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!”

Happy J/95 Owners Sailing Lakes!

(Lake Champlain, Vermont)- They're having a ball sailing in Switzerland, Lake Champlain, Barnegat Bay, Naples and eastern United Kingdom!  Recently, we got a nice note from a passionate J/95 owner on Lake Champlain in northern Vermont-- a spectacular body of water that goes for a million miles north and south and forms the border between upper New York state and the long, tall skinny state of Vermont. The sailing is awesome and the vistas of lush New England foliage and the mountainous valleys on either side can be breathtaking.  It's truly one of those gems hidden in the American northeast that few in the sailing world ever joy to its fullest.

Meanwhile, for a bunch of local sailors, they have this giant lake all to themselves on incredibly spectacular days!  One of them happens to be Dana Bolton, a proud new owner of a J/95 called SWISH based in Charlotte, Vermont.  Said Dana, "note-  here is a happy J/95 owner picture.  This was last Tuesday on Lake Champlain.  Winds were 15-25 kts.  With a reefed main and 105 jib, we got the speedo up to 10.5 knots on a broad reach.  On Wednesday, with similar winds, we got her up to 11.9 knots with the A4 spinnaker in 20-25 knots (with only 2 of us on board).  I am on the mainsheet in this photo (with the huge smile!).  My friend Simon from London (a very good dinghy sailor) is on the wheel.

I retired in June after 26 years of lawyering in NYC and bought J/95 #26 ("Swish") as a retirement gift for myself.  I grew up sailing on the shallow waters of Great South Bay of Long Island and was intrigued with the J/95 as a shoal draft performance boat.  I sail Swish on Lake Champlain in Vermont, were shoal draft is not required, but I fell in love with the cockpit and sweet looks of the J/95 (I don't sleep on boats and wanted a cockpit with seats that works well for both sailing/racing and non-sailing friends).  I also do a lot of single-handing, and the wheel with a simple wheel auto pilot makes that very easy.  That said, the boat tracks so well that I only use the auto pilot when under power to stow dock lines/fenders and raise and lower sails, and when sailing down wind to forward and set the spinnaker.

I entered some casual races this season with mixed but improving results as I got to know the boat and Lake better, made local sailing friends and got them out on Swish, and revived my sailing skills.  The season is nearly over and I can't wait to enter more races next year!"

Happy Days Sailing J/95s on Barnegat Bay

(Barnegat Bay, New Jersey)- Since their introduction in 2009, J/95s are past the three-dozen mark produced and sailing worldwide.  They've gained  a whole new class of passionate sailors around the world who love them for their remarkable versatility and extraordinary performance in shoal-draft mode (3.5 feet) with centerboard up.  Whether sailing in exotic locations such as the spectacular mountain lakes in the Swiss Alps, gliding across the shallow bays and inlets of Florida's western "Sun Coast", dashing around the riverbeds and shallows off the eastern shores of midland England, or simply enjoying a summer breeze darting around the shoals on wonderful Barnegat Bay, the J/95 is providing its owners a tremendous amount of fun with families and friends in areas that were simply inaccessible with deep-keel offshore sailboats.

One of those J/95 enthusiasts, Dr. Richard Eytel, has been sailing his J/95 on Barnegat Bay and passed along to  designer Rod J some of the reasons why he loves his boat so much!  "Dear Rod, I just want to tell you how much I enjoy the J/95. It is a perfect boat for the shallows of Barnegat Bay. Races great, day sails great, and has the potential to do overnighters. In addition it seems to be able to compete against deeper draft in other venues.

My crew is especially receptive to the large deck and room. Having only raced PHRF with cruising boats, the deck room on this boat has no comparison. With the average age of our crew being close to 60 and not exactly in great shape. I think this boat has extended our racing for another decade or more. The excitement is back. We were able to stay competitive with other J/95s with crews half our age. Don't get me wrong, I too wish we were half our age.

Day sailing is a pleasure. I can single hand it, take out other inexperienced friends or relatives and everyone feels comfortable.

I am a firm believer of purchasing a boat as to how you are going to use it, and the J/95 does it all well.

