length of j70 sailboat

Sailboat specifications

• Last update: 13rd March 2020

J/70's main features

• 2013: European Yacht of the Year: Special Yacht

J/70's main dimensions

J/70's rig and sails, j/70's performances, j/70's auxiliary engine, j/70's accommodations and layout.

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• Sailboat Guide

J/70 is a 22 ′ 8 ″ / 6.9 m monohull sailboat designed by Alan Johnstone and built by J Boats starting in 2012.

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)

Spinnaker (asym.) area: 491 sq.ft./45 m² More than 1100 delivered as of 2016.

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The J70 is a 22.74ft fractional sloop designed by Alan Johnstone and built in fiberglass by J Boats since 2012.

1100 units have been built..

The J70 is an ultralight sailboat which is a very high performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

J70 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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J-70 Boat Reviews

Boat Review Date: October 2014 Author: Mike Brown Overview

There is a steadily growing number of sports boats on the Swan; sail craft around six metres long, essentially big racing dinghies with ballast keels. Terrific fun, but needing athletic dinghy-style crews to sail them well. And they are purely racing boats where most racing is done by keel boats that have other careers as cruisers. A new entrant to the scene goes some way to bridge the gap.

The J70 is the latest product of the builder that gave the world the extremely successful J24, so it has a respected pedigree. A shade under the seven metres suggested by its name, it combines 21 square metres of working sail area with a displacement of 794 kilos. 36 percent of that is ballast on the end of a 1.45m keel; these are figures that suggest an easily driven, stable and fast boat. A clue to the easily driven nature of the J70 was provided by the choice of auxiliary power: a 2.5hp Suzuki that was far from working hard when called into use.

WA’s first J70 had its maiden voyage on Fremantle Sailing Club’s opening day, with everything new to its crew. It was launched off a trailer, its lifting keel making this possible and simple. The routine of lowering and securing the keel, stepping the featherweight carbon fibre mast, tensioning the standing rigging and bending on the sails was quickly mastered. The routine is so straightforward it could probably be achieved in 20 minutes if money were at stake.

Winds on the day were flukey, with some respectable gusts. As soon as anything near ten knots cropped up the J70 was up and boogying, impersonating a lightweight dinghy. The crew for the day comprised four sizeable males, adding substantially to the displacement. The performance suggested adjusting crew numbers to wind strength would be a useful ploy.

It is illuminating to do a few sums on displacement and sail area with a lightweight vessel like this. We have all seen the pictures of seriously large racers with a dozen or more crew members sitting on the weather rail as organic ballast. Compare their vast sail area with the J70’s and see how much more affect a couple of 80 kilo people sitting on the J’s rail has. And the J70 has the shape and equipment to make this a natural and comfortable position.

But the J70 can have a life away from racing. Overseas, where this is a runaway big selling boat, it is a popular family or married couple craft for weekend fun with the occasional race. Loners can enjoy single handing in it. For the most social and laid back racing – twilights – the cockpit can accommodate eight or more as well as the esky.

The small fore cabin has V-berths long enough for use by humans, and weekending is very much an option. Overseas experience says a big use of the cabin is for children, sated with sailing, who can migrate there to play with electronic toys rather than asking if they are there yet.

The layout is uncomplicated allowing single handing; from one position the skipper can control the adjustable backstay, main and jib sheets. Extending the bowsprit and setting the asymmetric spinnaker, though, will call for few more hands. There is a pair of sheet winches that are likely only to get much use in stronger winds. These and all the other hardware are satisfyingly beefy items, well up to their jobs.

So far there is just the one J70 afloat in WA, but more were ordered at the Mandurah show. If overseas experience is any guide there should soon be enough here for one-design racing. The worldwide numbers grew so fast that less than 18 months after launching the International Sailing Federation approved the J70 as an ISAF class. The first world championship was held last month the entries capped at 120.

Price from                  $66,000

Length overall           6.93m

Beam                          2.25m

Draught                     1.45m

Displacement           794kg

Ballast                        286kg

Sail area                    21sqm

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J/Boats J/70 Review

topRik experts talk about their experience of racing on a J/Boats J/70 , share their impressions of the yacht and invite you every Sunday to participate in sailing on this sailing legend (details in the review). The article also provides reviews of famous yacht racers, with the main characteristics of the sailboat, photos and videos attached so that you know what you will have to face this or next Sunday in the Bay of Kotor (Montenegro).

• FEATURES OF J/70
• PRICE CALCULATOR
• THE NEVER-FADING STAR OF J/BOATS

All Things Are Known by Comparison

Features of the design and sailing equipment, the crew of the yacht for the regatta and their tasks, don’t expect luxury, j/70 101 – tips from the toprik crew, good news for you.

• ADVANTAGES OF J/70
• REVIEWS OF J/70 FROM PROFESSIONALS
• VIDEO REVIEWS OF J/70

Features of J/70

• Brand: J/Boats
• Hull type: Sailing yacht
• Overall length, m: 6.93
• Width, m: 2.25
• Draft, m: 1.5
• Displacement, t: 0.794
• Exterior design (Architect): Alan Johnstone
• Interior Design: J/Boats
• CE Certification: C
• Mainsail type: Fully battened
• Jib type: Genoa
• Mainsail area, m²: 11.47
• Jib area, m²: 9.55
• Engine: Outboard

Price calculator

The never-fading star of j/boats.

The year when a new star was born is 2012. But to this day, J/70 remains the brightest in the constellation J/Boats, even though this 7-meter keel sailboat is the smallest in the history of the shipyard.

After the first tours, tests and reviews in the US it was extremely well received. The boat was shown to European customers in December at a yacht show in Paris. By this time, the first regattas with the participation of the new class had already taken place in the New World, which, without administrative levers and lobbies, gathered more than 20 crews.

At the very first yacht exhibition in Düsseldorf following these events, the sailing boat J/70 was awarded with the title of European Yacht of the Year 2012/2013 in the Special Yacht nomination, besides the boat collected nominations 2013 Boat of the Year in the US and UK.

At the same time, the traditional Key West Regatta was held, in which 40 crews chose the J/70, and this is despite the fact that the first hull was sold only 6 months before that. The new class enters the European racing calendar just as quickly, starting with the Primo Cup Monaco regatta. The shipyard reported that it had received about 400 orders from 18 countries. No model of a 7-meter keel racing yacht has yet demonstrated such growth in popularity.

J/70 by topRik Team

What kind of boat is this and what is the cause of such a high demand? Based on their own experience of participating in the J/70 regattas, the experts of the topRik team tried to answer these questions in as much detail as possible.

Due to hereditary proximity, the new boat is best compared with its predecessor J/80 and closest competitors Melges 20/24 and SB20.

Compared to the J/80, the new boat is almost twice as light, while the sail area has not significantly decreased. It is easy to transport, it does not require special equipment for launching and installation of the mast is not needed (the complete carbon mast weighs less than 25 kg). Crew from 3 to 5 people, no weight limit (according to class rules). The J/70 enters planing much earlier than its predecessor, easier to manage too.

The ban on the use of foil sails and more than one set per year keeps the class open to everyone. The popularity of the J/80 and J/24 class in the world has attracted strong world-famous riders to the new class!

