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J/111 Ready to Fly
(Newport, RI)- Preparations for the first sail of the J/111 are in their final stages. CCF Composites has done a wonderful job preparing the molds, tooling and finish work; some additional tools were made to increase strength-to-weight ratios and improve production efficiencies. The end result will be a clean, lightweight, durable performance sailing machine. Additionally, sailmakers around the world have broken out their heavy artillery to ensure the first sails out of the bag are fast, strong and lightweight. To date the first boats will have Doyle/New Zealand, North, Quantum and Ullman Sails aboard, all designed by their latest "flow design" programs, with latest materials technologies and managed by their leading sail designers. Sail design concepts and specifications proposed by these leading sailmakers are pointing to a 111 class inventory of a main, two jibs and two asym spinnakers. Photo credit- Doyle Sails. For more J/111 sailboat information.
J/100 Sprit Australia
First Race a Resounding Success
(Sydney, Australia)- The first of the new sprit J/100s landed in Australia and it has sailed its first events off Sydney Heads. Here's a brief report from Roy Entwistle regards their first sailing experiences aboard this fun evolution of the J/100: "J/100 hull no. 163 had a few firsts before it even raced, the first J/100 into Australia, the first J/100 with a bowsprit, and first J/100 with the anchor locker."The delighted owner Ralph Hillman had this to say about his new J/100 after its first race in Sydney Harbour last Saturday: "I am not really a racer and purchased the boat for enjoyable, no fuss day sailing. She is a standard J/100 with a simple sail wardrobe consisting of a 105% non overlapping jib, mainsail & asymmetric spinnaker. We were so impressed with the boats performance and ease of sailing we decided to enter the J/ 100 named JOHN JERVIS into a Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron winter race. The local handicapper placed the J/100 in division one which consists of much larger boats than the 10 meter J/100. From a custom stripped out Bakewell White 36 up to a Hanse 54 and most things in between including the usual mix of boats, Beneteau 36.7’s, Northshore 369’s Bavaria 38’s ,40,7’s Cavalier 395’s and some large X Yachts to name few. You can imagine our delight when we rounded the top mark set near Sydney Harbour Bridge at Kirribilli Point in second place just behind the X43. With the spinnaker set and dodging the fort y plus footers still heading up the beat, we glided back down the harbour towards Shark Island at almost wind speed making up ground on the large X Yacht. With a dying breeze the course was shortened . At one stage it looked like we may even cross the finish line first on scratch but as we rounded the lee of Shark Island the much taller rigs of the larger X Yacht and Bakewell White helped them ghost through just ahead of us. The J/100 was absolutely fantastic to windward with many of our competitors complimenting the boat on how high and fast we could point. Downwind, the asymmetric was a dream to use and gibe. This was our first race so the boat has great potential as we get to know her better. We look forward to racing our J/100 again soon. JOHN JERVIS was First Lord of the Admiralty in the days of Nelson, so we have some big shoes to fill!" For more J/100 sailboat information.
J/Regatta News
The Sun Never Sets on J's Sailing Worldwide
If last week was the "Island Edition" where everyone worldwide was seemingly racing to, or around, an island, then this week must be the "race week" edition...they were going on all over the place. There was much cause for celebration this past week on the European circuit for J sailors who've been sailing hard through the winter and spring in preparation for major events this summer. The Spanish Armada of J/80 sailors are seemingly re-writing the history books, particularly as it comes to re-affirming themselves as a sailing powerhouse; their performance in the J/80 Europeans on Lago di Garda, Italy was stunning. The J/80s and J/24s racing in Kieler Woche had a very competitive regatta. In the America's, San Francisco hosted the SW NOOD Regatta at St. Francis YC. In Los Angeles, the annual Long Beach Race Week and the J/120 North American Championships were held in sunny SoCal conditions. Out East, the perennial Block Island Race Week had their fare share of unusual weather. And, on Lake Michigan the J/42 JAYWALKER sailed the Queen's Cup Double-handed Race, reaffirming the strong performances of J/42s in the Bermuda Race. Read on! More importantly, if you have more J/Regatta News, please email it or upload onto our J/Boats Facebook page! Below are the summaries.Regatta & Show Schedules:
Jun 26-Jul 3- J/22 Worlds- Netherlands- http://www.j22.Jul 17-25- Rolex NYYC Race Week- Newport, RI- http://www.nyyc.org
Jul 22-25- Marblehead NOOD Regatta- Chicago, IL- http:/www.sailingworld.com
Jul 24- Chicago-Mackinac Race- Chicago, IL- http://www.chicagoyachtclub.org
Aug 1-7- Cowes Week- Isle of Wight, England- http://www.cowe
Aug 13-20- J/24 Worlds- Malmo, Sweden- http://www.j24c
Aug 21- Verve Cup- Chicago, IL- http://www.chicagoyachtclub.org
For additional J/Regatta and Event dates in your region, please refer to the on-line J/Sailing Calendar.
