J/95 SHOAL DRAFT CRUISER FOR SALE

PRICE JUST REDUCED! This J/95 is a rare find, a nicely-equipped, fresh water, used J/95. 

The boat has been sailed only on Lake Winnipesaukee, with its short summer seasons, and crystal-clear water. The boat has been very lightly used, is well equipped, and found in perfect condition. 

The only way to find a J/95 in better condition, would be to find a new one. The boat has only been sailed 3 years, and never raced. This is a unique find and includes a custom Hall Spar carbon rig!
Learn more about this cool J/95 shoal-draft cruiser hereAdd to Flipboard Magazine.

J/95 Brokerage beauty for sale!

* J/Net Brokerage Specials! Check out our exciting new site for lovingly-owned J/Boats from around the world.


This J/95 is a rare find, a nicely equipped fresh water used J/95. The boat has been sailed only on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH with its short seasons, and crystal-clear water. The boat has been very lightly used, is well equipped, and in perfect condition. The only way to find a J/95 in better condition, would be to find a new one. The boat has only been sailed 3 years, and never raced. This is a unique find.  For more information about this beautiful J/95 shoal-draft cruiser/ day sailor Add to Flipboard Magazine.

STC Block Island Race week Preview

(Block Island, RI)- One of the highlights of summer sailing in northeast America is Storm Trysail Club’s bi-annual bacchanalian sailing festival known as Block Island Race Week. Sailing from June 23rd to 29th, thousands of sailors migrate to the beautiful island five miles offshore of Rhode Island.  It’s a bit of a pilgrimage for many sailors, some are veterans of more than two dozen BIRW’s; it’s a time to reconnect with old friends, a time to relax and socialize with hundreds of other sailors, enjoy the camaraderie of a shared love for the water, for sailing and for celebrations.

The fleet of 125 boats has 57 J/Teams sailing, by far the dominant brand at the event with nearly half the fleet- 46.0% of the total. There are one-design fleets of J/88s, J/105s, and J/109s, plus teams sailing in ORC and PHRF handicap fleets.

There are a half-dozen J/88s with a number of top crews that should be in the hunt, such as Iris Vogel’s DEVIATION, Justin Scagnelli’s ALBONDIGAS, Laura Weyler’s HIJINKS, and Mike Bruno’s WINGS.

As the largest class in the event, the sixteen-boat J/105 Class has many top Eastern teams ready to do battle leading up to their J/105 North Americans later in the summer off Marblehead, MA. Bruce Stone, together with his wife Nicole Breault, co-own J/105 GOOD TRADE and will be seeking to defend their title as best in fleet and best overall performance at Block Island Race Week. The J/105s will be one of the most competitive fleets at Block Island, with top amateur teams like JINX (Bob Taylor is a past J/105 NA champion) and DEJA VOODOO (Bill Zartler from Texas has been J/105 Midwinters Champion). Then, top pro sailors that own and skipper their boats will certainly be near the top of the leaderboard; such as LOU LOU (sailmaker Paul Beaudin), SOLUTION (David Willis), and RAVEN (David Barron); the latter two own boat yards and their boats are super well-prepped.

J/109s have eight teams participating, such at Tom Sutton’s LEADING EDGE, Carl Olsson’s MORNING GLORY, Robert Schwartz’s NORDLYS, and Bill Sweetser’s RUSH.  These four boats, in particular, have all won major J/109 championships in one way or another.

The thirteen-boat PHRF 1 Class has seven J/crews; including five J/111s (Andrew & Sedge Ward’s BRAVO, Greg Slamowitz’s MANITOU, USMMA’s BLACK DIAMOND, Bill & Jackie Baxter’s FIREBALL, & Ken Comerford’s MONEYPENNY), Dan Heun’s J/122 MOXIEE, and Skip Young’s J/133 DRAGONFLY.

Racing in the eleven-boat PHRF 2 Class will be the new J/99 AGENT 99 skippered by Rod and Jeff Johnstone from Stonington, CT.

Not surprisingly, the fourteen-boat PHRF 3 Class will again see the famous battles from yesteryear between a number of very-well sailed J/29s. The protagonist? You guessed it.  The infamous HUSTLER sailed by John Esposito. The other three J/29s are Jack McGuire’s DIRTY HARRY, Steve Thurston’s MIGHTY PUFFIN, and John Cooper’s COOL BREEZE. Hoping to give them a challenge will be Sam Cushing’s J/80 THE PARTY TREE and John & Corinne Foster’s J/92 SALTIRE.

Six J/Teams are sailing in ORC 2 Class.  Those teams include four J/121s (Don Nicholson’s APOLLO, Greg & Sarah Manning’s SARAH, Joe Brito’s INCOGNITO, & Peter Lewis’ WHISTLER) and two J/122s (Paul Milo’s ORION and the Team family (Robin, Alston Colman) on TEAMWORK.