There are now five J/95s on Barnegat Bay, of which three race. Having only raced PHRF, I find the one design aspect of the racing thrilling. We have had races where the lead changed hands 3-4 times. I can only hope you will continue to promote the boat as I would love to see the fleet grow. We brought two J/95s to Atlantic City Race Week on a Thursday in a 20-30+ kt Northeaster. We even had fun doing that!"

Richard then goes on to say, "I would also like to offer my assistance in making the fleet grow here in New Jersey, and elsewhere. I hope to see a large one design start someday at more regattas. Tri-Sail was a blast; hopefully it was just a taste of what is to come. I honestly think J Boats and the J/95 has only scratched the surface of the market for this boat in New Jersey and elsewhere."  Sincerely, Richard- THE GRIN.   For more J/95 shoal-performance sailboat information

J/70s Sailing Across America!

Long Island Sound, "The Gorge", Sarasota & Texas
(Newport, RI)- Recently, J/70s have been delivered to their happy customers in some great sailing areas around America.  Dozens of new J/70 sailors are hopping aboard and fleets continue to sprout like kudzu weeds in even the remotest parts of the Midwest.  Sailors young and old alike, girls and boys, Mom's and Dad's are discovering the joy of having a fun, easy-to-handle boat that can be towed by the family car, ramp-launched just about anywhere, and can handle just about any weather condition Mother Nature can throw at them.

Just ask the J/70 crews on the infamous "Gorge", that remarkable body of water with a natural "wind tunnel" on the Columbia River east of Portland, Oregon that is the favorite of the world's best kite-boarders and board-sailors.  A current sweeping you upwind at 1.5 knots plus a sunny afternoon westerly breeze of 20-25 knots is a "normal" day.  The J/70 sailors are lovin'it! SAIL NORTHWEST's customer Scott Sutherland is having a ball flying around the Gorge.

Meanwhile, CROSSCURRENT MARINE proudly took possession of J/70 #10. Craig Crossley had this to report, "The 1,400 mile trip from Bristol, RI to Sarasota was a snap with the brand new Triad trailer doing a stellar job of transporting our new J in style and safety. Transporting in keel-up mode provides a very low distribution of weight and the trailer support points were perfectly laid out to cradle the boat properly.

The arrival at Sarasota Sailing Squadron this Friday created quite a buzz with numerous sea-trials going on. The consistent feedback is she's a great sailing platform -- easy, stable, quick and responsive.  With the annual BIKINI CUP Regatta being held today, Squadron Board Officer Michelle Lee grabbed a few of her friends and got the J/70 out sailing with the gals for a great day of racing on Sarasota Bay!"

What are you waiting for?  Get on down to your local J/Dealer and hop aboard a J/70 for one of the most enjoyable sailing experiences you've ever had.  A gentle five kts breeze and flat water or nuking at 25 kts and blowing dogs off chains, it will be hard to wipe that "cheshire cat grin" off your face.  We promise.  For more J/70 sailing information

J/95 Cruising Re-Evolution

(Eastern United Kingdom)- In 2009, the J/95 was the first of the revolutionary shoal-performance J's introduced in perhaps one of the most difficult economic times ever faced by the Americas, Europe and other parts of the world.  Nevertheless, this sparkling performer confounded everyone.  While being the first J to ever win the coveted "Triple-Crown" of sailing- "best boat" in short for CRUISING WORLD, SAILING WORLD and SAIL Magazines, it was seen as a radical departure for the brand.  Could it really work?  Twin rudders, lifting centerboard within a shoal-draft lead keel, huge wheel in an open T-shaped cockpit?  Even more radical, a carbon mast option that permitted owners to deck-step the rig, go under low-bridges and even trailer-sailor the boat to any lake, bay or ocean you wished?  Perhaps it was an inspiration worthy of the amazing travels of a certain globe-girdling yachtsman like Irving Johnson and his remarkable ketch YANKEE with its striped sails and mainmast/mizzenmast that could be lowered to go just about anywhere-- remember those days dreaming wistfully about how we might join Irving on his magical ketch as it was chronicled in National Geographic Magazine traveling to the most intriguing and challenging sailing spots around the world?

