Ireland has battened down the hatches because of fears Hurricane Katia would wreak widespread havoc with storm-force winds and giant waves. The Coast Guard has issued a weather alert warning people to stay away from cliff edges. Boaters are also warned of the dangers of walking near exposed quays.
Hurricane Katia as seen from the space station
Easy to handle the J/80 is said to be less intimidating, safer and better suited for sailing offshore than other modern sport boats.
It even has a full-length V-berth and 12-foot-long cockpit.
Thanks to its combination of stability, speed, durability, low maintenance and age-friendly deck layout, the J/80 has proved to be a great club boat around Irish yacht clubs with fleets popular in Dublin on both sides of the Bay at Howth and Dun Laoghaire.
The key to a racing keelboat is that it holds the attention and interest of many types of sailors, young and old. The J80 does it all, with thrilling 15-knot rides under spinnaker or relaxed sunset cruises with mainsail only.
The Irish J/80 Class Association was formed in 2017 to represent owners, sailors, associated clubs and to help develop J/80 racing in Ireland.
Dimensions (Metres/Kg)
LOA 8.00
LWL 6.71
Beam 2.51
Standard Draft 1.49
Standard Ballast 635
Displacement 1,315
Engine outboard
Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
