(Youngstown, NY)- J/27s and J/80s growing fleets on Lake Ontario- According to Don Finkle of RCR Yachts in Youngstown, NY,
“we have written our share of articles about things that need to be
improved in sailing, but this week we are pleased to report on some very
positive developments. We will mention them and then tie them together
with traits common to each.In Youngstown, we have an active and growing fleet of J/80s on the Lake, spread between the North and South shores. Hardly a day goes by when we don’t get another post of activity in the fleet, photos, announcements of upcoming fleet activities, etc.
There is likewise an active fleet of J/27s on the Lake. There is a good deal of similarity between the J/80 and J/27 fleets because these are not new designs. Historically there were smaller groups of these boats on the Lake, the growth has been recent.
Distance racing was once quite popular in North America but over the years the number of events and attendance dwindled in many places, it certainly did around here. That trend has been reversed on Lake Ontario, spearheaded by a most avid group of sailors out of Port Credit YC. They have an Offshore Series that includes races of varying distances, the main event being the Lake Ontario 300. Within that overall effort is another success story, the Lake Ontario Short-Handed Racing Series. Last weekend we hosted the LOSHRS fleet at YYC on Saturday night as they raced over from Port Credit that day, with a return race on Sunday. It was great to see all of the boats rafted at the dock, it reminded us of the Level Regatta in days gone by, but with smaller crowds on the docks since the boats were crewed by only one or two people. Having trouble finding crew? The LOSHRS solves your problem.
We mentioned that these success stories had common threads. One is that you can get into each of the above for a modest investment. The used J/27s and J/80s are older designs, so you can pick them up at attractive prices, too. There are divisions for all sizes of boats that compete in the distance races and LOSHRS, so an older or smaller boat fits right in.
Even more important to the success of these efforts, in our view, is that they are sailor-driven. While there may be a club in the background, there are no dealers, boat manufacturers or any other commercial enterprises pushing these fleets, it is enthusiastic sailors themselves making it happen. There is no doubt that without this grass-roots promotion none of the above would be anywhere near as successful as they are now.”
