J/111 Wins SW Boat Of The Year

(Middletown, RI)- Sailing World magazine recently announced this year's winners of their annual Boat-Of-The-Year contest.  This year, the J/111 won the SW BOTY "Best One-Design Keelboat" Award.  Selections were based on extensive inspections and sea trials of all the boats.  Comments during the review process were prophetic: "Excellent sailing," said each judge afterwards. "That’s definitely a contender. Maybe the best boat from J Boats yet— even better than last year’s J/95. It’s definitely a frontrunner..."  

See the gallery here.    For more Sailing World Boat of the Year information

  

J/111 ISAF Offshore Certification

(London, England)- All new monohull yachts with a age and series date after January 2010 participating in a Category 0,1,2 race under the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) now require an ISAF plan review certificate.  J/111 gains first production plan review certificate that meets or exceeds ISO and old ABS Standards for "Offshore Racing" certification.

The backbone of the new scheme is the newly published parts of the International Standard ISO 12215, these are used as the minimum structural standard to which boat designs are reviewed against. The standard is gaining increasing international acceptance as it replaces the previously used, but no longer supported ABS guide. The review is undertaken by ISAF recognized notified bodies, these are organizations that are able to carry out assessments and issue CE certificates for the European Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and have also been recognized by ISAF.

Jason Smithwick, Head of ISAF Technical & Offshore Department comments "It is a significant step forward in the program now ISAF have issued it first custom certificate to the TP-52 built for TEAM ORIGIN and its first production certificate to the J/111."

The scheme is gaining acceptance with the first certificates being issued by notified bodies; Germanischer Lloyd (GL) and International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI) respectively and ISAF is aware of other Notified Bodies with further boats in the process of achieving OSR plan review.

ISAF have been taking an increasing role in the development of ISO standards and have for the last couple of year been a consultative member within the ISO organization. ISAF in partnership with the European Boating Association have been especially involved in pushing the development of part 9 of the standard related to keel structure. ISAF will continue to work with its members nations and classes who are users based membership organization in the development of International Standards and Regulations.

Foe more ISAF Offshore certification information.

  

J/111 & J/97 At London Show

(London, England)- The new J/111 and the J/97 will be starring on the Key Yachting stand (H69) at the London Boat Show which runs from Friday January 7th 2011 to Sunday January 16th. The J/80 Sportsboat will be on berth M15 of the indoor boardwalk feature.  The new J/111 makes her European debut at the London show and you can expect this new 36 footer to be one of the biggest draws. The momentum behind the launch of the J/111 has been astonishing, with 50+ boats ordered just 6 weeks after hull number 1 was launched! For the UK and Ireland things look promising with six boats already sold and there is tremendous interest from prospective owners and their crews. The J/111's first North American Championship will be held at Key West in January 2012 and the first European championship at Cowes in August 2012.

In the two seasons since the launch of the J/97 she has proved herself, time and time again. Fifteen J/97s have been sold in the UK in just under a year and 2011 will see the launch of the J/97’s UK Class One-Design Regatta Series, with the inaugural J/97 UK National Championships scheduled to be held during the 2011 J-Cup in Guernsey in July. Full standing headroom, a proper galley, chart table and every other creature comfort one would need and all in a J with a proven track record! BTW, the forepeak is a "romper room" for those so inclined!   For more information contact Paul or Becci at Key Yachting at +44(023)-8045-5669, info@keyyachting.com or visit www.keyyachting.com.

  

J/111 Owners Having Fun!

San Francisco Bay Debut + The Ultimate 111 Sailing Experience (So Far)

(San Francisco, CA)- First, Erik Simonson reports, "Sometimes good things come to those who wait. In this case, the arrival of hull number 4 off the J-Boats Production line to the West Coast has proven to be the case. Frank Slootman has enjoyed his J-90 immensely, it’s lines, rating and performance did all he could have hoped. What it was lacking was accommodations and a little luxury which would make his better half happy....The rumors of a newer production racer-cruiser from J-Boats had begun, which were right in the target range of 36-38 foot. After talking with J-Boats and reviewing the drawings, Frank was convinced the boat would "provide the thrills of a pedigree along with some of the creature comforts" he sought. Soon, SANTA delivered a new sleigh to the Slootman residence in the form of INVISIBLE HAND fresh from Bristol R.I."   Read more, see more photos and watch the video here on Erik's H2OShots.com site about Frank's INVISIBLE HAND interview.