Spanish Armada Sweeps J/80 Europeans
The Martinez's Re-writing History?
(Lago di Garda, Italy- 27 June)- With the win of the Spanish boat PERALEJA GOLF, skippered by Carlos Martinez, the Spanish teams may be slowly re-establishing the pre-eminence of Spanish sailors who were once remarkable sailing adventurers that took great risks and opened up the New World (e.g. anything other than Europe) to a wide-eyed European community in the 16th century.Carlos Martinez and his crew on PERALEJA GOLF from Spain showed what they can do on the water once again after another fantastic day’s racing on the final day. They came 3rd in the first race and 1st in the second and final race of the Championship, giving them 45 points, only one point ahead of the next boat. Martinez said “Of course we came here to win, but to be honest we didn’t really expect to as we knew how tough the competition was going to be. We knew it was not going to be easy. We have been sailing together as a team now for 3 years and two years ago came 3rd in Kiel and 3rd in the World’s and last year we came 3rd again in the World’s in Santander. So this is our first major win on the international circuit and so makes it extra special for us all.”
On the first day, the racing kicked off with a delayed start. The usual “Ora” wind from the South going up the lake was delayed, which resulted in a delayed start and only two races taking place. Just as the wind was full of surprises, so were the races. The Spanish dominated the leading positions all day finishing first (Luis Martinez Luis), second (ECC VIVIENDAS) and third (PERALEJA GOLF). The second day saw a complete turn-over in the winner's column with the French leading the day-- as they say, "Vive la France!" After the day's three races, the French boat ATLANTIS skippered by Laurent Sambran from APLC takes the honor of leading the Europeans with a 9th, 5th and 2nd, giving them 30 points overall. Second overall on the second day was the Italian boat OLJ Spirit steered by Federico Rajola taking 1st, 8th and 14th today giving them 33 points. Following right behind in their shadow, also with 33 points was the Spanish boat FORTY FIVE helmed by Luis Martinez. The British boat TEAM BALTIC WHARF sailed by Henry Bomby was in 4th. So, this scenario set the tone for the next two days, with the four countries and their teams battling it out to maintain or improve their leading positions. The Spanish, however, have five boats in the top ten positions, the French and the Italians have two and the UK just one.
On the third day, the impressive fleet was tested and challenged. Tough competition and a high level of expertise among these crews means that every race was something they all have to fight very hard for, and on this day the top three positions changed again. The wind was constant and gradually increased throughout the afternoon, providing more stability to the conditions than the championship had previously seen. On Day 3, a new leader emerged in the form of the Spanish boat PERALEJA GOL,F skippered Golf helmed by Carlos Martinez- they dominated racing with a 1st, 3rd, and 1st today placing them firmly ahead of the rest of the fleet with 22 points. This is not such a surprise to J/80 followers, as they came 3rd in the World’s in Kiel in 2008 and again in Santander in 2009. Second is another Spanish boat, MUSTANG, helmed by Luis Martinez, a boat that is also often found in the top few places (2nd in the Santander Worlds 2009)-- their 2nd , 8th and 7th, gave them 32 points and were thus 10 points behind the leaders. However, new to such high placing in the international circuit and thus a boat to watch out for in the future, is the Italian boat OLJ Spirit helmed by Federico Rajola- their 25th, 10th and 2nd gave them 41 points and third overall with one day to go. On the final days racing, the top ten standings flip-flopped yet again. Behind regatta winner PERALEJA GOLF in 2nd overall was the Spanish boat MUSTANG helmed by Luis Martinez, finishing the day with a 2nd and 12th. This team also had a 13 year old boy crewing for them; no doubt someone for us all to watch out for on the water in the future! Third overall was yet another Spanish boat, NEXTEL ENGINEERING helmed by Rodriguez Camino who today had a 7th and spectacular 1st finishing with 58 points. One point behind in 4th position, was another Spanish boat ECC VIVIENDAS helmed by Jose Maria Turcida in 1st and 10th position in the last day's racing. It's clear the Spanish J/80 fleets are producing world-class sailors from their year-round racing in Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Bilbao and Santander.
