So OK ... in Vee Jay's effort to top prior experiences we tried to see just what the kids could do for a spinnaker peel.

So with just minor coaching from the "adults" these four J30 guys:


Taylor, [13] mastman J30#505; Prez [12] foredeck J30#393; William [11] helm J30#537; and Sophie [9] navigator J30#537 ...

managed to do a spin peel. so ok the adults had to do the trimming while all the deck action was going on.

This concluded the Naples Spin Training Camp Xmas Break Program.

You guys addicted to 1 mile WL racing need not read further ...

So OK ... after deciding the beginning of the season to get the crew into doing a decent spinnaker peel on a J30 ... we used it in our first race yesterday. It was a simple 40 mile from Naples Pier to SC at san carlos off of Ft. Myer's Beach and back.

standard ~20 mile run ~close hauled.
standard ~20 mile ~beam reach spin run with the ebay 1 oz on the way back till the wind dropped ... peeled to the ebay .5 3 miles from the finish ... and the crew was delighted ... so ok 3rd out of 5, but the only difference in the awards was the type of Vodka in the quart bottle.

Always good to see crew using new skills.

average speed 5.5 kts. and that included drifting a bit before the thermals started to figure out what they wanted to do.

sunny, mid 80s, typical summer thunderstorms a couple of miles away at the beach, water temps going to mid 70s. Bascially a better summer day than we've had in Newport the last couple of years.

I had my box out yesterday and noticed that I don't have a sheeve on the lower spin halyard location. Just a blank spacer.

It there a removeable pin there? PO may have used it as a replacement elsewhere.

I have the new style box (1986 vintage). Mine only has a spacer, no shim. I'm the original owner and I've never used it for a replacement

Interesting .... this is the only available replacement as far as we know. and is what is on 526. it seems to have a number of options ... but not as far as the two spin sheaves? go directly to the attachment link for a better readable copy.



now what makes this a bit more interesting this is the "old" box on 505 ... note the line about the pin 1 in. higher on the mast.



prior discussion on this move of pin suggested that when they did make the change they did lower the box 1" so that the forestay length would be same, same.

See related thread at related thread on boxes here