Second, what may surprise a few sailors out there, perhaps, is that a 72 year old Canadian (actually, a Nova Scotian) who's sailed a variety of J's over time is taking delivery of 111 #23, after an exhilarating, adrenalin-pumping, get yer "ya-yas-out", 20+ plus knot ride on 111 #5.  Really?  Skeptics be damned.  Anyone of any age can sail the 111 with finger-tip control and feel confident sailing it upwind or downwind, light air or with breeze on.  Check these videos out.  Real People.  Real Men.  Real Women.  Real Fun.  Exotic, too, in French and English!  The Ultimate 111 Sailing Experience in Nova Scotia.

  

J/111 Skating Into England

(Hamble, Southampton)- On a wing and a prayer, the J/111 arrived in Felixstowe on the NW side of England as deck cargo on a snowy, icy day.  Next step, go sailing in 3 days? Shades of the infamous launching of the famous J/44 J-HAWK a decade or so ago.  The 111 ARABELLA landed with some degree of both anxiety and anticipation.  It didn't take long to determine the 111 was one hot boat.  On its first time out on the Solent she didn't disappoint.  

On a shifty 10-15 knot breeze on the Solent, ARABELLA quickly made its presence felt.  ARABELLA (1.091 TCF), sailed by Niall Dowling and John Cunningham, won by 5 minutes corrected time in IRC 0 class over a Ker 11.3 (1.159 TCF), Arcona 430 and a Comet 41s on a shortened course!  

Here's the report from Paul Heys-  "J/111 #6 arrived here in Hamble, after dark on Thursday night, following a 7 hr road trip from the Liverpool shipping port, England was covered with 6" of snow.

First light Friday saw a small army at work on the boat in a snow covered boatyard: Desty Marine installed the keel and rudder, HME fitted the BG sailing instruments, Stuart Miller and Jerry Eplett dressed and stepped the mast. The hoist and crane guys at Hamble Point Marina gave us great service. The boat and rig went together beautifully, many thanks to the boatbuilders at CCF and the team at Hall Spars."

By 3 pm that afternoon having had the Yanmar engine PDI inspected, we were motoring up the river calibrating the instruments, with proud owner Niall Dowling at the helm. We met up with James Knight and Jeremy Robinson from North and bent on the main and checked the jib for fit, just as daylight ended.

Saturday saw us out sailing for 4 hrs in 2 sessions of light winds and very cold rain, all went well.  Sunday 8 am, off the dock for our maiden race, the final one of the Garmin Hamble winter Series.

Niall was on the helm and had brought 2 of his crew, the rest of the crew was from J/Uk and the sailmaking and commissioning team. Conditions were flat water, with a 6-8 knot Northerly breeze. Sailing around pre start we found that the wind was shifting through 40- 50 degrees.

The PRO set a 3 lap windward leeward. Off the start line the tide dictated an immediate tack onto port, we were one of the first to go. We could see that the J/111 was powering up earlier than the heavier Arcona 43, First 44.7 and Comet 41. The high aspect rig seems very efficient.  Scratch boat in the fleet is the Ker 11.3 Paragon that rates 60 IRC points more than the J/111. Paragon was the only other boat that seemed powered up in the 8 knot gusts. Paragon led us to the top mark, by a minute or so, this delta quickly reduced as the J/111 sailed faster downwind.  Thereafter, the Ker and J stepped away from the rest of the fleet, with the Ker’s lead extending and contracting dependent upon who had the best pressure.

With a mist rolling over the course and a softening of the breeze, the race was shortened at the 3rd windward mark.  The J was 1 minute 20 behind the Ker and a long distance ahead of the third boat. After IRC handicaps had been applied, ARABELLA had won her maiden race by 5 minutes.  In short, a bit of luck, plus it never hurts to have all the bits and pieces come together."

  

Foggy Hamble Winter Series Finale

JIKA-JIKA and J-DREAM Co-Winners Overall?

(Hamble, England)-  While some dry-sailed boats were trapped ashore after last week's snow and ice, those crews that ventured out for the final day of the 2010 Garmin Hamble Winter Series had not only to deal with fog, but also a gradually dying northerly breeze. Even the steadily falling temperature failed to dampen the enthusiasm of both Black and White fleet competitors, intent on securing a good result in the overall standings.

