J/70 Owner Guide
Page
© Copyright 2013, J Boats, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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the sheet aft to the leeward winch and this is quite handy when single-‐handing. In windy conditions, you
have a third option of trimming the jib sheet across the cockpit to the windward winch (cross sheeting).
This is a very helpful racing technique in big wind and wave conditions when you want both the weight
on the rail AND the ability to constantly adjust the jib sheet.
Spinnaker Handling
The J/70 spinnaker can be deployed out of either the foredeck hatch or the main companionway. The
companionway hatch is more readily accessible from the cockpit and is our recommended launch spot so
that everyone can remain in the cockpit during hoisting and retrieving. While it is possible to stand in
the companionway and reach forward to the foredeck hatch, retrieving the spinnaker through the
foredeck hatch (not considering any special retrieval system) becomes a two-‐person operation.
Before setting the spinnaker, be sure to rig a lower shroud preventer (elastic chord from lower shroud to
lower shroud 1-‐2’ below the spreader) and tape up anything that can potentially rip the spinnaker. This
includes the boom vang/boom intersect, the shroud bases and any visible ring dings or pins. You might
consider adding a spinnaker bag just inside the companionway opening, to help prevent the spinnaker
from tangling with loose gear below.
Hooking up the Spinnaker
With the J/70, we normally launch the spinnaker directly out of the main companionway, forward of the
spreader and behind and on top of the jib sheet – so that it passes out between the lower shroud and the
mast. While it is possible to hoist by going outboard and around behind the shrouds (J/22, J/80 style)
it’s a lot of extra distance to travel and one risks dragging the tack/foot of the spinnaker in the water.
Always remember to tape the halyard shackle after attaching. It can otherwise catch on the rigging while
being hoisted and potentially open at an inopportune time. When hooking up the spinnaker for the first
time, start by attaching the spinnaker sheet strop to the clew of the sail. Assuming that you want to set
the spinnaker from the port side, hook the sheet strop up to sail on the port side in front of the spreader
with the lazy sheet (starboard) running around the headstay and back to starboard. Then take the tack
line from the bowsprit, run it aft to port (to port side of the headstay), and connect to the spinnaker tack,
making sure the tack line stays on top of the lazy spinnaker sheet. You’ll see the benefit of this later when
the spinnaker is flying. With the tack line always rigged on top of the lazy sheet, the spinnaker is
automatically rigged for “inside” jibing. This is when the clew of the spinnaker (during a jibe) passes in
front of the headstay but aft of the spinnaker luff. An “outside jibe” (when the spinnaker clew goes all the
way in front of the spinnaker luff) is only effective in high wind (20+ knot) conditions.
Spare Parts
It’s always prudent to carry spares. The following is a recommended list of items to keep on board:
•
Clevis pins for shrouds
•
Spare shackles for the roller furler
•
Assorted shackles
•
Spare Tiller extension
•
Extra spinnaker sheet (this can then be used as a spare for anything)
•
One extra jib block assembly
•
Spare blocks (29mm, 40mm, and 55mm block)
•
Dyneema lashing (20-‐25’ of 1/16”)
•
Rigging tape
•
Small tackle box to keep all the small parts above.
