J-80 Stellar J User manual

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J 80
Stellar J
Welcome Aboard!
Quick Start Guide/Boat Manual

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J-80 Boat Manual
Seattle Sailing Club
Welcome aboard Stellar J, one of our J-80 performance sailboats popular for racing and
complete with a small cabin for short cruises. We are doing everything possible to make sure
this boat is always ready to go. Please treat her with the care she deserves, like she is your
own boat. This manual is designed to make your journey easier and give you the extra
information underway you may be seeking. Help us out by filling out and turning in the user
reports each trip so we can continue providing the safest and best equipment possible.
Thanks and have a great sail! SSC
Stellar J is of the favorite boats in our fleet for the following reasons:
Day sailing performance
Racing performance with a well-established fleet
Asymmetrical spinnaker (for qualified charterers)
Small cabin with basic sleeping quarters in v-berth.
Shore power and built-in running lights
Stellar J Challenges - Things to Know
Make sure to locate shore power and integral running lights and steaming light. Disconnect before
you leave the dock and bring the cord with you as it belongs to the boat. During the cold months,
make sure to re-connect shore power and turn on heaters and dehumidifiers when you return.
Electronics are specific to each J-80. Stellar J has no built-in instruments.
Make sure to disconnect the fuel line before tilting engine out of water to avoid damaging line
between the transom and the engine.
Always ease the boom vang, main sheet and reefing lines before raising the mainsail.
Don’t use the forward hatch as it is prone to breaking if not lowered gently when opening. If you do
open it, Do Not let it slam! Please leave it locked closed.
The companionway hatch slides very easily! Be careful not to lean against and take a tumble down
into the cabin unexpectedly!

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Table of Contents
Boat Specifications p. 4
Inventory list p. 5
Safety Equipment p. 6
Systems
The Engine-Starting/Stopping/Operating p. 7-8
Refueling p. 8
Outboard Diagram p. 9
Electrical Systems/Electronics p. 10-11
Sails and Rigging p. 12-17
Main Sail Reefing/ Diagram p. 15-17
Securing J-80s- Post Sail Checklist p. 18-20
Amenities Specific to each J-80 p. 22-25

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Stellar J
Boat Specifications
LOA: 8.0 meters/ 26.25’
LWL: 22.0’
Beam: 8.25’
Draft: 4.9’
Mast Height: 37.5’
Fuel Tank capacity: 6 gallons
Anchor: Danforth anchor w Rode: Chain is 12’/ line is 100’ twisted nylon marked
in 30’ increments stowed in plastic tub below companionway.
Engine: Mercury 4 HP 4 stroke outboard
Accommodations: Sleeps 2 V-berth (dbl)
Instrumentation: None
Sails: Main Sail w reef, roller furling genoa/jib, asymmetrical spinnaker.

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Stellar J
Inventory List (Owner’s notes in italics)
OPERATIONS EQUIPMENT Location
Danforth anchor w/8’chain and 100-150’ line. Below companionway
Boat Hook V-berth
1 Winch handle Pocket inside companionway to starboard
(While sailing, keep handle in pocket on the port side of companionway. Return to inside pocket when done.)
Roller Furling Headsail (103-107%) w/ attached sheets. Forestay
SAFETY Location
4 Type II PFDs in bag V-berth
1 Type IV Throw cushion Aft of companionway
1 Type IV Horseshoe Port stern pulpit
2 Type ABC: 1 - Fire Extinguishers Starboard/port bulkhead
1 Air Horn w/ replacement canister Safety box/starboard storage hammock
Flare kit w/ 3 handheld, 1 whistle “ “
Portable Bilge pump Under starboard settee
Bucket Aft of companionway
First Aid kit Storage hammock to starboard
Manual Bilge Pumps
Bailing Bucket (aft of companionway)Portable bilge pump (below starboard settee)

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Safety Equipment/USCG Required items
Registration- Stellar J’s papers are kept in the front of this manual.
PFDs- Although each sailor should supply their own PFD to fit their body type and usage
requirements, many times there are extra personal floatation devices stowed in the v-berth. Know
where and how many are onboard before you leave the dock. Each member should always wear a
life jacket when the boat is underway. Stellar J is equipped with a bag of four Type II PFDs in v-berth.
Type IV’s -There is a USCG throw seat cushion abaft the companionway and horseshoe-style Type
IV on the port stern pulpit.
Flares- There is a flare kit with current handheld flares located in the safety box. Please ensure
these are dated properly and look usable.
Fire extinguishers- 2 Type B-I extinguishers located on the port/starboard bulkhead in the main
salon.
Air Horn- safety box (with 1 replacement air cartridge located in starboard storage hammock)
Running/steaming lights- built-in pull switch outboard of safety box on starboard bulkhead
First Aid Kit- Located in storage hammock to starboard
PFDs in V-berth/Type BC: I Extinguishers/ Safety Box Horseshoe Type IV
Horn/First Aid/winch handles Safety Box Bailing bucket/Anchor/Type IV
(aft of companionway)