Today, with over thirty boats sold around the world, some stories told by J/95's passionate advocates are becoming legion.  With nine boats in Europe (UK, Switzerland, Germany), one in the Caribbean and thirteen in the USA (of note- 4 in Barnegat Bay/Jersey Shore and 4 in Naples/Sarasota) it is fair to say the J/95 has confounded virtually all of its critics and, more importantly, gained some very enthusiastic followers- owners, families and crew alike.

One of these sailors happens to be Frank and Carol Curtis who took delivery of their beautiful black J/95 JUST IS in April 2011. Frank is based on the East Coast UK, where it's shallow and tidal and so we asked him whether he had the boat lying on the mud with the board up. He explained that they've not done that so far, but he did say the lifting board is a huge advantage on deliveries. On their trip from Burnham to Ramsgate (for Ramsgate Week regatta) they were able to shave off a big 'corner' of the trip by going into shallow draft mode and so arrived two hours ahead of the other boats that left ahead of them.  Frank and Carol also won their class at Ramsgate Week, winning five out of eight races! A win so convincing that the regatta organizers are trying to move him in to a different class for this year!

Perhaps better yet, here it is in Frank and Carol's words what the J/95 has meant to them: "I consider the J/95 to be the 'bees knees'.

We sailed the J/105 with great pleasure and some offshore success but she was tiller steered and pretty physical in a breeze. As my mobility and stamina deteriorated the inevitable decision was taken and she was sold to France.

I pottered around for a bit feeling lost until a friend asked me to trial a J/97 down at the Hamble. This boat did not suit me but I saw the J/95 on a nearby dock and she looked exactly right.  A trial sail confirmed that I could cope with the configuration so the deed was done.

I have found the boat a real pleasure to sail. The cockpit shape and size, wheel and mainsheet controls allow me to sail safely and comfortably. Handling is as drama free as I have ever experienced. Carole is a fan of the cockpit and sail handling controls but is nagging me to fit a nav table. No problem.  Black is exactly right for the 95 and she has drawn admiring comments wherever we have sailed.

Our racing has proved to be a bit of a challenge under IRC and we have found ourselves off the pace when the breeze drops. I had a look at competitors sail area and we seem to be about 20% smaller than say, the SJ320 or A31.

We intend to fit a larger, light airs headsail and not worry about rating changes.  Under IRC we have to sail with the centerboard down or accept a penalty for shallow draft. Don't ask because I have no idea how that works!

There are advantages to the centerboard system even in the lowered position. Without a bulb to anchor us in the mud we feel really confident when sailing shallow water and when the boat is lifted to scrub there are invariably traces of the bottom where the board has cut through the mud. Our competitors are absolutely convinced that we sail with the board up whenever the shore appears!

We have faired the keel bottom and fitted a slot strip in the centerboard trunk. If all works well we will sail some light air club races, (under local handicap), with the board-up and really get into the bank on the foul tide legs.

A couple of other uses of board-up are when ashore we sit on a low trailer and when launching can get afloat on a modest tide without the yard dragging us through the mud. The amount of water available is limited and deep draft boats have a very limited launch window here.

In any event, I hope that this gives you a feel for what we think of our lovely J/95. I could write a book! From a very satisfied sailor.  My very best regards, Frank'n'Carole, of course."   For more sailing information on the J/95 shoal performance sailboat.

Newport J/70 Demo & Fleet Program

(Newport, RI)- Following early spring sea-trials in Newport, we will maintain two demo boats here in Rhode Island through mid-summer.  As a result, J/Sailors can arrange factory tours with J/Dealers at our building facility at CCF Composites in Bristol, Rhode Island and also go for demo sails off Newport in beautiful Narragansett Bay.

