J/111 Detroit Open HouseA Spring Fling On Gorgeous Lake Huron
(Port Sanilac, MI)- On April 9th, for those of you within a 500 nm radius of Detroit (that means beyond Eminem's 8 Mile Road), take advantage of beautiful spring days and see what is offered at Port Sanilac Marina's Spring Fling Open House! They invite you to come see the brand-spanking new J/111 that will be on display...as well as partake of food, drinks and fun. Print and bring this news to receive 15% off in-stock merchandise at the Ship's Store and to enter raffles for the day.
While you're there you'll be able to see what makes Port Sanilac so desirable and a great getaway just north of sunny Detroit. And, if you're interested in sailing J/24's this summer, Port Sanilac is organizing some evening "beer can" races for extra fun and games this summer.
For more info on the Spring Fling Open House or the J/24 activity, please contact Danielle- email- danielle@portsanilacmarina.com, ph# 810.622.9651 or http://www.portsanilacmarina.com for more details.
The Road to Rolex Women's Worlds(Portsmouth, RI)- When Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship (IWKC) returns to Rochester Yacht Club for its 14th edition, August 29-September 1, 2011, it will be the sixth time in the event’s history that racing has been conducted in J/22s. Easing the way for women sailors new to the J/22, US SAILING is organizing a series of "Road to Rolex" clinics to help develop teams and encourage their participation in Rolex IWKC. The first one at Davis Island Yacht Club in late February that took place in conjunction with the J/22 LayLine Midwinters was a great success. Two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Sally Barkow, an accomplished match racer, 2008 Olympian and member of the US Sailing Team, led the two-day women-only clinic with a focus on boat-handling and aggressive starts.
Translating the lessons from the clinic into performance on-the-water, the Cleveland-based team led by Susan McIntyre (Bay Village, Ohio) won the three-race clinic series after posting finishes of 2-2-1. Besides escaping the cold winter weather, McIntyre, who plans to enter Rolex IWKC, had signed up for the clinic to learn more about downwind sailing. “The clinic was amazing. We didn't know we could learn so much in two days but Sally made it possible,” said McIntyre. “There were numerous things that she taught us that we can take home and practice on our own such as the figure eight drill. The starting drills and tips were also very helpful. It was an excellent clinic.”While the "Road to Rolex" clinics are designed to prepare competitors for the Rolex IWKC, participants do not have to be attending the Rolex IWKC to join in the clinic. Chalk-talks, on-the-water sessions and video debriefs will culminate with a short race series which determines the clinic winner who becomes the recipient of a $200 credit toward her entry fee to the 2011 Rolex IWKC. Over the coming months, nine additional clinics will be conducted around the county, including South Africa. For questions, contact Taran Teague at email- Jtteague@aol.com or website- http://www.riwkc.ussailing.org. For complete "Road to Rolex" sailing clinic schedule and sailing information.
Y'all Come Back By, Ya Hear?Fun-lovin' J/24 Nationals In Texas Wants YOU!
(Dallas, TX- May 10-14)- "Promise we won't bite, we'll just love ya to death". Or, why you should jump into a J/24 and sail the Nationals in Texas? Ever heard of Billy Bob's? You ain't liven' until ya been down there. Mechanical bulls and all the rest. Texas is "big" and renowned for its larger than life entertainment, including the biggest "honky tonks" on the planet.
A three-time J/24 World Champion that just sailed the J/24 Texas State Championships will be participating on BRUSCHETTA. Mauricio Santa Cruz is practicing not just for the J/24 South Americans in Montevideo, Uruguay or the J/24 Worlds happening soon in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he's gunning for the first "open" J/24 Worlds in Rochester, NY in 2012. Last word we heard, he may yet be converted to a "Texan" yet, Brazil and the girls on Ipanema Beach may be nice-- but Mauricio is now a believer they grow them prettier in Texas!