In the nine-boat Performance Cruising 1 Class are two J/120s (Charles Murphy’s TRUANT and Karen Harris’ CYGNI) and Brian Prinz’s J/125 SPECTRE. In the nine-boat Performance Cruising 2 Class are Richard Eytel’s J/95 THE GRIN and John Krediet’s J/97 PARTICIPANT II. While four J/29s will be doing battle in PHRF 3, two J/29s will be dueling in Performance Cruising 3 Class (Peter Hilgendorff’s MEDDLER and William Maher’s RIFT. Finally, in the PHRF Plus 1 Class, Eric Bicknese’s J/105 BIG E.Z. will be taking on a host of other short-handed teams.  For more STC Block Island Race Week sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/Fest Southwest Preview

(Houston, TX)- This year’s J/FEST Southwest Regatta will be taking place from October 12th to 14th, hosted by Lakewood YC on Clear Lake and on Galveston Bay.  J/Owners from across the spectrum are participating in PHRF handicap racing as well as in one-design classes for J/22s, J/24s, J/70s, and J/105s. Come one, come all, still not too late to head south and enjoy some fun in the Texas sun, great beer, and awesome TexMex food!

In the one-design world, the boats to watch include father/son combo Farley & Barrett Fontenot’s J/22 USA 707, Natalie Harden’s GIGGLES keeping the J/24 boys in check, Bill Draheim’s PONY and Jay Lutz’s ZOUNDS topping the J/70 pack, and Bill Lackenmacher’s RADIANCE brilliantly showing the path for the J/105 fleet.

The J/PHRF fleets in the Asym Class and Distance Class look a bit formidable. In the PHRF Asym group, JD Hill’s gorgeous J/122 SECOND STAR should lead the fleet around the track. Then, in PHRF Distance fleet, it’s anyone’s guess with a pair of J/29s, a J/95 and J/46 wondering what kind of “random-leg” track will determine the outcome of the race on Galveston Bay!

Since it was such a HUGE hit last year, the “LEGENDS RACE” will take place on Clear Lake, right in front of the club.  This year, it will be a fleet of J/22s with live commentary on-site and on Facebook Live off the patio of the “party-barge” called BARGE 295.  There will be five (5) video cameras recording the live action!

On Friday October 12th at 3:45 PM CST the broadcast for the Legends Race will go “live”.  It will be fun! Make sure to mark your calendar with a reminder to go to the You Tube link below at 3:45 pm CST and share it to your Facebook feeds!   https://youtu.be/PG2fhfwRFpk

IF you have any questions at all, please contact Scott Spurlin at mobile- 512-423-2179 or email- scott@jboatssouthwest.com.   Watch the J/FEST Southwest promo highlights video here. For more J/FEST Southwest sailing and registration information. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Sarasota J/95's Gathering Silverware!

(Sarasota, FL)-J/95 (hull no. 15) owned by Paul Eckel has won both the Bird Key Yacht Club and Sarasota Yacht Club first in class and first overall trophies. Continuing a string of victories, "Encore" sailed by Doug Fisher and Paul Eckel took home the Sarasota Bay Cup by finishing first in class and first overall racing in the Mote Marine Laboratory Regatta in April.

Last week the J/95 Encore finished first in class and first overall to take the Sarasota Yacht Club 2017 Invitational and is now inscribed on the perpetual trophies in both clubs. Thanks for this contribution from J/95 owner Al Agachinsky from Sarasota, FL. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Peninsula YC Boat Show- Discover Sailing a “J”!

(Lake Norman, NC)- Taking place this coming weekend from May 14th to 15th is the Peninsula YC In-Water Boat Show!  The local J/Dealer is hosting a Discover Sailing event in conjunction with the show!

Available for “discover sailing” demonstrations is a small J/Navy!  They have two J/88's, a J/95 and two J/70’s, with volunteers to take people out for a sail on beautiful Lake Norman!

For additional information, please contact John Killeen at ph# 704-236-8303/ email- jkilleen@carolina.rr.com.   For more PYC Boat Show information

Spectacular U.S. Sailboat Show Is Ready!

(Annapolis, MD)- Remember, the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis takes place this Columbus holiday weekend- October 8th to 12th.  The weather forecast for the next five days looks fabulous- in the 60s, sunny, light to moderate winds, and gales of “painkillers” for happy show-goers at the famous Pussers Bar & Grille.

The show is the largest in the USA for sailboats and on hand will be five very exciting models from the J design team.  Featured will be the popular J/70, the new J/88 Oceanvolt, the new J/97E, the new J/122E and the classic Chesapeake shallow-draft cruiser- the J/95.

Join North Point Yacht Sales and J/Boats as we host the famous “J/Party” on Friday evening at 6pm when the show closes.  All J/Sailors are invited to join us for refreshments and munchies and take a look at the recent additions to the J/Boats line.   For more U.S. Sailboat Show information

U.S. Sailboat Show In Annapolis This Week!

(Annapolis, MD)- While you may have a passing interest in what’s happening off the Bahamas this week (baby Hurricane Joaquin being hatched), it’s time to plan for the upcoming US Sailboat Show in Annapolis over the Columbus holiday weekend- October 8th to 12th.  The show is the largest in the USA for sailboats and on hand will be five very exciting models from the J design team.  Featured will be the popular J/70, the new J/88 Oceanvolt, the new J/97E, the new J/122E and the classic Chesapeake shallow-draft cruiser- the J/95.