Poor visibility meant that Race Director Jamie Wilkinson and his team aboard Tony Lovell's 'Bonney' were unable to see the outer distance mark so a RIB was despatched to the midpoint to create a split start line for the Black Fleet. Meanwhile Philip Gage aboard 'Knight's Challenge' at the pin end had switched on his radar to detect OCS boats.

Thankfully these were few in number and all seven classes got away first time, with the Fastnet Insurance and East Bramble buoys as windward marks, before returning downwind through the fierce ebb tide to leeward marks on the Ryde Middle. Despite the tidal offset in the course some boats lost out by not making enough easting early in the run, and this was made worse by the light breeze that was sometimes down to 2 knots.

Responding to the slow pace of the racing, all classes had their courses shortened, and once more the technology aboard Knight's Challenge was being put to use. By then the fog had cleared but some boats were being identified using AIS as they approached the finish line and before their sail numbers became visible.

Although the overall winners of most classes had been settled the previous week, as expected the front-runners for the Garmin Yacht of the Year Award were out again to consolidate their results.  Of the other contenders David and Kirsty Apthorp's J-DREAM slipped to second place behind Richard and Valerie Griffith's OUTRAJEOUS in the J/109 class, while Mike and Jamie Holmes JIKA-JIKA in IRC3 took a 20% penalty dropping her to fifth, and providing an opener for others to gain on them.

Overall, J-DREAM won the J/109 class with 11 points.  David McLeman on OFFBEAT finished 2nd with 25 points, third was Richard's and Valerie's OUTRAJEOUS, 4th ARIA's Luca Rubinelli with 32 points and 5th ME JULIE's Dom Monkhouse.

As many of you know by now, IRC Class 3 was dominated by the J/97 JIKA-JIKA (seen here) sailed by Mike and Jamie Holmes, they finished with eight 1sts and a 3rd for 11 pts!   Sailing a nice series and not far off the pace lying 5th is the J/110 SHADES OF BLUE sailed by Ed Holton.  In the 12th and final race of the series, Bill Blain finally got his J/97 BATFISH IV rolling and sailed well to get a 3rd, sistership JIKA-JIKA won the race but was assessed a 20% scoring penalty.

In the White Fleet, despite the shifty breezes, the J/80s managed to behave respectably and get off 3 quick races.  Sweeping all three were John Cooper's OI!, thus affirming their grip on the top of the podium.   Overall in 2nd was AQUA J- Patrick Liardet and 3rd is SWALLOW- Gordon Craigen.

Over in IRC Class 2, there have been four J/105s racing and they are 7-8-9-10 in class dueling with one another for one-design "Top Dog". In the fray are JACKPOT sailed by Vernon Bradley in 7th, JOS OF HAMBLE skippered by Professor Roger Williams in 8th, JOURNEYMAKER 5 sailed by Chris Jones in 9th and JOLENE with Ivan and Peter Trotman leading the charge lying 10th.  In fact, in the 12th and last race of the series, the J/105s nearly swept the top 5, getting 1st- JACKPOT, 3rd- JOURNEYMAKER 5, 4th- JOLENE and 5th- JOS OF HAMBLE.

Given the fact that both the J/97 JIKA-JIKA and the J/109 J-DREAM both sailed solid series in two of the largest and most competitive classes, it will be hard to determine the Garmin Yacht of the Year at the overall prize giving on Saturday December 11th.  Report contributed by Jonty Sherwill.  Full sailing details of the 2010 Garmin Hamble Winter Series.  Sailing photos courtesy- Paul Wyeth/ PWPictures.com.

  

J/111 Wins SAIL's 2011 Best Boats Award

Command A Rocketship with Finger-tip Control!
(Boston, MA)- "There’s a lot to like about the new J/111— an aggressive rig, racy good looks, a hull form that loves to be driven- and tying it all together is one of the best production-boat cockpits we’ve seen. J/Boats has had decades to improve on the simple trench it carved out of the aft deck of the J/24, and it hit the ball out of the park on this one."  And, "to those lucky sailors who will have the opportunity to crew aboard a J/111 in the years to come: have fun, and make sure you get a chance to drive this beauty. It’s an experience not to be missed." Contact your J/Dealer for more information or a demo today.  Out West, Jeff Brown at JK3 Yachts in San Diego or Norm Davant at Sail California in San Francisco have 111s in the water for those who dare venture into the twilight zone of joy, happiness and peace-of-mind at 20+ knots surfing offshore.  Contact Jeff at jeff@jk3yachts.com (SoCal) or Norm at norm@sailcal.com (NorCal).   Read more about SAIL's Best Boat Awards selection of the J/111. 

