J/121 Offshore Speedster Update

(Newport, RI)- We are pleased to share several updates as the J/121 project transitions from the tooling-only phase into the initial production of hull #1.

Tooling/Production Update
The hull mold was vacuum tested last week to ensure an air-tight fit - a critical component in the resin infusion molding process. The hull mold surfaces were then waxed in final preparation for the molding of the first hull. The boot stripes and flanges are shown being taped off in this photo earlier this week.

And presto, hull #1 begins molding! The light grey boot stripes were applied first, and then the white gelcoat sprayed into the hull molds. The two molds will be joined before the laminate and core is placed and the hull infused.

Once the hull is molded (upon “de-molding”), it will be placed into a special hull jig for the installation of the structural bulkheads. The “green jig” was recently built using the master hull plug seen in the background. This picture nicely shows off the J/121’s planing hull shape.

Meanwhile, back in the prototype shop, the nonskid surface was applied to the deck plug. The finish is “sand-style” which will yield excellent traction on the final molded deck.

Southern Spars named J/121 Spar Supplier
We’re pleased to confirm that Southern Spars has been named the official J/121 spar package supplier. We’ve been impressed with the level of detail and expertise the Southern design and engineering team has brought to the initial phase of the project and are very excited to have them onboard. BSI Global Rigging of Portsmouth, RI will be providing the standing rigging package.

One-Design Sail Package
Our team has been working with sail designers at leading sailmakers to develop the “J/121 Class inventory”- similar to the process we followed developing the J/70 sail program. The objective of the J/121 Class inventory is to:

1. identify the core inventory of sails that every J/121 team will want no matter the kind of racing
2. to meet the J/121 design mandate of creating a high performance, offshore-capable 40 footer that can be handled by 5 or fewer crew
3. have all the J/121 programs start with the same core inventory so that owner/class events can quickly develop.

The five sail inventory is comprised of: Mainsail with two reefs, #1 Furling Jib, #4 Inner Jib, Code 0 spinnaker, and A2 spinnaker. For class events the jibs and the Code 0 must be furlable and the A2 either snuffable or furlable. Based on our own testing and sailmaker input, for hull #1, we are planning to go with a top-down furler for the Code 0, bottom up furlers for the two jibs, and a snuffer for the A2.

We are organizing a “turn-key” J/121 “class package” to be offered as a J/Boats option- to include the standard J/121 with the 5-sail class inventory, a Code 0 furler, an Inner jib furler, an A2 snuffer, a wet-sanded racing bottom job, an instrument prep package (pre-wire mast, install two thru-hulls and installed Jefa auto-pilot radial drive), and a starter docking/safety package.  For more J/121 Offshore speedster sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.