This past week was a cause for celebration in some cases and a pause for reflection, sadly, on others.On the positive side, the J/9 daysailer project is in full swing and interest is growing exponentially for the new line of daysailing boats by the J/Design team. The extraordinary enthusiasm for the J/9 has already resulted in production slots pushed out into the third quarter of 2021!
Also, on a positive note, the Spanish J/80 Class managed to host their incredibly popular annual event called the Campeonato J/80 Mundialito in the famous sand spit encircled bay of Santander, Spain. The heavily talented fleet included three former J/80 World Champions!
On the reflective aspect of our sailing and family lives is that fact that some of our good sailing friends pass along in their lives. Two very well-known members of the J/Community passed recently. Eight Bells to David Irish from Harbor Springs, Michigan and Kevin Burnham from Miami, Florida....both avid J/Sailors, supporters, and enthusiasts over the past 40 years.
J/9 Daysailer Created with Space-X Precision!
Awesome Symmetrix 5-axis CNC Makes Perfect Hull & Deck
(Newport, RI)- Exciting news! J/9 hull and deck plug construction has been completed by Symmetrix Composite Tooling in Bristol, Rhode Island. Symmetrix is the most advanced precision tooling company in New England and carved both the J/9 hull and deck plugs using the state-of-the-art CMS Poseidon 5-axis Machining System.
This machine has an overhead computer-controlled universal robotic cutter head that runs down calibrated tracks on top of the walls from one end to the other and can reach almost anywhere within the space.
Symmetrix engineers analyzed the J/9 3D design models provided by J/Boats using the Siemens NX11 CAD/CAM software and ran a series of simulations to arrive at final machining instructions for the 5-axis milling machine. The Siemens NX11 software is a quantum leap forward in delivering tooling not just quickly, but also accurately.
The same machine is used at leading edge, high-tech aerospace companies like Boeing, SpaceX, and McDonnell Douglas. The NX10 gives Symmetrix complete surface model control and simulation in full 5-axis machining instructions; it can achieve tolerance within 1 millimeter over a 26-meter surface and in a fraction of the time.
Then, the exciting part starts. First, the steel backbone frame with foam blocking is milled to within an inch or two of the final plug surfaces (all milled foam is recycled, BTW). Then, the plug and foam are encased by fiberglass/epoxy reinforcement. Finally, an epoxy milling paste is applied over the glass. The part returns to the milling machine for a second and final precision machining operation to take it to the final surface. Hand-sanding to 800 grit and buffing to a mirror shine then completes the effort.
Exciting times! J/9 hull plug on the move!
From initial steel framing construction, to precision milling operations, to the final polishing, the process to build a complete mirror finish hull/ deck plug took just 7 weeks. Production molds are under construction at CCF Composites and thereafter the J/9 production begins after January 2021. Learn more about the exciting new J/9 daysailer here
J/Gear HOLIDAY 20% OFF Specials!
(Newport, RI)- Believe it or not, it is just about time to get into the holiday spirit of things. The year-end is fast approaching and now is as good a time as any to give some thoughts to your holiday shopping for your crew, family, and friends.We are offering a 20% discount on all orders excluding the following: J/Models, J/Prints and J/Calendars.
The discount code is- JB2020XS. It will be effective October 1st through November 28th, 2020.
Attention J/Boat owners- because of the demand for customization, we encourage "early ordering" in an effort to meet holiday gift dates.
NOTE- The J/Class logo of your choice can embroidered on the front. We can also customize with your detail. Perfect for the whole crew! For more information and to buy now.
Sailing Calendar
Nov 28-30- Mundialito J/80 Regatta- Santander, SpainDec 1-6- J/70 South American Championship- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Dec 4-6- J/22 Jammin Jamaica Regatta- Montego Bay, Jamaica
Dec 4- Wirth M Munroe Memorial Race- Palm Beach, FL
Dec 5- Hot Rum Series III- San Diego, CA
MERCURY Crowned J/80 Mundialito Champion
(Santander, Spain)- Remarkably, the Spanish J/80 Class was able to host their annual J/80 Campeonato Mundialito on the gorgeous bay off Santander, Spain this past weekend. In the end, after four races sailed, it was Jaime Piris Turner's MERCURY that won the regatta counting just podium finishes.On Saturday afternoon, two races were sailed in the bay, with a northeast wind of about ten knots. Starting fast out of the box, Piris- Turner's MERCURY team scored two bullets to throw down the gauntlet in front several notable J/80 World Champions. They were followed at day's end by Pablo Colvee's RAITAN in second with two 3rd places and by Daniel de la Pedraja's EDIFICIO CASTELAR in third with a 5-2 tally.
