(Frankfurt, Germany)- it seems that the momentum of J/70s in
Europe are now starting to become part of the fabric of Germany’s
social calendar. After another momentous year for the Deutsche
Segel-Bundesliga that was founded by Oliver Schwall (a two-time Tornado
World Champion), the J/70s are on a roll in Europe. Here’s the
front-page story from Germany’s equivalent of America’s New York Times
newspaper:“Sport boats of type J/70 are impetuous and fast- but easy to control. Sailors in the Segel-Bundesliga are thrilled. The manufacturer J/Boats has created a real blockbuster!
Like racehorses in the chute, the athletic keelboats have lined up. The white hull glistening aggressive in the spray. With one second to launch, then they break loose. Bow-to-bow, they shoot forward with extraordinary power with four people on board off the start line, striving to be first at the mark. Pure sailing pleasure is seen in the sailor’s faces. The boats- J/70s- they are true “Shooting Stars” on the water.
This past weekend, flying on them were some of Germany’s best young German sailors, sailing the Bundesliga finale in their second season in Hamburg. It was all about “sailing fast and fun” during the season as skipper Max Rieger from Württemberg Yacht Club proclaimed, "Wow!” That was heard from him and many of his comrades on the J/70s again and again all season.
The full name of the boat in Germany all year on everyone's lips was: “J/70 Speedster.” It is a speedster that is known in this country simply as ‘J/70’ and its popularity is increasing by leaps and bounds linearly. In Germany alone this year, more than 70 boats will be sold. This is a record-breaking result for a small keelboat on the competitive German boat market within a year of its introduction.
The manufacturer is J/Boats in the United States. For the international success story of the J/70 “designed in USA" there are four main reasons: 1) the good image of the American builder J/Boats, 2) the better sailing characteristics of the J/70 over competitors, 3) the J/70s ease of use and 4) the clever marketing like the partnership with the Segel-Bundesliga.
When the news of a 7-meter sporty newcomer in 2012 from the house of J/Boats in Newport, Rhode Island, people started talking about the idea, then even before the maiden voyage of the first two boats from their boat yard, there were more than 100 pre-orders- the concept had sailors already convinced on the paper. Since its premiere on the water the growing interest in the boats now exceeds the laurels again many times.
More than 700 J/70 have already been sold worldwide. Two, three decades ago, those numbers would not have been remarkable. Today they are the exclamation mark of a superior success. The hull number 701 had the Schleswig-Holstein Mittelmans Werft delivered by the end of July to the Bavarian Yacht Club. A native of Kappeln, the J/Boats exclusive agent for Germany and Denmark know what they have on the J/70. "It is our good fortune that we have a dynamic and hip boat," says CEO Bo Teichmann, "the J/70 symbolizes the new desire for simplicity in sailing. The people get it, set sail and have fun. It is as if you get into a VW Golf: we know at once all the levers and buttons.”
A long waterline, a deep lifting keel, the transport and launching is just easy, and the modern carbon fiber mast are basic properties that bring the almost seven meters long and 2.25 meters wide boat its good sailing characteristics. Fittings and trim functions are clearly arranged and meaningful.
Experienced crews arrived at the Kieler Woche sailing in the Segel-Bundesliga, easily achieving top speeds of 20 knots and more. For the pleasure of 45,000 euros you get a boat, sails and trailer to go anywhere behind your car or caravan.
The German importers in Kappeln could rely solely on the strengths of the boat- as in southern Germany, where the J/70 in a democratic consultation with the clubs in the Bodensee-Sailing Association in the final against the competition boats Longtze and Bavaria's much cheaper B/One was selected as the new Bodensee one-design keelboat class. But, Mittelmans Werft invested wisely and inspired the J/70 class success with the commitment to the Deutsche Segel-Bundesliga.
"Our commitment is substantial, but worth it," said Teichmann. Seven J/70s are sailing the first division in each league weekend. Worth the effort: Meanwhile, 14 of the 18 top-flight sailing clubs in Germany have bought at least one J/70 for training purposes for their club. Some clubs have even bought four J/70s. They are not only training equipment for the Bundesliga sailors, but also flagships of the clubs to engage younger sailors in programs like- "Sail Now!" It’s transforming many German sailing clubs.
While a member of the club guarantees the loan of a J/70 for the club, both members and non-members will also have the chance to sail and have fun on the boats. "With this concept, people can go sailing, which so far they have not had the opportunity to do so," said the VSaW Vice President and Olympic Champion Ulrike Schumann. The J/70 concept for her club means that more people will have access to the sport of sailing!
The “fun, easy sailing" has been decisive in the choice of boats, believes Schumann (she is a Segel-Bundesliga tactician and has learned to appreciate the power of this new concept). The experienced woman sailor says, "The J/70 sailboat is the perfect blend of a sports boat for experts and a well-mannered, charming boat for families." The current Star Class World Champion, Robert Stanjek, describes the J/70 boat as "modern and fair sport boat on which every sailor can achieve their complete potential as a sailor, depending on their capability and desire.” With the J/70, J/Boats repeated the now historic early success of the shipyard. In 1977, Rod and Bob Johnstone conquered the sailboat market with their J/24 that Rod had built in his garage. Bob made the start-up investment of $20,000 USD and the rest is history. The prototype "Ragtime" won races in ECYRA series and was soon spoken about on everyone's lips. From that family project, there were delivered more than 5,600 J/24s, one of the most successful small keelboats in boat building history. It established the overall success of J/Boats. Today there are more than 13,500 J/Boats at prices (new & used) between € 2,500 and € 1.5 million worldwide.
In German on Die Welt website
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