Mini J Class

[Tim Judge]

Endeavour Js were produced in the UK in the mid 1980s. These are scaled down versions of the J Class Endeavour. I think there were about 22 made, 6 sent to North America and imported by Tom Hale at the Martha's Vineyard Shipyard. I know of three today: an all fiberglass version and two with teak decks (one in Cape Cod area, the other one is my boat). There may be one on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. I would love to know if there are any other Mini J sailing. Check out the gallery for some pixs.

Mini J
LOA 20ft 4in
LWL 12 ft
Beam 3ft 6 in

[Herman]

Great looking boat. At university, I sailed Mini12M, and Illusions. Real fun!

[Tim Judge]

Interesting news...I now know of 4 Endeavour J on the east coast of North America...and I am on the trail of a mould. Any other mini Js out there?

[Tim Judge]

I spent several months (and a surgical delay) to redo the hull at the waterline, and the bright work. The gelcoat had peeled off at the bootstripe, and I found a very soft spot at the bottom of the keel.

I had water in the very bottom of the keel, below the drain plug (design flaw) and used a poltice of sorts. I took CaCl wrapped in a cloth and a plastic film backing and taped it to soft spot....it did draw water out, and when used in combination with a wet/dry shop vac tapped to the hull I managed to dry it out..no moisture meter, but it got dry.

Once I cut out the damaged glass, I had to perform an emergency herni repair to keep the lead shot balast from pouring out. A week later I was in the hospital undergoing the same.

Have a look at the photos...of the boat.

[Doug Lord]

Tim, how do you like the wheel steering? I'm doing a singlehanded 18 footer and I've been trying to decide-wheel ,footpedals or some sort of tiller.
I posted the wheel picture-if you'd rather I didn't I'll be glad to remove it.

[Tim Judge]

Doug...the wheel is great...easy to use and with the mini J gives you a bit of big boat feel. Also there is no weather helm. I would say more comfortable too in that I can move my legs and or feet without changing course. Kay Fore has a Safe-tee cable stearing system like that used for smaller power boats.

[Doug Lord]

Originally Posted by Tim Judge

Doug...the wheel is great...easy to use and with the mini J gives you a bit of big boat feel. Also there is no weather helm. I would say more comfortable too in that I can move my legs and or feet without changing course. Kay Fore has a Safe-tee cable stearing system like that used for smaller power boats.

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Thanks, Tim-I'll look into that kind of cable-hadn't considered it.
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Just thought of another question: is there no weather helm because the boat is perfectly balanced or is it because there is no feedback with that cable system?

[Tim Judge]

Doug if you look just above the aft cockpit backrest and just below the aft combing, you can see the steering mechanism. The cable spool is forward of the wheel, runs below deck dow the port side to the unit with a push rod. The rod is attached to a pivot that is attached to another rod with a socket for the ball joint on the rudder post. The rudder post has a short (~3") flat plate with a ~5/8" ball.

Tim

[Tim Judge]

Doug...sorry but I never did answer your question about the weather helm....there is feedback, and you do know what the current/tide is doing in addition to the wind...the cable system is very sensitive....however it is not like a tiller, and you grow into it...as Garry Jobson observed of Russell Coutts "he has a light touch on the wheel"...and that is all you need. The boat is well balanced, but waves and minor shifts in wind do have an effect because of her narrow beam...I am going to redo her teak deck, and the company I contacted about the work is doing the deck for Endeavour, the full size J....so mine will have the same teak as her "mother" as my daughter calls Endeavour...she is undergoing a refit in New Zealand.

[Doug Lord]

Originally Posted by Tim Judge

Doug...sorry but I never did answer your question about the weather helm....there is feedback, and you do know what the current/tide is doing in addition to the wind...the cable system is very sensitive....however it is not like a tiller, and you grow into it...as Garry Jobson observed of Russell Coutts "he has a light touch on the wheel"...and that is all you need. The boat is well balanced, but waves and minor shifts in wind do have an effect because of her narrow beam...I am going to redo her teak deck, and the company I contacted about the work is doing the deck for Endeavour, the full size J....so mine will have the same teak as her "mother" as my daughter calls Endeavour...she is undergoing a refit in New Zealand.

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I appreciate the info, Tim.