As in year’s past, North Point Yacht Sales and J/Boats will be hosting their famous “J/Party” on Friday evening at 6pm when the show closes.  All J/Sailors are invited to join us for refreshments and munchies and take a look at the recent additions to the J/Boats line.

The three new models at the Newport Boat Show (J/88 Oceanvolt, J/97E, J/122E) were met with great enthusiasm by hundreds of passionate J sailors.  The styling of the new “Evolution” models was particularly captivating, with many people commenting on the bright, airy, spacious, Scandinavian-style interiors.  In addition, dozens of environmentally conscientious sailors were extremely enthusiastic about the first electric J with solar/ hydro regeneration capabilities- in fact, the first J in the world to offer the ability for dawn to dusk “solar sailing”!  Learn more about these (r)evolutionary boats down at the Annapolis docks soon!   For more U.S. Sailboat Show information

J/Cup Regatta Preview

(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- Big breeze is expected in the Solent over the weekend, providing high octane conditions for a bumper fleet of 67 yachts entered for the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in partnership with B&G. Starting Thursday, June 11th, three days of electric racing are scheduled on tight Solent courses. The Island Sailing Club, host for the event, is a hive of activity with competitors enjoying a welcome BBQ and plenty of banter about the regatta. Spectacular conditions are expected for the first day with a strong easterly breeze expected to provide exhilarating racing.

“The regatta is a great occasion for everybody to get together and enjoy close racing on the water and a party atmosphere ashore,” commented Key Yachting's Paul Heys. “Whilst J/Boats are in abundance at regattas all over the world, the J-Cup provides an opportunity to set courses that are ideal for fast planing asymmetric boats and a party atmosphere that suits the J/Boat family. It is really great to see so many owners supporting this regatta and I am sure they will be rewarded with excellent racing and great company. Over 500 sailors will enjoy this J/Boat family rendezvous with up 12 races scheduled for the three-day event. Daily prize givings and supper at the Island Sailing Club give competitors the opportunity to rub shoulders with old friends and meet a few new ones.”

Heys and the J-Cup organizers are also thrilled to announce that Italian clothing brand SLAM will once again support the J/Cup regatta. Selected by many of the world's top sailors and competitive racing teams, and a firm favorite with J Boats sailors, SLAM pride themselves on designing sailing gear that not only protects against the worst of the weather but, at the same time, allows for maximum comfort and freedom of movement.  Store manager Elena Antoniazzi said,  "We are honored to support the J-Cup event, and we are excited to welcome competitors into the store to take advantage of special discounts on their regatta orders. We specialize in sailing team gear and provide a very fast, competitive, and high quality embroidery service to our customers."  Their new website is- http://www.slam-cowes.co.uk.

The vast majority of the fleet will be racing in one-design classes, including a 19-strong fleet of fast, fun-loving J/70s. The fastest growing sportsboat class in the world will revel in the fresh breeze. In addition to class veterans like Simon Ling’s SPITFIRE TEAM RAF BENEVOLENT FUND, Ian Wilson’s GILL RACE TEAM and Simon Cavey’s JUST4PLAY, a number of J owners from the larger-sized classes have jumped into the fray to have a go at full-on planing in the blustery conditions. Some of those teams include Adam & Nick Munday’s J7T, Andrew Barraclough’s JENGA VIII, Mike Holmes’ JIKA, Jack Davies JUGADOR, Dave Mitchell’s JUMANJI, Jamie Arnell’s LITTLE LOUISE, and David McLeman’s OFFBEAT.

The new J/88 fleet will enjoy their first National Championship, sponsored by Fastnet Marine Insurance; eight of these one-design family speedsters will do battle for the title. These teams will have some experienced sailors like Paul Ward’s EAT SLEEP J REPEAT, Marie-Claude Heys’ JIFI and Richard Cooper’s JONGLEUR up against some very experienced offshore J crews.  Some of those teams include Kirsty Apthorp’s J-DREAM, Ivan Trotman’s JOJO and Jackie Dobson’s TEAM JERONIMO.

The J/97 National Championship will also be held during the regatta and the fleet is packed with talent.  It’s anyone’s guess which horse to ride for win-place-show, but in the mix should be Annie Kelly’s BLACKJACK, Rob Orr’s JACKAROO, Helen Hofmann’s JASLAN, Rick Sparrow’s ONLY MAGIC and Ole Bettum’s ALAMARA B III.

Sixteen J/109s will be racing for the Lifedge J/109 National Championship and the racing will be spirited and extremely competitive.  Most of the top teams are in attendance and hope to excel in the first day’s breezy conditions.  Amongst those that should be a factor overall are Roger Phillips’ DESIGNSTAR 2, Paul Griffiths’ JAGERBOMB, Ian Nagle’s JELLY BABY, Tony Dickin’s JUBILEE, Owain Franks’ JYNNAN TONNYX and William Edwards’ SARDONYX.

