Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Boat Show Time!

J/122E offshore cruiser racer sailboat (Newport, RI)- What a better way to start the New Year than visiting some of the world’s nicest boat shows to see the latest, hottest sailboats in the J/Boats range.  With yet another “polar vortex” gripping the northern climes (even Newport hit 0 F. Thursday morning), it’s time to dream about warmer weather and summer sailing plans now!  This coming week, three major events are taking place in London, England; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Chicago, Illinois.  Here’s what happening at each place:

Jan 9-18- London Boat Show
On display will be two of the high-performance, planing sprit boats— the International J/70 and the amazing J/88 family speedster.  Also, showing will be the exciting new “E” series introduced last fall, truly “wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing”- the J/97E and the J/122E are beyond compare as cruisers and racers.  With their sleek new Euro-styling, these new head-turners are demonstrating you can have that rare combination of race-winning speed, superior cruising comfort and offshore passage-making capabilities.  Paul & Marie-Claude Heys and the amazing team from J/UK Key Yachting will be on hand to offer their insights and experiences sailing these wonderful boats, plus they can fill you in on plans for the first J/88 UK Nationals (see more below).  For tickets and information- http://www.londonboatshow.com/2015/home.aspx

J/88 sailboat- family speedsterJan 10-18- Toronto Boat Show
On display will be the J/70 One-design and the world’s funnest & fastest 29-foot weekender- the J/88.  Along with the RCR Yachts staff (Don Finkle & crew), there will be staff from Pat Sturgeon Yachts (Ontario J/Boats dealer).  Says Don,  “collectively, we've all sailed these boats a lot in 2014 and have studied them inside and out and are excited to pass on what we've learned! The Toronto Boat show is huge and a fun place to walk around and look at many different boats, all while staying warm! As with most boat shows, we will have special boat show pricing incentives, so there is no better time than at the show to put in your order.  Please come join us!”  For tickets and information- http://www.torontoboatshow.com/   

Jan 14-18- Chicago Strictly Sail Boat Show
In addition to the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario fleets, the J/88 is growing fast across the Midwest.  For those of you in the greater Chicago metro region (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Missouri), you can visit the famous Navy Pier Complex in Chicago and enjoy a fabulous weekend downtown and also take your time looking over the famous J/88 that took Lake Michigan by storm!  Also, on hand will be the J/70 and J/70 sailors from one of the biggest fleets in the world.  Providing you guidance, amazing J/88 sea stories and fun-in-the-sun J/70 experiences will be Rich & Lori Stearns from Stearns Boating in Chicago.  http://www.strictlysailchicago.com/