It’s spring fever in New England and the boat yards and builders are buzzing with activity, no more so than at CCF Composites in Bristol, RI, where the J/121 project has expanded from the proto-type shop into the mold room and now the assembly room. Two J/121 hulls and one deck are now molded and the first deck was just test-fit onto a hull (pictured below) to finalize the interior bulkhead patterns. One of the benefits of having had the hull and deck plugs precision-machined at Symmetrix was readily apparent when the mating flanges of the finished hull and deck matched together perfectly. The newly molded deck also shows off the subtle refinements made to the foot rest locations and seat-back coamings during the plug process. These are now beautifully molded in, along with the high-traction, nonskid deck surface essential for offshore sailing. The opening shown in the cockpit wall, aft to port, is the location of the optional LPG locker.
The J/121 hull, deck and bulkheads are vacuum-infused molded to provide high strength to
weight ratios and consistent part weights. The J/121 deck (shown below under vacuum) utilizes
Corecell structural PVC core for the primary deck panels and then high-density PVC core inserts
in way of highly loaded hardware and components.
J/121 Specifications & Option Pricing
With this bulletin please find the latest J/121 Specification dated May 16, 2017. There are
several notable additions:
- Jefa twin wheel pedestal steering system including both a wheel brake and a wheel
disengagement control (for reduced cable wear when under auto-pilot). The Jefa autopilot
transmission drive is available as an installed option. - Two Carbonautica J/Boats custom-styled composite wheels finished in black Awlgrip –
the same beautiful wheel design that’s been an option on other wheel-driven J models. - Harken Performa winch package with the cabin top and primary winches available as
electric. The same Harken winch body/gearing is used for both manual and electric
versions which allows one to easily “electrify” later in life. Harken is also supplying the
hydraulic backstay system which includes a pump and release button on the front of
each wheel pedestal. - Southern Spars carbon mast package (announced in Update #5) features an auto-claved,
tapered carbon mast with carbon spreaders and an Antal mainsail luff track. We’ve
added an internal halyard lock for the inner jib, and the masthead has a built-in
provision to accommodate an external halyard lock (commissioning option) for a Code 0
spinnaker. - For the inner jib deck fitting, there’s a structural chainplate (attached to the forward
bulkhead) with a twin ferrule set-up to allow a 3:1 tack purchase. One hoists the prerolled
inner jib until the halyard is ‘locked’ and then can adjust forestay tension with the
3:1 downhaul led aft to a clutch/winch.
Please note that several new J/121 options are added to J/Net including an offshore
companionway racing dodger, a canvas & cover package, International Marine racing bottom,
and a Rhode Island delivery, launch and rigging package.
- Project Schedule
With all of the major parts tooled, the proto-type shop is now finalizing small part moldings
such as the settee, galley and nav station base units, the aft head, and the v-berth supports.
Specifying these components in all-composite material provides an opportunity to save weight,
enhance the finish, and provide better long term durability. Next for production is installing the
deck hardware, while the structural bulkheads and interior components are installed in the hull
(from stem to stern). This will be followed by the mechanical and systems installations and
finally the bonding of the deck to the hull. We’re eagerly anticipating the launch and sea-trials
later this summer in Newport.
Availability
- J/121 hull #17 is the next available hull slot with a projected May 2018 completion.
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