J22 versus J80

[midwestman]

Any opinions on whether there is any advantage for a sailor in training to spend time sailing a J22 versus a J80, or will the learning experience be pretty much the same? Thanks.

[Faster]

The J80 is a sprit boat, and therefore will use assymetrical spinnakers. On the J22 you will learn the ins and outs of rigging and handling a conventional symmetrical spinnaker.

Good foredeck skills with a symmetrical spinnaker will translate to more rides on a wider variety of boats. Good bowmen/women are in demand.

Sailing upwind, the skills learned will be comparable, and the difference in size will make minimal difference to what you will learn.

[sailingdog]

Not a big difference IMHO as they're pretty close in size. It depends on whether you're interested more in cruising or racing. The J80 is more of a cruising boat, and it's use of assymetrical spinnakers will be more like what you'd probably experience cruising. The J22 is a bit more like what you'd see if you want to race. Most cruisers don't bother with a symmetrical spinnaker anymore.

[Hartley18]

The J22 has quite a following over here - as a class racer.

Can't say I've ever seen one set up for cruising... the layout seems all wrong and it would be very cramped. I reckon I've got more room in my Hartley!!