The high performance, turbo-charged, J/111 fleet will enjoy tight racing in the feisty conditions.  While several teams have already headed over from the UK for the J/111 Worlds in Newport, the balance of the teams will enjoy excellent sailing.  Look for Stu Sawyer’s BLACK DOG, Chris Body’s ICARUS, Cornell Riklin’s JITTERBUG and Louise Makin’s JOURNEYMAKER II to be in the hunt.  Joining them is a top Irish team, Stephen Schoelfield’s MUSTIGO II.

In addition to these one-design classes, J/92s, J/95s, J/122s, and a J/120 are sailing in IRC handicap classes.   Sailing photo credits- Tim Wright- Photoaction.com.    For more J/Cup Regatta sailing information- http://www.jcup.co.uk/

Antigua Sailing Week Update

 (English Harbour, Antigua)- The grand dame of all Caribbean sailing regattas is taking place this week off the gorgeous English Harbour on Antigua.  So far, the diminutive, but fun-loving fleet of 50 boats is enjoying fabulous sailing conditions, with steady tradewinds in the 10-20 kts from the easterly quadrants.

At this stage, in CSA 3 Racing we find that lying 2nd is Nigel Passmore’s J/133 APOLLO VII with a 1-3 and is tied for first with three boats.  5th is Jonathan Bamberger’s J/145c SPITFIRE from Canada.  CSA 5 Racing shows that Martin Kennedy’s J/120 SUNSET CHILD is currently in 9th and hoping for more wind!

Over on CSA 6 Racing is Robbie Ferron’s J/39 OSSENFEFFER from Roadtown, Tortola, British Virgin Islands in 3rd and in 6th is David Cullen’s J/109 POCKET ROCKET with his Irish team.  Then, in CSA 8 Racing is the perennial Antiguan contender for class honors, Tanner Jones’ J/30 BLUE PETER sitting on 5th place.  In the same class, the St Thomas, US Virgin Island crew aboard the J/95 SHAMROCK VII, skippered by Matt Dana, are lying 10th.

Watch this space next week to see how these J/Teams survived Antigua Sailing week and all those amazing reggae bands!  For more Antigua Race Week sailing information & results

Les Voiles de St Barth Preview

(Gustavia, St Barthelemy)- Les Voiles de Saint Barth celebrates its 6th edition, April 13-18 2015, with a record fleet of eighty-one boats registered.  Created in 2010 by two old friends, François Tolède, organizing director, and Luc Poupon, race director, the first year of the regatta comprised 27 boats.  With its simple and straightforward goal of “competition on the water and conviviality on the shore,” Les Voiles de Saint Barth has continued to attract sailors from around the world, growing from that original of boats to an event that will have nearly a 1,000 sailors from 20+ countries sailing in the five-day competition.  All set against the magnificent backdrop of the island of Saint Barthelemy in a festive, friendly atmosphere.

LVSB has become one of the more important events on the Caribbean sailing circuit, mixing good-vibes racing with stylish shore-side pursuits on the delightfully small yet enormously sophisticated French island of Saint-Barthelemy (aka St. Barth).

“With lots of cooperation from many, many people we have been able to exhibit that St. Barths is a valid destination for serious race teams,” said Competition Manager Annelisa Gee, noting that seven 40-foot team containers are being accommodated this year. “That's huge, because it means logistics of getting boats and equipment here are getting better with each edition. Bigger and better – that’s the common theme each year, whether it's referring to the number and quality of boats that come, the amenities and on-shore events for the teams, or adding – in the case of this year – an offshore racing option to the tried-and-true tactical inshore race courses that everyone likes so much.”

Joining the fleet are several fun-loving, well-sailed J/Teams from around the world.  In Spinnaker A division will be a slew of fast 40-footers, including the J/125 HAMACHI skippered by Greg Slyngstad from Seattle, Washington and recent winner of the Heineken St Maarten Regatta 2015 several weeks earlier.  Hoping to match them will be Rick Wesslund’s famous team from Miami, Florida racing their J/122 EL OCASO with the eye-popping electric blue and shades of orange graphics.

In the Spinnaker B division, last year’s top dog was the J/111 J-BOSS sailed by Eddy Chalono from Martinique; hoping to improve even more on their outstanding performance in 2014’s edition.  They will be challenged by a cadre of J’s that include the J/120 SUNSET CHILD sailed by Christian Reynolds, the J/109 POCKET ROCKET helmed by David Cullen from Ireland, another J/109- VOILES A FEMININE- with Sophie Olivaud skippering an all-women team from St Barths, and the J/95 SHAMROCK steered by Matt Dana from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

On Monday evening, the famous “Ma Family Trio” from the Savoy region of France (singer Emily Collomb Malgrand; her brother Maxime Collomb- guitarist/ bassist; and her husband Fabien Malgrand- guitarist/ percussionist) will be performing on Gustavia Harbor at the “regatta HQ” stage.  Their repertory is elegant, dynamic, and romantic with pop, jazz, soul, and groove influences- - - an intelligent mix of generosity, talent, humor, charm, complicity, and simplicity.  Listen to one of their latest tracks here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwaQWOcL7kk   For more Les Voiles de St Barth sailing information

Annapolis Boat Show Update

(Annapolis, MD)- Be sure to mark your calendars to visit this year’s US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland and take a peek at all the latest offerings from J/Boats and talk to J/Sailors that have been enjoying their boats all summer.  The show is open from Thursday, October 9th to Monday, October 13th.

