New yachts for the RYA

Eight J80s launched to replace ageing First Class 8s

The RYA have launched a new fleet of keelboats to replace its fleet of Beneteau First Class Eights. The brand new fleet of J80’s will be used for the ever expanding Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme and the well established RYA National Match Racing Series.



The RYA chose the J80’s as they believe the class to be the best suited all round boat and as the Beneteau First Class Eights are now not in production, and the fact that the J80 is a recognised ISAF keelboat for the ISAF Sailing World Championships, it was considered to be the best option as the new boat.

The boats arrived in May and after a few weeks of fitting out and preparation the fleet were officially launched at the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble.

As well as being used for the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme and the RYA National Match Racing Series, they will also be campaigned in various regattas such as Cowes Week and for this purpose the boats come equipped with four sets of race sails.

The boats have been equipped with conventional spinnaker poles, so can be raced in either class trim, with a jib furler and assymetric spinnaker on the bowsprit, or symmetrically.

The boats first outing will be this weekend when three of them will take part in the Round the Island Race. Two of the boats will be raced by Volvo RYA Keelboat Team members under the watchful eye of skippers and Volvo Ocean Race sailors Neal and Lisa McDonald and the third will be raced by top British Match Racer Ian Williams who is currently ranked number eight in the world.

RYA Racing Services Manager David Atkinson commented, “The Beneteau’s time had expired, and although they have served us really well it was time to look for a replacement fleet. We have spent twelve months evaluating boats that would meet our specific criteria and eventually decided to go for the J80’s.”

For further information on the keelboat sailing log onto the RYA website http://www.rya.org.uk/racing/keelboats.