TEAM BALTIC skippered by Henry Bomby from England finished 5th overall, despite having a 6th and a disappointing 31 on the final day. This team showed great consistency throughout the Championship and have proved themselves to be a boat with great potential. The French boat ATLANTIS, helmed by Laurent Sambron came in 19th and 11th today, resulting in them losing a few places. But this team, too, have displayed some great sailing this week. Dropping a few positions today after a bad start in the first race, OLJ SPIRIT helmed by Rajola Federico took a 29th and 18th today which meant they finished 7th overall and top Italian team. In 8th position overall there was yet another Spanish boat CROCS helmed by Javier Aguado who had a 15th and 8th. Two French boats keep the French tri-color flag flying in 9th and 10th positions overall, giving them three boats in the top ten positions. In 9th was GEODIS steered by Luc Nadal who actually had two 9th positions today and in 10th position overall was ECOLE NAVALE CG29 helmed by Patrick Bot. This year’s Italian Championship winners, TEAM JENIALE! finished 11th after a great day on the water today with an 8th and 3rd. The top German boat was PROCEDES DIVA who finished 13th and the top Dutch boat was JOIE DE VIVRE finishing in 14th position. In 15th position was the German boat CAMPAIGN. For Estonia, TEAM NAUTILUS came in 26th and also from far afield, MOONRAKER from Poland finished 38th. For more J/80 Europeans sailing information. Photo Credits- Jaco Poraule
Big RISK Wins SW NOOD San Francisco
A.K.A. The Champs “Lose It” to Win It
(San Francisco, CA)- J/105 partners Scott Whitney and Jason Woodley keep their summer winning streak rolling at the San Francisco NOOD. Scott Whitney and his boat partner, Jason Woodley (“a couple of Silicon Valley guys,” says Whitney), bought their J/105 RISK seven years ago, and thus began the team’s methodical rise into the upper ranks of what is arguably one of San Francisco’s most competitive one-design keelboat fleets. For most major outings on the Bay, the J/105s bring out the big numbers, and while the fleet at the Sperry Top-Sider San Francisco NOOD only numbered a dozen, the sailing was as competitive as we’ve come to expect. And after five races, the regatta’s San Francisco NOOD’s overall trophy—and a trip to the Sperry Top-Sider Caribbean NOOD Championship—went to Whitney and Woodley’s squad.“We’ve been striving for consistency since the beginning,” says Whitney, the boat’s jib trimmer (Woodley helms). “We’re athletic, and heavy air is really our strength.”
The regatta’s two days of 20-knot knot averages apparently played into the team’s strengths, and the sort of consistency they’d been striving for was all theirs leading into the second day of racing. But too much of a good thing almost got the better of them. Carrying finishes of 2-1-1, they were sitting on a comfortable lead, and Whitney admits their enthusiasm got the best of them in sunday’s opening race. They a “terrible” start, he tells me, leaving them pinned in a narrow lane. In order to extract themselves, and get to the favored left side, of the racecourse, they took a few sterns, figuring they could gain them back on the run. That proved to be more challenging than they’d thought and they could only sail their way into sixth place. But they redeemed themselves in the final race to shore up a 2-point win over Bruce Stone’s ARBITRAGE.
“Our last regatta win a few weeks ago was the J/105 Invitational, so we’re on a nice roll right now,” says Risk’s mainsail trimmer Bryan Chong. “We’re aiming for the [Rolex] Big Boat Series [in September].
When pressed to reveal Risk’s edge over the weekend, Whitney emphasized the importance of the team’s athleticism as a key to being able to sail fast in the windy conditions. It allows them to recover from mistakes quicker than other teams. He also credits the solid crew they’ve assembled, and even the impromptu team-building exercise before their class weigh-in. “We all had a good session in the club’s sauna,” says Whitney. “We shed 70 pounds 30 minutes before weigh-in.”