The J/Boats in-water location is, again, in the traditional place at Docks #S19-S22 in front of the Marriott Hotel/ Pusser’s Bar.

In addition to the J/70, J/88, J/95 and J/111 on display, there will be the exciting family cruiser-racer, the J/97 available for viewing (seen here in this photo).

Finally, on Friday, October 10th, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, please join North Point Yacht Sales for their famous J/Boat Owner’s Party at the J/Boats display on Dock S!
For more US Sailboat Show information and tickets.

Annapolis Boat Show Preview

(Annapolis, MD)- With fall now officially upon us, having just passed the Autumnal Equinox on Tuesday, it’s high time to get your ducks in a row with family and friends and march on down to the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, running from October 9th to 13th along the downtown City Docks.

There will an exciting range of J’s on display at the traditional J/Boats location directly facing the Marriot Hotel & Pusser’s Rum Bar.  Featured will be the International J/70 One-design, the world’s fastest growing sportboat and keelboat class ever since the famous J/24! Learn more about the fun-times everyone had at the J/70 World Championship in Newport from many of the world’s top sailmakers that will be on-hand from North Sails, Quantum Sails, Doyle Sails and Ullman Sails, to name a few.

The “big brother” to the J/70 is the J/88 family speedster.  And, this boat is proving to be a rocketship, having sailed major events on virtually every coast (West, Gulf, Great Lakes, Chesapeake and East Coasts) and won or placed in various major offshore events.  Easy-to-handle by a family crew, goes like the greased lightning off-the-wind, stiff, stable and with a comfy weekending interior, it’s an awfully hard combination to beat. Plus, the simple “single-point lift” on a standard yacht club hoist (and simple, hinge-up ultra-light carbon mast) means you can trailer behind a mid-size SUV anywhere in the world.  In fact, Rich Stearns from Chicago calls it “my perfect boat!”  Find out more from Rich why he thinks so at the Annapolis Show.

Next in line is the J/95, the quintessential all-around shoal-draft, performance cruising boat.  Perhaps one of the most versatile boats to ever come out of the J/Design office, the J/95 draws just “waist-deep” water, only 3.25 feet, enabling sailors to daysail/ cruise anywhere in Florida, the Bahamas, the Chesapeake or shoal bays in Maine or lakes in the Midwest!  Plus, it’s perhaps one of the most amazing “camper/ cruisers” you can buy!  Throw it behind a truck and take it anywhere for your vacation needs— a portable “caravan” that can sail anywhere with that legendary J/Performance!  Imagine this, sail all of America’s most awesome lakes, at least one per state. That’s the challenge, anyone ready to take it?

Having just experienced the inaugural J/111 World Championship in Cowes, England, the J/111 class continues to experience solid class growth in some of the world’s hot spots for offshore and buoy racing.  With growing fleets in Europe (UK, France, Benelux) and in the Americas (the Great Lakes, San Francisco/ West Coast, Northeast (Chesapeake to Boston)) and an upcoming 2015 J/111 Worlds in Newport, RI from June 17-21, interest is high for both one-design and offshore racing.  In fact, J/111s are expecting a one-design class start at Quantum Key West Race Week this coming January 2015!   For more US Sailboat Show information.

J/95 Sailing Bahamas Flats Fast!

(Hopetown, Abacos, Bahamas)- not too long ago, J/Dealer Craig Crossley commissioned J/95 #34 for new owners Bob & Janet Knaus who live in the Abacos, Bahamas.  Said Crossley, “When we commissioned GRUMPY TOO at Stanley's in Barrington, Rhode Island, Bob and his son Peter joined Mark Ploch and me for the first sea trials and rig tune on Narragansett Bay. We then arranged trucking to West Palm Beach, Florida and did a re-commissioning so Peter could sail the boat over to the Bahamas islands. It is hard to imagine a more “perfect” owner with his “perfect” boat.

Bob & Janet’s commentary follows: “Here’s an update on GRUMPY TOO in case you’d like to share with friends in the ‘J-World’.

We have enjoyed spending winters in this lovely spot since 1985. The weather is mild, and the water clear, warm and the most spectacular color of blue-green. The long chain of out-islands serves our waters beautifully, protecting us from the wind and waves of the Atlantic.

It is here we initially came with our cruising boats. Before long we built a house, and started spending our winters here, accumulating smaller boats along the way.

We enjoyed sailing and racing our J/80, GRUMPY OLE MEN, from 1997 until last year, when she was replaced with our new J/95, GRUMPY TOO.