Hosted by Dallas Corinthian YC from May 10th to 14th, the teams will have lotsa entertainment options, not just Billy Bob's, but "family friendly" excitement at Six Flags Amusement Park, too (kids generally love roller-coasters). The 2011 Layline J/24 U.S. National Championship will be held at DCYC in Oak Point, Texas, just 45 miles northeast of the DFW metroplex on the northeast shore of Lake Lewisville. The happy, fun-loving crew produced a quickie J/24 US Nationals video for ya'll to enjoy on YouTube. Sailing Photo credits- Bruce McDonald. For more information on sailing the J/24 US Nationals Dallas
J/Sailing NewsThe Sun Never Sets on J's Sailing Worldwide
If it's Spring, it must be time to hang out in the Caribbean. With the renown CORC (Caribbean Ocean Racing Circuit) in full swing, starting with the Puerto Rico Heineken Regatta, moving onto the Rolex Regatta in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and concluding with this weekends' BVI Spring Regatta in Tortola, it's no wonder some people are AWOL at the office. Several J's are doing the entire CORC, including a J/36 and a J/27, both boats having either won individual regattas or the whole enchilada. On a slightly cooler body of water (or is it really a river?), large groups of J/109s and J/80s and the J/111 are divining the breeze and the currents of the Solent to gain advantage. For some reason or another, many good boats are having a difficult time of it this year figuring out whether to go right, left or right and left, or sometimes nowhere. Both the Warsash and Lymington Spring Series have been plagued by lightish winds, thus making the current decision and even bigger one than it normally might be. Finally, down on the plains of Texas, the J/24s are amassing in greater quantities as they prepare for their impending J/24 US Nationals in Texas. The past weekend, the J/24s sailed a fun, very competitive Texas State Champs. Read on! The J/Community and Cruising section below continue to enjoy the Caribbean and the South Pacific, staying warm while others are trying to stay warm up north. Check them out! 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:
Mar 13-Apr 17- Warsash Spring Series- Hamble, UK- http://www.warsashspringseries.org.uk/Apr 14-17- Charleston Race Week- http://www.charlestonraceweek.com
Apr 16-23- J/24 South Americans- Montevideo, Uruguay- http://www.ycu.org.uy
Apr 21-25- SPI Ouest France- La Trinite Sur Mer, France- http://www.spi-ouestfrance.com/
Apr 29-May 1- Sperry TS NOOD- Annapolis, MD- http://www.sailingworld.com
May 1-6- Bermuda Race Week (J/224 & J/105)- RBYC, Bermuda- http://www.biirw.bm
May 10-14- J/24 Nationals- Dallas, TX- http://j24texas.com/
May 14-15- J/109 Vice Admirals Cup- Cowes, England- http://www.rorc.com
For additional J/Regatta and Event dates in your region, please refer to the on-line J/Sailing Calendar.
J/122 LOST HORIZON Cruises to Victorious Tie?How to Have Fun and Eat The Cake Too @ Rolex St Thomas
(St Thomas, USVI- Mar 27) – Living up to its reputation as "Crown Jewel of Caribbean Racing", and topping off three days of sun-drenched racing in the Rolex Regatta, the fleet was treated to yet another nearly "postcard perfect" Sunday on Pillsbury Sound. The fleet completed distance courses that explored the cays and islands off St. Thomas, where the event has been hosted for 38 years by St. Thomas Yacht Club. "This has been one of the best groups of boats and sailors we've ever had," said Regatta Director Bill Canfield. "Sailors came from around the globe, and each class had a good number of boats with impressive depth of competition."
The regatta started on Friday, the racing started with a lovely trip to town down around the southern side of St Thomas. The first of two “town races” went from the eastern end of St. Thomas, where the regatta’s host St. Thomas Yacht Club is located, to Charlotte Amalie Harbour, giving spectators an eyeful as they watched from scenic overlooks and other vantage points along the island’s hilly coastline. After a rainbow of spinnakers graced a downwind finish, the fleet turned around and headed back from where they came, counting the return trip as their second race.