Giving credit where it’s due, Whitney also praised his tactician, Harrison Turner, who kept them sticking to their strategy of “getting left at the bottom and right at the top” of the Bay’s Olympic Circle, just off Alcatraz Island. “We’re not normally a corner team,” says Chong, “but both days, all day, it was about getting left. It was left, left, left. Harrison called great laylines all weekend.” For more Sperry Top-Sider SW NOOD San Francisco sailing information. Photo credits- Tim Wilkes
JIM Wins J/120 North Americans
(Long Beach, CA)- The J/120 North American Championships were contested at Long Beach Race Week in Long Beach, CA June 26th and 27th, 2010. A very competitive fleet of 10 J/120s raced in 10 to 12 knot shifty southerly winds - lighter and more variable than the Long Beach conditions in past years. Even though conditions were "not typical Long Beach", local J/120 veteran John Snook and his crew on JIM excelled, winning 3 of 5 races. It wasn't easy, however. The regatta was very much in play on the last downwind leg of race 4, but JIM passed his two closest challengers, Chuck Nichols' CC RIDER (2 time past J/120 North American Champion and a winner of 2 races in this regatta) and Peter Zarcades' MELTEMI, in the best breeze of the regatta with luffing matches and excitement to win the race and all but lock it up. Race 5 was a virtual parade lap for JIM, and they still scored a 3rd to lock up the championship.At the trophy presentation, John was asked by he named his J/120 JIM. He looked puzzled by the question, since the hailing port on the transom provided the obvious answer - Starship Enterprise's tail numbers.
Local J/120 Southern California Fleet 4 is hoping to host the J/120 North Americans in Southern California in February or March of 2012 in anticipation of luring our northern Fleets to join us in large numbers. For more J/120 North Americans sailing information.
J's Love LBRW 2010
6 J One-Design Class & 2 PHRF Winners!
(Long Beach, CA)- There were 147 boats in 20 classes, and all except J/120s, which didn't race Friday, sailed seven races over three days in the Ullman Sails Long Beach Race week hosted by Alamitos Bay YC. The regatta was the third and last stop on the Southern California Ullman Sails Inshore Championship Series, following the Ahmanson Cup at Newport Beach and Cal Race Week at Marina del Rey.
In the J/105s, CURRENT OBSESSION sailed by Gary Mozer of Long Beach YC won with a very strong, consistent record of 1-1-1-4-3-1-1 for 12 points. Jeremy Davidson from San Diego YC sailed SANITY to second with 20 points. And, Doug and Pam Werner sailed their veteran campaigner, JAVELIN, to third with 27 points.The J/019s saw ELEKTRA repeat their earlier performance, showing they were no flukes and can finish near the top consistently. Tom Brott's ELEKTRA, from Seal Beach YC zapped them again with a regatta-winning score of 1-2-2-1-3-1-1 for 11 points. Sailing sweetly was Steve Crooke's SUGAR from host club LBYC with 17 points. Lying third was Anthony Wetherbee's COMMOTION from Balboa YC with 20 points.
SEDONA took class honors for the J/29 class. Awesome work for Bruce Lotz and crew from Dana Point YC, garnering a 1-2-2-2-2-1-1 score for 10 points. Dave Randle in COYOTE from Anacapa YC was second, followed by Santa Barbara YC's Larry Leveille sailing RUSH STREET in third.In the J/80s, Curt Johnson's AVET took their class with a 2-1-1-3-1-4-4/SCP for 16 points. Second was Gary Kamins also from Cal YC sailing FIRED UP. Third was Steve Wyman sailing HUNU from Dana Point YC.
Susan Taylor, of California YC, again led all J/24s home with a consistent 2-3-3-1-2-2-1 for 14 points.
In the PHRF 3 class, the J/35 RIVAL sailed by Dick Velthoen from Ventura YC won with straight firsts for 7 points total! Ouch. Talk about a hammering. All other rivals must've felt like they were thrown under the bus! Still living to tell the tale after RIVAL's bashing was the J/33 NITRO sailed by John Messenger from LBYC/ King Harbor YC.
In the Fast 40s class, the seemingly indomitable J/125 just keeps on ticking. This time, it was the J/125 DERIVATIVE sailed by Mark Surber from Coronado YC that took home all the marbles, winning their class with four 1sts and three 2nds! For complete sailing results for Long Beach Race Week. Photo Credits- David McBride.
