Bolger jinni Sailing, a couple close passes

Bolger Jinni "The Yacht" Helgaflundra, Moving right along

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Bolger
• Jinni
• Sharpie
• Sailboat

[67viggen]

Yes I did.

I built it with a lot of help and guidance from my Father back in 1997 and she's still in really good shape. I did use a 1/2" bottom instead of 1/4", and I do use

100 lbs + of ballast when sailing solo. She's proved very able on Long Island Sounds not so calm waters. This is a great designthat stands up to her sail.

Best regards,

Darren

[jpcatl]

@67viggen Thanks for the reply. What are you using for ballast, and do you secure it at all?

[67viggen]

@jpcatl

I use a couple sand bags lashed down against the forward cockpit bulkhead when sailing solo. You have to lash it down, don't want it sliding to the lee side in heavy wind. It really helps keep the boat trimmed properly which equal better performance.

Darren

[67viggen]

The ballast also helps give the light hull momentum for taking when the waves are up.

Long Island Sound is not a millpond.

Darren

[jpcatl]

@67viggen It's great to hear that you can use the Jinni in a chop. I read about some of Jim Michalak's experiences with his Jinni, and your practice of using ballast eases some worries I had.

J.M. says that the Jinni's long boom can touch the water when heeling in choppy waters and contribute to causing a capsize. Do you ever feel like you wished the boom was shorter?

[67viggen]

@jpcatl

The only time I've noticed the boom touching the water is when first entering a downwind course with rolling waves or when it is choppy out. I correct it by shifting my weight to the opposite side. I've have never felt in danger of capsizing because of it.

Shortening the boom would likely help as long as it didn't require changing the position of the mast because you would probably have to take a couple feet of it.

Darren

[jpcatl]

@67viggen That's good to know, thanks. I suspect that I might be a little better off with a balanced lug rig (like on Michalak's Mayfly) for the Jinni's mainsail if I can use Jim Michalak's sail area math to get everything balanced like it was in the original Jinni design.

The main mast is more forward on the Jinni than on the Mayfly, so I'm not sure whether the idea has merit. I need to check it out.

[jpcatl]

Hi. Did you build this boat? I just ordered plans from Phil Bolger & Friends Inc with high hopes of building a Jinni.

[hydrogeoon]

Its so fast!