“We went with a spinnaker almost all the way to town...like a party!” laughed Kike Gonzalez (San Juan, PR), the skipper of the J/80 OTRACOSA, who posted a 1-2 in CSA Spinnaker 3 class for second place overall. “MAG 7 (a J/27 skippered by St. Thomian Paul Davis) was winning, but in the last 15 minutes of the race we made the right decision, and we were able to pass them.” While OTRACOSA ended up tied for the lead, MAG 7 finished third for the day.As cliche as it sounds, the Rolex Regatta delivered on Saturday another round of sailing in paradise. And while for some that conjures up images of cloudless skies, azure blue water and brisk trade winds (the exact conditions that prevailed), for more serious racers it meant well planned race courses and exceptional execution by the race committee for some thrilling racing. The first race was a twice-around windward-leeward course that lasted an hour, while the second showed off the scenic south coast of St. John (USVI) on a 22-mile windward/leeward course that used Leduck island as its windward turning mark.
“It was really interesting,” said one big boat crew member. “There were rocks in the middle of the course that had to be avoided, so you didn’t have full use of the race course, but the entire fleet was pretty much side-by-side the whole time.” He praised the race committee for the courses they had designed, noting their ability to lay marks in shallow water and keep the course square to the wind, which some other Caribbean events are unable to do because of natural constraints.
By winning Saturday's single 19-mile race in the 10-boat CSA Non-Spinnaker class, Jim Dobbs’ (Antigua) J/122 LOST HORIZON moved into second place from third Friday while Tony Sanpere’s (St. Croix, USVI) J/36 CAYENNITA GRANDE replaced Friday's leader. Dobbs, who lives aboard LOST HORIZON in the winter and races the boat throughout the islands, normally sails in spinnaker class and has sailed almost every International Rolex Regatta to date. He was short on crew this year and made a last-minute change to the non-spinnaker class, which Sanpere, last year’s winner, welcomed. “It’s nice to be in the same class to see how we compare to a very competitive boat,” he said. “Dobbs is one of the winningest skippers in the Caribbean.”
In the end, Sunday's racing was going to determine fame and fortune for some and for others, just a "good on ya mate" for giving it the college try. For CSA Spinnaker 3 class, Kike Gonzalez's (San Juan, PR) J/80 OTRAKOSA started out winning the first day. However, after scoring one first and five seconds ended getting a second place! The J/27 sailed by Paul Davis (St. Thomas), MAG 7 took third overall sailing to three thirds and three fourths! Bob Read's J/40 NEPENTHE sailed into a comfortable fourth, just in from of Ian Marten's J/29 MATADOR in fifth.In CSA Spinnaker 2 class, most of the sailors considered their #1 competition to be Rick Wesslund's (Miami, Fla.) J/120 EL OCASA, a well-deserved reputation considering how many events they won in the past, including Key West Race Week. After a strong start on Friday, EL OCASO led the fleet. But in Saturday's lighter conditions faltered a bit and dropped to second. Then, ultimately slipped to third place overall after posting a 5-4 Sunday to miss second place by just two points.
In the 10-boat CSA Non-Spinnaker class, James Dobbs' (Antigua) J/122 LOST HORIZON turned in a 1-2 Sunday to tie on point score (10) with Tony Sanpere's (St. Croix, USVI) very well-sailed and highly competitive J/36 CAYENITTA GRANDE, who scored a 3-1, but LOST HORIZON won the class after tie-breaking rules were applied. LOST HORIZON was definitely the sleeper of the regatta, arriving with an incomplete crew to finish third overall after the first day of racing. On the second day, the team managed to rise through the ranks to second overall behind CAYENITTA GRANDE then top them in the finale. Fourth was the J/110 CANDELA sailed by Juan Bosch (Puerto Rico) and in fifth was Tom Mullens' best performance to date on his J/95 SHAMROCK VII. Sailing Photo/ Rolex Cup Regatta credits- Ingrid Abery and Leighton O'Connor for Rolex. For more International Rolex Cup Regatta sailing information.
J/39 CRYSTAL Wins Puerto Rico HeinekenJ/24 URAYO Wins Class, J/80 & J/105s Second
(Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico)- Sailors from throughout Puerto Rico and the northern Caribbean converged at the Palmas del Mar Yacht Club & Marina for the Puerto Rico Heineken International Regatta. “This is exhilarating,” said regatta director Angel Ayala. “We exceeded our expectations in terms of number of boats.” Skippers and their crews hailing from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten and more, were sailing in six classes: Racing, Racer-Cruiser, Performance Cruiser, Jib & Main and one-design classes for J/24s and IC/24s.
