J80 Keel Failure

Its nice to see one of our sports major manufactures making an effort to inform the owners of their products about potential problems.

J80 keel failure. Owners have reported boatspeed and pointing improvements on the J80 J92 J105 and J120. Many happy years sailing and racing nothing more extreme than occasional downwind broaching. I want to give the competitors ample time to correct problems and to be aware of what to expect at either regatta.

Youre looking at a wide range of J boats having keel problems. Similarly while the 22ft 9in J70 is almost dinghy-like with its lifting keel and minimal cuddy cabin the J88 feels dramatically more substantial with 6ft 4in settees in the saloon a fixed head an inboard 14hp auxiliary and a kind of micro nav station to starboard just after of the forepeak. Then the keel sump was ripped out and the boat sank.

J80 - CONDITIONS OF CHARTER. There have been over 1300 J80s produced and it is recognized as an international class by ISAF. We had a policy for 25000 plus liablility with International Marine Underwriters NY since 1994 when we purchased the boat.

Failure to report damageloss incurs an additional inspection charge of 200. This starts with removing all traces of old sealant then grinding away any high spots on the hull or stub and on the top of the keel. SECTION C CONDITIONS FOR RACING.

Because the J80 has a molded sump extreme care must be taken that fiberglass material is not removed from the exterior of the sump in an effort to minimize. J80 North American Champion. Dont bed the keel on a flexible sealant even if that is how it was installed before.

OK heres the story on J80 21 Skillagalee since the crash. The boom is high for safety and good visibility. Numbers highlight the reason.