WICKED Wins Block Island Race Week
(Block Island, RI)- This year's Block Island Race Week was up to its usual, fun, laid-back atmosphere that's associated with a "Bermuda Race" year....while the offshore nuts go offshore, the "day sailors" have fun, hang up their sea boots and oilies, take their showers, and enjoy evening festivities with family and friends at The Oar or Yellow Kittens. The regatta has a mix of one-design classes (the J/105s and J/109s) and a combination of PHRF and IRC fleets.The J/109s sure had a competitive, but fun time during the week with finishes for 1-2 and 3-4 all coming down to the wire on the last day. After the fog cleared and the wind blew in, it was Don Fillippelli's CAMINOS taking first prize with 16 points followed by Steve Kenny and Greg Ames' GOSSIP in second with 18 points, despite GOSSIP's tow firsts in the last two races. Class champ Bill Sweetser and crew on RUSH had their hands full battling with Ted Herlihy's GUT FEELING just to finish third with 21 points over Ted's team with 24 points. Talk about a loaded deck, these four J/109s could just as easily win a J/109 Nationals as it was to do bruising battle in a fun-filled Block Island Race Week.
The J/105s were "eclipsed" again by Damian Emery's team sailing the well-traveled ECLIPSE, winning with a dominant five firsts in 9 races for a total of 13 points. Carl Olsson sailed MORNING GLORY well to win out in a three-way battle for 2-3-4 spots on the podium, getting second with 20 points. At the short end of the stick on that battle were Andy Kennedy's BAT IV in third with 22 points and Nelson Weiderman's KIMA in fourth with 24 points.In the IRC division, George Marks' beautiful J/122 GEORGETOWN finished second overall, beating all other Swan/ NYYC 42s quite convincingly.
In PHRF 1, Doug Curtiss's J/124 WICKED sailed to first overall in what turned out to be a hotly contested fleet, winning by just one point. Guests of honor, designers Rodney and son Alan Johnstone, were aboard to witness first-hand the determination of some of their competitors to beat them. After the smoke cleared, WICKED (and it's incredibly HOT paint job) escaped unscathed to take home the silver.
In PHRF 2, that merry bunch of bandits known as "the HUSTLER's" from New York, again won on their J/29 skippered by class character John "Espo" Esposito and brother Tony. Good grief, have these guys ever not won a BlRW event? Last time we asked, seems that Espo and Tony can't figure out where they put all their Rolex watches!?
The non-spinnaker PHRF class saw two J/34s sailing with Weber's RASCAL getting second and Dan Montero's BODACIOUS cruising into fourth. Good on ya mates! The "blender division" as it's known sure know how to enjoy themselves! For more Block Island Race Week sailing information.
Kieler Woche 2010
IL RICCIO Masters J/24 Class
(Kiel, Germany)- Congratulations to the British J/24 team INMARSAT IL RICCIO who decisively won their class at Kieler Woche last week, finishing the event with a 31-point margin! The team consistently placed in the top five over the course of nine races, ultimately dropping a 6th place as their worst score. The team includes Chris McLaughlin, Ian Southworth of Ullman Sails UK (helm), Andy McLelland, Michael Kyte and Julia Scott. The IL RICCIO (Italian for Hedgehog) team is currently building up to the J/24 World Championship in Malmo, Sweden this August. A bit off the pace were the next two finishers in this international regatta, the German team of Kai Mares sailing with Jan-Marc Ulrich in second with 48 points and the German team of Dirk Strelow in third with 52 points.The J/80s had a very competitive regatta for the top two between the two German teams of Martin Menzner on GER 614 and Nils Heyde on GER 1072. Nils started out slowly but came on strong in the end, losing by just five points to Martin. In third was Karsten Thode with 40 points. For more Kiel Week sailing results.
J/Community
What friends, alumni and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide
* J/42 sailing double-handed can be fun racing as a couple! Bill and Judy Stellin have been doing it for years- sailing across the Atlantic together and also racing on Lake Michigan in their J/42 JAYWALKER. Here's a recent account from them: "My wife, age 73, and I, age 74, entered the 72nd Sailing of the Queens Cup from Milwaukee, WI to Grand Haven MI. It is a night time race and we entered the double handed division and won! The Queens Cup is the oldest fresh water race in the US and a real test of crew and boats. My hats off to Rod for designing such a marvelous craft. FYI...this was our first big race in 10 years as up until last year, we were sailing in the Med after having double handed the boat across the Atlantic. We spent 8 years in the Med sailing and living aboard the boat, returning in 2008, again just the two of us. Frankly, a 68 nm race across Lake MI was nothing new to us as far as distance short handed sailing goes. Hope you can use the info and inspire others to use their boats for long distance cruising and racing. I don't think we could have done it in any other boat. J/Boats are truly designed for couple's use!"