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Stellar J’s SYSTEMS
The Engine-Starting/Stopping/Operating
Stellar J is powered by a 4 HP Mercury 4 stroke outboard engine. This is a great engine and if
cared for during your charter will serve you well. Always make sure the engine is getting coolant,
lubrication, and proper fuel by completing the checklist each day.
Pre-start Checklist:
ALWAYS check the following before starting the engine:
- Engine is lowered into the water.
- Fuel level is more than ½ full
- To vent, fuel cap is tightened until it clicks.
- Connect fuel line
- Ensure fuel petcock selector is in horizontal position (AUX tank) (see diagram)
- Pump bulb
- Kill cord connected
- Engine in neutral (shift through forward, reverse, neutral)
- Choke out
- Throttle in start position keeps cold engine from running too high
(results in damage)
- Make sure water is flowing out after start
Engine and Mount:
The outboard is secured on a motor mount that positions the engine aft of the rudder. To lower the
engine, rock the engine slightly forward and pull up on the stainless steel bail on the starboard side, then
allow the engine to gently tilt down. When in use, the throttle handle will contact the stern pulpit unless it
is raised above the level of the pulpit. At operating speed, the engine will generally remain straight and
the throttle handle can be raised to a vertical so that it does not contact the pulpit. To tilt up the engine
while sailing or at the dock, make sure the gear shift lever is in Forward and pull the engine up to the
horizontal position by grasping the handle on the aft end of the engine cover.
Starting the engine:
After completing the checklist, you are ready to start the outboard. Clear the boom, and crewmates
away from swing room as you will need clearance to get a good long pull on the start cord. With each
pull, try to get the maximum length of cord utilized by a quick snapping action at the last. Wait 3
seconds before next pull. It should start in 3-5 pulls. Once running, push in the choke until the engine is
running smoothly. To achieve full-throttle range the choke typically has to be completely pushed in
once the engine is warmed up.
If the engine doesn’t start:
Go back through checklist to problem solve. Sometimes the fuel line is not fully attached, the kill switch
is not fully connected, or the vent is not open enough. Recheck everything, then retry.

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Flooded engine:
Too soft/short of pulls can result in a flooded engine. If you smell rich fuel and engine hasn’t started
after 6 or more pulls, you have probably flooded. If so disconnect fuel, turn throttle way up and pull
several strokes to clear. Try again. If still flooded, contact the dock staff. You may have to wait 20
minutes before retrying.
Engine Operation:
Cold outboards typically like to run at a moderate pace; however, once they are warmed up they
should idle and run smoothly at low RPMs. Never run an engine high before it is warmed up as you
can break cold metal pieces. Running the engine in neutral a couple minutes after start (to warm up)
as well as a couple minutes before you kill the engine (to cool down) optimizes performance and
increases engine longevity. The challenge is keeping a good RPM (without operating at high speed
inside the marina), but slow enough to keep it from cutting out. It is best to utilize neutral whenever
possible to rev up engine and coast. Anytime you are shifting gears make sure to slow throttle speed to
low. Shifting too high can sever the shear pin which protects the transmission.
To achieve a tighter turn radius, angling the engine the same direction as the tiller can be very effective
especially in reverse.
Warning: Make sure engine is well secured with clamps turned tightly to the right. (Righty
tighty

) Never loosen these underway and risk dropping engine into the water. Also, the safety
line should be connected from engine to the boat. Especially with rough seas.
Stopping the engine-
To shut down the engine, throttle down, put into neutral then pull off the kill switch. Once the engine
stops, disconnect fuel line. Next, hoist the engine out of the water by first shifting to forward gear and
tilt to completely clear. (Engine will not tilt unless it is shifted into forward.) Close tank vent.
Refueling- Mercury 4 stroke engines only burn unleaded! Not diesel or pre-mix.
Disconnect fuel line from engine then close vent on tank. Carry to fuel dock downwind of
boat to avoid filling cabin with fumes. Fill tank watching closely for overflow. Fuel dock
pumps do not have auto shut-off valves.Once full, reconnect to engine, close cap until it
clicks to vent, and then go through start procedures. Only refuel if you had the boat for an
overnight. SSC will refuel day-sail charters.
Safety precautions:
Anytime you smell gas fumes in the cabin, do not start engine until you have completely ventilated the
boat by opening all compartments.
Never leave the fuel tank up high in the cockpit when you are motoring outside of the marina. A falling
fuel tank could cause a fire!

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Stellar J has shore power and is equipped with lights
Electrical Systems
If the J80 you are rigging has a big extension cord to the dock it has shore power. This
means the boat has internal running lights, and possibly a depth sounder and other instruments.
AC: The shore power cord accesses 110v electricity from the dock and is utilized on the J80s for
recharging the 12v batteries. Before leaving the dock, turn off the shore breaker first, then unplug
the shore end of cord. Always bring the cord onboard as it belongs to the boat owner.
Shore Power: The shore power cord on Stellar J charges the battery and powers both a heater and
dehumidifier during the winter months. The AC power supply box is located in the cabin forward
of the mid-ship bulkhead on the port side. The shore power cord plugs into the starboard side of
the AC power supply box. Please do not
turn off any switches on the AC power
supply box, and do not disconnect the
onboard shore power cord from the box ,
only from the dock. To disconnect the
shore power cord safely, turn off the dock
breaker, unplug the cord, and bring it
onboard. Coil cord into cabin. Be careful
not to drop the cord into the water.
When finished sailing, plug shore end
back into outlet on the dock by lining up
the “L” prong and twisting into the outlet
to lock into place. Turn on the shore
breaker. Purple LEDs will illuminate on
both ends of the cord to indicate the cord
is energized. Also, make sure the green
main power and battery charger panel
lights on the AC power supply box in the
boat are illuminated. The shore power
cord should be run through the
notch at the base of the companionway
hatch board to allow the hatch to close
properly.
DC:With a charged DC battery, the boat
has access to running lights. Stellar J has
no additional built-in DC electronics; however, shore power keeps the battery charged to operate the
running and steaming lights. Each boat is unique so explore Stellar J’s systems before you leave the
dock.
After sailing, make sure to plug back into shore power. To plug in, see above.