The Puerto Rico Heineken International Regatta is the second leg of the Cape Air Caribbean Ocean Racing Circuit (CORC), which started in February with the St. Croix Yacht Club Hospice Regatta, continues with the International Rolex Regatta in St. Thomas and concludes with the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival out of Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola.
Sunny skies, minimally choppy seas and a steady breeze blowing 14 to 16 knots out of the east made for perfect conditions on the first day of racing. Forty-five boats in nine classes sailed offshore between Puerto Rico’s southeastern mainland and the island of Vieques, racing on a mix of windward-leeward courses and courses with reaches for the cruising classes.A last minute amendment by the International Judges officiating over this regatta created some extra fun and excitement for sailors. “We had several classes, but many of the classes were small, so the judges made the decision to combine some of the classes for the starts,” says regatta director, Angel Ayala. This meant that boats in Spinnaker A, Spinnaker B and Racer-Cruiser, 14 in all, started each race together. In addition, the J/24s and IC/24s, a total of 10 boats, launched off the line together. The other classes, Performance Cruiser, Jib & Main, Hobie Cats and Chalanas, each had their own individual starts as usual.
“We really enjoyed this,” says St. Thomas’ Paul Davis, who skippered his J/27, MAG 7, in Spinnaker B. “Having more boats on the line at the same time was a lot of fun.” To give an idea of just how exhilarating this was, one of the yachts that started with MAG 7 was over twice its size, an old Farr 65 from the Whitbread/Volvo Race.Mother Nature dialed up the breeze to 20-plus-knots on the second day of racing, putting both sailors and their boats to the ultimate test. “Sailing today was much tougher than yesterday,” says a Puerto Rican crew member. “We started in about 15 knots of breeze, but by the afternoon it was blowing 22 knots with 4- to 5-foot seas. This made for challenging racing. At one point we broached and had the spreaders in the water.” Forty-five boats in nine classes sailed offshore between Puerto Rico’s southeastern mainland and the island of Vieques, racing on a mix of windward-leeward courses and courses with reaches for the cruising classes.
After the third day of racing, the leaders strengthened their positions across the fleet. For Spinnaker B, Kiki Gonzalez sailed his J/80 OTRAKOSA from Puerto Rico into second place and just behind him was Paul Davis's MAG 7, J/27 from St. Thomas. In the Racer-Cruiser class, the J/105 UMAKUA sailed by Julio Reguero from Puerto Rico was second followed by another J/105, Carlos Camacho's ABRACADABRA from Puerto Rico. Performance Cruiser saw Tony Sanpere seeking yet another win in class. But Tony and crew fell just short, settling for second place with his gorgeous J/36 CAYENITTA GRANDE from St. Croix. Winner of the Jib & Main Class was the classic race-horse, Jerome O'Neill's J/39 CRYSTAL from Puerto Rico. Amongst the J/24s, it was URAYO sailed by Gilberto Rivera of Puerto Rico winning, followed by BANANA BOAT's Leopoldo Loria from Puerto Rico in second and KQ-LO's Jose Fullana of Puerto Rico in third. Sailing photo credits- Bob Griese/ Outside Images. For more Puerto Rico Heineken Regatta Sailing information.
Light Winds Again For Solent Sailors(Warsash, Southampton Water, England)- For the third week running, the challenge greeting competitors in the Warsash Spring Series on 27th March was how to get their boats along in light conditions, when the breeze rarely reached double figures. Global warming perhaps? After affects of the thrice-decade "super moon" phenomenon? For Black Group, a half hour lull gave three classes a real test to round the first leeward mark where a large parking lot built up. However, a gentle wind returned, with some classes completing their courses whilst others were shortened. White Group, off Hill Head, experienced an even shiftier breeze and did well to get the planned three races in for J/80s.
IRC1-B sees Niall Dowling's crew on the J/111 ARABELLA hanging tough in very trying light and variable conditions, lying second with a very consistent 2-3-3 score and is lying in fourth overall IRC just four points outside of third.