The high cost of ownership and excessive "acrobatic" Melges 24 did not provide much development to the class. For 10 years, the class could not catch up with the J/80 in terms of mass. The appearance of the M20 on the market should have changed the ratio, but this did not happen. It was J/70 that immediately occupied a niche between the M24 and M20, being just as fast and dynamic, but at the same time being cheaper and easier to set up and manage. In addition, it is more accessible to beginners, as it does not require them to be athletes.

Comparing the new class with the SB20, it should be noted that the SB20 itself is a very successful boat. It is as dynamic, fast, easy to handle and transport as the J/70. But the T-shaped keel collects all the nets and debris in coastal areas and it is also more difficult to use in an incomplete crew, for family outings and for training young people. In addition, in terms of build quality and hull strength, the SB20 is significantly inferior to J/Boats products.

The J/70 is the first lifting keel racer from J/Boats, which has ushered in a new era not only in NYYC but in organized sailing in general.

The carbon fiber mast is very easy to mount. A simple sail plan includes a square-topped mainsail, a roller staysail and a gennaker on a retractable bowsprit.

If you wish, and for insurance in case of little experience in sailing, you can install an outboard engine with a power of 2.5 HP on the transom.

The yacht is easy to attach to and it is just as easy to launch from the ramp of the car. For such meager dimensions, she has a surprisingly large cockpit, where the entire onboard life of the regatta crew takes place.

You already know that the J/70 is in most cases purchased for racing and is a team yacht. The composition of her crew is usually limited to 5 yachtsmen (maximum) – and if this is a training vessel, then add an instructor.

As a rule, the roles on J/70 are distributed as follows:

• forward - controls the setting and cleaning of the gennaker, is in the cockpit along with the rest of the team;
• trimmers – they work with staysail and mainsail;
• helmsman - controls the yacht with the help of a tiller.

At amateur regattas, like those that the topRik team holds every Sunday, a professional skipper-instructor manages the yacht, he also distributes roles between crew members and gives commands to each of them.

In professional teams, the yachtsman working with the mainsail plays the role of tactician. In amateur teams or a team of beginners, the skipper is responsible for tactics, he is also an instructor.

Yes, this sailboat does not promise a luxurious life on board. Here, everything is subject to speed and maneuverability, which means minimizing weight, including at the expense of furniture. For yachtsmen who prefer active yachting, adrenaline and physical activity, such a niche in the cabin is enough to equip a sleeping place for two.

The J/70 is a challenge for experienced sailors, but at the same time, the yacht remains interesting for less ambitious yachtsmen who prefer an active holiday with friends or family, without the need to set speed records.

Participants of J/70 class regattas will be interested in the principle of crew selection. The topRik team consists of 4 people weighing from 79-81 kg each, with a total weight of 320-322 kg. Exceeding this weight, in our opinion, can lead to unnecessary resistance.

The yacht weighs 794 kg, so it is easily towed using the trailer of an ordinary car. After the crew learns how to set up the mast, preparations for launching will take less than an hour.

If your trailer is not designed for a lowered keel, it is usually raised before the yacht is lifted out of the water. On the road, we recommend securing the sailboat with softwood wedges. This is necessary to prevent the keel from rocking and to prevent damage.

The J/70 class is limited to three sails: mainsail, staysail and spinnaker (or gennaker). In most cases, you can further limit your use of sails to just one of them. But you can take advantage of the developments of various companies producing sails, which for this class have developed variants of the staysail and mainsails that are suitable for different weather conditions.

We can happily announce that the racing sailboat J/70 completely won the hearts of the topRik team in full force, including the skipper. Therefore, we decided that everyone who is devoted to sails and the wind in their hair should experience these sensations.

Every Sunday, supported by SimpleSail and Porto Montenegro, you have the opportunity, together with our yachtsmen, to participate in races on J/70 yachts. We set the distance, go through 4-6 starts, and at the end - a small barbecue party.

It is not necessary to have experience in regattas - experienced yachtsmen of the topRik team will be in your crew. They will help you to join this amazing sport in the Bay of Kotor (Montenegro). You can see fragments of such Sunday races with topRik in the photos below.

Advantages of J/70

The main advantage of this sail racer is the thrill during each race. After all, the distances separating the leader of the regatta from subsequent boats are minimal if we are talking about professionals. This suggests that the design and handling of each boat is similar to the others , so that the skill of yachtsmen is clearly demonstrated during the competition.

The simplicity of the rig combined with the tiller ensures not only easy and intuitive handling, but also makes it easy for beginners to learn quickly.

The quality of materials ensures the durability and safety of the yacht:

• precisely selected composite materials for the body (sandwich based on infusion composite construction);
• stainless steel for retractable keel;
• bulb made of lead;
• carbon mast and other autoclaved carbon alloy parts.

There is nothing superfluous here - you can fully devote yourself to sailing, since the weight of the boat and the minimum wetting area allow you to develop high speed with a quick switch to planing and excellent maneuverability.

Such minimization in dimensions, sailing equipment and luxury elements was reflected in the decreased price tag, which, undoubtedly, is another important advantage of the J/70.

Reviews of J/70 from Professionals

Traditionally, we provide the opinions on the J/70 sailing racer from yachtsmen-journalists working for professional yachting magazines and popular websites dedicated to yachting, boats and naval architecture.

First, we decided to post excerpts from an interview with Peter Rendle, a yachtsman and correspondent from Sail-World, in which he talks to Ray Entwistle, the Australian distributor for J/Boats.

Here's Ray's response to a question about the history of the J/70. This sailboat has been designed to meet the demand for a boat that is easy to handle, safe for family sailing, yet with high performance. At the same time, it was required that the yacht could be easily towed, mounted effortlessly on the frame and launched from it into the water. These tasks were assigned to Al Johnstone, naval architect and designer for J/Boats. He coped with the task perfectly, considering that over 20 years her popularity has not only not decreased, but continues to grow. She repeats the glorious 40-year history of the J/24, which is still a hugely popular one-design racing yacht. The J/70 is the next generation and has already played its part in the single-design racing classes.

He noted the J/70's popularity with sailors of all ages, from teenagers to 70-year-olds, families, and single-class yacht racing enthusiasts.

The splendid design is complemented by the latest generation of carbon rigging and advanced construction techniques, making the yacht extremely light and durable with sufficient rigidity.

The seaworthiness of the J/70 makes it suitable for youth and women's teams. The strict rules of the J/70 regatta prohibit walking, which means that even less experienced crews can compete on equal terms with those who train intensively. The J/70 is full of surprises.

Adam was part of the crew that tested the J/70 to determine the Best Boats 2013 winners.

He began his review with an intriguing statement that could indicate a negative assessment: the author announced that he was disappointed with testing a high-octane sports boat in a drifter. But it turns out that this in no way about the J/70.

The crew went sailing in sustained winds of 20 knots, with gusts in excess of 25 knots, with strong rip currents off Bristol, Rhode Island. On the way towards Popasquash Point, the boat proved to be nimble and manageable. The sailboat accelerated quickly in the gusts, and the light steering was maintained even when it dug into waves to leeward.

Even when they overshot the tack and the boat capsized momentarily, the crew didn't feel it was out of control. Here the ballasted keel and the large tiller rudder placed on the transom played their role.

Thanks to the spacious cockpit, which quickly cleared the water and a fairly high boom, moving from side to side was easy, which could not be imagined on the famous J/24.

Then J/Boats company’s president Jeff Johnstone decided to see if the sailboat could take off with just a mainsail and staysail. And was the crew delightedly admiring the foam trail, similar to the one left by Volvo Ocean Race 70 at high speed. But what impressed Adam more was how easily the team did it. At the same time, the skipper was not at all worried, because he received effective feedback to control the sails, but only tried to make the yacht move even faster.

