J121 debuts at Newport and Annapolis

Oct 26, 2017

The NEW J/121 made her boat show debut at the Newport International Boat Show last month and took home the award for Best New Sailboat.

Making its debut at the United States Sailing Show in Annapolis last week the J121 (pronounced 1-2-1) has taken the sailing scene by storm. Easy to sail in around-the-buoy and long distance off shore races with five crew or less and capable of winning meets many of the requirements for today’s modern sailor. It brings fun back into the game with speed and a much reduced focus on athleticism and a specialist’s knowledge of mechanics.

The key to the success is a water-ballast assist system run from the cockpit that adds almost 400 kilos (four hefty sailors) of crew weight to the rail. Also noticeably different are headsails with their own dedicated furler, meaning fewer hands on the foredeck, and a mainsail that can be quickly adjusted to three different sizes.

Photos by Katie Coleman Nicoll

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