Jay Dees are about ‘sailing not bailing’.
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Materials: Plywood, fibreglass or combination
Length: 3.4 metres
Weight: 40 kg
Sail area: 8.6 sq m (working sails)
Asymmetric spinnaker: 9.5 sq m
Sails: Main, jib & asymmetric spinnaker
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Sailed by skipper and forehand
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Age: 12 – 18 years

The Jay Dee (a West Australian design) was introduced to the Perth Dinghy Sailing Club in 1976 as a high performance junior dinghy that fills the gap between the mudlark and the other senior classes.

It was conceived as a value for money boat with a low cost rig, eg untapered mast, loose foot main, etc and an easily righted buoyant hull design, being targeted at children aged 12 to 18 years.

During winter 1999 the class underwent a major step forward with the introduction of an asymmetric spinnaker system. This change was driven by the vision to more closely aligned to the club’s other performance classes ie cherubs,  javelins and international 14 which use the asymmetric spinnaker, together with the performance improvement provided by such a system. The new asymmetric spinnaker system has made the class the fastest per dollar of its type.

The Jay Dee is one of the junior classes raced at Perth Dinghy Sailing Club.  Western Australian designed and using fiberglass hybrid construction, which allows for being home built, this one design high performance 3.4m dinghy with a crew of two, with one on trapeze, offers the junior sailor plenty of thrills. It has working sails of 8.6 sq m and now uses an asymmetric spinnaker of 9.5 sq m set from a retractable pole.

The club conducts training sessions every Saturday morning under the watchful eye of Dan Moore and other experienced club members.  Jay Dees join the other fleets each Saturday afternoon throughout the sailing season, which runs from mid October until April. Training sessions involve on and off the water activities which are structured in accordance with Yachting Australia’s guidelines, with children having an opportunity to complete certificates such as Better Sailing or Racing Skills 1. Training is conducted under the supervision of support craft.

The sailors of this class enjoy the thrills and challenges associated with sailing this performance boat. The skills learnt sailing the Jay Dee provide a good grounding for senior boats such as cherubs, javelins and international 14s which are some of the senior fleets sailed at the club.

There are currently 5 boats in the training fleet, with the sailors’ ages ranging from 13 to 16.  If you are interested in either a skippers or a crew position you can contact Dave Horn at the club. A register of interested people will be kept so new combination can be formed.

There are a few Jay Dees for sale, around the $1500 mark or the association has plans or mould available for those wishing to build their own.

Jay Dee sailors participate in events hosted by various clubs around the river, Port Bouvard and Bunbury.  Last year they had a marathon sail down the river stopping for lunch and then returning to the club.

The club is run on a voluntary basis which means it welcomes parent involvement in activities such as Lunching rescue boats, serving in the shop (galley) or assistance in the water with the beginners.

Refer to membership tab for details on fees. At least one parent needs to be an associate member for a junior to join.

Dec 12: Junior Picnic

Our junior fleet celebrated the end of year with a picnic in Crawley Bay. A fleet of about 30 boats enjoyed a leisurely sail from the PDSC to the picnic location in Crawley Bay. Light winds provided perfect picnic and swimming conditions with the Sea Breeze arriving just in time for the return sail . . . → Read More: Dec 12: Junior Picnic