The J24 class has been talking about changing their genoa rules for quite some time. The potential change would permit previously forbidden aramid fibers as well as modify the current genoa bag weight. The introduction of aramid fibers would, for all intents and purposes, eliminate Pentex and welcome some type of Kevlar construction. Sails constructed out of aramid fibers have proven to keep their shape longer and do a better job withstanding the test of time. Because of the difference in material cost, aramid sails tend to be more expensive than Pentex sails. However, in the long run, aramid customers have been getting more out of their investments. Many other one design classes have chosen to go in this direction and each and every one of them seems satisfied with the results. Obviously, time will tell with the J/24.
North Sails One Design has been working hard to develop genoas that adhere to these proposed changes. Without being provided any real timetable for implementation, we have been working at a ready-for-anything pace. We constructed our first few sails in October and did some two-boat testing before the East Coast Championships. The sails we made in October were constructed out of Kevlar and flew similar to the Newport DX-7K. The test sails were competitive with the Pentex sails but because of the fiber difference they reacted differently to load and stress. After the preliminary tests in Annapolis we changed a few details and made some new sails, both paneled and 3DL, for three days of two-boat testing in beautiful San Diego, California.
The sail testing team: North Sails designers Paul Bogotaj and Ched Proctor,
Vince Brun, Chris Snow, Chuck Allen,
Charlie Enright, Mike Arajj, Lester Igo, Lee Thomas, Brian Bissell and Garth Reynolds.
Two weeks ago, in San Diego, we sailed two similar vintage, evenly tuned J24’s for three days in consistent San Diego breeze. Over the course of the three-day testing period we had conditions that ranged from 5-14 knots. The sailing test crew consisted of Vince Brun, Chris Snow, Will Welles, Chuck Allen, Brain Bissell, Charlie Enright and some other local J24 sailors, while the design and observation team consisted of Ched Proctor, Paul Bogataj and Garth Reynolds. A special thanks to Michael Whitfield of TMC Racing out of San Francisco for letting us borrow their boat and helping us sail both boats at class weight. During the three-day test session we learned a lot about how to maximize the potential of the sails we had already constructed, but also observed a few things we could change to make future versions stronger. In the end, the paneled Kevlar Genoa was very strong in moderate-heavy air and about even in the lighter breeze. The 3DL Kevlar genoas were great when they were going but sailed to a narrow groove. They seemed to react well to a tighter halyard and less sheet activity than the older generation Pentex sails.
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In conclusion, we are happy with what we have done so far and where we have the ability to go. When the rule changes we’ll be ready. We are at a point in our R & D where the Pentex Genoa is hardly obsolete but the new innovations are beginning to look quite promising. The class is at an interesting and exciting crossroads and North Sails One Design is trying hard to help get you through it.
See also: New J24 Kevlar Genoa Questions & Answers
Sail designer Ched Proctor checking the shape of the new 3DL Genoa
The North technology behind the new J24 genoa development:
Simulations by One Design sail designer Paul Bogataj