* J/125 DOUBLE TROUBLE sea story- SA contributor Jeff "Elvis" Thorpe from Quantum 'frisco takes you onboard a smokin' downwind race: "It all started by hoping there was no room for me on my friend Andy Costello’s J-125 Double trouble for this year’s Coastal Cup so I could stay home and spend a nice weekend home not sailing, as last year I did the race and we broke our rudder just before sunset off Monterey and we were glad that we did not have to go thru the night with our current spinnaker inventory as we did not have any kite small enough. If you have never raced from SF to Santa Barbara this stretch of coast line can be some of the windiest and most confused short & steep wave period waves to drive. If you can drive a boat in this I would bet you could drive anywhere in the world.Now to last week I was on the phone with Andy reviewing that the new kite that we designed for the race would make it in time and I had to open my mouth saying thanks for the invite as I was just giving him a hard time as I really did not want to go, So next thing I know I am doing the race ?? So much for my weekend off..After reviewing the weather for the race and packing my gear seeing that the weather might be backing off a bit with winds in the low 20 knots forecasted. I still over packed warm dry gear as I showed up to the boat and Trevor gave me shit for how much gear I brought but as it turns out I wore every bit of kit and was still shivering the whole night!!
The race started at 10 am in a max ebb tide so we had a great start at the weather end of the line but could not tack over as limit was a bit late to the line and they were charging up to us at max speed we could not tack and clear them so we waited until they became over lapped with us and then gave them some encouragement on which way was favored they tacked we extended for 3 lengths then tacked and followed them towards the north Tower of the golden gate bridge. Once outside the gate with the wind a fair bit lighter which is normal for a race that starts this early in the morning we saw that there was a bit more wind to the south near mile rock so we tacked and went to the left as to pick up the left shift as limit and the Andrews 70 alchemy and most of the boats stayed right trying to get out to the northwesterly breeze as the wind got even lighter and went 50 degrees left by mile rock we were boat for boat with limit when they came out from the right could not cross us and went back to the right to pick up the north westerly. From this point we were the most left boat so we stayed on port and worked out to sea as soon as we saw a bit of northwesterly us and the SC 52 Prevail tacked and started heading down the beach on course....." Read more about the J/125 DOUBLE TROUBLE story here.
* Several J/160 owners are island hopping across the world's oceans, fulfilling life long dreams to cruise the Pacific islands, the Caribbean islands, the Indian Ocean and all points in between. Anyone for Georgia and penguins?? Read more about their adventures and escapades (like our J/109 GAIA friends above). SALACIA, the J/160 owned by Stephen and Cyndy Everett has an on-going blog describing some of their more amusing experiences (http://www.salacia1.blogspot.com). Susan Grun and her husband on the J/160 AVANTE are also sailing in the Pacific archipelago, read more about their great adventures on their blog (http://web.me.com/susangrun).
Featured Boat
Gorgeous J/109 In Houston
One of the best examples of a J/109 sits in Houston, TX ready to roll for the summer season and Key West in 2010. She's a 2006 J/109 Hull #261. Every factory option along with heat and A/C are installed. She's priced well below J//109's comparably equipped. It has an excellent sail inventory of Quantum sails: Spinnakers(5)- 06 07 08 108sqm class; 06 08 121sqm PHRF; Headsails(5)-06 07 08 class jibs, 06 08 PHRF (155); Mains(2)- 06 08-- All sails are kept in climate controlled storage. For more information, please contact Scott Spurlin at J/Boats Southwest- cell +1-512-423-2179 or e-mail- Scott@JBoatsSouthwest.com or go to http://www.JBoatsSouthwest.comAbout 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/110, 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: 15 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 and sailing the waters of 35+ countries around the world. Sailing is all about friends. Come join us and expand your social network everywhere!
For more information on J/Boats:
http://www.jboats.com/intro.htm