What a perfect solution! No more bumping off the bottom and avoiding great sailing spots, and no compromise in racing performance. She is extremely well balanced, and a dream to sail.

We are members of the Hopetown Sailing Club, which this year celebrated its 50th anniversary.  During this past winter season, the club sponsored eight well organized non-spinnaker club races. Handicaps are determined by a combination of PHRF and Portsmouth, and then performance adjusted. The fleet averages a dozen and a half boats.  Good wind and weather allowed for all scheduled races and a lot of smiling faces.

As scratch boat in a fleet with boats as large as 45 ft, GRUMPY TOO was on her game, as she collected 4 of 7 first place trophies, and was hands down winner of the ‘Boat of the Year’ at Hopetown Sailing Club.”  For any J/cruisers that make their way down towards Hopetown, AbacosBeer-can, Bahamas, you know where to find some kindred spirits!

J/122 EL OCASO St Maarten Heineken Champions!

J/125 STARK RAVING MAD Tops CSA 3
(Simpson Bay, St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles)- Under beautiful blue skies and with an ideal 15-18 knot ESE breeze coursing across the waters along the southern shore of St. Maarten, 50 spinnaker-division boats in five classes set sail today in the 2014 Gill Commodore’s Cup.

Sponsored by Gill North America, the manufacturer of top sailing gear and the regatta’s official technical gear provider, the Gill Commodore’s Cup serves as the tune-up series to the 34th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

With the solid wind pressure kicking up a bouncy seaway, racing conditions were decidedly sporty and there was a wide range of skill and prowess displayed across the racecourse. For some crews, especially those shaking off the rust after a season’s break from racing, spinnaker sets and douses were spectacular adventures.

In the first of the day’s two races – the race committee set up traditional windward-leeward courses south of Simpson Bay and Little Bay – one of the boats, the J/105 WHISTLER, went flying past the first downwind mark as their crews struggled to tame their kites. But they were just one of many competitors who were more than happy that the Gill Commodore’s Cup was also a warm-up and practice day for the three-day main event.

In Gill 2, Jim Madden and his fellow Californians aboard the J/125 STARK RAVING MAD IV (SRM IV), performed a pair of faultless starts, and in both contests Madden’s mad-men led their 10-boat division around the racecourse on elapsed time. But once the handicaps were applied, the “mad-men” were in third.

In Gill 3, another veteran of both the Gill Commodore’s Cup and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta – Rick Wesslund, skipper of the J/122 EL OCASO – proved that he’s still a force to be reckoned with, sweeping the class easily with a pair of bullets.

It was a very strong day for the J/Boats in the fleet, and that trend continued in Gill 4, where Robert Armstrong’s J/100 BAD GIRL was the winner with firsts in both races. And second in Gill 4 was yet another “J”, Jordan Mindich’s J/105 SOLSTICE.

After the Gill Commodore’s Cup, the 34th annual running of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta got off to a magnificent start with the traditional opening-day round-the-island race.  In sweet easterly tradewinds hovering in the 14-18 knot range, with gusts in the low 20s, the race committees on two racing circles sent the majority of the fleet on a clockwise spin around St. Maarten.

The top monohulls and multihulls sailed an extended course of 32 nautical miles with an extra leg around Tintamarre on St. Maarten’s northeast coast. Most of the other classes raced slightly abbreviated courses with a mark set inside of Tintamarre.  Several competitors who scored highly in that pre-regatta series proved that their earlier performance was no fluke, and they did indeed represent the cream rising to the top.  That was the case in CSA-3, where Jim Madden’s J/125 SRM IV was Friday’s winner and also in CSA-4 won by Wesslund’s J/122 EL OCASO.

Saturday’s sailing brought a lot more drama.  Superb sailing, point-to-point distance racing, classic round-the-buoys windward/leeward courses, perfect spinnaker sets, botched spinnaker douses, and even a busted halyard that ended the racing for one of the event’s largest yachts just moments after it began: It was a wild day. And, when all was said and done, 211 boats that began racing this morning off Simpson Bay, on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, concluded a full day of action in Marigot, on the French shores. There was something for everyone on Day 2 of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

After the first four Class A divisions were underway, Campbell James set up a traditional windward/leeward course for CSA classes 3-9, respectively. Afterwards, these same divisions sailed a second point-to-point distance race to Marigot along St. Maarten’s southern flank.

In the first of the two races, the spray was flying and there was plenty of drama when the boats came screaming down to the first leeward mark under spinnakers. Indeed, there were plenty of opportunities for gains and losses at each of the tight mark roundings. In CSA-3, Madden’s SRM IV, flying a gigantic asymmetric kite off a long bowsprit, put on a sailing clinic with what’s known as a “horizon job” on her competitors, who were far behind and literally nowhere in sight.

In CSA-4, Wesslund’s EL OCASO consolidated her strong lead with a first and second, leaving them all alone atop the class leader board.

In one of the closest and most dramatic final day in the long history of the Caribbean’s biggest annual regatta,  division winners were determined by mere seconds.  In so many diverse ways the championship teams represented a wide cross-section of international sailors who saved their very best for the last day of racing. And what a day it proved to be.