J/70 fleet development is growing rapidly with the two largest fleets so far being Annapolis/ Chesapeake Bay and Seattle/ Puget Sound with dozens of enthusiastic new J/70 sailors!  Fleets can be shipped in "four-packs" anywhere in America with fleet pricing of boat, trailer and sails under $45,000.  Hull commitment slots have filled up remarkably fast, talk to your J/Dealer soon to get in line, we'll be past the century mark on J/70 orders in no time flat!  For more J/70 sailboat information

J/108 Review- NASailor.com

(Marblehead, MA)- North American Sailor recently did a review on the new J/108 down off Miami, FL.  Here's their commentary- "The J/108 is a new J/boats model and billed as a “Shoal Performance 35-footer,” this new boat offers a compelling combination of 4-foot draft and solid sailing performance.

The Design- One of the most interesting parts of this boat is the hull and keel configuration. With twin rudders and a centerboard (one of the first new centerboards we’ve seen for a while among boats of this size), it takes the J/95 configuration and applies it to a 35-foot hull, with standing headroom, comfort down below, and the promise of faster boat speed.

Our expectation – one which was definitely met – was for a balanced boat, albeit with some slight loss of performance – or increased cruising comfort – relative to the 109, in exchange for increased accessibility to harbors and cruising areas. The slightly shorter mast and an increase in ballast by 500 lbs were contributors.

The design also has an impact on the design of the interior and on deck. For example, the J/108 in the standard configuration has a permanently fixed, small, bowsprit in lieu of the retractable sprit seen on the J/109. This opens up the headroom in the v-berth, and slightly simplifies the launch of an asym, at the cost of some performance (it becomes more difficult to do an inside jibe downwind, and the sail is more in the wind shadow of the main sail).  Read more about the North American Sailor review of the J/108 shoal-performance cruising boat here.   

J/108 Star Of Miami Show

(Miami, FL)- The spectacular, postcard weather conditions this past week apparently put sailboat buyers in a buying mood.  While no one is clamoring to buy futures derivatives on the next taxi-cab driver stock recommendation, it does seem the "hide-in-the-bunker" mindset is evolving to a more relaxed and confident point of view.  No worries, the world is not going to end in 2012. So far, no meteors, aliens or solar flares in the galaxy headed for us anytime soon.  Good news!

Blessed with seven-plus days of "classic Miami Beach" weather, 70s days, 50s nights, sunny, gentle 5-12 knots NE-SE breezes, the Miami show goers positive and upbeat mood was translating into boat sales.  There was strong interest in the new J/108 shoal performance cruising boat and its sistership J/95.  The overall concept of having your ultimate freedom machine, sailing unfettered across some of the greatest shoal-water cruising grounds on Earth is attracting more J sailors that wish to broaden their horizons more than ever before.  Learn more about the J/108 shoal-performance sailboat here.

  

NEW J/108 @ Miami Show

Visit Slip #24-B At Miamarina/ Bayside Feb 17-21
(Miami, FL)- If you're ready to experience the ultimate freedom machine, don't hesitate to head for Miami, enjoy a bit of sunshine and beautiful Florida weather, and check out the latest of J's shoal-performance cruisers/ daysailers- the J/108.  The weather forecast is spectacular- sunny, 70s daytime, 50s night-time, gentle breeze form southeast.

With proven performance on all points of sail, the J/108 demonstrates that you really can "have your cake and eat it, too"! The J/108s "finger-tip control" in demanding weather conditions or simply maneuvering in shoal waters instills confidence and, combined with its beautiful, comfortable, spacious interior, considerably expands your cruising range for a 35 foot sailboat-- dare venture where few other sailboats can go!  For more Miami Boatshow information.   Learn more about the J/108 shoal-performance sailboat here.   

NEW J/95 Trailer/ Sailer!

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Go Sailing the Ultimate Freedom Machine
(Newport, RI)- If you thought the original J/95 was a versatile sailboat to start with, imagine having the ultimate trailer/ sailer cruising boat- the NEW J/95 with deck-stepped mast option.  Now you can go sailing literally anywhere in the world where there's a launch ramp.  Wake-up to a spasm of inspiration on a gorgeous day, toss in a weekend's worth of food & drink, hook up your 95 in the driveway, then cruise down the highway to your favorite lake or bay in your deluxe sailing "camper".  What could be better?  Your cruising horizons literally have no limit, especially since the J/95 is designed and engineered to ISO "Yacht" standards and can safely sail offshore when others are running for shelter.