In IRC3 Jamie and Mike Holmes J/97 JIKA-JIKA continues to lie second on a tie despite a disastrous thirteenth. In fact, tied for second is Andy Howe's J/92 BLACKJACK that has a consistent 7-8-5 for 20 points. Bill Blain's J/97 BATFISH IV is still learning the ropes and is currently in 11th.
The sixteen boat strong J/109 class continues to see Dave Mcleman's OFFBEAT lead the fleet with a 6-3-3, remarkably consistent despite the often challenging conditions that leave other teams gasping for air wondering where to go next! However, sailing nearly as well is Mike and Sarah Wallis' JAHMALI with a 9-4-1 just two points back. And, not to be counted out of the front of the fleet yet is Dave McGough's JUST SO with a 3-9-5 for seventeen points. Interesting. To finish in the top three of the J/109 class you have to be averaging under sixth (6th) place? Holy Jersey Cows!! That's an epic, anxiety-inducing average, to beat (or meet), eh?! To give you some perspective, last year's "high rollers" who could do no wrong, Dave and Kirsty Apthorp's J-DREAM are blasting along with a 4-2-18th?? Next weekend is sure to jumble the standings again. Never, ever a dull moment in this fun, exciting racer-cruiser class. In the J/80s, Stewart Hawthorn (JUMPING JENGA) has a three point advantage over Patrick Liardet (AQUA-J) whilst Dan Brown (HENRI-LLOYD SHOCKWAVE) in third is just one point ahead of Terry Palmer (JUST DO IT). But, lurking just behind this group is John Cooper on OI!, getting a 2-2-1 in his last three races to simply prove a point-- they're just getting tuned up and on track! For more Warsash Spring Series sailing results. Sailing Photo credits- Eddie May Gallery
J's Frolic @ Royal Lymington Series(Lymington, Hampshire, England)- This year's Spring Series for Keelboats off Lymington (yes, the far, far Western part of the Solent near the famous Needles) started on the day the clocks went forward but there were no reports of anyone oversleeping such was the enthusiasm to get out on the water after the winter. The weather rewarded everyone with an almost perfect spring morning in the Solent.
A north easterly breeze, occasionally getting up to 17 kts, and an ebbing tide for the first race gave Race Officer Roger Wilson the opportunity to set a couple of laps 'round the cans' with a moveable mark to windward and down to 'Royal Lymington' via 'Berthon' for the big boats, with shorter but similar courses for the Lymington Handicap fleets. There was some close racing as the fleets beat up against the tide along the mainland shore and enough wind for a tactical gybing run back down-- as the infamous "Fish" (Bob Fisher, eponymous writer extraordinaire for Yachts & Yachting) describes it, "just dragging through the mud".
This year the innovation of a separate finish boat produced a quick turn round between races and although the tide had changed and the wind dropped during the second race everyone managed to complete their two windward leeward laps and get back to the Club in time for lunch-- and avoid too much dragging through the mud! Class 1 IRC saw good competition, with William Newton's J/105 JELLY BABY taking line honours in race 2. Currently, Robin Taunt's J/109 JIBE lies third and Bill's JELLY BABY in fourth. For more Royal Lymington Series sailing information.
Locals Dominate J/24 Texas States(Austin, TX- Mar 20) - Local Austin sailor Ryan Harden won the 2011 J/24 Texas State Championship with an impressive display of sailing, never crossing the finish line outside of the top two over the six race series. Harden topped a competitive fleet that included 3-time J/24 World Champion, Mauricio Santa Cruz, and perennial Southwest Circuit Champion (and Harden's 25-year older brother) Bob Harden.
Conditions were perfect, with temperatures in the mid 80s and winds ranging from 15 to 25 knots. Harden, sailing some 100 pounds light of the maximum allowed weight, chose to use the 100% jib in all the races, much to the dismay of some of the more hardcore teams. After seeing Harden's domination of the early racing, by the final race all but two boats had switched to the small jib looking for a similar speed advantage.
The Texas State Championship is the first regatta of the 2011 Texas Circuit, and with the U.S. Nationals slated to be held in Texas in May, racing was highly competitive as teams worked to tune up for the big event.
