(London, England)- Andi Robertson, Y&Y Test Editor, came to
Newport to cover the MOD 70s super-fast carbon trimarans in town for the
next leg of their trans-Atlantic Regatta; cover the America's Cup World
Series being sailed in the AC45 cats; and, most importantly, get a
chance to get the scoop on the new J/70 one-design speedster on a
perfect weekend of sailing. As Andi said of his experience, "The
abiding memory of the J/70 was of enough space for all, of easy loads
and a very easily worked boat." Andi then had this to say about the 70s dramatic popularity, "Despite only being a few months old the J/70 is already topping the best- seller lists – J-Boats knows it has hit the mark with this simple, exciting new one design pocket racer. In the USA and Europe it has sold like no other ‘off plan’ (meaning- off boat drawings), and that is just the start." Furthermore, Andi adds that, "complete simplicity is the key throughout the boat with easy, proven, refined systems which also, of course, maintain a very even one design."
Reflecting on Y&Y's role with the famous J/24, Andi says, "it would be nice to think that Y&Y might play some role contributing to the future success of the J/70, bearing in mind that the J/24 really took off all those years ago when Jack Knights described it as a ‘Laser with a lid’ on these pages. For the record more than 5,300 J/24’s have been built since 1977."
What
were Andi's impressions under sail? "We were just left wanting more",
said Andi. "More time to sail, a chance to line up in a big fleet in
20kts of breeze and sunshine, a chance to sail it with the kids on a
summer afternoon, a chance to stay on for the Newport YC’s Wednesday
night racing." Andi goes on to say, "Reaching was pure joy. The big
asymmetric launched and retrieved from the companionway was pretty
straightforward. It planes flat and fast, rewarding the harmonious work
of the trimmer and the helm to keep her lit up. She feels light without
being skittery; stiff and firm when you come up and build the apparent
but swift in terms of acceleration. It is not as harum-scarum or
physical as the Melges and you feel like you are pushing less water than
her big sister, the J/80." You can read the entire four-page article
in print (Y&Y on news-stands now) or Y&Y.co.uk on-line
