J/80
 Class symbol | |
 J80 sailing in Helsinki | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Rod Johnstone |
| Year | 1992 |
| Design | One-Design |
| Name | J/80 |
| Boat | |
| Crew | 3 – 5 |
| Draft | 1.49 m (4 ft 11 in) |
| Hull | |
| Type | Monohull |
| Construction | GRP |
| Hull weight | 1,315 kg (2,899 lb) |
| LOA | 8 m (26 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.51 m (8 ft 3 in) |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | Fixed |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Fractional rig |
| Mast length | 11.43 m (37.5 ft) |
| Sails | |
| Mainsail area | 17.42 m2 (187.5 sq ft) |
| Jib/genoa area | 13.9 m2 (150 sq ft) |
| Spinnaker area | 65 m2 (700 sq ft) |
The International J/80 is a fixed keel one-design sportsboat. It is built by J/Boats and certified for offshore sailing, normally crewed by 3 to 5 people. As well as its mainsail & headsail, the J/80 has a 65 m2 (700 sq ft) gennaker for downwind sailing, which when the wind rises over 15 knots gets the boat on the plane downwind.
With over 1590 J/80's worldwide, the J/80 is one of Europe's and North America's best selling sportsboats. Recognized by the ISAF, the International J/80 Class Association promotes activities and regattas worldwide. For class racing, sails are restricted to only a main, headsail and gennaker with total crew weight at 338.6 kg (746 lb) with no limit on crew numbers.
According to Sailing World Magazine, "The J/80 is easier to handle, less intimidating, safer and better suited for sailing offshore than other modern sport boats tested."[1]
In 2007, two Swedish men (Andreas Granberg and Jens Utbult)crossed the Atlantic ocean in a J80.
Design
The J/80 was designed by J/Boats' Rod Johnstone, and was designed to be a one-design sportsboat that was both easy to sail and safe, but capable of reaching 20 knots downwind.
The J/80 is the only sportsboat to be certified for Design Category 'B' of the EU Recreational Craft Directive, which means it can withstand waves that are 4 metres (13 ft) high and in winds up to 41 knots. This gives the J/80 a reputation of being a very well built boat for its size, capable of extreme weather conditions.
Due to the J/80 having an asymmetrical spinnaker with a retractable bowsprit, there is little clutter on the deck and in the cockpit, giving the crew more space and fewer tripping hazards on board.
Events
World Championships
Template:J/80 World Championship medallists
See also
References
- ^ "Sailing World Magazine J/80 Review". Sailing World Magazine. 2009-10-12.
External links