At the outset of the last day of competition, the final results, and potential victors, in nearly a dozen individual classes were too close to call. “This is the tightest bloody regatta I’ve ever seen,” said official scorer Paul Miller. “There are about 11 classes that are wide open. It’s anybody’s guess who will end up on the podium. That never happens.”  Except, of course, on those great days of sailboat racing when it does.

For a day with so much riding on the event’s last race, it proved to be an especially challenging one for the race committee as well as the racers. After two days of solid breeze and outstanding sailing conditions, Sunday dawned with gentle, shifty and patchy winds of 6-8 knots or less, accompanied by cloudy, squally skies. It would be a day that rewarded light-air sailing skills and the ability to find wind and capitalize on the persistent shifts.

The CSA Class 3-7 fleets sailed a slightly abbreviated 21nm race.  As they rounded “Blowing Rocks”, an especially challenging time this year, everyone was treated to a picturesque run under colorful spinnakers down the Anguilla Channel in good breeze.  Then, the proverbial air escaped from the balloon once the boats were around the rocky reef. The last few miles back to Simpson Bay, often in breeze of three knots or less, proved to be difficult ones.

In CSA-2, Californian Jim Madden’s team on his J/125 SRM IV launched into an early series lead and took care of business in the final race, winning both the day’s contest and the top spot in CSA-2 with a 1-1-2-1 record.

For the CSA-4 fleet, the largest and most competitive fleet in the regatta, with boats like Robert Armstrong’s J/100 BAD GIRL and Wesslund’s J/122 EL OCASO, there were no guarantees on the outcome going into the last race.  Ultimately, BAD GIRL won Sunday’s race, but EL OCASO’s third was enough to ensure the CSA-4 win with a 1-1-2-3 record, just two points ahead of BAD GIRL with a 2-2-4-1 tally.  Peter Lewis’s J/105 WHISTLER sailed a terrific regatta to grab 6th overall with a 7-5-3-15.  Sadly, Peter’s team had a shot at the top five and “punted” on the last day.

At the traditional Prize-Giving ceremony on Kim Sha Beach, the evening's top prize for the regatta's “Most Worthy Performance Overall”- the St. Maarten- St Martin Cup- went to Wesslund's J/122 EL OCASO, the winner of the event's biggest division, the 18-boat CSA-4 class.

EL OCASO’s crew, resplendent in blue Hawaiian shirts, received their prize from St. Maarten's Honourable Prime Minister Ms. Sarah Westcott-Williams, who was gracious in her remarks honoring Wesslund and his team, while also recognizing the hundreds of international sailors who'd descended on the island for the Caribbean's largest regatta. It was the second time Wesslund's Florida-based squad was the “Most Worthy” of them all.  Other big winners included Armstrong’s team on the J/100 BAD GIRL, winning the Xerox Obersi Cup for “Spirit and Style.”  For a great overview of the event, style, fun, take a peak at PIGEON VISION’s “sailing video” taken with a toy-like drone.  For more St Maarten Heineken Regatta sailing information

St Maarten Heineken Regatta Jump-UP!

(St Maarten, Netherlands Antilles)- Have you ever considered going to an event in the Caribbean that plays host to more than 29 countries and 207 sailing teams?  What could be better than racing in the tropical sun with crystal clear water and ice-cold Heinekens?  “Naw-ting”, as they say, Mon!  Apparently, many heed the call and make an annual migration to this amazing event, fondly called “THE Heineken” by those “in-the-know”, for some truly “Serious Fun”!  The parties are O.T.T. (Over The Top), the Fashion Show is awesome and the music is all top-shelf entertainers from across the Caribbean.

While there may not be a dedicated "United Nations of Sailing," the next best thing is happening- the Heineken Regatta, taking place from March 6th to 9th in the waters off St. Maarten.  It’s truly an international affair with sailors competing from every cardinal point of the compass.  Boats will be flying the flags from at least 29 nations, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, France, Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Uruguay, Ukraine, Poland and the United States.  And that's not even counting the talented sailors from the Caribbean, with entries from Antigua, Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, St. Maarten, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgins and British Virgins, among the many island nations represented.

To kick off the action on Thursday March 6th, over 40 boats will sail in the Gill Commodore's Cup, the traditional warm-up series sponsored by Gill, the regatta's official technical apparel supplier. Then, on March 7, the main event - the three-day St. Maarten Heineken Regatta - will commence.

"Racing on the waters of St. Maarten in early March...what's not to love about that?" said David Pritchard of Gill North America, the sponsor of the event. "Gill NA is proud to once again sponsor the Gill Commodore's Cup, please stop by the Gill booth or visit our retail partner, Budget Marine, and check out our groovy Gill sailing gear.”

The J/Clan will be well-represented in the CSA Racing/ Cruising fleets.  Taking on the nine boat CSA 3 class is Jim Madden’s beautiful french-blue colored J/125 STARK RAVING MAD.  Madden’s California-based team are fresh off sailing a highly competitive Quantum Key West Race Week at the end of January, they will surely be pumped-up to have fun and grab some silverware!

