J/95 Morning Light And Bluewater Sailor
Dawn Patrol off Sandy Point Shows Shoal-draft Picnic Boat Cruisability
A spectacular morning off Stonington's Sandy Point was the perfect time to shoot the J/95's capabilities to anchor in shallow waters off your favorite beach. Rod and Stu took Banjo for a cruise at dawn Thursday morning to get a few nice shots of the boat for you all to dream about sailing her in the shallow cruising areas around the world. Needles to say, the boat looked stunning and graceful. Please take a look at more of these beautiful photos on the J/95 site.In addition, please read through Bluewater Sailor's review of the J/95. We hope you enjoy a fresh perspective on why we're so excited about this new shallow draft, performance day sailer. Download the Bluewater Sailor review
For those of you who can't make it to either Sarasota, FL or Stonington, CT for a demo sail, please note the following dealers will take delivery of their boats in June: Bob Sittel at Sittel Marine in Dallas, TX and also Bruce Tait at Bruce Tait & Associates in Sag Harbor, Long Island, NY. Please contact the dealers directly or J/Boats
J/Mediterranean Cup
Enjoy the best the Med has to offer racing your J
On June 6-7, J/Europe distributor K-Yachting is sponsoring its third annual J/Med Cup event. This regatta has a passionate following amongst those J sailors cruising and racing in the Mediterranean. The locations have been terrific and this year's event promises to be every bit as fun as they have been the past two years. Pierre Duchein at K-Yachting promises that it will another fantastic year. For more details, please visit the K-Yachting website or download the NOR.
J/80 Best Practices
How to ensure "peace of mind" caring & maintaining your boat
Subsequent to the Farralones Island Doublehanded Race incident on a J/80, J/Boats has spent a considerable amount of time researching the matter and, with the help of experts in surveying, engineering, construction and repair have assembled a "J/80 Best Practices- Part I" document for J/80 owners. Please make sure to go to the J/Owners Resource site, register yourself and then download the document.
J/Regatta News
The Sun Never Sets on J's Racing Around the World
Spring is just about to turn into summer....or so we believe. Global weather patterns seem to be conspiring to delay spring as long as possible. Or, as in the case of our Santa Barbara friends, summer fire conditions already started the week before (BTW, our sincere best wishes to all who survived the Jesusita Fire, especially Dave Ullman). Nevertheless, J/Owners should be pleased with past weeks results. Other than J/22s in upstate New York, most J activity in the USA took place in the Pacific Northwest, including the SW NOOD in Seattle; the Oregon Offshore from Portland to Victoria; and the Stone Cup in San Francisco. More importantly, if you have more regatta news, please email it or upload onto our J/Boats Facebook page! Below are the summaries.
Sir Thomas Lipton Cup
On the Wings of Victory, Snatched From Almost Certain Defeat
(San Diego, CA- May 16-17)- . The racing on J/105s off the waters of San Diego for the Lipton Cup was some of the best and most challenging ever; with shifting winds; dead spots to steal victory from some; and defeat from others. It was a nail-biter to the end. The San Diego YC team skippered by Andy Ladow on-board the J/105 Wings looked as if they had bought the farm. But, with a bit of perseverance and luck (e.g. I'd rather be lucky than smart, as they say) Andy and crew managed to overcome the strong performance of Chris Nesbitt sailing Perseverance from Balboa YC. Not far off the pace were Rick Goebel hailing from Coronado on-board Sanity and Kenny Manzoni hailing from Southwestern YC on-board J-OK.The San Diego Sir Thomas Lipton Cup is steeped in rich tradition. It was created in 1903 and deeded to San Diego Yacht Club in 1913. It has been competed for every year since except for the war years and has become “The Holy Grail” of West Coast Yachting. See San Diego YC or Flickr for more.
Elvstrom J/80 Summer Championships
Joystick at Full Throttle for the Summer Season
(Hamble, So'ton, England- May 16-17) The Elvstrom J/80 Summer Championship was hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble. This is the sixth year that Elvstrom have sponsored the event, which acts as a warm-up for the UK Nationals.The fleet woke to howling gales on Saturday unfortunately, and after a postponement ashore, the Race Committee, under the careful guidance of the PRO Tony Lovell, decided that discretion was indeed the better part of valour and racing was cancelled for the day. The J/80 fleet were in agreement; much as the J/80 is a fabulous boat in a blow, no-one much fancied the 40 knot plus gusts which were battering the race area.
