Saturday, September 13, 2014

J/30 North Americans Preview

J/30 one-design family cruiser racer- sailing fast upwind (Riverside, CT)- Born in 1979 after the J/24 had taken off like a rocketship, the J/30 has enjoyed a remarkable degree of success across the world as an all-around 30 ft family cruiser-racer.  Having survived the infamous Fastnet Race in 1979 (one double-handed) and others having won numerous Rolex Submariner watches in the famous Rolex St Thomas Regatta in the Caribbean, it can be said the J/30 has enjoyed at least four or five of its nine lives.  Many proud owners today continue to extol its virtues as a nice all-around 30 footer that is easy-to-own, easy-to-sail, and enjoyed by the whole family at an affordable price on today’s “pre-loved” marketplace.  That the upcoming J/30 North Americans hosted by Cedar Point YC from September 11th to 14th has thirteen boats registered for the weekend regatta is a testimony of the boat’s enormous popularity over three decades.

This year’s regatta has teams from New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Illinois and Michigan- eight states represented after thirty years!  That is quite remarkable and a testimony to the J/30s passionate and loyal owners.  Many top J/30 teams are present for this year’s event.  Given the cross-section of teams sailing, it would be fair to say just about any of teams (both local and visiting) have a fair shake at the top of the leaderboard.

Many familiar fast J/30s will be present, including Bob Rutsch & Mike Costello’s BEPOP from Annapolis YC, Steve Buzbee’s BLUE MEANIE from Raritan Bay YC, Carl Sherter’s FAT CITY from local host Cedar Point YC, Dennis Bartley’s PLANXTY from Oak Park, IL, Bill Kneller’s RHAPSODY from Portsmouth, RI and Russ Atkinson’s WILDCAT from North Cape YC in Rockwood, MI.  For more J/30 North Americans sailing information