J/80 @ ABYC

Whitby is hosting the LYRA regatta in 2016 as part of our club's 50th anniversary.

Tonight I went to Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club to meet the LYRA president Dave Steenburgen.

At the club I ran into Jim McGinness who was looking for crew to go out on his recently purchased J/80.  I jumped at the opportunity.

The J/80 is a 26ft sport boat with LOTS of sail area.  In the right conditions, this rocket will plane.

Large 12ft cockpit

It is different than anything I have sailed. It is a mainsail driven boat, with small non overlapping jib on a roller furler.  There is a retractable bowsprit that is used to fly huge asymmetric spinnakers.  The main is dacron with sail slugs (no bolt rope) as per J/80 class rules.  All designed to make it easier to sail and keep the costs down.

Huge cockpit

Traveller/mainsheet/backstay

Owner Jim also sails an IMX38 called Five Fifteen out of Highland.
I crewed with 515 crew members Ali and Sean.

We went out before the race, and tried some tacks; very easy to do with the small headsail.  We hoisted the spinnaker and did several gybes. Again, very easy, just like a big genoa.  The hoisting and dousing of the spinnaker is done to a bag in the companionway.

Bowsprit retracted in bow

Not much below,barely sitting headroom

We got the boat going over 5 knots upwind in about 10 knots of breeze.  Downwind, we hit 9.1 knots. On the first spinnaker douse, we had MAJOR problems.  The spin halyard jammed at the mast and we could not get it down!  the spinnaker sheet was let to run and the chute was flying far away from the boat.  We overshot the leward mark by maybe a quarter mile until we got the chute down.

Its light red NOT pink!

Toronto skyline in the background

Nice sunset

We had a blast, but came in last.

Would I consider buying a J/80?  Absolutely, but not at this time!
I've got too many boats, a house to sell, and not enough time.

Trip Odometer: 13.50 miles
Moving Average: 4.7 kntos
Moving Time: 02:52:00

Track: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12535935/Still%20Time/2015/20150825.kmz