  

Hamble Winter Series 6th Weekend

JIKA-JIKA and J-DREAM Bidding for Overall Title!
(Hamble, England)-   With two more weekends to go in the 2010 Garmin Hamble Winter Series most classes will be fighting it out all the way, but in the IRC3 and J/109 classes two boats are  dominating. With another win on Sunday Mike and Jamie Holmes’ J/97 JIKA-JIKA looks set to clinch their points series, as does David and Kirsty Apthorp's J-DREAM in the J/109s. If this form can be maintained they should both be strong contenders for the "Garmin Yacht of the Series" award for the best overall performance of all Black Fleet classes!

12-18 knots of cold north to north-easterly breeze coupled with a strong west-going tide made it a challenging day for both competitors and the race committees. The Black Fleet courses were cascaded down tide across the entire width of the Solent from a start on the Ryde Middle, while inshore the White Group was set a full trapezoidal course with a separate finishing boat, to cycle the three races with minimum delays.

The White Fleet points battle resumed after last week’s abandoned racing, with a small but keen fleet of J/80s braving another cold day.   The J/80s continued to have a competitive series.  Through race 14, the leader continues to be OI! sailed by John Cooper with 16 points after winning two more races.  Second is AQUA-J skippered by Patrick Liardet with 26 points after getting two 2nds.  Just 4 points shy is Gordon Craigen's SWALLOW with 30 points.  The Royal Air Force team on SPITFIRE are lying fourth with 58 points. Mike Lewis' JESTER is hanging in fifth with 78 points.

In race 10 of the J/109s, J-DREAM skippered by Kirsty and David Apthorp reaffirmed their leadership at the top of the standings with a convincing win.  Second was OUTRAJEOUS sailed by Richard and Valerie Griffith and third was ARIA sailed by Luca Rubinelli.  Overall, the Apthorp's J-DREAM continues to strengthen lead with just 9 points followed in 2nd by Dave McLeman's OFFBEAT with 24 points, 3rd is OUTRAJEOUS sailed by the Griffiths with 29 pts, 4th is ARIA led by Luca Rubinelli with 32 pts and 5th AUDAJIOUS skippered by David Jobson with 45 pts.

In IRC Class 3 the J/97 JIKA-JIKA sailed by Mike and Jamie Holmes again crushed the competition and grabbed another victory over tough competition.  Currently, the Holmes' J/97 has only 10 points for the series and leads by 12 points over the next closest boat.  Hanging onto 4th place is Ed Holton's J/110 SHADES OF BLUE.

The series continues on November 28th with one race for the Black Fleet classes, while three races are scheduled for the sportsboats in the White Fleet.  Report contributions from Jontey Sherwill.  Full sailing details of the 2010 Garmin Hamble Winter Series.  Photo courtesy- Tim Wright- photoaction.com

  

NoCal SoCal AnyCal On J/111

Join Us For 111 Calorie-Free, Adrenalin-pumping Days
(San Francisco and San Diego, CA)- Two high-octane J/111s are now sailing on the West Coast.  One in San Diego and one in San Francisco.  If you're predisposed to having a bit of fun sailing, getting your "ya ya's out" with some friends and don't mind planing or surfing for days on end with finger-tip control at 20+ knots in some SoCal offshore classics like Transpac, Ensenada, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, then belly up to the table and get yourself and some friends or family out for a little spin.  For the Bay gang, it's all about getting uphill to turn the corner, pop the big one and go for a hugely pleasure-inducing, hootin'n'hollerin blast down the Bay past Alcatraz, just remember to get kite down before you hit Treasure Island or Berkeley!  We promise you'll have a hard time wiping the grin off your face.  If you thought the J/125s were having all the fun, think again.  For NorCal Bay fanatics, please contact Norm Davant at ph# 510-523-8500 or norman@sailcal.com.  For SoCal surfers, be sure to contact Jeff Brown at ph# 619-224-6200 or jeff@jk3yachts.com.  To get you amped before you go, watch the J/111 Nova Scotia "flat water planing" YouTube video....enjoy.  