The first J/95 with the deck-stepped mast option is headed to J-Lane in Switzerland.  As Peter Bangerter said, "my client fell in love with the J/95 last year, but had a specific requirement – the need to be able to travel under a low bridge while transiting between two Swiss lakes by water." The new option was engineered by the team at Hall Spars and can be fitted to a standard J/95. The deck assembly includes a conduit for mast wiring and the entire assembly can be removed from the boat.

To raise the spar, a forward halyard is run through a whisker/gin pole attached to the front of the mast (and sticking up about 10') while two support lines (rigged on mast like a single lazy jack) and run through the jib blocks and back to the primary winches for supporting the mast side to side. The pictures above of the "test fitting" show a forklift fork acting as a short lever arm (where the whisker pole would be).  The new system will permit two people to manage raising and lowering the mast.  How cool is that!?  Go sailing on your ultimate freedom machine now!  Call your J Dealer nearest you for more details or a demo sail.  For more J/95 shoal-performance sailboat information.   

NEW J/108 In Miami Boatshow

 
Visit Slip #24-B At Miamarina/ Bayside Feb 17-21
(Miami, FL)- If you're ready to experience sailing the ultimate freedom machine, then don't hesitate to head for Miami, enjoy a bit of sunshine and beautiful Florida weather, and check out the latest of J's shoal-performance cruisers/ daysailers- the J/108.  Proven performance on all points of sail, the J/108 demonstrates that you really can "have your cake and eat it, too"!  How often can you sail a boat into waist deep water, enjoy an afternoon picnic over the weekend with family and friends at the beach, then hit the Wednesday night "beer-can race" and enjoy a frolic around the buoys with your club buddies? The new J/108 underwent sea-trials in demanding Bay of Biscay conditions off Les Sable'd'Olonne, France in 12-18 knot winds and 6-12 foot seas rolling in from a distant North Atlantic gale.  The J/108s "finger-tip control" in such conditions instills confidence and, combined with its beautiful, comfortable, spacious interior, considerably expands your cruising range for a 35 foot sailboat-- dare venture where few other sailboats can go!  For more J/108 shoal-performance sailboat information.

  

J/95s Shine At Key West

(Key West, FL)- For the first time ever, a group of J/95s gathered together to go out and have some fun bashing and crashing "around the cans" in a regatta.  The three J/95s decided to participate in PHRF 2 and had an entertaining series sailing against each other and the rest of their PHRF competitors.  What was most interesting was to see the enthusiasm these sailors had for sailing their boats in windward-leeward races in a boat that was originally designed to be a shoal-draft performance sailing boat!  The J/95s performance was quite remarkable considering the conditions at Key West are way, way less than ideal for a keel-centerboard boat.  In fact, conventional wisdom says that a sailboat in this configuration is not supposed to go upwind in a steep, in-your-face 2-3 foot chop where the bow gets tossed around often times violently by cross-chop.  All three PHRF boats that beat them were all deep, narrow keel boats (Cape Fear 38, C&C 37, Ben First 42), and next in line in the standings were the three J/95s!  Pretty remarkable performance for a shoal-draft performance cruising boat!

Leading the charge amongst the J/95s was veteran Key West sailor Ed Palm from Naples/Detroit sailing his STILL CRAZY to a 4-3-5-4-4-5-5-6-2 record for 38 points; proving in the last race with a 2nd place that a well-sailed J/95 can even beat deep-keel boats given half a chance!  Second in the J/95s was Terry Mckenna who brought his boat down from CANADA to sail FINN to a 7-8-4-3-5-4-4-3-3 record for 41 points; were it not for their slow start (due to teething problems), Terry and crew may have been top J/95 and their record amongst the fleet, again, proves it's possible to take a great keel-centerboard design and give the deep keelers on a windward-leeward course a run for the money!  Third was Trudie Ficks from Naples, FL sailing her lovely boat SEVENTH HEAVEN to a 6-4-7-5-6-7-6-5-7 score for 53 points.  It may be a toss-up as to who had the most fun sailing their J/95 at Key West, but our betting is on Trudie for  having a ball, "thanking heaven" that she had the time and opportunity to sail Key West for the first time in her life and be "blessed" with a wonderful crew and warm weather!  Sailing photo credit- Tim Wilkes.   For more J/95 sailing information.   