With everyone hoping for lighter airs on Sunday, but with forecasts differing in opinion, after an hour’s postponement ashore and once a 50 knot squall had blown past the Royal Southern pontoons and the readying fleet, the class set sail to do battle. Just two races were sailed, or perhaps ‘survived’ by the hardy J/80s, enough to constitute a series, and the eventual winner of the Elvstrom Champs, Rob Larke, who co-owns Joystick with Vicci Gregory. Behind them were Terry Palmer and Caroline Cooper on Just Do It by three points and in third was Andrew Ashworth steering Jammy Dodger. More J/80 regatta news. For more UK/Euro J/News.
Seattle SW NOOD
A bit of a drifter, but the tent party was HOT!
(Seattle, WA May 15-17) Leave it up to the locals in Seattle to make the most of seemingly nothing. On Puget Sound, when the wind is light and shifty, you don't hear a lot of complaining. Racers are used to variable conditions; with the Olympic Range towering to the west and the entire North American continent to the east, weather systems frequently lock horns over the Sound, resulting in confused wind patterns and Seattle's characteristic lingering rain. The regatta was characterized by light, variable winds. That's not to say the weather wasn't beautiful-- with clear skies and stunning views-- and it's certainly not to say that the racing wasn't tight. There were 17 classes racing, but only 8 classes got enough racing to generate any results- 3 of those fortunately enough were the J Classes- the J/80s, J/105s and J/109s.The six boat J/109 class was won by Robert Arney on It's Only Rock & Roll with a first and second. The J/105s had Jerry Diercks on Delirium scream around the course to net a first and third to triumph over their nine boat class. And, perhaps the cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers, was the incredibly tight racing amongst the six boat J/80 class. There was a three-way tiebreaker with four points a piece that was broken in favor of Dave Schutte on Taj Majal, followed by Chris White on Crazy Ivan and Mike Brewis on Swish.
Gene Brown and Pete Bristow, who crewed aboard Edward Pinkham's J/109 Jeopardy, were pleased with their boathandling. "Any day we don't have trouble with our spinnaker sets and takedowns," said Brown, "that's a good day." Over a plate of tasty, local barbeque, SW columnist spoke with Jack Seznick, who grew up on the bluff behind the Corinthian YC and reckons he's been sailing these waters for thirty years. For the past three years, he's been working with the crew of the J/109 J-Tripper, co-skippered by Dave Dack and Rick Nordquist. Before purchasing their J/109, Dack and Nordquist were only occasional racers. Since Seznick hopped aboard, however, the team has made drastic improvements to their boathandling and their scoreline. Seznick finds the steep part of the learning curve extremely rewarding. "When I joined the team," he says, "I told the guys, 'I want to be a part of this crew, but we've got to keep it fun."
Strategy in the light air was critical and local talent certainly had their advantages. As in other tidal locales, the key to success is often deciding where to position oneself in relation to the fast-moving current in the middle of the Sound. At times, there is a "toilet bowl" effect, as the tide flowing out of Lake Union and through the locks moves through the marinas and swirls out along the shore, providing for a peculiar, near-shore lift. See Sailing World for more info/ results. Photo credits- Tim Wilkes
Stone Cup Invitational
Competitive J/105 and J/120 One-Design Classes on San Francisco Bay
(San Francisco, CA- May 15-17) The St. Francis Yacht Club again provided solid race management to get off a nice series of races for this annual weekend classic to start off the summer season on the Bay. There were five classes in the event with two of them representing the J/105s (23 boats) and the J/120 (8 boats).Racing was as competitive as ever in the two J classes. For the J/105s, Scooter Simmons racing Blackhawk took two bullets to win by six points over Rolf Kaiser on Donkey Jack. Bruce Stone sailing Arbirage commented, "the Bay served up its usual heavy tidal conditions and strong afternoon winds. Saturday had a late start with a three hour postponement due to no wind and oppressive heat in the Valley (over 100 degrees). So, all the boats had to contend with a strong ebb changing to the flood late in the day. Conversely, Sunday was a lopsided day of racing with everyone diving off into ebb in deepwater, leaving no lanes or opportunities to pass if you got stuck behind after the start."