Although Harden held a comfortable lead, racing for the remaining top spots was extremely tight with three teams tied for second heading into the final race. In the end, second place overall went to Eric Faust, who posted two bullets on the final day to edge out Santa Cruz and Bob Harden in the standings. Final sailing results for J/24 Texas States courtesy of RegattTech.com can be found here.
J/Community
What friends, alumni and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide
* J/24 Manhattan YC/ Sailing School- Manhattan YC is launching the Corporate Sailing League to sail on Thursday nights. Made famous many moons ago (remember MYC's been going for 25+ years), after the corporate raiders of Wall Street fought in boardrooms across the world, they'd relax in the afternoon and go sailing on J/24s right off the South Street Seaport Waterfront. Today's version is undeniably more fun, much, much more affordable, easy-going and, in fact, more entertaining! After all, now there are nearly FORTY (40) J/24s (versus just 12 in the old days) and with lots more potential for fun and games with fellow New Yorkers blasting around the NYC waterfront. How can you not appreciate spectacular sunset sails in front of THE City, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty- the Goddess of Freedom herself!? You owe it to yourself (and your business colleagues) to enjoy this rather extraordinary experience. Call Mike or Emily at 212-786-3323 or email- mike@myc.org. BTW, he's on Dennis Conner's speed-dial list, too. Read more about this cool sailing experience- the Corporate Sailing League.
* Past J/24 sailing ace Terry Hutchinson is now sailing for the AC34 on Team ARTEMIS (this is old "ride" to the right sailing in St Thomas). This past week he was caught on tape sailing one of the new AC45 cats for practice. While fellow J/24 cats like Ed Baird and Chris Larson were kicking it back and sailing in the Rolex Cup regatta down in St Thomas, Terry was pushing the limits of disaster-- in cats those who live closest to the edge most consistently win, simple math. Just ask Kenny Read about sailing Formula 40s in the Pro Circuit back in the 80s, remember that famous picture of them with bows stuck in the water on San Francisco Bay and the whole crew hanging on for dear life? Should be fun and interesting to watch, just don't want to be a body hurtling through the hyperspace after a "double-poke" with a 72 foot cat cart-wheeling over my head, too. Good on ya mates for pushing the envelope of performance! Sure is fun to watch! Watch this YouTube video of how they do sailing these machines here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_lDXQVcRaE
* J/30 update/ upgrade information from SAILING magazine?? Convert a Rhode Island School of Design interior to a "shabby chic" ultra-modern, retro upgrade? Hmmm. Yes. It's possible. If you use today's Ultra-leather or Ultra-suede fabrics to impart sumptuous, exotic, sexy, comfort for your crew (chicks dig it, but so do the guys). OK, buying the J/97 may be out of the question for today, so let's have fun on a J/30?? You bet. Plenty of room to play. See what SAILING magazine talks about here from a practical point of view. J/30 SAILING redux: http://www.jboats.com/pdf/J30_SailingRetroFit.pdfThe J Cruising Community
J Cruisers continue their adventures around the world, below are a selection of most excellent "blogs" written by their prolific publishers. Some terribly amusing anecdotes and pearls of wisdom are contained in their blogs. Read some! You'll love it.
* The J/42 JARANA continues their epic voyage around the Pacific. Continue to read about Bill and Kathy Cuffel's big adventure cruising the South Pacific headed for New Zealand. Their blog is here: http://www.svjarana.blogspot.com/
* Prolific writers, Bill and Judy Stellin, sailed their J/42 JAYWALKER around the Mediterranean and Europe and back across the Atlantic for nearly three years. Their blogs/journals can be found at- http://blog.mailasail.com/jaywalker. The earlier journals have been compiled into two self published books which can be found at: http://www.blurb.com. Search for "SEATREK: A Passion for Sailing" by Bill Stellin or William Stellin." UPDATE- Just a short note to update from Bill- "Our cruise began in May of 2000 and ended in May of 2008, some 8 years later. I have just finished and published my third and final book covering the last three or so years including our double handed crossing in 16 days and one winter in the Caribbean. Like the others, "Sea Trek- A Passion for sailing- Book III," can be found at www.blurb.com. Thanks, Bill and Judy"
* John and Mary Driver are sailing their J/130 SHAZAM for extended cruising in the Atlantic basin. At this time, John and Mary finished their double-handed crossing of the Atlantic, landing in Portugal on their J/130 Shazam after completion of their ARC Rally. Read the latest news at http://www.sailblogs.com/member/shazam/.* 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 Cape Horn and penguins?? Read more about their adventures and escapades (like our J/109 GAIA, J/42s PAX and JAYWALKER and J/130 SHAZAM 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).
