Earlier this month UK Sailmakers Ireland’s Barry Hayes was in Newport, Rhode Island, commissioning sails aboard the new J121 “Jackhammer”.
Owned and campaigned by ISORA and Ocean Racing veteran Andrew Hall – “Jackhammer” has an extensive programme planned for her first year having just been released from the J Boat yard in Rhode Island after an extensive IRC optimisation fit out – starting with June’s Newport to Bermuda race.
Barry was joined by Andrew and his crew for three days of fitting, sailing, and testing in Newport. Sam Hall kindly provided some excellent drone footage of the superb sailing conditions in Newport – although the sun does not quite reflect the ambient temperature of an early April Newport!
'Barry Hayes was joined by Andrew and his crew for three days of fitting, sailing, and testing in Newport'
“We have been working hard on this project for many months this winter” - explains Hayes – “We are very excited to see ‘Jackhammer’ in the water and out sailing. Andrew has put a lot of work into this project and we are delighted to be involved. The UK Sailmakers goal was to provide a turnkey sail package for Andrew. He was able to step aboard, throw off the lines, and go fast straight away – goal achieved.”
Jackhammer was built in the US, the sails were designed in Ireland, built in the UK Sailmakers production facility in Hong Kong, and then fitted and tested in Newport – such is the global reach and expertise of the UK Sailmakers Group.
Jackhammer is powered by Uni-Titanium upwind and an extensive downwind wardrobe consisting of Matrix spinnakers and Top Down furling Code Zero and Flying Jib.
The J121 is designed with ease of use in mind – as such all fore sails are set on furlers. The J1 and J2 jibs work on a Selden Furling unit with the J3 Staysail working on an Ubi Maior furling unit. The J3 is hoisted to a halyard lock and tensioned using a 3:1 purchase tack line – this enables it to be cleared off the bow when not in use but deployed with ease and speed when needed.
In addition to her A2 and A3 downwind Matrix Asymmetric spinnakers, Jackhammer is also equipped with a top down furling Code Zero, direct furling Flying Jib and heavy weather direct furling A5 Asymmetric spinnaker. This setup is versatile and enables the power output of the sailplan to be managed very effectively – especially offshore.
In the video (above) you will see the Flying Jib set on a small bowsprit and used in conjunction with the J3 Staysail. Also shown are her Top Down Furling Code Zero and her J2 and full mainsail configuration.