J/111 NASailor.com Review

The new J/111 is a 36-foot one-design racer, with basic overnight or weekend accommodations for cruising and offshore racing. Great looking boat, and has been a great success in the market so far, with over 50+ sold. Sounds like it has some real improvements over the 122 and the 109 in performance in a big breeze, while also improving in light air due to a lower displacement – nearly 2,000 lbs lighter than the 109, and 7,000 lbs less than the 122. Read more of NASailor.com's in-depth review and pictures.

  

Just A Walk In The Park- 111-style!

(Halifax, Nova Scotia- Oct 30)- Leave it up to our Canadian friends to push the envelope and have some fun on their new 111.  On a spectacular cool, fall weekend, the Nova Scotians decided to mimic what the 55 knot kite-boarders were achieving in the Ludertiz Speed Challenge in Africa and do their own version- the Halifax 111 Speedster Experience! 20+ knots! The photo here is no joke, the 25 foot chase boat had a hard time keeping up with the 111 flying downwind.  It's 111 #5 off Halifax in a northwester, gusts to 25 TWS in flat water. Boat speed was a sustained 15-19 knots downwind; bursting to 20+ knots.  110 sq m asym and reefed main.  Basically, it was a bunch of friends and potential owners having fun, no one was pushing the envelope.  Just going for a "walk-in-the-park" 111 style! Why wasn't anyone hiking?  Because everyone wanted to drive!  See the great video taken by Jim Snair and friends.

  

J/111 Speedster Garnering Accolades At Annapolis Show

SAIL Best Boats Award

(Annapolis, MD)- The J/111 met with tremendous enthusiasm from not only sailors attending the show, but from the professional sailing media as well.  From the SAIL Magazine Judges for their Best Boats Awards 2011, their review of the 111's qualities were reflected in their commentary from their initial review- please read more at SAIL here.


Sailing World Boat of the Year Nominee

As one of the hottest new boats to be launched in 2010 with nearly fifty boats on order, the 111 has been selected by the Sailing World Boat of the Year Judges to be a nominee for the Best Performance category.  Here are first impressions so far from Dave Reed at Sailing World:

"The J/111 from J Boats showed up on time for its high-noon appointment, and as if on cue, the breeze bumped up a few knots. Excellent sailing, said each judge afterwards. "That’s definitely a contender." Maybe the best boat from J Boats yet—even better than last year’s J/95. It’s definitely a frontrunner, but there are still plenty of boats yet to sail."  Read more about the SW BOTY process here.
  

J/111 Speedster At Annapolis Boatshow

(Annapolis, MD)- If you haven't made it down to the Annapolis Show, now is the time to enjoy some beautiful fall weather outdoors on Columbus Day weekend and head on down to the Annapolis waterfront to see the new J/111.  Take a peak at what is generating all the buzz at the Newport Show the previous week.

The order book has surpassed forty boats and is rapidly approaching fifty new boats looking forward to some fun, fast sailing next summer.  The two one-design fleets already formed in Chicago and Halifax, Nova Scotia continue to grow!  To arrange a demo and get more information on this exciting boat, please contact your local J Dealer or J/Boats at ph. 401-846-8410 or at info@jboats.com.

  

J/111 SAIL Video

(Boston, MA)-  Adam Cort and crew go out on the J/111 for a complete test and evaluation of how she sails.  Take a look at the four minute video sailing on Narragansett Bay detailing how the boat functions on deck as well as a tour of the interior.  Included are some great perspectives from designer Alan Johnstone on what makes J/111 so appealing to the broad spectrum of people who've sailed her to date.  Click photo to right to see the video.Be sure to visit the J/111 at the Annapolis Sailboat Show next weekend!  Call J/Boats +1-401-846-8410, email- info@jboats.com or call your nearest J Dealer for an appointment!

  

J/111 TriState Race Debut

(Chicago, IL)- With great anticipation a crowd gathered around the dock at Chicago YC on Friday afternoon September 6th to take their first peek at the recently arrived J/111.  Like a powerful stallion pulling at its reins in nervous anticipation of a quick trip around the race track, the J/111 was waiting to gives its crew a fast flight across the fresh water of Lake Michigan.

