Rare bird - A Beneteau First 260 resource

As we race a lot of windward/leeward races, the efficiency of the pit is of primary importance. While generally well thought out in the original design and hardware assortment, there was a number of things I wanted to do to make it better. And as we often sail with asyms, it needs to support that as well. Some of the goals were: Double end key controls (vang, foreguy) so they can be played from either side Increase the purchase for key controls (vang, foreguy, outhaul, cunningham) Run halyards for optimal port windward roundings Create the same pit environment as the First 36.7 (cross-training boat) Bring the cunningham into the pit Double ending the vang and pole down means 4 and not 2 line controllers, as well as deck turns. This means 2 extra clutches and deck organizers, as well as moving the furling line. The starboard side looks like this; from the inside out: Vang Reef Spinnaker topping lift Main Halyard Spin Halyard Genoa sheet Genoa car adjuster Spinnaker for...

Due to a deal I had with my sailmaker, I took the opportunity to update the mainsail on BlueJ. Cut from the same pattern as our old sail, it is made out of Challenger ZZ19 Twarlon string laminate. Solid black unless light shines through it. it has amazing shape, looks fast, and IS FAST. Great deal. The day for the brake-in sail started out too gusty for a new sail, but by the time we got out it was 10-12; perfect for checking it out. Dan and I had a great sail, and Tonka Paparazzi was out and got the first pictures. Sailing and chilling. Blackness.

Wow, where has this year gone? BlueJ has had quite a good year racing at WYC, with a long string of  race wins and podiums to our credit. Most impressive for us has been our 2nd place in the Sunset series, which is the premier season-long tally for the Thursday evening races. We have also settled in with racing with a crew of 4 (bow/trim, pit, main, driver), two who are new to the boat and new to racing. The Bay series is more of a fun race for us; with the weeds we cannot avoid or shed, we shuck if its light. And this year every race was. But we still have fun, like drag racing with J-24s downwind. The Fall is coming up, which promises more wind and less weeds. Its our best season.