Whidbey Island Race Week Preview

(Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, Washington)-  For a regatta that's renowned as an "adult play-ground", it's not too hard to imagine why so many teams return year-on-year to enjoy the many pleasures (both visual and otherwise) of these spectacular islands in the Pacific Northwest.  Good weather.  Bad weather.  It's always fun and frolic no matter what the conditions.  And lots of good sailing in between it all. While many in other parts of the sailing world wonder why those who thrive in yellow foulies (classic NW sailing gear) love to sail there, those "in the know" recognize they have some of the BEST SUSHI in the world!  Enough said. Plus, the camaraderie is off-the-charts fabulous!  Does sailing matter? Sure, amongst friends it does!  And, that's what keeps them coming back for more despite the vicissitudes of Mother Nature.  Here's the score.

PHRF 1 looks to be a slew of assassins looking to make a score.  Chief amongst them with a bit of luck will be the J/111 ADALGISA sailed by Lynn Adkins.  In the Super 30 Fleet, the infamously fast J/90 EYE EYE skippered by Dave Cohen will be hoping to make their mark on this remarkably fast and agile class.  PHRF 2 could easily be dominated by the 35 foot J/Class.  Starting with a rash of J/109s, expect to see Adam Korbin's ASTRAL PLANE and Joe James' TANTIVITY in the mix.  Plus, the J/35s GRACE E sailed by Bryan White and BERGEN VIKING steered by Svein Ellingsen may be factors to contend with.

Down the track in PHRF 3, the J/29s will most certainly make their presence felt amongst the leaders.  Look for Rick McVey's NO NAME, Bob  Mayfield/ Pat Nelson's SLICk and Pat Denney's HERE & NOW to provide good racing against the J/33 CORVO sailed by Tom Kerr and the rest of their fleet.

The J/105s one-design fleet has top teams returning, included amongst the half-dozen boats are past winner ALLEGRO VIVACE sailed by Lorenzo Migliorini from CYC, Jim Geros' LAST TANGO and FREE BOWL OF SOUP sailed by the three musketeers (Doug Schenk, Eric Hopper and Matt Davis) all hailing from CYC Portland, Oregon.

PHRF 4 will be an interesting fleet of boats that includes three J/80s and one new J/70.  The J/80 teams include Steve Moe's CRAZY IVAN from Corinthian YC, Bill Mckinnon's SKYE ROCKET and Dave Schutte's TAJ MAHAL also from CYC.  The new J/70 DA SPENCER is being sailed by Mike Pitt from CYC, too.

PHRF 5- J/30 FOR SAIL skippered by Grady Morgan from Corinthian YC.  PHRF 6 has the J/24 LUCKY JIM with Jim McAlpine sailing amongst a raft of other 24-25 foot boats.  For more Whidbey Island Race Week sailing information

J/70 Lake Champlain Tour

(Burlington, Vermont)- Jeff Hill in Vermont says- "things are going very well on Lake Champlain with J/70 #16! We trailered the boat to the LCYC to ramp launch the boat.  Although the lake level is already low, she floated off easily and lowering the keel in place for the first time was a breeze!

We've been out for several test sails, and one long "shake down" cruise with very gusty winds into the high 20's, so getting to know the boat better.  Photo is us planing in moderate breeze- we're having a lot of fun!  The girls love it, too!"

FYI - the boat is displayed this Friday evening (7/13) at the annual "Boat Tour" at the Lake Champlain Yacht Club.  Contact Jeff Hill (jeff@brucehillyachtsales.com)

J/70 Sailing Chicago & Florida

(Naples, FL)- Over the past few weeks, the J/70 has been sailing in Chicago and Florida.  In the Chicago area, Richie Stearns and the SAIL-22 crew (Ed & Becky Furry) have been sailing up and down the Chicago waterfront and soon all around the Midwest.  Recently, Richie, Lori and Ed "shadowed"the 35nm Chicago-Waukegan Race in a light-medium air southeasterly sailing up the lake from the Belmont Harbor starting line off the spectacular Chicago city-front north along the coast to Waukegan, Illinois.  The speeds and experiences surprised the trio on the J/70 as well as those who saw them sail with them (much, much bigger boats)-- they pacing with many 35-40 foot racing boats!  If you're in the greater Chicago region, please be sure to contact Richie Stearns at 847-404-2209 or rich@stearnsboating.com.  Meanwhile, down in Florida, Craig Crossley and crew have been making a circuit around Naples, Fort Myers, St Petersburg/ Tampa/ Clearwater on the West Coast and soon on the East Coast.  Be sure to contact Craig directly at 401-330-6135 or craig.crossley@gmail.com for a demo sail in Florida.  For more J/70 sailing information

J/70 Sailing Texas

(Fort Worth, TX)- Over the past few weeks, the J/70 has been sailing in some pretty cool places.  Down in Texas, the Fort Worth Boat Club has been hosting J/70 demo sails.  Said Scott Spurlin, "The FWBC had been receiving calls all week with interested parties.  People drove/flew in from Tulsa, Oklahoma and Oklahoma City.  For the first 3 or 4 hours we had two to three boat loads waiting for their turn on the dock while the boat was out.  Terry Spurlin, Bob, and a sailor from Tulsa that came in Friday, Glenn Darden, and myself were all busy!  Quite amazing the buzz this boat has generated!  But well deserved!

Some interesting observations from our recent demos-- many of the prospects are new to the J/Family and own boats such as:  Soling (1), Colgate 26 (2), Catalina 22 (2), Catalina (25).  There are a few J/owners that are buying and one of the hot prospects currently owns a J/27.  The good news is that the J/70 seems to be growing the J/family."  For more J/70 sailing 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/70 New Jersey Tour

(Cape May, NJ)- The J/70 will be available for viewing and sailing in New Jersey from June 1st to 8th. The first official stop of the New Jersey Tour will kick off in Cape May this weekend.