Adam devoted a significant part of the review to describing the design, equipment of the yacht and their manufacturers. He noted that the efficiency of the boat's rudders and the shape of the hull, with its sharp bow and flat planing sections, are complemented by a carbon fiber mast with steps on the deck, a boom and a retractable sprit, made by Southern Spars.

Deck equipment on the test boat was provided by Harken, with rigging from Ronstan. You can rely on Dyneema's poles and lifelines to brace your back against when your legs are inward. On the keel there is a seaweed cutter. For safety, a solid side is equipped on the bow deck. The quality of construction is excellent throughout.

Dave describes his impressions of the J/70 while testing a sailboat for the 2013 Boat of the Year nominations.

He reports that the judges noted the versatility of the boat in the field of application: both single-design and club racing. Among racing yachts, this is not a very common occurrence. Among the best qualities were noted: a quick set of speeds, stability, ramp launch and, interestingly, the rapid development of the class just a year after the world premiere.

One of the testers, judge Greg Stewart, noted that the boat sailed really well in wind speeds of 10 to 15 knots. There was a slight feel from the helm both when driving upwind and downwind. It was immediately noticeable that the yacht was strong and stable - she sailed well on the waves, and with the kite up the crew got the angles they needed.

The stability of the J/70 is a key feature that the judges singled out immediately after ten miles. As Jeff Johnstone said at the jury briefing, stability was a fundamental concern for the developers. He added that there were originally two completely different designs: a recreational sports boat and a club coach. As a result, the choice settled on a sportier option that could be easily modified for sailing sport programs.

The location of the winch caused a discussion between the shipyard representatives and judge Tom Rich. Even though the 3.3-meter cockpit allows three adults to move freely, Tom reported that when he chose the most comfortable position to steer the boat - forward of the traveler, he was pressed against the winch.

Alan Johnstone joked that everyone who used the boat would like to get rid of the winches. But they will have to be tolerated, because they will be needed when driving in the wind, as the helmsman changes position.

Judging by the fact that the J/70 received the title of Boat of the Year 2013, the rest of the judges considered this moment insignificant.

Mike describes his impression of the J/70 he received on Fremantle Sailing Club's opening day when WA's first J/70 made its maiden voyage.

The J/70 sailboat has a respected pedigree and is the product of a shipyard that has already given us the very successful J/24. The length of the new racer under seven meters combines 21 m² of sail area with a displacement of 794 kg - 36% of this weight is ballast at the end of the 1.5-meter keel. All this math results in an easily manageable, productive and stable boat. The 2.5 HP auxiliary power unit makes this operation even easier.

The J/70 was launched from a trailer, made possible by the lifting keel. The crew quickly mastered the whole procedure: lowering and securing the keel, raising the carbon mast, tensioning the standing rigging and tilting the sails. After some practice, it turned out to be so easy that the team could complete the preparation in 20 minutes.

Light winds with little gusts and a daytime crew of 4 big men were the test conditions that day. When the speed approached ten knots, the sailboat rose and hummed, depicting a light boat. The performance can always be improved by adjusting the crew size depending on the strength of the wind.

The J/70 will also enjoy life outside of racing. In many parts of the world, this thriving boat has become a popular yacht for families, couples or a small company for fun without speeding up. Experienced loners can enjoy playing the lone skipper. For recreational, social and casual racing, the cockpit can accommodate eight or more people.

In a small forward cabin with a V-shaped berth, children can be accommodated if they are present on the deck, and if not, two adults can lie down freely there.

The sailing layout is simple, you can control it with one hand: an experienced skipper can control the backstay, mainsheet and staysail from one position. But to extend the bowsprit and set up an asymmetric spinnaker, you need a couple more hands. A pair of winches will be indispensable in strong winds.

Video Reviews of J/70

Just so you can enjoy the view of the J/70 sailboat in motion - this is a series of videos where both amateurs and aces of sailing regattas will demonstrate the boat's seaworthiness on camera.

First, sailing footage of J/70 at Bristol RI, Spring 2012:

Team Rosebud shows off their skills at 2020 J70 Midwinter Championship:

Best features of J/70 boat summarized:

Great explanation of various boat handling techniques from Vince Brun:

Quick walkaround tour at 2020 Boot Dusseldorf:

As you can see from our review and feedback from famous J/70 regatta participants, this is a very fast, maneuverable and safe sailing yacht, ideal for speed and tacking competitions. It is no coincidence that more than 3,000 cases have been sold to date.

But do not think that all of them were purchased for the crews of the regatta. The boat is also in demand among those families and friendly companies who do not strive to break speed records under sail, but love adrenaline and wind themselves. And J/70 is one of the best options, combining all these preferences.

The cost of the yacht allows her to become in demand among those who dream of their first boat. This is a great opportunity to immediately learn all the best that active sailing has to offer.

Where to Buy J/70 at a Bargain Price

We are sure that by the end of our review, you have already understood where to buy the J/70 at a bargain price. Since you are here, you will immediately get a free consultation from topRik marketplace experts about what benefits you are entitled to on our trading platform.

If you represent the crew of the regatta, there is special good news for you: we have programs for the joint purchase of yachts, which is important for the team.

If the J/70 is your first sailing racer, you will also receive great offers: join our Sunday amateur regattas and take a course at our SimpleSail Yachting School to get Bareboat Skipper qualification, which allows you to automatically receive an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

In any case, the marketplace team will provide you with the following services:

• search for a yacht that will exactly meet your preferences;
• negotiations with the manufacturer or dealer/owner in order to achieve favorable conditions for manufacturing, purchase, cost;
• on-site control over the assembly, inspection of the state of the yacht;
• preparation and execution of all required documentation for the sale and purchase, insurance, customs clearance, warranty, etc.;
• transfer of the sailing yacht J/70 to the specified location.

We have extensive experience in acquiring yachts on various terms for our SimpleSail fleet and are well aware of all possible reefs and undercurrents along the way. Take advantage of our skills - and you will pass the entire route quickly and without financial losses. Call, send a message to [email protected] or through the website feedback form.

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Latest News

Scya midwinters regatta.

The annual Southern California Yachting Association Midwinters Regatta took place in Los Angeles February 17-18. The J/70 fleet saw Jeff

Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series St. Petersburg

On the regatta’s C Division racecourse, a tight battle at the top of the J/70 fleet played out in favor of Joel Ronning’s team on Catapult, which

Catapult Wins J/70 Midwinter Championship

Following two days ashore due to light air, Mother Nature reversed fortunes for the J/70 Midwinter Championship in Tampa, FL on Sunday. With a storm

J/70 Class Creates New Class Rules Aimed at Increasing Opportunities

The new edition of the J/70 Class Rules includes two new initiatives: Young Crew and Mixed-Plus. Designed to grow the pipeline into the big-fleet

BACARDÍ Winter Series 2

Three days of exceptional sailing conditions on Biscayne Bay, January 26-28, made the Bacardi Winter Series 2 a dream event. Catapult advanced to

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J/70 – World’s Fastest Growing One Design, Trailerable Speedster!