The J/120s had some very tight racing at times. But, in the end, it was the team aboard Chance led by the capable Barry Lewis that took two bullets and beat out Steve Madeira's Mister Magoo. More information on StFYC site
Oregon Offshore Race
J's Take Four of Top Five in a Spring NW classic
(Portland, OR- May 15-16)- Every May, the Corinthian Yacht Club of Portland sponsors the Oregon Offshore Yacht Race from Astoria, OR to Victoria, BC. The conditions in the Northwest at this time of year can range from tempestuous to downright placid and billiard table flat. This years edition served up good winds in the first part of the race diminishing towards the end nearly thirty-plus hours later for most boats.Twenty boats started this years race and it was pretty clear the J's were going to do very well indeed. At the end of it all, Scott Campbell's J/46 Riva was first in class and first overall. She was followed in close succession by the J/122 Anam Cara raced by owner Tom Kelley, getting a second in class and second overall. Just off the pace was Bob and Barb Brunius's J/120 Time Bandit picking off fourth in class and fourth overall. A cruiser/racer classic, Tom Keffer's J/42 Velocity followed her larger, faster stablemates into the finish to get a respectable fifth in class and sixth overall.
In addition to Scott Campbell on the J/46 Riva, the crew included local North Sails Rep Kerry Poe, Steve Ackerman, Davis Moran, Charles Turner, Nelson Rolens, Bob Martin, Dale Diets and Ray McCormack. The J/122 Anam Cara, Gaelic for "Soul Friend", is Tom Kelly's 5th boat in over 30 years of racing. Tom says she is his "dream boat". He is a long-time competitor in the Oregon Offshore and plans to do the Swiftsure Race in 2 weeks and then do the Van Isle Race, a race around Vancouver Island this summer. The crew has been described as "geriatric" by Tom, but it contains a number of excellent sailors with many sea miles. The crew includes John Copper from West Marine, local Portland sailors Brian Marske and Jim Madden. Out of town sailors include Bob Ross, the broker and Manager of Whidby Island Race Week for many years and Scott Boys and Sally Hawkins from Friday Harbor. Other members of the crew are Lane Brown and Patrick Cummings. The J/42 Velocity's skipper is Tom Keffer. Assisting Tom as crew are Bill and Kathy Cuffel, Robert Henry, Gil MacGregor and Carl Hosticka. The J/120 Time Bandit from the Seattle area, carries a crew of 10. Skipper Bob Brunius and his wife Barb, John Sheppard, Tim Cleary, Tom O'Hara, Bob Conrad, Mark Lincoln, Troy Donaldson, Joshua Siegel and James Doane. For more commentary, visit the Oregon Offshore Blog.
J/Community
What friends, alumni and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide
* Genny Tulloch has been practicing a lot on J/22s recently for her bid in women's match racing. The Marin Journal had a nice account of her efforts: "On Wednesday nights, a small unassuming group of match racing aficionados get together and practice maneuvers on J/22s, in Paradise Cay just beyond the Tiburon Yacht Club. Among these sailors is 25-year old Genny Tulloch, currently the top-ranked member of the U.S. sailing team. For Tulloch, these sessions are more than just a romp in the Bay. She has her sights set on the 2012 Olympics, representing her country in a new sailing event: women's match racing. Tulloch, a Tiburon resident, has been on a roll this past year, accruing an impressive sailing resume. Aside from participating as the only female crew on Morning Light, the Disney-backed TP-52 entry in the 2007 Transpac Race, the story of which became a movie that debuted last fall, Tulloch has quickly claimed a stake on the women's match racing circuit. Full story here.
