Twing blocks were added just aft of the middle stanchion for the spinnaker sheets. We put them there to make it easy for the person taking down the spinnaker, to have easy reach to the spinnaker sheet. This made for fast access of the spinnaker during a take down. The twings were also important because they held the spinnaker sheet down and allowed the main to go out freely. We also added a Nylon sleeve to protect the vang blocks from chafing on the spinnaker sheets during a takedown.

For the tack of the main we took off the U fitting with the clevis pin and tied the tack around the mast with line. This allowed the tack to float up and made it easy to hoist the main. We then used the Cunningham to tension the luff of the sail. On the mast step we drilled an additional set of holes to allow the step to go farther forward. The easiest way to do this is to bolt the step down in the standard holes with it slid as far forward as possible. Then to use the step as a guide to drill the forward holes, this keeps the alignment straight. I also added a 1/8" Teflon pad under the mast step to protect the I- beam from the aluminum step. This also helps if you want to slide the step forward or aft. By the way our mast step was 7.75" forward of the bulkhead, this is measured from the back side of the mast. Our headstay length is 32' 10" pin to pin. On the mainsheet block we removed the plastic riser under the cleat and cut it in half. This makes cleating & uncleating of the mainsheet much easier for the skipper.

For electronics we went with the Tacktick line of digital compass and speedo. They are called the race master and speed master. The things I liked about them is that they are solar powered, with no drain on the battery. Also they have a nice mast mount, which is clean and neat. They worked well are reliable and are easy to read. I had a hard time reading them with my Polaroid sunglasses and had to go back to my reliable Ray Ban sunglasses in order to read the displays. There were a lot of boats racing without a Speedo at Key West. I think this tool is one of the most valuable speed tools on the boat. The Speedo kept me clued in to how fast we were going at all times. It helped me determine how hard to trim the mainsheet. It first helped us develop target speed and pushed us to make the boat faster.

Down below we added things to keep the boat clean and neat. I purchased two large duffels to keep all the personal and safety gear in. Then on the seats on each side of the boat we added tie downs to strap them in place to keep them from moving around, or from getting wet in the bilge. We also added wood support for the engine, to strap the engine in place so that it couldn't move around. Finally we added a bilge pump that can be pumped on deck during a race. This system has an on deck control line right next to the companionway, and can be easily pumped on deck during a race.

Overall the boat went together very well. All our hard work and effort was rewarded at the 2001 Key West Race Week. In that regatta we had 6 firsts in 8 races, and won the regatta by 12 points. There were 25 J-80s racing at Key West. Not bad for the first regatta.

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