Beautiful J/Models for Home or Office

(San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic)- Celebrating their 20th anniversary, Denis Cartier’s model-making business-  Abordage.com- has produced a number of gorgeous J/models, ranging from the J/22, J/24, J/70, J/80 up to the J/109, J/122 and J/44.

With their great devotion to both the sea and sailing, Abordage has been proudly producing beautifully handcrafted ship models, either classic or modern ships, since the Company’s inception in 1989.

From their well-established boat yard in the Dominican Republic, the highly skilled team of craftsmen works with only the finest of materials and produces every ship model in minute detail and with innovative perfection.  If you have an interest in these remarkably affordable models of your boat, please visit- http://www.abordage.com.   For J/Model examples, please take a look at some of the stunning detail here.

How to Make a Sailboat "Whirlygig"

(Cambridge, MD)- Last week we highlighted a fun "winter project" making a J/100 wind-driven "whirligig".  The owner of the J/100 AURA- Bob Gallagher- passed along to us the "recipe" on how to make it for those who wish to duplicate it for their own boats or make them as gifts for family and friends.  Here's Bob's commentary:

"The secret is a turntable bearing for a "Lazy Susan" that I bought at Lowe's for $7.50. It provides a stable low friction platform for the arms of the whirligig to connect to.  Also, I used the drawing of the J/100 from your website to make scale models of the boats.

I took the video at our vacation home here in Cambridge, Maryland. Cambridge is on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay across the Bay Bridge and about one hour south of Annapolis. The sailing here is great.

I am a member of the Eastern Shore Sailing Association. We do Wednesday night races and special distance races on Saturdays throughout Summer and Fall. I've single-handed my boat to Annapolis and to Solomon's Island from Cambridge. Both sails are about 40 miles.  I've always felt safe sailing the J/100 even when the wind starts blowing hard and the seas kick up.

My J/100 is hull# 91. It was originally a dark gelcoat which I spruced up about three years ago with an Awlgrip finish -- it's a head turner!  Here's a photo of us sailing in the waters off Cambridge area during a Wednesday night race."  Best, Bob

J/22 Micro-scale Models!

* J/22 Scale Model Size of a Quarter?  Amazing.  It's beyond comprehension how artist/ modelers can do the proverbial "ship-in-the-bottle" and have it come out looking so cool and in such detail.  Nevertheless, artist/ modeler Ric Skinner managed to do this for a J/22 with next to no information, other than pictures and drawings found around the Internet.  Said Ric, "Your readers may be interested in this. For my son’s 30th birthday I scratch-built (no plans, no kit) a 1:176 scale model of J/22 #1078. I used what J/22 photos I could find on the Internet, a couple very basic profile and deck plan views. I would like to make another J/22 at a larger scale with more detail.  My son Greg recently purchased J/22 #1078 with 2 other guys. They’ve been racing in the J/World Annapolis Thursday night races. I’m not a sailor, but have a keen interest in the sport. My hobby is normally building 18th & 19th century wooden ships & boats."  So, for any of you J/22 sailors who want a fun, quick easy model of your boat as a Christmas tree ornament, or perhaps a more formal version, please don't hesitate to contact Ric Skinner on email.

J/22 Art-quality Fine Prints

(Newport, RI)- WG Sofrin Fine Prints is pleased to announce the introduction of a customizable J/22 combination sail-lines plan print. This print was developed in conjunction with the J/Boats design team using the original design data from Rodney Johnstone. This soon to be classic keepsake is perfect for any office, home, or club. The print is produced using the archival inks on acid free select print stock.

WG Sofrin Fine Prints specializes in offering a customizable print service. Originally Sofrin entered the fine print industry through a project he developed with MIT. Presently Sofrin's work is collected around the globe, and his original work can be viewed upon appointment at the MIT Museum.  Please contact will@willsofrin.com with any questions or to request the custom order form.   

J Scale Models from SeaCraft Classics

* For a gorgeous, highly detailed model of your J, you might consider contacting Howard Leonard at SeaCraft Classics.  He recently built a spectacular J/44 model of BEAGLE for the owner Dr. Gutin.  Pictured here is the J/44 model, apparently Howard's done a few others of various sizes and shapes in the J model range.  If you want to contact him, you can reach him at-  Howard Leonard, SeaCraft Classics, Port Hadlock, WA- howard@seacraftclassics.com  or ph# 800-356-1987 or find him on his website at http://www.seacraftclassics.com