Focusing on what needs encouragement

While chasing high performance might be exciting for yacht designers, and appreciated by elite sailors who have a need for speed, keelboats requiring high skill in all crew positions just aren’t that marketable. If the goal is to sell boats, aiming a bit lower hits a wider target.

Rod Johnstone of J Boats said their successful approach was to “provide a more perfect sailboat for as many sailors as possible… a vehicle with which sailors of any skill level can safely enjoy the complete range of the sailing experience – from hair-raising speeds in heavy wind to ghosting along in almost no breeze – and want to come back again for more as soon as possible.”

That philosophy has flourished for the J/70 which has 1350+ sold, but with competition creeping high with pro crew and extensive training, the “J Way” is now demonstrated with events focused on areas of the sport that need encouragement.

J/70 US Youth Championship
The 2018 J/70 U.S. Youth Championship will take place November 16-18 in St Petersburg, Florida. The second edition of this event will be hosted by St Petersburg Yacht Club and sailed in its fleet of club-owned matched one-design J/70’s on Tampa Bay. A series of qualifying events will advance twelve teams with crew aged 20 or younger. Details.

J/70 US Corinthian National Championship
The Fort Worth Boat Club will be hosting the 2018 J/70 Corinthian National Championship on April 26-29 on Eagle Mountain Lake. The third edition of this event will enjoy a big, wide-open lake that the locals assure treats visitors with the same disdain as they receive. Open to all competitors, including the owner/driver and crew, with World Sailing Group 1 (amateur) classification. Peter McChesney won the inaugural event in Annapolis (MD) with Brian Keane taking the title last year in South Dartmouth (MA). Details.