Easier to trailer, rig and ramp launch. The J/70 Speedster (22.75 feet) is J/Boats’ first fully ramp-launchable, keelboat – designed to fulfill a growing need for an easy-to-own, high performance one-design that is exciting to sail, stable enough for the entire family, easy to tow behind the family vehicle, to rig in the parking lot, ramp launch and sail.  Plus, J/70 is built to last.

In less than 48 months the J/70 worldwide fleet is over 1,300 boats strong, attracting some of the most talented sailors in the world and helping to spark growth of numerous sailing leagues across Europe. J/70 is replacing tired old keelboat fleets at a number of sailing clubs and helping to reinvigorate membership by attracting younger sailors into the ranks.  There are fleet discussions underway now around the world both for new leagues and for established clubs.  The Sailing World Overall Boat of the Year J/70 has taken the world by storm and future growth for this fantastic boat looks very bright, indeed!  These days it is safe to say  there is some J/70 event happening on almost any given weekend somewhere around the world!

Key J/70 Features.

• Large comfortable cockpit with open transom.
• Deck-stepped lightweight carbon mast for easy rigging & stepping.
• Inexpensive three sail inventory with masthead A-Sail.
• Vertical lifting keel.
• Small cabin for storage and personal privacy.
• Easy to trailer to regattas, ramp launch and store at home for winter.
• Only 1,750 lbs & low road height so most 6 cyl vehicles can easily tow.
• Fits inside most standard garage doors!

More comfortable to sail on deck. The 11′ long cockpit and moderate height boom in the J/70 allow easy crew movement across the cockpit while tacking and jibing. For sitting and hiking comfort, mid-height padded backrests/lifelines run cockpit length, large cockpit floor mounted toe-rails for secure foot bracing and comfortable seat height and ergonomics makes J/70 one of the most comfortable small keelboats to helm.  No need for hiking straps to keep you in the boat. Plus there are strict class limits on how to hike to make the boat less physical to sail.

Easy for the entire family to join in! With mandatory on-board jib/spinnaker sheet winches, a feather light responsive helm and confidence building stability, you can enjoy sailing with friends and family more often.  Kids or seniors will feel as comfortable and in control steering or trimming sails, whether for daysailing or evening sunset races, the J/70 will be both exciting and forgiving.  When you are ready to take it to the next competitive level, the competition at national events won’t disappoint.

On-board privacy, protection, storage & auxiliary power The small cabin below is a bonus in any small keelboat, and the J/70 cabin is just large enough to provide weather & sun protection, a place to nap and/or for personal privacy… essential to keeping the whole crew happy if spending a day on the water.

The J/70 one-design class rules provide for a 2.5 hp outboard engine (gas or electric). This means one can sail further away from homeport without worrying about paddling home or hailing for a tow. Race Committees can start races on time and finish them later in the day without having to arrange tow boats.

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The hang ten-hnos.berga wins the 2023-2024 season of the barcelona j70 winter series and noticia wins the last series.

Last Sunday marked the conclusion of the fifth and final event of the International Barcelona Winter Series of J70. A resounding success, where every

Monaco J/70 Winter Series Act III

Since 2013, Monaco bay has been the stage of a unique spectacle that attracts many of the very best J/70 crews for the Monaco Sportsboat Winter

Another Affair Wins Fourth Stage of the Cascais J/70 Winter Series

Portuguese Another Affair from Tiago Morais, Nuno Barreto, Luis Queiroz and Diogo Pontes from Clube de Vela Atlantico, Porto, held to the top on the

J/70 Class Creates New Class Rules Aimed at Increasing Opportunities

The new edition of the J/70 Class Rules includes two new initiatives: Young Crew and Mixed-Plus. Designed to grow the pipeline into the big-fleet

Monjo Triumphs in Fourth Act of Barcelona J/70 Winter Series

The fourth act of the Barcelona J/70 Winter Series, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, concluded with thrilling moments and

CELESTIAL Stars at Australian J/70 Championship

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) played host to the 2024 J/70 Australian Championship, delivering four days of competition on Sydney Harbour.

J/70 – World’s Fastest Growing One Design, Trailerable Speedster!

Easier to trailer, rig and ramp launch. The J/70 Speedster (22.75 feet) is J/Boats’ first fully ramp-launchable, keelboat – designed to fulfill a growing need for an easy-to-own, high performance one-design that is exciting to sail, stable enough for the entire family, easy to tow behind the family vehicle, to rig in the parking lot, ramp launch and sail.  Plus, J/70 is built to last.

In less than 48 months the J/70 worldwide fleet is over 1,300 boats strong, attracting some of the most talented sailors in the world and helping to spark growth of numerous sailing leagues across Europe. J/70 is replacing tired old keelboat fleets at a number of sailing clubs and helping to reinvigorate membership by attracting younger sailors into the ranks.  There are fleet discussions underway now around the world both for new leagues and for established clubs.  The Sailing World Overall Boat of the Year J/70 has taken the world by storm and future growth for this fantastic boat looks very bright, indeed!  These days it is safe to say  there is some J/70 event happening on almost any given weekend somewhere around the world!

Key J/70 Features.

• Large comfortable cockpit with open transom.
• Deck-stepped lightweight carbon mast for easy rigging & stepping.
• Inexpensive three sail inventory with masthead A-Sail.
• Vertical lifting keel.
• Small cabin for storage and personal privacy.
• Easy to trailer to regattas, ramp launch and store at home for winter.
• Only 1,750 lbs & low road height so most 6 cyl vehicles can easily tow.
• Fits inside most standard garage doors!

More comfortable to sail on deck. The 11′ long cockpit and moderate height boom in the J/70 allow easy crew movement across the cockpit while tacking and jibing. For sitting and hiking comfort, mid-height padded backrests/lifelines run cockpit length, large cockpit floor mounted toe-rails for secure foot bracing and comfortable seat height and ergonomics makes J/70 one of the most comfortable small keelboats to helm.  No need for hiking straps to keep you in the boat. Plus there are strict class limits on how to hike to make the boat less physical to sail.

Easy for the entire family to join in! With mandatory on-board jib/spinnaker sheet winches, a feather light responsive helm and confidence building stability, you can enjoy sailing with friends and family more often.  Kids or seniors will feel as comfortable and in control steering or trimming sails, whether for daysailing or evening sunset races, the J/70 will be both exciting and forgiving.  When you are ready to take it to the next competitive level, the competition at national events won’t disappoint.

On-board privacy, protection, storage & auxiliary power The small cabin below is a bonus in any small keelboat, and the J/70 cabin is just large enough to provide weather & sun protection, a place to nap and/or for personal privacy… essential to keeping the whole crew happy if spending a day on the water.

The J/70 one-design class rules provide for a 2.5 hp outboard engine (gas or electric). This means one can sail further away from homeport without worrying about paddling home or hailing for a tow. Race Committees can start races on time and finish them later in the day without having to arrange tow boats.

• J/Boats Manuals
• Owner's manual

J/Boats J/70 Owner's Manual

• Owner's manual (47 pages)
• page of 36 Go / 36

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• CE C Ertification
• Specifications
• Important C Ontacts
• Hull, D Eck & S Tructure
• Rudder, T Iller & S Teering H Ardware
• Bow S Prit S Ystem & C Omponents
• Companionway H Ardware
• Mast B Oom & S Tanding R Igging
• Jib F Urling S Ystem
• Cockpit S Afety L Ines
• Running R Igging
• Mainsheet & T Raveler
• Backstay S Ystem
• Boom V Ang & C Unningham
• Headstay L Ayout
• Bow S Prit & F Urler C Ontrols
• Bow D Rainage L Ocker & a Ccess
• Custom K Eel C Rane
• Launching & H Auling y Our J /70
• Tuning T He R
• Sail H Andling T Ips
• Appendix a : B Est P Ractices -­- B Oat I Nspection
• APPENDIX B - M Arlow R Unning R Igging

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Related Manuals for J/Boats J/70

Summary of contents for j/boats j/70.

