jul-2024
: 30-Jul-2024
: 30-Jul-2024
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: 24-Jul-2024

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sailboat j80

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COMMENTS

  1. J/80 is the world's most popular 26 ft one-design keelboat

    International J/80 One-Design- THE world's largest 26 ft sailboat class worldwide- 1,600+ boats in 15+ nations- try one today! SEARCH J/BOATS ... (48% ballast ratio) J/80 has big-boat feel and requires less experienced crew. The boom is high for safety and good visibility. No one has to clamber over a cabin top because everyone sits in the 12 ...

  2. J/80

    A boat's actual draft is usually somewhat more than the original designed or advertised draft. For boats with adjustable keels (centerboards, daggerboards, lifting and swing keels), Draft (max) is with the board down. Draft (min) is with the board up. DISPLACEMENT: If you weigh the boat on a scale, that is her actual displacement. It is the ...

  3. J/80

    J/80 flying its asymmetrical spinnaker. The J/80 is a racing keelboat, with the hull built predominantly of fiberglass.It has a fractional sloop rig with a retractable bowsprit controlled from the cockpit by a deployment line. The hull has a raked stem, a plumb transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed swept fin keel.It displaces 2,900 lb (1,315 kg) and carries 1,400 lb ...

  4. The J/80

    The fixed keel on the J/80 also means a higher profile when traveling, though Johnstone told us that J/80 sailors trailer their boats from coast to coast to attend regattas. The J/80 is slightly less expensive. At $33,200, it is priced $2,250 less than the Melges. Sails will add $4,500 to the cost, approximately $500 less than the Melges.

  5. J/80 technical specifications

    J/80 Specifications (Sample Specification) Composite hull and deck of GRP balsa sandwich with E-glass fabrics, additional reinforcing in way of highly loaded hardware. Vinylester and ISO NPG gelcoat in hull for osmotic gelcoat blister protection. Molded GRP main bulkhead to absorb the direct loads of the shrouds and mast compression.

  6. About J/80 Class

    About J/80 North American Class Association. The key to the popularity of the J/80 is that it is a boat that holds the attention and interest of many types of sailors, young and old! The J/80 does it all, with thrilling 15+ knot rides under spinnaker or relaxed sunset cruises with mainsail only. Sailing World rated J/80 as easier to handle ...

  7. J/80 (J/Boats)

    Sailboat specifications. Last update: 13rd March 2020. The J/80 is a 26'2" (8m) one design sailboat designed by Rod Johnstone (United States). She is built since 1993 by J/Boats (United States).

  8. J80

    The key is a boat that holds the attention and interest of many types of sailors, young and old. J/80 does it all, with thrilling 15 knot rides under spinnaker or relaxed sunset cruises with mainsail only. SAILING WORLD rated J/80 as easier to handle, less intimidating, safer and better suited for sailing offshore than other modern sportboats ...

  9. J/80

    J/80 is a 26′ 2″ / 8 m monohull sailboat designed by Rod Johnstone and built by J Boats and Waterline Systems, LLC starting in 1992. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts. ... J/80 is a 26 ′ 2 ″ / 8 m monohull ...

  10. J Boats J 80 boats for sale

    Find J Boats J 80 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of J Boats to choose from.

  11. Fun, Fast, and Fair

    The average price ranges between $25-35,000 all up, and as previously mentioned, the J/80 tends to hold its value since older boats are build solid and are competitive with newer boats. Not only is the J/80 being used for racing (with max crew weight of 770 lbs/350 kg) but its versatility is shown in its regular use by clubs and sailing ...

  12. J/80 vs J/22: Which is Right For You?

    The J/80 is an excellent buoy racer by any accounts. The ability to handle a very wide range of conditions allows the boat to excel in more locations than the J/22. Additionally, the J/80 performs well under handicap and can be easily sailed shorthanded. It is a stable platform without sacrificing performance and can even be overnighted.

  13. J/Boats j/80: Prices, Specs, Reviews and Sales Information

    J/Boats j/80 Specifications. The J/Boats j/80 is produced by the brand J/Boats since 2012. J/Boats j/80 is a 8.00 meters sport keel monotype with a draft of 1.49 meters. The yacht with a CE certification class (B) and can navigate no further than 200 miles off the coastline. The base price of a new J/Boats j/80 is not currently published ...

  14. J80 sailboats for sale by owner.

    J80 preowned sailboats for sale by owner. J80 used sailboats for sale by owner.

  15. World Sailing

    The J/80 is a versatile and easy-to-sail keelboat that can accommodate a crew of two to six people. Learn more about this popular World Sailing class and its events on the official website.

  16. J80 Sailboat Action

    The J80 measures 26 feet over all, which is 8 metres in total. The boat has a max beam of 2.51 metres and a fixed keel with a ballast of 635 kilograms. That´s a ballast-displacement- ratio of draft of 48 per cent, which is roughly double that of a modern production cruiser.

  17. J/80 Video Gallery of sailing, daysailing, and racing.

    14.09.2015. Here is another video from Black Rock Sailing School providing tips and techniques for shorthanded spinnaker handling aboard a J80. Conditions were 13 -18 knots. Look for more videos covering a wide range of topics within the next month or so!

  18. J/80

    J/80 Event News The Building Blocks Of Asymmetric Spin Trim : 14-Aug-2024 There's more to asymmetric-spinnaker trimming than simply easing to the curl.(Newport, RI)- A writer for SAILING WORLD magazine- Madeline Gill Baldridge- got together with knowledgeable sailors of asymmetric spinnaker boats like the J/70 and J/105.

  19. J/80 is the world's most popular 26 ft one-design keelboat

    International J/80 One-Design- THE world's largest 26 ft sailboat class worldwide- 1,600+ boats in 15+ nations- try one today!

  20. Used J Boats J 80 boats for sale

    2000 J Boats J/80. US$24,991. ↓ Price Drop. Berthon International | Lymington, Hampshire. Request Info; Sponsored Boats | related to your search. 2018 Nautique Super Air Nautique G21. US$114,995. Union Marine (Issaquah Store) | Issaquah, Washington. 2023 Nautique Super Air Nautique G23.

  21. PDF J/80 Specifications

    Masthead tri-color navigation light. 1x19 wire standing rigging with turnbuckle adjusters. Backstay with adjustment tackle led to either side of the cockpit. Outhaul (6:1) led inside boom. Retractable, carbon bowsprit, controlled from cockpit. Boomvang line with blocks (12:1). One main halyard with shackle.

  22. J Boats J 80 boats for sale

    1999 Hunter 290. $28,000. Oak Island, NC 28461 | St. Barts Yachts and Charleston Yacht Sales. Request Info. <. 1. >. Find 17 J Boats J 80 boats for sale near you, including boat prices, photos, and more. Locate J Boats dealers and find your boat at Boat Trader!

  23. J Boats J/80 for sale

    J Boats J/80 for sale 4 Boats Available. Currency $ - USD - US Dollar Sort Sort Order List View Gallery View Submit. Advertisement. Save This Boat. J Boats J/80 . Lymington, Hampshire, United Kingdom. 2000. $25,047 Seller Berthon International 31. Contact +44 (0)1590 679222. ×. Save This Boat. J Boats J/80 ...