J/45 Acadia bucket list sail from France to the UK: Next stop Newport
by J Composites 15 May 01:33 PDT
J/45 Acadia © jboats.com/j45
A really memorable supply sail was just lately accomplished by the brand-new J/45 ACADIA from Les Sables d’Olonne, France up the west coast of France and throughout the English Channel to Dartmouth, United Kingdom.
She was sailed by ACADIA co-owner Erik Asgeirsson together with the J/Boats UK/ Key Yachting group of Wayne Palmer and Mike Stills. Here’s Erik’s commentary of that epic voyage:
“The journey began at the residence of J/Composites in Les Sables d’Olonne, thought of the offshore crusing capital of the world by many. We departed from the well-known Vendee Globe canal in the early afternoon and have been greeted with a constructing easterly.
As the breeze constructed, the sail up the coast of France became a pleasant beam attain trip averaging 11-12 knots and topping out at 14.5 knots boat pace in round 15-20 knots of breeze. With full most important and J1 jib up, the stability and energetic efficiency of the J/45 have been significantly loved. The sundown and dawn over the shores of France have been additionally a sight to see!
By 8:00 am the following day, we reached the well-known lighthouse off Pointe Du Raz in Brittany, which is understood for the crashing waves, sturdy winds, and currents. “Raz” means a robust present of water. At this level, the ENE had constructed to 22-24 knots, and we had reefed the most important and gone to the J4 jib. The boat felt very well-balanced crusing at 9 knots close-hauled.
As we left the shelter of the Brittany coast, we have been supplied a “baptism by fire” greeting by the English Channel… shock shock. By night, the ENE wind had constructed to a gradual 30-plus knots that held all through the evening and the waves grew to 10-15 toes.
At this level, we went to a reefed most important and no jib. This is the place the stability and stability of the J/45 actually stood out and he or she continued to make 7-9 knots boat pace shut reaching into the sturdy English Channel wave set. At instances, waves have been crashing over the complete deck and working off by means of the transom. A baptism to bear in mind! The J/45 took all of it with grace and ease.
By dawn the second day, we had accomplished the 100-mile-plus English Channel crossing, fortunately avoiding dozens of ships steaming up and down the Channel, and arrived in the historic harbor of Dartmouth, England. Later in the week, ACADIA was moved to Hamble, and he or she is now days away from being loaded onto Seven Star Transport in Southampton for the transit to Newport!”
Here are two movies for you to watch:
More info at www.jcomposites.eu/j-45-elegance-yacht