The Sailboat Thread!

[sailork]

Thanks DavidD!! I suspect those shots are from an even larger J boat than the one I'll be on.

My father owns the J/105 "Stinger." We've slowly worked up from a Hunter 26.5 through a Santana 30/30 to Stinger. We're in contention for the TORC series because the first leg of the first race of the series was run in 30+ knots of wind on a very hot spinnaker angle. Stinger didn't hoist the chute immediately at the start because the race began inside the Galveston jetties and the chute angle would have been brutal. When we did hoist we blew past every boat in the fleet including a couple of J/109's a well sailed J/44 and a C&C 121. There's really no way for PHRF to take into account a 34.5' boat that will sustain an average speed of 12 knots in a decent blow. For once the very heavy duty class spinnaker was an advantage.

We saw planing over 14 knots and surfing up to 17.5. The boat was a handful but frankly the Santana was more trouble in a 15 knots. We rounded the first mark more than 30 miles offshore better than 15 minutes ahead of the J/44 and pretty much nothing else was in sight behind us. The Benneteau 44.7 that was the only finisher of the next race in the series was way, way behind. The rest of the race was basically ours to lose and we managed to avoid losing it. Broad reach to the next mark and then evil confused seas all night home. Yeah, I've been wishing I could write this post for a while. THANKS! for asking .

Now, which Jboat do your pictures come from?

I had to edit this post because the 44.7 I thought ran the first race wasn't there.. I'll claim too much beer.. Oh, and is that a J/35?

[DavidD]

Those shots were from a J-32 during the 100 mile race on Kentucky lake. It is a "cruising" J for sure but definitely is able to show it's pedigree when pushed. The J-105 is an awesome boat and I'm sure you and your dad really appreciate the design compared to the Santana and its IOR design, especially off and down wind! I have raced on many J's, 22's, 24's, 30's, J-80 (my least favorite by the way), J-92's, 105's and have been sailing lately on a new J-100. They make a fast, stable and incredibly easy boat to sail. The 32 was designed with the same mind set as the 29, for cruisers who want to get there fast. I have not had the pleasure to sail the 44 yet but I here it is very comfortable. I have a friend in West Palm Beach who has just recently bought one and hope to take a trip to the Bahamas next year. We'll see.
I personally have a cruiser, or "condo" as some might say. I was never really a Hunter fan, this is my first, but have really enjoyed my '89 30. It's easy to sail single-handed (which I do often), has plenty of room and was relatively inexpensive for the year and size. Kind of "the most bang for the buck." I just got a new full batten main and wow, what a difference. I can point a couple of degrees higher. Well worth the investment.

I have adopted the racing philosophy of :
1. No more dinghies! Lightnings, Dutchman's etc. are for those younger and/or in better shape. Don't get me wrong, I learned a lot on a Lightning and it is an incredibly competitive class, but all that damn hiking. I now only race "big boats. I do however consider the J-22 in this "big" category, even though it's basically a dingy with a keel. Lasers are fun and just for play.
2. And this one is real important, ALWAYS RACE SOMEONE ELSE'S BOAT. I'll helm, trim the main, trim the jib, fly the chute or do foredeck. Hell I'll even be rail meat if you ask. Just don't ask me to pay for that new Mylar/Kevlar sail or broken carbon fiber pole.....

I'll keep an eye on the race. Give the crew of Stinger my best and let them know that a sailor in Tennessee is rooting for them. They'll probably think you've lost your mind, a sailor in Tennessee????

Dave

[sailork]

I grew up in Oklahoma and Dad learned how to sail on Grand Lake of the Cherokees. We race against plenty of great racers from inland lakes. Generally the winds are much lighter down here then they are 'where the wind comes sweeping down the plains' in OK.

It looks like a miserable hot windless regatta at the moment. Thanks for the support.

k

[DavidD]

It looks like a miserable hot windless regatta at the moment.

Around here, we say it's a "sweat n bobb". You know, lots of sweating and bobbing around. Tell dad to stock up on ice and plenty of beer.

Dave

[sailork]

Yeah, we did a fair amount of sweating and bobbing. Far more beer was drunk then seems at all safe or reasonable. I'm several shades darker and redder than I usually am.

We won the trophy we were after so it was a very successful week.