J80 'Jackal'
As the makers say, "No other sailboat better combines such desirable qualities. The J/80 is designed with the security and reliability of a fixed lead keel of moderate draft having a 48% ballast ratio! That ballast is made even more effective by the J/80's low centre of gravity thanks to a strong, light hull and deck", (combined with Jackal's crew hiking out, packed full of fried breakfast).
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Jackal is configured as a sportsboat, flying a huge asymetrical spinnaker (which we call 'the bitch') from an extendable bowsprit. There's ample cockpit room for up to six people - four regular crew and the odd day-tripper. Below decks there's a V-berth forward and two quarter berths. There's no cooker, no toilet and absolutely nothing by way of cruiser comfort.
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The diagram above shows Jackal's basic deck layout, and to help viewers imagine the cramped conditions we suffer during a race the crew positions are shown. We really have to like each other! The rear half of the huge cockpit is not used much, except when we huddle together there on a run downwind. It's far less frightening that way!
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Jackal is studded with Harken deck hardware. Two big main winches are augmented by two smaller ones on the cabin top, although they're hardly ever used. There aren't any luxuries like halyard winches as the J80 relies on crew upper-body strength alone in matters of sail hoists. This is a really serious racing machine!
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J80 Jackal: General Dimensions
Description
LOA
LWL
Beam
Draft
Displacement
Ballast
100% SA
J/Sprit
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US
26.3 ft
22.0 ft
8.3 ft
4.9 ft
2,900 lb
1,400 lb
338 sqft
6.25 ft
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Metric
8.00 m
6.71 m
2.51 m
1.49 m
1,315 kg
635 kg
31.40 m2
1.91 m
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