• Page 1                   Yacht Name:……………………………………. Owner Name:……………………………………...
• Page 2 J/70   O wner   G uide     Page     2             ©   C opyright   2 012,       J   B oats,   I nc.     A ll   R ights   R eserved  ...

Page 3: Table Of Contents

Page 4: introduction, page 5: ce   c ertification.

• Page 6     J/70   M ass   i n   M inimum   O perating   C ondition   ( mMOC):   S TIX   =   2 2.53   Angle   o f   V anishing   S tability   =   1 22   d egrees  ...

Page 7: Specifications

Page 8: important   c ontacts, page 9: getting   t o   k now   y our   j /70.

• Page 10 J/70   k eel   l ifting   e ye   s hould   o nly   b e   u sed   w ith   t he   s tandard   a luminum   J /70   k eel  ...

Page 11: Rudder,   T Iller   &   S Teering   H Ardware

Page 12: companionway   h ardware, page 13: mast   b oom   &   s tanding   r igging, page 14: running   r igging, page 15: rigging   y our   j /70.

• Page 16 J/70   O wner   G uide     Page     16       Tie   t ogether   a   s uitable   2 0-­‐30'   e xtension   l ine   t o   t he   t op   o f   e ither   t he   m ain   h alyard   o r   s pinnaker  ...

Page 17: Mainsheet   &   T Raveler

Page 18: backstay   s ystem, page 19: boom   v ang   &   c unningham.

• Page 20 J/70   O wner   G uide     Page     20       J/70   H alyard   &   M ast   B ase       Jib Halyard Exit Upper & Lower Jib Halyard...

Page 21: Headstay   L Ayout

• Page 22   Page     22       J/70   J ib   S heet   L ayout   -­‐   2 :1   P urchase       Jib Clew Blocks for 2:1 Sheeting (sailmaker provided) 2:1 Jib Sheet terminates on front of Car...
• Page 23 J/70   O wner   G uide     Page     23       J/70   D eck   L ayout       ©   C opyright   2 012,       J   B oats,   I nc.     A ll   R ights   R eserved  ...

Page 24: Bow   S Prit   &   F Urler   C Ontrols

Page 25: bow   d rainage   l ocker   &   a ccess, page 26: custom   k eel   c rane, page 27: launching   &   h auling   y our   j /70.

• Page 28   J/70   k eel   l ifting   e ye   s hould   o nly   b e   u sed   w ith   t he   s tandard   b lack   a nodized   aluminum   J /70   k eel   c rane   w hich   i s   d esigned   w ith   a   s top   t o   p revent   o ver-­‐hoisting.  ...

Page 29: Tuning   T He   R

• Page 30 J/70   O wner   G uide     Page     30       This   i s   a   v ery   h elpful   r acing   t echnique   i n   b ig   w ind   a nd   w ave   c onditions   w hen   y ou   w ant   b oth   t he   w eight  ...

Page 31: Appendix   A :   B Est   P Ractices   -­-   B Oat   I Nspection

• Page 32 J/70   O wner   G uide     Page     32       If   y ou   h ave   a   b ow-­‐stop   o n   t he   t railer,   u se   s horter   s trap   r uns   ( running   n early   v ertical)   o ver  ...
• Page 33 J/70   O wner   G uide     Page     33       2) Headstay   -­‐   T he   t op   o f   t he   h eadstay   ( wire   o r   r od)   s hould   b e   c hecked   t o   m ake   s ure   i t’s   n ot   b ent.  ...
• Page 34 J/70   O wner   G uide     Page     34       used   o n   w ire   o r   r od   r igging.     F or   s mall   o ne   d esigns   ( ex…J22,   J 70,   J 24   &   J 80),   a   g ood   h acksaw  ...
• Page 35 J/70   O wner   G uide     Page     35       unless   a   s urveyor   g ets   i nvolved   w ith   a   p re-­‐sale   s urvey,   a nd   e ven   t hen,   n ot   a ll   s urveyors   a re   v ersed   i n  ...

Page 36: Appendix   B   -   M Arlow   R Unning   R Igging

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J70 Tuning Guide

After countless hours sailing, testing and competing in the J/70 One Design, North Sails has updated our tuning notes and tips in an effort to get sailors and teams up to race winning speed quickly with our World Championship winning sails! As we learn more about the J/70, or any other One-Design Class, new information regarding setup, tuning and trimming techniques will be updated online at northsails.com. Also, sign up online for our North Sails email updates and receive all J/70 news and updates directly by email. And as always, contact your North Sails Expert for all the most up to date information and for help tuning your boat.

For answers to your speed and boat handling questions, read our tips and tricks in the J/70 Speed Guide.

The J/70 is a design that incorporates many decades worth of great ideas and puts them into a 22’ package of fun and speed. Incorporating the speed and handling of a top tier sport boat with the stability and reliability of a performance keelboat. The J/70 creates a sailing experience that accommodates all ages, abilities and sailing appetites. We expect to see the J/70 class crown a diverse group of champions in the coming years. Let North Sails help you reach your competitive goals!

Properly caring for your North Sails will prolong the life of the sails. When storing your sails, keep them clean, dry, out of direct sunlight and away from areas of extreme heat. Rolling the mainsail and jib when they are not being used and folding your spinnaker (instead of stuffing it in a bag) will help all of your sails remain wrinkle free and last much longer. Whenever you’re rolling or unrolling your sails, be sure to keep adequate tension fore and aft from the leech and luff to avoid creasing in the cloth. In addition, releasing the tension on the full-length battens in the mainsail, for storage, will increase the life of the sail.

TUNING TOOLS

Some basic tools are required to accurately set up and tune your J/70 mast. These include: 50’ or longer Steel Measuring Tape , PT-2 Loos Tension Gauge, Calipers, Permanent Marker and Electrical Tape. Each of these tools will be mentioned in this tuning guide and will aid in the proper tuning of your mast.

Another important setup tool is the use of reference marks. MARK EVERYTHING! While this sounds basic, marking settings can make it much easier to repeat your setup and tuning on the water. Mark your sheets, bowsprit out line, tack line, halyards and other controls to make settings repeatable and more accurate.

While we’ve done our very best to make this Tuning Guide reflect the latest and greatest tuning numbers, please keep in mind that every boat and mast can be a little different and everyone’s sailing styles can vary as well. While the guide will definitely get you going fast, specific testing will be required to fine tune your boat to match your style and the conditions you most often sail in.

J/70 MAST SETUP & TUNING

Spreaders trim marks.

Before stepping the mast, mark the spreaders with tape stripes to use as a reference when trimming the jib. These marks will indicate the location of the leech of the jib when it is trimmed for upwind sailing. Measuring from the mast, along the aft edge of the spreader, put tape stripes at 18”, 20” and 22” with the measured edge of the stripe closest to the mast.

