J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Blast Reaching: The Code 0 and Jib-top thread

Vampire's ongoing research into improving his point to point racing downwind got me thinking about the reciprocal scenario of those inevitable close reaches.

Here in the Vancouver area we cross the Strait of Georgia frequently when distance racing and cruising, and after 3 years of doing it, 100% of my crossings in both directions have been at apparent wind angles of about 35-75 degrees. A specific reaching sail might just be worth it in future.

Friction Loss carried a Jib-top that worked well for them on the way to Hawaii and that is an easy solution. I am wondering if anyone has experimented with a Code 0 assymetric on the Frac rig (I don't have any desire or funds to go masthead). A number of you fly assymetrics when cruising and without a pole. Any thoughts on a fractional code 0?

Yes a pole would be beneficial, and an easy configuration might be to fly a high cut Code 0 off the end of the spin pole at pulpit level. The down haul would need to be strong and moved out to the pole end (lots of luff tension on a Code 0). The other option would be to fly it from the tack on a strop although less effecient.

Just stimulating some conversation. Any thoughts?

On the frac code 0:

My sailmaker said the boat is not wide enough aft to properly sheet a code 0. I race on a R/P 45 and we fly a code 0. Close reeaching (when it is effective ) the clue is close to the rail, and the boat is wide aft.
Also the luff tensions are HUGE. Our rig could not handle the loads to properly fly the sail.

I think a vertile close reaching sail would be an A3. Fly it on the pole to get it away from the main and good luff control. I might get one this year that will be a little shorter foot and flatter that a conventional A3 because J30 spinn dimentions a short and fat.

Our PHRF rules (PHRF-BC) state that a Code 0 is considered a Genoa. This differs from other PHRF jurisdictions. This means that to avoid a huge rating hit, the size at measurement would need to be not too much larger than the #1 (at clew to luff meansurement point). This may solve the sheeting issue as it wouldn't extend much aft of the max beam if sheeted through twings/tweakers.

The luff tension is definitely an issue though. A running backstay might help.

Simply put, especially because the sail would be measured as a genoa in the PNW, I wouldn't suggest a Code Zero for a J/30 based on the lack of a masthead halyard and bowsprit (or long enough pole to make a C0 project enough). What I would do is take an older #1 and have it cut into a shape that is more conducive to reaching. It being bagged out wouldn't be too much of an issue and the potential gains are totally worth the sailmaker time. Additionally it'll give a good use to an old sail that you have laying around. If you do add one then a padeye on the deck and a snatch block for sheeting the sail with will be the only major mods to your boat that you'll have to make.

With the rig configuration that the J/30 has a Code Zero would not be able to be used correctly and for that reason I'd suggest the Blast Reacher.

Since we race JAM and our courses around fixed marks often include reaches, we rig spin sheets with twings and attach the sheets to the #1 clew for the reaches. The sheet loads aren't as high on a reach, but I wouldn't do this if the wind gets above 15 knots. We can only wish it would on Summer Wednesday nights on lake Erie!