J/111 and J/108 Florida Debut

SAIL Key West Reception
(Key West, FL)- Remember, please don't hesitate to get out of the cold, the snow, the rain out west and come on down and take a peek at two of the latest 35+ footers to debut in the J stable of fun, fast, easy-to-sail boats.  SAIL Magazine, in concert with its industry partners NORTH SAILS and HARKEN, are hosting a reception for sailors interested in taking a closer look at the J/111- KONTIKI V's electric royal blue and candy red color scheme looks spectacular on the water.  With North Sails latest carbon wardrobe with brilliant candy apple red spinnakers and Harken's latest sailing equipment, the 111 will turn heads anywhere it goes. The event will be held on Saturday, January 15th at 5:00 pm at the Galleon Resort Marina- free beer, wine and munchies!

In addition to the 111, CrossCurrent Marine's Craig Crossley will feature J's newest shoal-draft performance cruiser- the J/108. It's all happening down at the Galleon Resort Marina in Key West.  Please join us.  For more information please call J/Boats at ph- 401-846-8410 or email info@jboats.com.  More J/111 sailboat information is here.  And, J/108 shoal-draft performance sailboat information can be found here.

  

J/111 and J/108 Florida Debut

SAIL Key West Reception
(Key West, FL)- Come on down and take a peek at two of the latest 35+ footers to debut in the J stable of fun, fast, easy-to-sail boats.  SAIL Magazine, in concert with its industry partners NORTH SAILS and HARKEN, are hosting a reception for sailors interested in taking a closer look at the J/111.  You also get a chance to meet and chat with the SAIL Best Around Buoys winners, Jim Sminchak and crew from Cleveland, OH.  The event will be held on Saturday, January 15th at 5:00 pm at the Galleon Resort Marina- free beer, wine and munchies!

The SAIL Best Around Buoys 111, KONTIKI V, has arrived in Miami, FL (photo above) and is heading down to Key West to be sailed by Jim's Cleveland J/105 "Team it".  The electric royal blue and candy red color scheme look spectacular on the water.  With North Sails latest carbon wardrobe with brilliant candy apple red spinnakers and Harken's latest sailing equipment, the 111 will turn heads anywhere it goes.

In addition to the 111, CrossCurrent Marine's Craig Crossley will feature J's newest shoal-draft performance cruiser- the J/108 along with its siblings, the J/95s that were introduced in 2009.  It's all happening down at the Galleon Resort Marina in Key West.  Please join us.  For more information please call J/Boats at ph- 401-846-8410 or email info@jboats.com.  More J/111 sailboat information is here.  And, J/108 shoal-draft performance sailboat information can be found here.

  

J/108 Launched, Spectacular Sea-trials

(Les Sables d'Olonne, France)-  Launched this past week, the J/108 fulfilled lofty goals to continue the tradition of legendary J performance in a shoal-draft cruising boat.  The combination of the J/108's twin rudders and unique keel/ centerboard design have proven so far to exceed performance expectations.  In moderate to strong breezes and enormous three meter swell running from North Atlantic storms into the Bay of Biscay, the J/108 performed admirably, easily sailed upwind by two people (see photo) in what could be described as "difficult" conditions for shoal-draft boat going to windward.  Reports from the builder Didier LeMoal and J/Boats' Florida dealer, CrossCurrent Marine's Craig Crossley, were that upwind "she steers like a dream, the twin-rudders permit you to point the 108 anywhere you want, instantaneously, with no lag in response to the wheel- a remarkable attribute of this particular shoal-draft design".  Like her smaller twin-sister, the 108 can do a "hockey-stop", turning 90 degrees within half a boat-length.  And, going backwards under power it's easy to "parallel-park" onto a dock or back into a slip with ease, inspiring enormous confidence in maneuvers that cause many anxiety.