- Bill and Susan Grun 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). Check out there recent travels- now past Fiji!
- Eric and Jenn on the J/160 MANDALAY also sailed the Pacific archipelago, read more on their blog at http://www.sailmandalay.com. Eric and Jenn are J/World alumni took MANDALAY up and down the West Coast (Mexico, CA)
, then to the South Pacific and New Zealand. MANDALAY is back in San Francisco now, and in the J/World fleet--she is available for skippered charters, private instruction, and corporate/executive groups.* The J/109 GAIA (seen right in the Java Sea) was sailed by Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay around the world. In February 2011, their cruising adventures came to an abrupt, sad ending. As a tribute to them and their cruising friends worldwide, we hope their chronicles on their GAIA website remains a tribute to their warm-hearted spirits- read more about why many loved them dearly and will remain touched by their loving spirit forever- http://www.gaiaworldtour.net/
Featured Boats
Race-ready J/122 New York Gorgeous J/122 Ready to Race/Cruise
The J/122 SCREAMING EAGLE is a Bermuda-ready, gorgeous example of the luxuriously fast J/122. Maintained in bristol fashion, she has been immaculately, lovingly looked after by her enthusiastic, experienced sailboat owners.
The J122 "Screaming Eagle" is on display at McMichaels Yacht yard in Mamaroneck, NY. Please call MCM directly. More information about this beautiful J/122 is shown in the listing here: http://tinyurl.com/6gzhcqt
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/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
On Saturday Class C and D started in light to moderate winds. By Sunday, a massive front with strong breezes and very choppy waves hit the tail-end of the Cabo fleet (see photo to right), primarily affecting the big boats in Class A & B that started a day later than Class C and D. A and B basically got hammered and a bunch of top boats dropped out later on Sunday, early Monday morning (California "sleds" and modern, lightweight "wedges of cheese" cannot sail well upwind, period). Meanwhile, SoCal was drowning in water with record rainfalls generating road closures and massive mud slides. Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) was washed out and Santa Barbara set a record of 6" rainfall in 24 hours with yet more to come. Perhaps some of those J/24s and J/105s in SB Harbor may be put to good use as second homes!
On Monday afternoon, fleet compression was occurring as the northwesterlies filled in and continued building behind Class C and D. With approximately 300 NM to go (finish line off harbor to the right), the fleet saw increasing pressure from the NW, which usually dominates the Baja peninsula this time of year. By late evening, the night-time pressures increased to 18 knots along the lower Baja California peninsula and the entire fleet flew chutes with increasing speeds through the night, taking advantage of a clear, moonlit sky with warmer winds. The Monday afternoon Anarchy report from Frank's INVISIBLE HAND was, "Well, as expected, the last 36 hours on the course were full of challenges. The A & B classes that started Saturday got the full impact of the southerly system and the retired casualty list is larger than those still racing. The boats in our class (C) had very light winds out of the south. We looked OK at yesterday's check-in but after 24 hours beating into a light southerly we could not overcome the longer waterline of our class competition so we slipped a place but held the same in the overall. The GRIBs have been consistent so we still have some running to look forward to over the next few days and hopefully reel in those that slipped by. To still be in full foulies on the 3rd night was not what we expected and the shorts are still in the crew bags. This is not what they said it would be in the brochure! The boys on deck just unfurled the Code-0 and dropped the Light #1 to see if we can get a bit more out of the new J/111. We've got our work cut out for us, back to the grind." 