INITIAL RIG SETUP

1. Measure Headstay Length (Mast Rake)

With the mast up and rig at base, attach the spinnaker halyard to the bowsprit to support the mast, allowing the headstay to be disconnected from the furler drum. Then pull the headstay taut down the front face of the mast and make a mark on the headstay (Use either a marking pen or piece of tape) corresponding to the top of the white band around the mast near the gooseneck. After marking the headstay, reconnect it to the furler drum and measure from the mark you made down to the center of the pin at the bottom of the headstay (including any toggles).

Note - this is not the pin in the furler but the pin that connects the headstay to the further (it’s the upper pin).

We recommend this measurement to be 56”(1425mm) for an all purpose setting that has proven to deliver championship speed across the spectrum of conditions.

Some fast teams adjust this number upwards of 1” (25.4mm) to accommodate for factors such as total crew weight, sailing conditions, and personal preference. Generally speaking, a shorter rake may be faster in heavier wind while a longer rake may perform better in lighter wind.

All things equal, a longer rake should give the boat more weather helm, while a shorter rake will reduce weather helm.

2. Center the Mast Side to Side

To aid in centering the mast laterally in the boat, place a pencil mark 96” (2440mm) back from the stem fitting (bow) on the rail of each side of the boat.

Make sure your lower shrouds are loose. Next, hoist a tape measure on the jib halyard, secure the halyard and measure to the pencil marks you made on the rail. Adjust the Upper Shroud lengths until the measurement is even on each side of the boat. This indicates your mast is centered.

Sight up the back of the mast to ensure the mast is straight. If it is not straight, check to make sure your boat is level on the trailer or in the water. If you must choose between straight or centered, choose straight.

The tape measure only needs to be hoisted a short distance since the measurements are relative to each other and the actual lengths are not important.

3. Set the Base Shroud Tension

Set the base shroud tension with your backstay detached at the transom. The base tension for the upper shrouds is 19 and the lower shrouds is 9 on the PT-2 gauge. While adding tension to get to the base setting, occasionally sight up the sail track on the aft side of the mast to ensure the length of the spar is straight. If the mast track has any side bend or curve, adjust the shrouds to bring the mast into column.

4. Checking for proper Pre-Bend

After setting the shroud tensions at 19 on the uppers and 9 on the lowers, check that the mast has the proper pre-bend (aft bend) by pulling the main halyard down taught to the bottom of the mast track near the gooseneck (see pic). The pre-bend distance between the back of the mast track and the front of the main halyard (just above spreaders) should be between 2” and 2.5” (56mm-63.5mm).

Your boat may require slightly different tensions at base to achieve this pre-bend range. If your pre-bend is too much, try slightly tighter lower shrouds compared to uppers. If you don’t have enough pre-bend, try slightly tighter upper shrouds compared to lower shrouds.

With the upper shrouds at 19, many fast boats are in a range of 6-10 on the lowers on the PT2 to achieve this pre-bend. As you change your mast rake, you may also have to adjust your lower shroud tensions to achieve this pre-bend.

Hold main halyard to bottom of mast track to measure pre-bend

5.Use Calipers to Check Base Settings

After setting the base rig tensions and checking the side-to-side center position of the mast, it is a good idea to use calipers to measure the distance between the studs on the shrouds and headstay. This measurement can help you get the rig back to base setting more easily, especially if unsure of the turns or tensions while on the water.

J/70 SAIL TRIM - MAINSAIL

Mainsail trim on the J/70 is an important factor in getting the boat up to speed. Check each of these for proper mainsail setup:

1. Make sure the mainsail is at full hoist at all times.

The head of the sail should be hoisted until even with the bottom edge of the white band at the top of the mast. This setting should be checked regularly as the halyard could stretch out during the day.

2. The tack of the mainsail is equipped with a strap that leads around the front of the mast.

This tack strap should be tensioned so that the tack of the sail is held forward while under load from the outhaul. The tension is also important to keep the luff rope in the mainsail from chafing in the feeder or pulling out of the track completely.

REMEMBER to unclip the buckle when dropping the main . If the outhaul is on tight and the main is dropped, the buckle may break from excessive load created as the boom drops to the deck.

3. Correct batten tension for the three full-length battens is important to achieve proper mainsail shape.

Each batten should be tensioned so that all the wrinkles are removed from the batten pocket and the batten can pop from side to side easily. If a batten is too loose, vertical wrinkles will appear along the batten pocket itself and if a batten is too tight, horizontal wrinkles will develop just above and below the batten pocket and it will be difficult to pop the batten from side to side.

4. Backstay Flicker -  Adding a backstay flicker to the mast crane can help the leech of the mainsail pass through the backstay when tacking and jibing in lighter winds. However, the flicker will also make it difficult to apply accurate backstay tension in medium wind. This can make it more difficult to keep the boat in the “groove” since your headstay tension will now be unstable. This decision comes down to personal preference although most of the top teams opt not to use one.

Trimming the mainsail on the J/70 is a balance between power and stalling. If the sail is trimmed properly, you will get the maximum amount of power out of the sail and if not trimmed properly, the sail could stall and your boat speed will suffer. The controls that most directly affect the trim of the mainsail are the mainsheet, the main traveler, the boomvang, the outhaul and the backstay. Here is what to check for each control when trimming the mainsail:

MAINSHEET TENSION

Mainsheet tension is the place to start for proper trim. In most conditions, the J/70 mainsheet should be trimmed so that at max trim the leech telltales at the top of the main are stalling 25-30% of the time. In light wind or when building speed these leech telltales should be flowing 80- 100% of the time.

BOOM HEIGHT

Boom height relative to the boat’s centerline, is another important factor in mainsail trim and the mainsheet traveler is the way to set the boom height properly. Until the boat becomes overpowered, the traveler should be set so that the boom is near the centerline of the boat while sailing upwind. It can be set slightly above center to help in pointing, but there is risk of stalling the sail. If the boat loses speed when the boom is raised above centerline, the traveler or the mainsheet should be eased to help return the boom to centerline and build speed. Pull the traveler all the way to the windward side of the track in very light air when you have no backstay on. When you are overpowered and have a lot of backstay on, the traveler car can be centered on the track.

When it’s windy enough that you need to ease the mainsheet to keep the boat flat, add enough tension on the boomvang that the boom goes out but not up when the mainsheet is eased. This enables you to keep tension on the leech while controlling the depth in the lower part of the main. We do not recommend over tightening your boomvang as that will cause the headstay tension to decrease, making it harder to sail in high wind. Remember to ease the boomvang before turning downwind. It will be difficult to steer the boat down if the boomvang is on tight.

The shape of the foot, and lower section of the mainsail can be changed using the outhaul. The outhaul should be set looser when the boat needs more power and tighter as the power increases. A good indicator of proper outhaul tension is the lowest batten. When the mainsheet is trimmed properly, the lowest batten will hook slightly to windward of the boom angle. If the lowest batten hooks too much, the outhaul might be too loose and if it is parallel with the boom, the outhaul could be too tight. You can also judge the distance between the foot of the main and the boom at its biggest gap. Usually the gap should be between 2”-6”.

The backstay is used to change the power in the mainsail but it also affects the headstay tension which controls the shape of the jib. Increasing backstay tension bends the mast and flattens the main while allowing the upper leech to open. It also tensions the headstay which flattens the jib. So more backstay tension equals less power and vice versa. Use the backstay to try to achieve your desired heel angle. Remember to adjust the gross-tune backstay as the wind and rig tune change in order to easily and accurately adjust the backstay control line in the cockpit. In maximum overpowered conditions, the gross-tune backstay adjustment should be pulled as hard as possible.

