J-105 alone

[stylesupportmidi]

I'm taking out a J105 with a friend that knows nothing about sailing.
Is it acceptable to sail just with the jib, till I see how things go?
Thanks

[sailingdog]

You could, but the boat probably would not be balanced properly, since it will want to head downwind... If you fall off, that would be bad.

IMHO, it might be better to sail with just the main sail, since that will tend to turn the boat into the wind, rather than have the boat run off. If you should fall in, the boat will be easier to get to if it is just sitting there in irons, rather than if you have to chase it.

[stylesupportmidi]

Thanks Salingdog - those are good points to remember!

[bestfriend]

Depends on the wind speed and your boat. Mine sails like a dream with just the jib until about 12 knots, then it gets a little difficult. Best way to find out is to just do it. If it gets squirelly, just turn into the wind, furl it, put up the main, and then put up the jib again.

[Faster]

As SD points out, a fractional boat like the J105 may well experience lee helm under jib alone, esp when trying to go upwind. And, as a mostly-main-powered boat she may well perform well in that mode (like a largish Laser).

Many masthead boats perform quite well with headsails alone - esp those with high aspect mains and long J measurements but a J 105 is not one of those!

[sailingdog]

A very largish Laser...