J/70 TECHNICAL BULLETIN
December 13, 2012
To: J Boats Dealers
We’d like to pass along some J/70 equipment updates and rigging tips that we’ve collected as more
J/70’s have been commissioned.
Chafe Guards for Keel Crane Lines
As a follow-up to the technical bulletin from Oct. 25
th
, custom chafe
guards have been fabricated that can easily be added to the keel
cranes supplied with hulls #1-100. The guard ensures that the crane
line cannot be abraded by the edge of the opening where it enters the
crane in the case where the crane is not properly centered over the
keel when being operated. Chafe guards will be mailed to dealers
who have sold hulls #1-100 for distribution to owners.
The steps for installing the guard:
1. Undo the dead end of the lifting line from the bolt at the top of the
crane and pull it through the block and back through the holes in the
crane to the winch.
2. Lightly sand (150-200 grit) the back side of the chafe guard, and
the area around the long opening, and glue the chafe guard in place
with a little epoxy.
3. Re-lead the line once the glue has cured with the chafe guard in
place.
(Note: For a temporary installation, the chafe guard can be fit into the
hole and held in place with a wrap of tape around the crane.)
Transom-mounted Gudgeons
J/70’s built before hull #50 were fitted with lock washers and 3/8” hex nuts on the transom gudgeon
bolts. We’ve heard of a few boats on which these nuts have worked loose. We recommend
periodically checking the gudgeons fasteners for tightness (easy access through the inspection port)
especially after a long road trip or if the boat remains in the water for long periods of time. The factory
is now using nylock nuts, which lessens the chance of loosening but they too can loosen over time, so
best to be vigilant.