Things looked good for the MERCURY team as Sunday dawned with less wind, though another beautiful day. The day started off with an hour postponement, and the RCN Santander PRO finally started the last two races in a northeast breeze of 6 to 8 kts.
In the third race on Sunday, EDIFICIO CASTELAR prevailed, followed by MERCURY and Manuel Vidal de la Peña’s RACANO. By the end of the race, the wind nearly died off. However, within the next half hour rebuilt back to the 6 to 8 kts range. For the final race, J/80 World Champion Ignacio Camino Rodriguez's SOLITAL won, followed by another J/80 World Champion in second- Jose Maria "Pichu" Torcida's FREDO ESTRELLA DEL NORTE. Rounding out the final race podium was Jaime Yllera Secades' COMPESCA.
As a result of Sunday's outcomes, it was the MERCURY team prevailing with a 1-1-2-11, winning with 4 pts net. Taking the silver on a tie-breaker of 8 pts net was Pedraja's EDIFICIO CASTELAR with a 5-2-1-9 tally. They won the countback over Pichu Torcida's FREDO ESTRELLA DEL NORTE with a 2-9-4-2 record. Rounding out the top five was Jaime Yllera Secades' COMPESCA in fourth and David Madrazo's ZONA FRANCA SANTANDER in fifth position. For more J/80 Mundialito Santander Regatta sailing information
J/Community
What friends, alumni, and crew of J/Boats are doing worldwide
-----------* J/Net Brokerage Specials! Check out our exciting new site for lovingly-owned J/Boats from around the world here: https://jnet.jboats.com/
Beautiful 2006 J/133 available in The Netherlands. The ideal mid-40s length racer/cruiser…and a winner of The Sailing World Magazine Overall Boat of the Year, J/133 is a yacht with the stability for short-handed cruising, race winning speed under IRC & PHRF, durability for rough offshore passages. Add in the retractable carbon bowsprit and flying and handling the asymmetrical spinnaker becomes a breeze. Viewing is possible, by appointment. Learn more about this J/133 here
* Eight Bells- Dave Irish
With both sadness and fond remembrance, we want to share that Dave Irish passed peacefully yesterday morning, at home, with his family.As some of you know, Dave founded Irish Boat Shop in 1961 and over the past 60 years built the company into a successful, thriving business with three locations in Northern Michigan and a team of almost 100 employees.
Dave loved "messing around with boats"; he particularly enjoyed the company of people who owned and played with boats.
Dave was a competitor. His sailboat racing took him all over the world. He competed in numerous national and world championship events. He was valued and well-liked for his ability to think strategically, to lead, and to do anything, on any boat, in any weather. He loved Michigan's Mackinac Races and achieved Old Goat status in both Bayview and Chicago yacht clubs, signifying completion of over 25 Mackinac races on each lake.
Although competitive, Dave was always willing to share his knowledge and bring others along. It was rare to see Dave racing without a “junior” on his team, often driving the boat. The list of young adults that grew up under Dave’s wing sailboat racing is long and includes many who have participated at the highest levels of sailboat racing. Of his long list of accomplishments, I think he would say bringing up young sailors was right at the top of that list.
Dave understood that sailboat racing depends on sailing schools and yacht clubs. A founding member of the Little Traverse Yacht Club, he helped purchase the first clubhouse in 1968. In 2019, he played a similar role helping the Charlevoix Yacht Club construct a new clubhouse on Lake Charlevoix. Both sailing communities benefited from his unflagging support for youth sailing, and Dave personally mentored many young sailors, several of whom became professional sailors. He served the sport's national governing body, US Sailing, for 25 years, then spent 16 years on the Offshore Racing Council which merged into the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), where he served for many years as a Vice President and Executive Committee member.
Service to community characterized his life ashore, too. Dave served Harbor Springs as a councilman and as mayor. An early environmental activist, Dave was a founding member of the Little Traverse Conservancy.
Dave was an avid outdoorsman and competitive athlete. He was a snow ski instructor at Boyne Highlands, then Nub’s Nob in the 1960's, and prided himself on owning skis of every description. Throughout his life he enjoyed the ski league at Nub's Nob, Nordic ski racing, heli-skiing, and backcountry skiing. When not skiing or sailing, he was a cyclist, runner, and late-in-life triathlete.
