J-180

[RBourg]

I am seeking any advice, hints, tips etc. for outfitting and successfully racing an older j-180. I picked it up last year and struggled through one race, I am sure that I need more time in it and I am most interested in seat,foot placement and seat height mods that may be effective. I have not swamped it yet, but nearly did so in the frenzy of my first race start.

 

[Alan Gage]

I used to have a J-180. I swamped it plenty of times. I never did get used to it. The part that drove me nuts is that I never felt unstable. The primary stability feels pretty good. It's just that there seems to be no secondary stability after you dip the wing. I'd be paddling along just fine until some light boat wakes would catch me from the rear and next thing I knew I was swimming.

I spent a little time intentionally swamping in warm weather and shallow water to try and get a better feel for it. I think more of that would have helped.

I think seat time is the key. Plenty of people paddle/race J-boats without issue so it must be something you get used it. I used to have a racing kayak as well. It seemed almost unpaddleable when I first sat in it. But I put in the hours and eventually felt very comfortable, even in chop.

What's your weight? As I recall it was made for lighter paddlers. 180lbs used to be tossed around as the max weight.

I assume you already have a foot brace in it?

Alan

 

[RBourg]

I used to have a J-180. I swamped it plenty of times. I never did get used to it. The part that drove me nuts is that I never felt unstable. The primary stability feels pretty good. It's just that there seems to be no secondary stability after you dip the wing. I'd be paddling along just fine until some light boat wakes would catch me from the rear and next thing I knew I was swimming.

I spent a little time intentionally swamping in warm weather and shallow water to try and get a better feel for it. I think more of that would have helped.

I think seat time is the key. Plenty of people paddle/race J-boats without issue so it must be something you get used it. I used to have a racing kayak as well. It seemed almost unpaddleable when I first sat in it. But I put in the hours and eventually felt very comfortable, even in chop.

What's your weight? As I recall it was made for lighter paddlers. 180lbs used to be tossed around as the max weight.

I assume you already have a foot brace in it?

Alan

Yes, it does have a foot brace and I have moved both it and the seat around seeking whatever is ideal and trying to find what works best between the two. I weigh about 160 plus my life jacket, water bottle, 2 paddles and race required phone. I find that it takes very little to affect the balance fore and aft with too much forward it seems to track uncontrollably and too much back feels like I am dragging.
As far as weight ratings, I find a little conflicting information online and since this boat was made in the infancy of the internet as we know it there seems to be very few resources.
I have been using a camelback for hydration but soon I will move a bottle to the floor to lower my center of gravity.
I found an online site that offers seat risers in differing heights that I am curious about, but maybe I should just leave that alone until I develop my skill level and figure out my best seat/foot brace position fore and aft. I removed straps that the previous owner had on the foot brace but may be adding them back now that my comfort level has improved.

Everyone is chasing surf-skis and outrigger canoes for racing and there is less interest in C-1, which I prefer to learn at the moment.

 

[Bandanna Dan]

I owned a J-180 many years ago. At that time I was told it was designed for 160 pounds and under, I believe. I have lowered the seat on several racing boats that I couldn't get comfortable in, and it helped a lot. If your seat has risers that would be something simple to try. But the long term solution is definitely long hours in the boat.

 

[Alan Gage]

I find that it takes very little to affect the balance fore and aft with too much forward it seems to track uncontrollably and too much back feels like I am dragging.

Yes. They are picky about this. Too much weight in the bow and it tends to pin. Getting a proper feel for this will also come with time in the seat. I would recommend starting with the seat back and inching it ahead until you feel the bow start to pin, then slide it back a little until it doesn't.

I think you're probably fine in terms of weight. I was pretty much the same weight when I was paddling one. I upgraded to a higher volume Crozier J boat and it wasn't like it was magically more stable. I managed to tip that one over plenty as well.

Alan