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Whether racing with a crew or double-handing, there is often a frustration in sailing an asymmetrical spinnaker downwind in light air, knowing that one must sail longer distances to maintain speed. This is especially evident in a mixed and handicapped fleet with symmetrical spinnakers.

The snatch block twing technique will allow one to be more competitive by sailing a deeper downwind course and still maintaining speed. Thus far, we have found this technique to be helpful in true wind up to ten knots.

Attach a snatch block amidships to the stanchion base or toerail on each side, and rig the sheets through your spinnaker blocks as usual. When the spinnaker is hoisted, and just prior to trimming, the active sheet is placed through the snatch block as per the photos, increasing the sheeting angle. Project the spinnaker farther forward by raising the tack line and easing the spinnaker alyard. Then, by slightly over trimming the spinnaker, one allows for the leech to be closed, the foot to be fuller, and the wind to be retained in the sail.

The active sheet has one wrap around a winch to allow a full transfer of the sail’s energy to the boat in light air. Minimal disturbance to the sail is maintained by small movements of the helm rather than the trimmer, and moving crew weight slowly and deliberately to maximize VMG.

Unlike traditional twings where friction is an issue in light air upon gybing, the snatch block is released from the active sheet just before gybing, allowing the crew to have the normal sequence of a roll gybe, and then attaching the new active sheet in the opposite snatch block just prior to trimming the sail.

This technique allows us to sail ten to fifteen degrees deeper with the snatch block in light air conditions, thus sailing less distance to the downwind mark. In 8.1 knots of true wind, at 155 degrees off the true wind direction, we maintained a speed of 5.2 knots.

* Susan and Paul Herer from Chicago, IL, proud owners ofJ/100 #6, J100 WHAAT'S UP? have been sailing their J/100 quite actively the past few years on Lake Michigan. Here's what they had to say:  "This photo was taken during the Belmont Yacht Club There & Back 50 nm Race off the Chicago lakefront. In 2009, it was a double-handed race from Belmont Harbor to the Gross Point Outer Shoal light to the 68th Street Crib and back around the Wilson Avenue Crib to Belmont Harbor. The winds were 15 to 25 kts West and Southwest with gusts up to 40kts and the seas were 3-4 ft.  Like a true J Boat, it performed well, even when using our small asymmetric reaching chute downwind in these conditions.  We took 1st place and line honors and set the record for fastest time for this race over the 5 year period that this race has been held. We plan to do four double-handed races in 2010 on Lake Michigan.

We love our J/100 that we purchased from Rich Stearns about five years ago.  This back to basics performance daysailor and racer can sharpen your skill level.  The J/100 is easily sailed solo or short-handed for day sailing and port to port racing, or with a crew of five for racing around the buoys or port to port.  

The J/100 receives many compliments at the dock and on the water due to its’sleek, simple, and modern design and its’ ability to sail beautifully in light, moderate or heavy air conditions while keeping everyone dry!  Let’s step aboard.

This J/100 is hull # 6 and has a ten horsepowered Volvo Penta engine with saildrive and a two-bladed fourteen inch Gori folding prop. Maneuverability under motor is absolutely the best, both in forward and reverse; the boat never pulls to either direction.  All lines lead aft to the spacious cockpit. The 105% jib is easily rolled out or up on a Harken furling system.  The mainsail is easy to hoist or take down on Harken sailslides on a carbon fiber mast which is supported by rod rigging. The best part?  The mainsail can be flaked by one person! On our boat, the mainsail has a single, continuous line reefing system, an 8:1 mainsheet system and a 4:1 fine tune.  This enables anyone to control the mainsail even under heavy air conditions.

The tiller, autohelm controls, Sailtech hydraulic backstay lever, Harken windward sheeting traveler, primary winches, engine controls, and cockpit waterproof VHF remote mic are all within the easy reach of the helm.  And, our Raymarine ST4000 Plus autohelm is hooked into the belowdeck rudder post assembly and does not need to be disconnected in light air conditions.  It's wonderful to have this degree of control within reach of our finger tips!

Under sail, heading upwind in Lake Michigan’s stiff, choppy waters with short frequency waves, the plumb bow, fine entry and powerful rig push the J/100 thru the water gracefully while keeping you dry.  J/Boats  large spade rudder and fin bulb keel offer great stability and tracking.  For reaching, hull # 6 uses a 1.5 oz Mylar reaching sail on a Harken furler with continuous line and a 2A running asymmetrical spinnaker tacked to a bow turning block on a padeye in front of the headstay and bow pulpit.  This chute is easy to launch from a bag at the rail. Gybing both these sails is easily done by one person, and there is no spinnaker pole or sprit to deploy.  An ATN snuffer works well for solo or short-handed sailing and racing.

This J/100 has a bow pulpit and lifelines which do not detract from the sleek appearance and add a good measure of safety whether sitting in the cockpit or on the rail.  The Thurston dodger is easy to fold down for racing and is wonderful in inclement weather or for sun protection. The raised sea hood that accommodates four Tacktic instrument displays over the companionway is a good option because they are visible to anyone in the cockpit. And the cockpit lockers offer good storage.

Down below, the interior might be considered spartan, but it is bright, uncluttered, and clean with some attractive teak framework and lighting fixtures in the head and cabin.  There is ample storage for necessary items in the lockers under the cabin settees and under the v-berth. The shelves in the cabin, as well as the toiletry cabinet in the head are very nice finishing touches....

The J/100 was the next generation for J/Boats and a departure from the sprit boat. The concept of basic, simple, performance sailing should be embraced by the sailing community."

Some of the challenges in sailing include storing and preparing simple and healthy food. The following foods require no refrigeration, no refrigerated ingredients, are easy to store because of the rectangular shape, and are non-breakable. They are already made with healthy ingredients and taste delicious.

Ceres 100% fruit juice from South Africa has a variety of flavors and needs refrigeration only after opening, if there is any left. It has an easy and secure twist top and can be purchased through local grocery stores.

(www.ceresjuices.com, 1-800-905-1116)

The scones are from the Sticky Fingers Bakery (www.stickyfingersbakery.com, 1-800-458-5826). They come in plain and several other flavors and only require mixing with water and oven baking at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes. They are also available at local grocery stores.

The Indian Fare, Beer Bread Mix, and The Latin Style Black Bean Soup can be purchased from Trader Joe’s Market which has stores throughout the United States (www.traderjoes.com). The Indian Fare comes in several types and requires only boiling a pouch in water for five minutes. The Black Bean Soup only requires heating. The Beer Bread mix requires only a 12oz carbonated beverage like beer, water, soda, or cider, then mixing and baking at 375 degrees F for 50 minutes.

The minimal equipment needed for preparation makes these foods so wonderfully easy!

Article prepared by Susan and Paul Herer. They sail on Lake Michigan from their
homeport of Waukegan, Illinois.