By Monday nightfall, it was amazing to see the Class C and D boats locked in a very strategic duel with roughly 170NM to the finish (winds looking like this photo to right!). It was a very interesting strategic mix off Cabo San Lozaro in the early hours of the moonrise as the Class C and D boats were making tactical turns downwind and a break for the beach for offshore-wind pressure or better sailing angles by going slightly outside on the right side of the course. It was in this part of the race were some boats made significant gains and others lost out some distance on their competitors--- the J/111 INVISIBLE HAND happened to be one of the latter. The afternoon Anarchy report from INVISIBLE HAND stated, "we were finally able to stop sailing upwind Monday and had a spinnaker up by late afternoon. The morning check-in showed what we expected with us still in 3rd in class since the prior 24 hours still included a lot of upwind work. Since dark we started to put on pace with winds of 10-20 knots. There were pretty large swells rolling through with another direction wind wave so driving was challenging as the stern quarter kept getting checked around. The 6am morning scheduled radio report had us 17 miles behind the Beneteau First 40.7 NOAS 2 with 179nm to the finish. To our surprise we spotted them and crossed several miles in front by 2:45pm this afternoon. So we made up quite a bit of miles in just under 9 hours with boat speed in the 10-13 knots range. We have about 90nm to the finish so we hope to be able to make up more of the time lost on course while sailing upwind. The swells have now reorganized and are allowing us a much better average not fighting to keep the boat on course. Finally feels like we entered a Mexico race, the Sun is finally out and so are the shorts. Hopefully the wind will hold and we will finish in the wee hours Wednesday morning."
As for the racing, it seems that the Congo line dancing to music was translating onto the race course with home-boy Benz Faget leading the J/22s home with nearly all firsts sailing his great yacht called, appropriately, FATS (a New Orleans famous jazz musician). Second was Bob Muller with nearly all seconds and third was another local boy, Dwight LeBlanc III sailing WAVEMAKER well enough to almost spoil the party for Muller to snag second place. 
* Speaking of offshore racing and cruising experiences in far-flung islands and harbors across the Pacific, ever hear of renowned French offshore sailor/cruiser Jean Rheault? Jean is yet another J/41 aficionado, sharing a love for the beautiful, rakishly ended IOR J/41 along with other notable sailors you may know like Ken Read of PUMA and Scot Tempesta of Sailing Anarchy infamy. Jean has loved the J/41 for years, sailing it across the Pacific and continues to do so today sailing in the fabulous waters off Malaysian and Indonesia and Thailand. He bought his first J-41 in 1997, MERRIMAC, which he lost on the Sable Island sand bank on a trip from Newport, RI across the Atlantic to the Azores Islands (note- it was the same MERRIMAC sailed by Bob and Stu Johnstone in the 1985 Admiral's Cup trials in Newport). Jean then bought his current J/41, now called SOUAY I, in Newport Beach CA when it was named SEQUOIA. He then single-handed the J/41 across the Pacific to Thailand where it got a brand new teak deck with a bimini salon cockpit and a V-berth.
After sailing in December in the Kings Cup (Phuket, Thailand), winning Modern Classic Class BTW, Jean says, "I am sailing solo from Phuket-Thailand to Pattaya-Thailand, via Singapore. I bring SOUAY I in the Indian Ocean to do the area regattas. Now I am sailing back to China Sea, there are 2 regattas this spring-- Top Of The Gulf in Pattaya and the Samui Regatta." After that, SOUAY I heads back to Ocean Marina near Pattaya are south of Bangkok. Jean encourages any J lovers to visit him in Thailand, SOUAY is available for day and event charters- he says "the wind is 10 to 12 knots 80% of the time, weather is 28C to 32C all year long and the ocean is at 30C. 
It's simply spectacular sailing. Plus, SOUAY I charms everyone who's seen and sailed her with her beauty and her grace-- everyone loves her- from Olympic sailors who appreciate the J-Boat helm sensation, to very famous TV and Movie Stars in Thailand, they lay back in the big cockpit bed under the bimini, relax and drink a glass of cool white wine, and then they want to stay for a life-time..... not joking!" No worries there Jean, we believe you based on these beautiful and amazing pictures of your experiences with many new-found sailing friends!