J/70 SAIL TRIM - JIB

Trimming the jib on the J/70 involves both technique and accuracy. Proper jib trim will help balance the boat and ultimately control the boat’s speed and pointing ability. While achieving the proper trim is the goal, being able to repeat the trim consistently will also make a big impact on your boat’s performance. The important factors in proper jib trim are the lead car position, jib sheet tension, in-hauler tension, jib halyard tension and reference marks to repeat all the settings. The final trim position for the J/70 jib is a balance between the sheet tension and in-hauler tension.

When the jib is trimmed in, the leech of the jib should be lined up with the spreader stripes as mentioned earlier. Within this range, your upper jib leech telltale should be flowing 100% of the time. Trim in until it just stalls then ease a hair until it starts flowing again. This is your max trim.

JIB CAR POSITION

The first step in jib trim on the J/70 is jib lead car position. Setting this position is important as it affects all of the other settings. Combining the jib lead car position with the amount of sheet tension, in-hauler and halyard tension allows the trimmer to manipulate the sail to fit the conditions and style of the skipper. As seen in the tuning guide it is good practice to find your BASE lead position as you will use this setting most of the time. This BASE position is heavily influenced by the rake setting you are using. From the BASE position you can adjust forward or back depending on the conditions.

With our recommended base rake setting of 56”, we recommend a base jib lead position of 7. That’s 7 holes showing between the front of the car and the forward most factory screw hole in the track.

WINDWARD SHEET (In-hauler)

On the J/70, we use the windward, or lazy jib sheet as an ‘in-hauler’ to pull the clew of the jib to windward and more inboard. The more you in-haul, the deeper the bottom of your jib gets, and the more your leech closes. The further aft your jib lead car is, the more in-hauler you need to carry. When setting the in-hauler tension, our reference point is the location of the jib clew relative to the cabin house. Marks are helpful here as well.

A good rule of thumb is to try to get the foot of the jib to contact the cabin house as much as possible to prevent air from slipping through the gap under the foot.

J-6 Jib: For the J-6 some in-hauler is always required unless trying to go really low and fast. In very choppy conditions, use less in-hauler with the clew directly above the corner of the cabin house and the lead forward. In light to moderate chop the clew can be 1” - 2” inside the cabin house with the lead at base setting. In very flat water the lead can go back more a little further with the clew in-hauled to 3” inside the cabin house. 

J-2+ Jib : The J2+ requires a little less in-haul than the J6 since it is a fuller sail. However, in-haul is still effective and we recommend using it in most conditions. On average, the clew should live just above the corner of the cabin house, but in flatter water, it can be in-hauled 1” - 2” inside the cabin house.

JIB HALYARD

The jib halyard on the J/70 is rigged with a fine tune purchase that can be adjusted while sailing. In lighter winds, the jib halyard should be set so that there are slight horizontal wrinkles appearing in the first panel along the luff of the sail (approx. 4-8” back from the luff of sail). If wrinkles extend past the first vertical seam, your halyard is too loose. If there are no hints of horizontal wrinkles, your halyard is too tight. As the wind gets stronger, and the sails need to be de-powered, the jib halyard should be tightened just to the point where the wrinkles along the luff disappear. As the halyard is tightened and loosened, it is important to keep in mind that the halyard tension also affects the leech tension of the jib and the sheet and/ or in-hauler may need to be adjusted to compensate.

TRIM MARKS 

Make reference marks on jib sheets for both the sheet tension and in-hauler tension. Having reference marks makes it possible to accurately repeat fast settings. It is a good idea to experiment with different settings for each control to get used to how each control affects the sail and how they interact with each other.

The basic effect of the three jib controls - lead car position, in-hauler and jib halyard is:

Jib Lead Car Position

Forward = Tighter leech, round foot Aft = Open leech, flat foot

More = Tighter leech, round foot Less = Open leech, flat foot

Jib Halyard

More = Flatter sail Less = Deeper sail

After setting the sheeting position of the jib, the trimmer needs to constantly check to ensure the trim remains correct as the conditions change. Since the jib on the J/70 is high aspect (tall and thin) changes in the conditions have a significant impact on the trim of the sail. For this reason, there are telltales attached to the upper leech of the jib to help the trimmer know when the sail is going to stall. When the sail is trimmed properly for upwind, the leech telltales will be flowing and if the telltales begin to stall, the sail will need to be adjusted to regain the flow. Most often, only a small adjustment is needed to help return the proper trim and flow to the sail. The reference marks on your spreaders will also help with jib trim. You will find that in 10+knots in flat water you may be able to sheet so the jib leech is at the inside, 18” spreader mark and the leech telltale is still flowing. When it is light and lumpy you will find that the leech will need to be closer to the outside 22” spreader mark. Easing the jib sheet slightly is the first step in returning flow to the jib. Normally, this will only require an inch (or less) of sheet to be eased out. If the leech telltales continue to stall when the leech is sheeted into the spreader stripes, other adjustments need to be made to properly trim the sail. Since the telltales indicate the stalling of the upper leech of the sail, adding twist is likely the solution. The two ways to best achieve more twist in the jib, is to move the lead car aft and use less sheet tension. As described earlier, both adjustments will add twist to the sail and help regain the twist and flow at the top of the sail.

J/70 SAIL TRIM - SPINNAKER

Spinnaker trim on the J/70 is much easier than that of a conventional poled boat. Here are a few tricks that can make you faster downwind and make your sail handling easier:

DOWNWIND SAILING "MODES

Displacement mode.

Displacement mode is used under about 10 kts of wind. The main and the spinnaker are on the same side of the boat and the goal is to sail as low as possible without losing pressure in the spinnaker. The boat should be flat or a couple degrees heeled to windward. Body weight should be as far forward as possible. The spinnaker should be eased out in an effort to “rotate” the sail to windward around the headstay. The trimmer should ease the sheet until the luff curls and then trim slowly back in.

Lazy Plane Mode

Lazy Plane mode is often used in puffy conditions (10-15 kts) when you can easily plane in the higher wind range but just barely plane in the lower wind range. Body weight is to weather (but not hiking) and back so that the trimmer is just in front of the winch with the main trimmer directly behind the winch. The goal here is to maintain a heel angle of about 10-15 degrees and high enough to the wind that you can plane. This is a very difficult mode to maintain!

Full Plane Mode

Full Plane mode is used when the wind is consistently over 15 kts, and we can sail high enough angles at high enough speeds that the hull rises out of the water and rides on top of it. Crew weight needs to be all the way to weather and aft so the bow knuckle is constantly out of the water. Oftentimes the main trimmer needs to be behind the helmsman. It’s important to have the forward crew adjusting the boomvang to help control the power. If the boat gets overpowered and wants to broach, the vang must be eased!

Wing-On-Wing

Wing-On-Wing can be used in wind ranges of about 8-14 kts. In this mode, we sail dead down wind with the main and spinnaker on opposite sides of the boat. This is a difficult mode which requires a lot of concentration. The goal is to sail with the boat heeled to windward to help rock the spinnaker away from the mast. The trimmer must try to hold the clew of the spinnaker down and out to keep the sail as steady as possible. Be careful not to sail by the lee as that means the main will be between the wind and the spinnaker - collapsing the spinnaker. Try to sail dead down wind or slightly higher (very broad reach).