Dave is survived by his wife Ann; sister Ann Wilderom; daughters Tracy (John) Texter, Susan (Gary) Stewart, Perry (Rich) Hodgson, and son Colin (Carrie Maxson) Irish; 11 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Those who wish to honor Dave Irish's memory may do so by donating to the Little Traverse Conservancy, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, Little Traverse Sailors, or Sail Charlevoix (Lake Charlevoix Mariners).
* Eight Bells- Kevin Burnham
It is with great sadness that World Sailing reports the passing of Kevin Burnham, aged 63, on Friday 27 November 2020 after a long, courageous battle with pulmonary disease.Burnham is a three-time Olympic sailor and a two-time Olympic medalist for Team USA. He won Athens 2004 Olympic Gold with Paul Foerster and a Silver medal with Morgan Reeser at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. Burnham and Foerster were named Rolex Yachtsman of the Year for their Gold medal performance and were nominated for Rolex World Sailor of the Year. Burnham also won a Gold medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games.
"The World Sailing community is deeply saddened to hear of Kevin Burnham's passing and on behalf of World Sailing, I extend our condolences to Kevin's family and friends," commented World Sailing President, Quanhai Li. "Kevin embodied the spirit of sailing with passion for competing and nurturing sailing talent worldwide. His energy and enthusiasm for the sport was unrivalled and he will forever be remembered for his kindness and outstanding achievements in the sport."
"On behalf of everyone at US Sailing, we are deeply saddened to learn about Kevin Burnham's passing and we send our condolences to the Burnham family during this difficult time," said Cory Sertl, President of US Sailing and Vice-President of World Sailing. "Kevin's accomplishments as a sailor are extraordinary and his Olympic spirit is iconic. We will remember the energy he had for coaching and teaching sailing. Kevin was an inspiration to so many and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him."
Burnham started sailing when he was eight and through to 18, he and his family went cruising every week and in the summer on a Columbia 22 and then a Morgan 30. Commenting in 2004, when he was nominated for Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Burnham said, "Initially, I was not interested in sailing. In fact, when I was 9, I used to sabotage the engine of the Columbia 22, so that we could not get out of the harbour and go sailing! I was more into surfing and tennis."
His focus and passion for sailing started to materialize in 1975 when he met Steve Benjamin at the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami, Florida. Burnham commented, "At this time, I did not even know that sailing was an Olympic sport. Steve indicated to me that my physique was ideal to be a crew in a 470 and asked if I was interested in going out for a sail with him. The next day we went sailing in 15 to 20 knots of breeze in the 470. This was my first day of sailing a dinghy - a lot more exciting than the Sunday sailing days on the Columbia!!"
From there on, Burnham was hooked and aside from his Olympic journey, he was versatile sailor who competed in various boats and different racing formats over his exciting career. In ocean racing events, he competed at the Sydney-Hobart Race, Rolex Transatlantic Challenge, Newport to Bermuda Race, and won the 1989 Worrell 1000 Mile Race on 18-foot catamarans. Burnham was an 11-time U.S. National Champion.
Later in his career, Burnham coached sailing athletes in the U.S. and around the world preparing them for the highest levels of international competition. He especially loved coaching youth and Paralympic athletes.
[Ed. Note- on a personal level, I also met Kevin at Coral Reef YC because he was sailing with mutual friend- Steve Benjamin- in the 470 Midwinters (I was sailing with then Tufts teammate Fran Charles- current M.I.T. University Sailing Director). Later, Kevin expanded his experiences to sailing in J/24s for well over a decade with many top teams. In recent years, Kevin was involved in the evolution of the popular J/70 class, having started coaching top teams in Key West, Florida in the first J/70 Midwinters. His passion and enthusiasm to help and watch people "grow" as sailors was perhaps Kevin's most endearing attribute- with such a big heart, he truly cared and wanted to see people succeed. Plus, it was always fun to enjoy a few "greenies" with "the Burn" (as he was known by close friends) and share a few sea stories along the way. Always an entertaining time. He will be missed.]
His overall positive presence, incredible optimism, and never give up attitude will always be remembered.
We all send our condolences to wife Elizabeth Kratzig, son Eddie Burnham, daughter Kyla Burnham, brother Greg Burnham, his father Bruce Burnham and his friends and extended family.
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