(Newport, RI)- The J/121 project is in hyper-drive mode with the hull
and grid mold nearing completion at CCF Composites and the deck tooling
in final fairing at Symmetrix in Bristol, Rhode Island. In two weeks
we’ll be laying out deck hardware on the deck plug, positioning cockpit
footrests and simulating boathandling maneuvers for final tweaking of
equipment location before starting the mold.The J/Design team has been working with leading sailmakers to determine the optimum J/121 one-design class inventory. We are targeting an inventory of five sails including:
- Mainsail with two reefs
- #1 AP Jib on furler
- #4 Jib on hoistable inner forestay with halyard lock and 2:1 downhaul.
- Code 0 75% Asymmetric on top-down furler
- A2 Asymmetric with zipper luff/tack and lightweight snuffer
In
terms of simplified sail-handling for hull #1, we are working with Ubi
Maior of Italy to test a very cool custom version of their innovative
furling system called the “Jiber.” This is a furling system that allows
soft-hank attachment of the jib to a rod headstay without the need for
the heavy aluminum foil system. Top offshore racers have adopted
similar systems to save weight, reduce aerodynamic drag in the rigging
and improve jib handling in extreme conditions at sea. Alternative
systems without foils require lashing the head of the jib to a top
swivel on the mast, but this prevents the jib from being able to be
lowered to the deck without someone going aloft. Many Open 40 and 60
sailors use this method to save weight. The difference with the Jiber is
that one can hoist and lower the jib at will (on hanks) with a
conventional halyard and, of course, furl on demand. Learn more about the J/121 offshore speedster here
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