J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum Racing Tools and Techniques J30 windward and downwind performance

I have owned a J30 in the UK for the last 5 years, and have pretty well learned how to get the best out of it. I am dissapointed with its ability to point (especially in lighter winds). also downwind in lighter winds (althogh gybing angles help here) because I race in the UK I have no other J30's to reference to. We Have 150% sobstad Genoa (platinum) and a 180% spinnaker (due to UK handicap system penaties on larger sails. The rig is set up fairly tight and quite well raked, but in light winds we tend to sail 'fast and free' with fairly loose luffs and foot. Anyone any ideas?

This will be an interesting thread. The J30 (as well as the J24) has been notorious for weak light air performance. I don't know what boats the J30 is being compared too since I usually kick butt in light air, pointing or not. The light air performance is the reason for the 163% genoa and oversized chute.

Stick with the basics: In really light wind, flatten the sails and add twist. The wind will be stronger higher off the water and therefore farther aft, hence the twist in the sails. Put your crew to leeward and forward to induce a little weather helm. Foot more and keep your head out of the boat (look for more pressure). Downwind get the weight out of the back of the boat to lift the stern up and reduce wetted surface. Consider going with the class spinnaker. The current theory is that the extra sail area is worth the penalty. Sail higher angles to keep pressure in the sail.

Maybe somebody with connections will realize this thread belongs in the Racing section. Might get more of a response with the right visibility.

I am sure you have your bottom in tip top shape, but I had you point out that you should fair your keel and ruder to the templates, and don't neglect the bottom.

You said your rig is tight, you might experiment with loosening it for light conditions. We have heavy air settings, moderate air settings, light air settings and setings for "why are we sailing in this light stuff"

I feel that we are at a disadvantage in light air when compared to many boats, but we really come into our own when the wind picks up. I think you are doing the right thing by footing when going to windward and sailing higher angles downwind in the light stuff (the polars also show this to be true)

So Lumpy, what do you do in light air, and "why are we even trying to sail in this stuff"?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Dennis in response to your question, these are a few of the things that we do in light air.

In light air we try to stick to some basics. Clean bottom, strip search on the boat to get rid of the junk that accumulates(the weight saved is usually offset by the additional drinks and ice), make sure the sails are clean and dry (rinse out the salt)tune to a looser rig, watch the sail hoist and trim -- too tight is slow, lighter sheets for jibs and chute, adjust leads for the jib and main for more twist, identify the favored tack/course, maintain clear air-which usually means avoid the center of the course, keep tacking to a minimum, leward heel upwind, keep the boat moving to make the keel work and increase apparent wind.