The J/108 will be spending time in Florida and Key West during Race Week at the Galleon Resort.  Learn more about it now, contact your local J Dealer or J/Boats- ph# 401-846-8410 or info@jboats.com.  For demos you may also contact Craig Crossley at CrossCurrent Marine- craig.crossley@gmail.com or phone +1-401-330-6135.   For more J/108 sailboat information.   

Introducing J/108- A 35' Shoal-draft Performance Cruiser

(Les Sables D'Olonne, France)- Imagine, comfortable cruising on a 35 footer with legendary J performance to go sailing just about anywhere on 98% of the Earth's surface-- anywhere you have 4 feet of water.  Does that "float your boat"?  Four feet is all it takes, in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean, English Isles, Bahamas, or the Normandy coast.  With it's twin rudders and J/95-type centerboard, you get extraordinary sailing performance upwind, delightful speed off the wind, and the joy of sailing when others are resorting to the "iron genny".  Just launched on the Brittany coast of France by JB Composites, the first J/108 will be in Florida and Key West during Race Week at the Galleon Resort.  Learn more about it now, contact your local J Dealer or J/Boats- ph# 401-846-8410 or  info@jboats.com.  For more J/108 information.

  

J/42 PAX Cruising Pacific Islands

We recently got news from Ted Denny, cruising his J/42 PAX seemingly all over the world.  Ted's J/42 recently completed a double-handed 2,275 mile, 15 day 20 hour 15 minute crossing from Nawiliwili harbor on Kauai to the west end of Santa Catalina Island in Southern California.  PAX has been in Hawaii for several years where Ted single handed all through the islands and as far away as Palmyra and Fanning Islands. As Ted described it:

"We left Kauai on Monday June 14th at 9:45 PM and stayed on starboard tack for 1,150 miles which might be a record for a J/Boat on a single tack. We then tacked onto port for the remaining 1,125 miles. No, this was not a lay line call, we were simply following the weather options that were being offered and thought we were fast enough to get under the North Pacific High. The usual route is over the high which adds 5 or 6 days to the trip.

The J/42 is an awesome passage maker. We were on the wind for the whole trip and sailed 98% of the way. We only used 23 gallons of diesel mostly to charge the batteries and keep the fridge cold. Pax is a fully loaded cruising boat with 85 gallons of diesel, 110 gallons of water etc. We averaged nearly 6 knots for the whole trip with winds on the nose of 15-21 for the first 1,000 miles. Our worst day was 101 miles when the North Pacific High dropped down on us. The sky that day was the brightest blue you have ever seen with waves of about a foot and this is 1,000 miles offshore. The only thing positive that day is that we saw a green flash at sunset and took that as a positive omen. We headed south to escape the high, tacked and sailed back into an approaching low to catch the breeze and stayed in the low for the next 1,125 miles. Our best day was 3 days out of our "finish line" when the wind was blowing a constant 24-26 with gusts in the low 30s. We were close and beam reaching with a reefed main and the No.3 up and did 191 miles VMG. Not bad for a cruising boat. PAX is fast and stable and a lot of fun to sail.

I cannot think of many cruising boats capable of that kind of comfortable performance with all the amenities that a J/42 offers."

According to PAX crew member, Bob Musor, "Just a great trip. Kudos to Ted for having his well prepared boat ready to go.  We are claiming the unofficial J Boat record from Nawiliwili, Kauai to Lands End on Santa Catalina Island. It would be fun to know if others have made this trip that quickly."  NOTE- Bob is skipper/owner of the J/130 SCEPTRE!
  

J/42 JAYWALKER Cruising Atlantic & Med

More on the J/42 JAYWALKER and Bill Stellin's cruising adventures around the globe.  In a recent note from Bill, he said, "Stuart:  here is an excerpt from one of my journals which I wrote over the 8-9 years we were cruising.  It is called SEATREK.  And many of the later blogs/journals can be found at: http://blog.mailasail.com/jaywalker.  The earlier journals have been compiled into two self published books which can be found at: http://www.blurb.com.  Search for "SEATREK: A Passion for Sailing" by Bill Stellin or William Stellin.  Best, Bill."

