The cool part about this year was that she was joined by a new J-100, basically sailing the same course, occasionally taking prospective buyers for joyrides.
This particular J100 was equipped with the optional Hoyt (?) self-tacking jib boom just like the Alerion, so the comparison was really interesting. Two very similar daysailors at first glance, distinguished by a rather small difference in philosophy in terms of the pursuit of speed.
I'll just come out and say it: The J100 is just a friggin rocketship. Carbon rig, deep blades with antimony ballast, SCRIMP construction, etc... I think the PHRF number is something in the 80s (she'd owe a Triton roughly 175 seconds per mile in a handicapped race). Hands-down winner over the Alerion in terms of sheer speed.
But you need to work at it a bit.
The J100 is built with butt-comfy decks for the rail meat, vs. the Alerion which has class rules that prohibit crew from leaving the comfort of the cockpit.
The J100 has a LOT of strings to pull.... Just about everything short of running backstays. she's got 6:1 AND 24:1 mainsheet controls, for cryin' out loud!!!
The Alerion employs a lot less spaghetti in the cockpit.
Both are designed for ease of handling. The Alerion has the slight edge in this regard, as the J100 really does need a second person when the wind pipes up.
I'm just rambling now, but I really had a great time watching these boats from the dock and from the launches. The J100 is a Jboat through and through, but one could very easily imagine that the Alerion had an influence on her creation. I've loved the Alerion for years, and now this new Jboat has come along as a really well-done comment on it.
If I'm any judge, this J100 is going to be HUGE. I'm talkin' J24 kinda huge. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for a teak toerail. :)
