J/Boats J/88, Owner'S Manual

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J88 OWNER MANUAL 10
Getting Started With Your J/88
Generally, your dealer or commissioning yard will help you prepare your boat before launching. And in most
instances they will undertake the entire commissioning job. They are experts in the field and are capable of
completing most commissioning tasks.
Before Proceeding
Before you begin to assemble your new boat you should become familiar with the different sail control
systems and associated hardware. All running rigging and loose deck hardware items are shipped from the
factory in parts boxes. To help you properly install these items please refer to the rigging and hardware
sections and diagrams in this guide.
The Commissioning Checklist: will help you double check that the J/88 is assembled properly and all
systems and rigging are functioning properly. If a boatyard other than an authorized J/Boat dealer is
performing the work, review this list with them to establish what needs to be done and by whom.
Topsides: wash off all dirt and grime accumulated from delivery. Use only non-abrasive cleansers on the
gelcoat. Then apply a coat of high quality car or boat wax to prolong the life and sheen of the gelcoat.
Bottom: Bottom preparation is critical to long-lasting enjoyment. To ensure a professional finish, carefully
review the paint manufacturer’s recommendations for preparing the bottom. Be sure that there is a healthy
amount of epoxy primer (using paint manufacturer build-up recommendations) to cover the keel and rudder
PRIOR to final coating of bottom paint. Avoid use of copper or any metallic based bottom paints on or in the
proximity the aluminum Saildrive leg. Saildrive leg should also be thoroughly coated with epoxy primer and
any nicks or scratches properly sealed.
Chainplates: are manufactured of polished stainless steel. Shroud chainplates are mounted directly to a
highly reinforced area of the hull flange and attached to large aluminum backup plates. The backstay
stainless steel padeyes are bolted to a reinforced area of the transom.
Stemhead Fitting: is a custom stainless fabrication bonded to the hull inside the foredeck anchor locker
area. The stem head fitting is engineered to withstand all headstay loads.
Mast Step Tabernacle: is a custom stainless fitting for a deck step mast arrangement and incorporates two
large stainless pins that attach to a matching mast step plate bolted to the deck. This deck plate includes
an internal chase way to allow mast wires to enter the boat. There are locations for halyard and reefing line
turning blocks on each side. The carbon mast sits atop a G-10 mast base plug and a SS thru-bolt prevents
the mast from jumping off the plug. With the forward pin removed, the tabernacle arrangement allows the
mast to hinge aft during unstepping.
Toe Rail: J/88 is equipped with molded toerails at the deck edge forward of the mast and support toerails
in the cockpit for the helmsman and mainsheet trimmer just aft of the cockpit seats.
Stanchions & Pulpits: are designed for proper offshore safety as well as to facilitate access to the boat.
Optional are two full length lifeline gates to port and starboard. The double lifeline arrangement includes (2)
standard stern lifelines. All stanchions and rails are 1” diameter stainless steel with smaller diameter inboard
support legs on the stanchions. Optional black powder coat is available for stanchions and rails.