The J/109 Class Association Forum

Class Rules Discussions :: Replacement Wheel for Helm :: Reply by Dan Corcoran

no_email@example.com (Dan Corcoran) — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:50:34 -0500

Writing to share a photo as I take on a difficult resurfacing project on the existing wheel. The leather and paint are disintegrating.

I this first photo I suspend the wheel from the ceiling, at two locations set back one inch from the edge of the workbench, which allows the wheel to rotate as I remove the existing cover and sand the wheel before paint removal. The wheel is very stable leaning against the bench, I am also able to pivot it around getting the back to face the front.

These are the steps I plan, based on information on the internet and advice from Bill Kneller.
- Remove the leather cover, easy - 20 minutes.
- Remove the underlying glued padding, hard. Be careful rubbing skin off your fingers / painful blisters. - 3 hours has removed 25%
- Potentially Use adhesive remover if necessary (their is a plastic layer under the old padding that sometimes does not come up
- Potentially skip removing the paint under the leather cover, looks good, except some scratching from using knife in steps above
- Aircraft Ultra Paint Remover - (non explosive paint remover) - or maybe something else, this is proving hard to purchase in NY
Gel product that your wrap plastic on top of.
- Mineral Spirits
- Etching Primer 1 or 2 coats.
- Sanding
- Appliance Epoxy 2 coats

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vo67haDzsAhX8jsXA

Class Rules Discussions :: Seeking 20 names to support future vote on lithium batteries. Add your name :: Reply by Dan Corcoran

no_email@example.com (Dan Corcoran) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:21:10 -0400

Reminder: Looking for more names.

A new resource, a reminder from practical sailor that upgrading to lithium batteriers requires some system changes:

Maintenance Topics :: Traveler set up :: Reply by Vento Solare

no_email@example.com (Vento Solare) — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 20:04:42 -0500

That was a mod somebody made. Just remove it.

Maintenance Topics :: Traveler Port Cam Cleat Replacement :: Reply by Vento Solare

no_email@example.com (Vento Solare) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 21:04:36 -0500

Jerry,

I replaced mine in 2016 and I think the headliner was dropped to access the hardware.

Maintenance Topics :: Yanmar Saildrive seacock :: Reply by Vento Solare

no_email@example.com (Vento Solare) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:22:34 -0500

I did some more online searching and came up with a stainless steel approach. The following should screw into the saildrive with BSP threads and provide direct transition to an NPT thread. A 90 degree male NPT to female NPT elbow provides a transition to a stainless ball valve with male/female NPT threads. Finally 1/2" NPT to 3/4" hose barb provides a connection to the existing hose that leads to the seawater strainer.

1/2" Male BSP to Female NPT Adapter 304SS - PRMFiltration SKU: SS304050FNPTX050MBSPPX/ORINGBONDED050X
1/2" NPT Male x 1/2" NPT Female 90 degree elbow 304SS - Amazon
1/2" Mini Ball Valve, 316 Stainless Steel Female x Male NPT Thread Shut-Off - Amazon
1/2" Male NPT to 3/4" Hose Barb 304 Stainless Steel - Amazon

Attachments

saildrive-valve-mod.png (1182.88 KiB)

Maintenance Topics :: Painting wheel? :: Reply by Vento Solare

no_email@example.com (Vento Solare) — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 17:12:08 -0500

No - it was powder coated

Maintenance Topics :: Winch Upgrade :: Reply by Vento Solare

no_email@example.com (Vento Solare) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:48:46 -0500

The Ronstan Winches have a different diameter base, are lighter and have different gear / power ratios than the original Harken winches. Thus they are not acceptable for one design use. The only acceptable one design alternatives are the Harken winches previously approved by the class measurer in 2020 as described in this post.

Maintenance Topics :: Mast deck plate / collar rebedding :: Reply by PourDecisions

no_email@example.com (PourDecisions) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:18:22 -0400

I went through all the above with limited success. So I had the Mast pulled earlier this week.
On the mast itself once I cut away the crispy rubber boot I found many years of silicon where previous people have attempted to stop the leak. The wedge was also very very hard, I have a new boot and wedge
I went ahead and removed the plate. It wasn't very troublesome and I'm glad I did it. I remove the headliner on the port side and was able to loosen the headliner on the starboard side to get a wrench in there. To fully remove the headliner on the starboard side I would need to remove the grab rail bar. The six 5/16 Phillips head screws came out okay however the bearing surface underneath is curved so all of them were a little bent. The large slot head screw for the deck hold down turnbuckle was difficult to remove because of all the sealant squeezed around it.. I used a small pry bar, a block of wood, and automotive trim wedges but it actually popped off pretty quickly with little force other than around the aforementioned large slotted screw. The sealant under there was very dry and did not provide a good seal against the aluminum.
On tap for this weekend will be scraping and cleaning and then reassembling everything with new hardware.
While the mast is down, I'll seal all the holes on the mast.

Attachments

20260327_112131(1).jpg (365.85 KiB)

Maintenance Topics :: Transmission while sailing :: Reply by Vento Solare

no_email@example.com (Vento Solare) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:33:18 -0400

Per Yanmar Technical Bulletin YMTQTB11-017 paragraph 2.2 b. you may leave the SD-20 sail drive in reverse when you have a folding prop.

Boats for Sale :: Looking to buy Great Lakes J109 :: Reply by tcwippy65

no_email@example.com (tcwippy65) — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 22:40:42 -0500

Still looking!

Boats for Sale :: For Sale: 2005 J109 Hull #254 "Reverie" - $139,000 :: Reply by Augih

no_email@example.com (Augih) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:24:25 -0400

Was wondering if Boat is still for sale?
Currently looking for J109 and located in greater Chicago, IL area.

Thanks,
Augi