The CSA 4 class has seventeen entries and half the division are all J/Crews!  Returning with a brand “new” EL OCASO is Rick Wesslund’s team from Miami, FL.  Sporting a hot “NASCAR-style” paint job to go with their hot J/122, Wesslund’s gang are commencing their assault on the Caribbean Circuit once again and hope to achieve similar results as they have in the past (two years ago they won class in several regattas and overall honors!).  Giving them stiff competition will be several duo’s of J/120s, J/109s, J/105s and a J/100.  A Guadaloupan team will be on one of the J/120s and the other will be Larry Eikel sailing JAGUAR.  Amongst the J/109s, the only all-women crew in the regatta will be Sophie Olivaud’s famous J/109 ALBACOR IV from St Barths (she recently sailed the RORC 600 race, too).  She will be taking on David Cullen’s Grenadine team on POCKET ROCKET.  One of the tougher battles will surely be amongst the two J/105s as both are sailed by veteran crews with hundreds of races under their collective belts.  Jordan Mindich from New York will be sailing SOLSTICE and Peter Lewis from Barbados is skippering WHISTLER.  As if you thought those J teams had enough competition on their hands already, toss in another Key West Race Week and Caribbean Circuit winner, Robert Armstrong’s famous red rocket ship, the J/100 BAD GIRL from Christiansted, St Croix USVI.  Watch this space!  It will be a donnybrook all weekend long!

Back for their 5th time in their J/95 is Tom Mullen’s SHAMROCK VII from the U.S.A, sailing in CSA 7 division with a dozen boats.  A veteran of the Caribbean circuit over the years, Mullen’s SHAMROCK VII crew have managed to place on the podium well over a dozen times in the various regattas, garnering at least their fair share of silverware.  It’s an amazing record for the J/95 considering she was designed to be just a “shoal-draft performance cruiser”!  Apparently, she loves “cruising fast” for silver, too!

Rounding out the J/Teams is the always-popular crew that sail on the famous J/30 BLUE PETER, skippered by Tanner Jones.  Like some of their colleagues, Jones and crew have managed to walk away from the awards at several Caribbean events with a load of goodies for the “pickle-dish shelf” at home.

The all-important social festivities schedule starts on Thursday March 6 with the “Dance Fever” party. Christine Gordon will take the main stage at the “Princess Port de Plaisance” and keep the crowds dancing non-stop.  Joined by her band "The OverSoul", Christine will give everyone a lesson in the history of “the groove”.  Evening festivities then continue on Friday March 7th with “Rock and Reggae”, on Saturday March 8th is “Caribbean Jam” night; and the grand finale is the “Legendary Partaayy” on “Kim Sha Beach” Sunday March 9th!

In addition to the party and awards on Sunday, there will be a showing of the 7-time award-winning documentary- “Children of the Wind”- at 1600 hrs on Kim Sha Beach— everyone is welcome!  Co-creator and director Daphne Schmon explains, "this moving film follows two brothers and a cousin's journey from humble fishing families on the tiny Caribbean island of Bonaire to become three of the best extreme free-style windsurfers in history. Set against the backdrop of the 2011 Windsurfing World Cup on Bonaire, the film follows the boys over fifteen years as they transform not only their island but the face of the sport worldwide.  The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta hopes to inspire and motivate the Caribbean community, showing them that there are no limits for children, or those young at heart, living in the islands, regardless of financial status, or location.  There is always a way to achieve something great! This movie will teach them about perseverance, determination and motivation! A must see for the entire family!” Learn more about it here at: http://www.childrenofthewindmovie.com   Or, on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/childrenofthewindmovie
For more St Maarten Heineken Regatta sailing information

J/95 Sailing Punta Gorda Sound's Shallow Waters!

(Punta Gorda, FL)- A J/95 is sailing Florida’s expansive, shallow cruising destinations and having a wonderful time all winter long.  We recently got a report from an avid J sailor, Bob Knowles, who happens to have his J/95 parked right off the dock on his waterfront home, ready to go sailing at a moments notice.

“Thought I would send in a note about my first adventure with our J/95. Having been a J/80 guy since late 1993 (sailing J/80 #52), I have had my eye on the J/95 for our winter sailing in southwest Florida for quite some time.  The shallow draft with performance idea stuck in my mind so I finally purchased J/95 #18 STILL CRAZY from its original owner and have it here at our winter home in Punta Gorda, Florida.

We might be the first J/Boat to ever tie up at one of the shallow water cottage docks on Cabbage Key, a beautiful get away spot in southwest Florida purported to be where Jimmy Buffet penned “Cheeseburger in Paradise”. We are hoping to visit many more of these great shallow water places from Tampa Bay on down to Key West with our J/95. No need for anchoring and the dinghy ride in. With this boat we pull up to the docks along with the power boats!

We’re planning to race the boat in local and regional PHRF events and also do some weekend trips.  We can’t wait!”