The most efficient position to set the spinnaker is out the main hatch and between the shrouds and mast. With this method, the sail will need to be retrieved between the shrouds and mast, which will work with each of the different types of takedowns. When setting the spinnaker, the biggest concern is keeping the sail out of the water until it is hoisted. As the bowsprit is extended and the tack line pulls the sail out to the end of the bowsprit, a crew member should be assigned to guiding the sail out of the companionway while keeping the foot of the sail tight and up out of the water.

When gybing, the boat is turned down slowly while the trimmer eases the spinnaker sheet until the clew is just forward of the headstay. At this point the trimmer overhauls the new sheet and completely releases the old sheet pulling the clew of the spinnaker around the headstay before the mainsail is gybed. Once the clew of the spinnaker is around the headstay, the boat is turned through the gybe and the mainsail is pulled across the boat to the new side. When timed correctly, the mainsail and the spinnaker will fill simultaneously on the new side. As the spinnaker makes it to the new side of the boat, the forward most crew can reach the clew of the sail right near the shrouds and pull quickly down on the clew (and then immediately let go) to help “pop” the spinnaker full on the new gybe.

SPINNAKER DOUSES

There are three basic types of spinnaker douses used on the J/70. The windward douse, the leeward douse and the gybe douse, sometimes called the ‘Mexican’. Each douse is different because of the approach to the mark and type of turn at the mark. Since the spinnaker is almost always set from the port side of the boat, each method will return the sail to the port side.

Approaching a port rounding on port tack will require a windward douse. Since the boat stays on port tack the entire time, the sail is released and retrieved on the windward side of the boat. To perform the windward douse, the boat is sailed lower to release pressure in the spinnaker and the clew of the sail is pulled around the headstay.

At this point the tack line is released, collapsing the spinnaker allowing the forward crew to gather the foot of the sail. Once the sail is under control, the halyard and bowsprit are released and the sail falls to the deck and is stored down the main hatch. This is also the proper douse when approaching a starboard rounding on port tack. In that case, the douse should be completed before reaching the mark so the gybe around the mark can be made after the spinnaker is retrieved.

Approaching a starboard mark rounding on starboard tack will require a leeward douse since the sail will be stored on the leeward side and the boat will not change tacks before the rounding. Before beginning the douse, the boat must be turned downwind to release pressure on the sail. After the turn down, the spinnaker is over trimmed so the forward crew can reach out to leeward to retrieve the sail. If the boat isn’t sailed lower during a leeward douse, the boat will likely want to tip over as the sail is over sheeted. When the foot of the spinnaker is over trimmed the forward crew should grab the foot of the sail forward of the shrouds (between the mast and lower shroud) at the same time the tack line is released. Once the crew has the foot of the sail under control, the halyard and bowsprit are released and the sail is gathered and stored down the main hatch. Because the sail is taken in on the leeward side, the crew needs to take care in pulling the sail aboard while at the same time keeping it from hitting the water. If the sail falls in the water, it is likely to ‘shrimp’ or fill with water and pull the rest of the sail over the side.

Approaching a port mark rounding on starboard tack, without room to completely gybe the spinnaker before the rounding, requires a gybe douse or ‘Mexican’. The gybe douse begins as a leeward douse and ends as a windward douse. The boat is sailed low and into a gybe on starboard tack, while the spinnaker is over trimmed on the port side of the boat. As the boat turns toward the mark and gybes, the crew grabs the foot of the spinnaker between the shrouds and mast at the same time the halyard is released, dropping the sail onto the foredeck. Once the sail is mostly down, the tack line and bowsprit are released and the sail is gathered and stored down the main hatch.

J/70 RIG TENSION QUICK TUNING CHART

Rake = 56″ (1425mm)

*The number of turns is an estimate and is likely different from boat to boat. It is imperative to check your own boat for an accurate tuning matrix.

**The amount of rake you carry will also impact your pre-bend and turn matrix. Try to maintain pre-bend close to 2” – 2.5″.

J/70 JIB TRIM QUICK TUNING CHART

*All aspects of jib trim are largely dependent on the sea state and the strength of the wind relative to that sea state. You need to adjust your setting accordingly

**There are multiple jib car tracks on the market, these suggestions are based on the original tracks that came on American built hulls. Precise hole locations need to be established on your specific boat.  These settings are also based on a RAKE of 56” [1425mm].  If you’re using less rake then your BASE jib lead will be further aft and vice-versa.

FEATURED STORIES

27 February

GITANA TEAM WINS INAUGURAL ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE

Npl renew faq, introducing npl renew, a sustainable sailcloth for cruising.

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2021 J/70 WORLDS : CHAMPION

Peter duncan and relative obscurity return to the podium as j/70 world champion at cal yacht club.

2021 J/70 WORLDS : CORINTHIAN CHAMPIONS

The ducasse sailing team of santiago, chile, triumphed in the corinthian division..

2021 J/70 WORLDS : ONE PRO CHAMPIONS

Threatening minors wins one pro..

PETER DUNCAN AND RELATIVE OBSCURITY WIN THE 2021 J/70 WORLDS

Peter Duncan and Relative Obscurity Return to the Podium as J/70 World Champion at California Yacht Club

Peter Duncan’s Relative Obscurity has prevailed over 60 other teams and challenging wind conditions to capture the 2021 J/70 World Championship title at California Yacht Club, today. In a five-day series that tested the skill and patience of top-notch competitors from 11 nations, Duncan – sailing with Willem van Waay, Morgan Trubovich and Victor Diaz de Leon – secured a top five position in the beginning of the regatta and never let go.

“I’m elated!” said Duncan as he returned to the dock, bustling with activity. “That was a tough day out there. We didn’t start very well but had a bit of a break with a header on the first run of the second race that let us get close to everybody and sail through some folks we need to sail through,” he explained. “We have a lot of fun onboard – joke and laugh and keep it light – and that worked in our favor when we had to grind through. Everybody knows what their job is, and these guys do them exceptionally well.”

WELCOME TO THE J/70 WORLDS 2021

Cal Yacht Club is proud to host the 2021 racing of the J/70 Worlds.

RECAP / NEWS

Peter Duncan’s  Relative Obscurity  has prevailed over 60 other teams and challenging wind conditions to capture the 2021 J/70 World Championship title at California Yacht Club, today.

DAILY PHOTO / VIDEO

Threatening Minors  sailed by Jordan Janov, Grant Janov, Ryan Janov, Reddin Kherli and Willie Mcbride, took honors.

SOCIAL MEDIA

The J/70 is 22.75 feet with an 11 foot long cockpit and deck-stepped carbon mast for easy rigging and stepping.

The crew shall consist of 3 or more persons. The number of crew shall not be changed during an event.

The J/70 Class has been created as a strict one-design Class where the true test when racing is between crews and not boats and equipment.

Well, chances are it will not be like Day 1 of the Pre-Worlds. Maybe more like Day 2. But then again, this is MdR—anything can happen.

SANTA MONICA BAY

The Santa Monica Bay is dominated by an onshore breeze that typically doesn't kick in until around noon. Watch out for the oscillations!

CAL YACHT CLUB

CYC has a long history of excellence in race management. We host everything from Championship-level regattas to more casual weekend random leg races.

SAY WHAT? : THE J/70 WORLDS 2021

"Cal Yacht Club did an awesome job."

Peter Duncan | Relative Obscurity

“It was very cool that there were four boats who could have won this thing in the last race...”