Bill's excerpt: "Casablanca, where did this stop come from?  We know it was never in our plans, but nevertheless, here we is.  The reason is horrible weather on route to the Canaries. ( Named after very large dogs that were found on the islands, Latin for dog is canis). Now back to the weather. As we were sailing, motoring, sailing, motor-sailing, whatever, we had a line of very high clouds to the west of us for over a day.  At night they were lit up with as intense lightening as we've seen in a long time.  A little scary when it kept up for hours on end.  The line never moved, but the lightening would race along the line from horizon to horizon.  By morning, the clouds were still there but now the wind and seas kicked up from the southwest, directly on our nose.  Cloud tops so high they are in the clouds.  This line ran along side of us for 175 miles.  At night they were filled with lightening.

The wind was moderate and sailable, but the seas started coming from every direction and they were huge.  Swells sometimes were 12 feet or more and wind waves breaking onto the bow as well as the beam.  We were getting the you know what kicked out of us but good.  We decided to alter course for Madeira to the west, (500 miles) but then we were headed for the cloud line with rain and higher winds under them.  Finally we changed course again more on a southerly heading for Casablanca.  We had no pilot book on this port and no paper chart.  Our electronic chart plotter did have detailed cartography on the port and it was still daylight so we felt confident to enter.  Trouble came when we closed with shore, a rainstorm hit and made visibility poor at best. When we got inside the break-wall, I radioed Casablanca radio and told them we needed a berth.  Harbor control told me it was impossible because there were no facilities for private yachts, only monster commercial ships. This came as no surprise as I was expecting only commercial ships could enter so I already had rehearsed a reply which if need be would include hysterical crew who were afraid of the sea.  I had already told Judy of my plans, so if need be, start crying if they tell us to leave.  She was game for it and was already dabbing her eyes in preparation.  My reply was, "find something because we were treating the port as a harbor of refuge".  It worked and they directed us to a commercial wharf if we promised to leave the next day...."  Read more on Bill's blogs or SEATREK.  Very entertaining and informative reading.
  

J/95 Inaugural Sail- Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland

Peter Bangerter from Switzerland recently sailed with a new J/95 owner on Lake Geneva in pretty hair-raising conditions- 20-25 knots, gusting to 30 knots, rain, clouds and cold.  Nevertheless, Blaise, the new owner was undeterred, in fact, he LOVES the J/95!  Here is Blaises' note to Peter about their sail:

"Peter-

I would like to thank you for your good advices and the follow-up. The first lake-trial of the J/95 was beyond my expectations.  Yesterday, May 30, 2010, the wind was blowing strongly and it was raining but I had to try this boat for the first time.  It's just unbelievable!  You were right, the boat gives an enormous safety feeling and goes straight with Beaufort Force 6, like a train, you may even think you have an autopilot as the wheel doesn't move!  The speed is stunning , 8-11 knots on average with a maximum of 12.3 knots, this only with the main sail and the jib!!! This boat is just incredible and who doesn't try it will not believe it. I would like to write this few words to tell you that J/95 should be the boat for family as well as for the thrill of speed, it runs as well in calm weather as it does in strong winds.  I like to tell that you are a great professional who know what he is talking about and everybody can buy with you in full confidence.

Thanks again and see you for the next steps.

Best regards,
Blaise"
  

J/95 YACHTS & YACHTING Test

(Hamble, So'ton, England)- Andi Robertson from Y&Y put the J/95 through her paces on a lengthy sail on the Southampton Water on a sparkling day in January and arrived back on shore a bit "smitten", as they say.  According to Andi, "the J/95 is something a little bit different, with its shallow draught and short-handed options.  We sailed J-FEVER, it was a huge amount of fun without expending a lot of energy or stress."  Andi's verdict, "overall the J/95 checks so many boxes that it becomes hard to define, but it certainly is a very desirable go anywhere small cruiser which has a great all round performance."  You can read the three page article and photos by downloading Andi's Y&Y article here (a 4.1 MB PDF file).