If you wish to experience the extraordinary, exhilarating performance of the J/70, then simply contact Burt Geiges of Custom Offshore at 215-275-6159 (cell), 856-764-8181 (office) or burtus@gmail.com.  Burt and crew will be happy to give you a tour or book a test sail on the J/70. For more J/70 information, please call 401-846-8410 or email info@jboats.com.  Plus, J/Boats is happy schedule a sail for you in lovely Newport Harbor.  For more J/70 speedster sailing information

J/70 Newport Sailing Demos

(Newport, RI)- For Memorial Day weekend and the balance of the Newport summer the J/70 will be ready to go speeding around Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor for those interested in experiencing a fun, easy-to-handle sailing machine they can trail and launch anywhere off a boat-ramp with three feet of water. Kids love it. Girls & boys love it. Moms love it. What's not to like for Dad?  Volvo 70s hit 15+ kts in 20 kts TWS.  So do J/70s, in complete control.  Mom and the kids may just plane-away into the sunset they're having so much fun.  J/70 is a lovable, fast, easy-to-handle boat for family sailors. With 100+ owners to date that are ready to roll-- why not you?

If you wish to experience the extraordinary, exhilarating performance of the J/70, then simply contact us and setup a demo in Newport this summer.  Call 401-846-8410 or email info@jboats.com-- we'll happily schedule a sail for you in lovely Newport Harbor.  For more J/70 speedster sailing information

J/70 Demo Sailing- Stonington

(Stonington, CT)- Ever visited the original seaside fishing and summer village that was the foundation for the original garage-built J/24?  If not, you have an  opportunity now to head on down to Stonington, CT to visit John Johnstone and brother Rodney to sample what it's like to sail the J/70 speedster.  Daysail to Sandy Point for a picnic lunch.  Whistle around Fishers Island in less than an hour. Go past Montauk for a daysail out and back and see a few Great White Sharks and Blues along the way.  Even a round Block Island tour passing hugely delicious Giant Bluefin Tuna in a day?   Anything is possible given the right wind and current conditions.  Of course, you can take the benign approach and go for a tour in Stonington Harbor and relax afterwards in the hottest pub/restaurant this side of New York City- cousin Clay's DogWatch Cafe.  If you wish to take a sailing tour on the J/70 and become part of one of the fastest growing sportboat designs ever, please be sure to contact John Johnstone at ph- 860-536-2610.  For more J/70 speedster sailing information

J/70 Sailing Annapolis II

(Annapolis, MD)- With fabulous spring sailing and summer just around the corner, interest in the J/70 continues to grow at a considerable pace.  Due to the strong response on the Chesapeake and its central location on the mid-Atlantic coast for sailors within a 3-5 hour drive inland, J/70 will stay in the Bay for another three weeks.  Please be sure to swing by and see the J/70 speedster sailing out of Back Creek at Northpoint Yacht Sales in Eastport (Annapolis), next to J/World Sailing School.  For sailing demo's be sure to contact Ken Comerford at ph- 410-280-2038 or email- ken@northpointyachtsales.com

J/70 Sailing in Newport- will commence this weekend.  J/70 will be based in Newport Harbor for the duration of the summer- already we've had demo's for customers (plus dealers) from the Middle East, Chile, Sweden, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, France, and Switzerland.  For sailing demo's be sure to contact J/Boats at ph- 401-846-8410 or email- info@jboats.com

NEW! J/70 Winter Circuit- plans are in place for an awesome five regatta program starting in January at Key West Race Week and ending up in Annapolis for the spring SW NOOD Regatta.  Most importantly, several boats will be available for charter/purchase for this event (contact J/Boats, please).  Concierge services will be available for owners for storage/ transport, too.  The J/70 Winter Circuit will be the following:
- Jan- Quantum Key West Race Week- Key West, FL
- Feb- Sperry Topsider St Petersburg NOOD Regatta- St Petersburg, FL
- Mar- Bacardi Miami Sailing Week- Coconut Grove, FL
- Apr- Sperry Topsider Charleston Race Week- Charleston, SC
- May- Sperry Topsider Annapolis NOOD Regatta- Annapolis, MD

For more J/70 speedster sailing information

J/70 Sailing Annapolis

(Annapolis, MD)- After traveling south to Charleston this past week, the J/70 is headed north and will be sailing on the Chesapeake Bay for the next few weeks.  Be sure to swing by and see the J/70 speedster sailing out of Back Creek at Northpoint Yacht Sales in Eastport (Annapolis), next to J/World Sailing School.  For sailing demo's be sure to contact Ken Comerford at ph- 410-280-2038 or email- ken@northpointyachtsales.com

Also, our J/Dealer in the Chicago area, Richie Stearns @ Stearns Boating, put together a nice sailing video "review" of the J/70 for you to enjoy on YouTube.  Enjoy the video, some entertaining sequences sailing the J/70 as well as practical descriptions of the various parts of the boat.

And, while you're in the entertainment mode, don't forget to check out the J/70 Sailing Music Video, a wonderful perspective on how easy it is to sail the J/70.  An oft-heard refrain coming from those who've sailed the J/70 in winds ranging from 5 to 25 knots is "man, that's an easy boat to sail FAST, you always feel like you're in complete control!", commenting on it's ability to hit 5.8 to 6.3 kts upwind across the wind range and how J/70 starts planing downwind in 8-10 kts of wind going as fast as the wind.  Enjoy!
For J/70 speedster sailing information