* J/Boats have been key to Maritime College’s On The Water SuccessSUNY Maritime College, the oldest and largest maritime college in the nation, attributes much of the success of their Offshore Team to J/Boats. Through the generosity of J/Boat owners turned donors, SUNY Maritime College’s small waterfront team of staff and coaches have been able to return the Offshore Sailing Team to national prominence. The J/Boats have also been a vital tool in allowing the College’s waterfront staff to dramatically expand "learn to sail" programs for students, faculty and staff, as well as the community at large. From the restoration of a J/35 by students, that included a re-launching ceremony attended by Sailing Hall of Fame member and SUNY Maritime College Class of 1973 graduate Gary Jobson, to actively campaigning a J/105 in western Long Island Sound events, J/Boats has been an integral part of Maritime College’s sailing success.
Currently, SUNY Maritime College manages eight donated J/24s. The Maritime sailors also participate in J/24 Fleet 61 Wednesday Night Races, and the Waterfront staff uses the J/24s in free “learn to sail programs” for scores of students, faculty and staff, as well as “learn to sail classes” that are offered through the College’s Community Programs Classes. J/24’s have also played a vital role in allowing the College to develop a strong working partnership with the newly formed Hudson River Community Sailing and the celebrated New York City non-profit group, “Rocking the Boat.” This South Bronx based group, after-school sailing programs as well as job-training for at-risk New York City middle and high school age students.
SUNY Maritime College is currently seeking donations of J/24’s and J/24 sails to expand the College’s community “learn to sail” programs as well as “introduction to racing” programs.
Read more about SUNY Maritime Sailing here.
* Scott Young from Austin, TX has been reincarnated as a Laser sailor on the Masters Circuit. Scott raced J/24s actively for years on the Texas J/24 Circuit. He was a College All-American at University of Texas and a 4-time winning skipper of the U.S. SAILING Men's Championship. Last weekend he went to race in the Laser Masters North Americans at Wrightsville Beach, NC. In his quest to win, he came up just short, finishing second on a tiebreaker to Peter Vessella from San Francisco Bay. Here is his amusing analysis on taking his game from the Lake Travis to the Atlantic Ocean. Read on at Scott's blog.Featured J/Brokerage
If elegance and speed are important to you, the J124 Warbride is the right choice. Conceived and equipped to be equally adept at day sailing, cruising and racing, Warbride does it all. For cruising, she has an elegant all cherry interior, refrigeration, ultrasuede and teak and holly along with a dodger, autopilot, and a generous and very comfortable cockpit. As a day sailer. the electric halyard winch, clean deck layout with sail controls at the helm, and a feather light touch on the carbon fiber wheel are guaranteed to make each venture out into the bay a pleasure. If the competitive juices are still flowing, Warbride has an excellent sail inventory and an exceptional race record that proves her great versatility. Wonderfully maintained, only seasonal use with heated indoor storage in the off season. Please contact East Coast Yacht Sales (Jon Knowles or Tom Babbit).About J/Boats
Started in 1977, J/Boats continues to lead the world in designing fun-to-sail, easy-to-handle, performance sailboats that can be enjoyed by a broad spectrum of sailors. The International J/24 has become the most popular recreational offshore keelboat in the world with over 5,400 J/24s cruising the waves. Today, there are 13,000+ J/Boats, ranging from the International J/22 to the J/65 and ranging in style from one-designs to racers, cruisers to daysailers and, of course, the ubiquitous J sprit boats- J/Boats' innovation in 1992 for easy-to-use asymmetric spinnakers and retractable carbon bowsprits (J/80, J/92, J/95, J/105, J/109, J/120, J/122, J/130, J/133, J/125, J/145, J/160).J/Boats has the best track record in sailing for innovation and design as evidenced by: 11 Sailing World/ Cruising World Boat of the Year Awards in 14 years; 2 SAIL Awards for Industry Leadership; 2 American Sailboat Hall of Fame Designs (J/24 & J/35); and the three largest ISAF International One-Design keelboat classes (J/22, J/24, J/80).
Counting crew, every year there are over 100,000 friends to meet sailing J's, populating the most beautiful sailing harbors in 35+ countries around the world. Sailing is all about friends. Come join us and expand your social network everywhere! For background info.