Expectations were not unfounded. After the first leg of the Tri-State Offshore race was canceled due to gale force winds, the J/111 instead went sailing on Saturday with a number of prospective 111 one-design fleet owners.  In the puffy westerly winds blowing 10-22 knots and a large swell running in a southerly direction, the stage was set to test the performance of the 111 in Lake Michigan's notorious chop.  The boat left the dock, set the smaller 111m2 asymmetric spinnaker and took off on a couple of 18+ knot puffs.  By the afternoon, with a number of skeptics on board loaded with handheld GPS's, there was no question the 111 was easily planing off the wind and hitting 16+ knots in 22 knots of wind.  One owner was told by a crew member that he better wipe the smile off his face or it would kill him!

Sunday's racing dawned with a forecast for 10-20 knot winds from the S-SW for the 35 mile leg from Chicago to Michigan City, IN-- basically a drag race under spinnaker headed at Michigan City's power plant stacks.  The 111 started with the large 130m2 kite, sailed off below its competitors and established a lead less than three miles after the start over a Grand Soleil 44 IMS/IRC racer, Mumm/Farr 36s, J/120s, J/109s and a Sydney 38. The wind varied from 85 to 110 apparent with the large A-sail for half the race. The wind moved further south and increased slightly in velocity into the 15+ knot range, moving the apparent wind to 65-90 degrees, necessitating a change to the smaller 111m2 kite.  The tighter reach also proved to the liking of the boat and by race end, the J/111 crossed the line 4th boat for boat, behind a RP 66, a TP 52 and an RP 46 and winning on corrected time.

Labor Day Monday dawned grey and cool with a brisk breeze blowing in from the S-SW 10-20 knots with a short, steep nasty chop.  Like the day before, the forecast suggested a rhumbline route, a drag race for 35 miles pointing at Chicago's Sears Tower from the Michigan City's starting line just off the long jetty.  The leg was a 32 mile "power beat" with jib just inside or just over the lifelines.  Only in the last 3 miles did the bigger boats have the wind temporarily free-up to set code zero's or spinnakers.  The 111 started at the RC boat end, to leeward of all competitors.  Stacked to windward basically dead even were the two J/120s, two Mumm/Farr 36s, the Grand Soleil 44 and the Sydney 38.  What surprised everyone was the fact that the 111 managed to just stay ahead of the 36-41 footers in these conditions, slicing into the waves, accelerating rapidly off wave-tops and rarely ever pounding.  Even in these conditions, the 111 was hitting 7.7 to 8.5 knots "power beating".  The GS-44 is a powerful boat and as expected, powered away from the fleet to win boat-for-boat on what was essentially a "waterline" race.  With good management of their sail selection and better playing of the late race wind shift, the J/120 and the Sydney 38 caught the 111 in the last five miles of the race.  As a result, the 111 finished 4th on elapsed and 2nd on corrected, the J/120 winning the class on this leg.  Overall, the J/111's 1-2 for the weekend meant that she "unofficially" won her class for the shortened "Bi-State Race".  For more J/111 sailing news and information.

J/Boats and Key West Race Week

The Longstanding Tradition Is Thriving!

Whether it’s One Design, PHRF or IRC, J/Boats entries are always big news at Key West Race Week. J/105s and J/80s turn out in strong numbers and the competition is outstanding. It’s not unusual to have a J/Boat winning Boat of the Day, Boat of the Week, and/or PHRF Boat of the Week.  2011 will be no exception and looks to be another banner year. J/80s are well on their way to a 20-boat class at this early date. The J/105s are up to a dozen+ already.  With four J/95s already committing, there will likely be separate sub-class scoring and trophies.

Keep up with the plans and projections on class pages on the event web site: for the J/80s click here, for the J/105s click here.   Premiere Racing updates each class’ special page with entry news and class specific planning details.

Plan to escape the chill of winter and head to Key West in January. Race dates are January 17 – 21, 2011. Take advantage of the early entry discount ($100 off paid entries submitted by October 1), and other savings on the social fees, and the Truman Waterfront Property (Navy Basin). We’ll look forward to seeing you there! J/Boats has been a Key West Industry Partner since the beginning of the program in 2002.

For more Key West Race Week sailing information

Newport Sailboat Show- J/111 Introduction

(Newport, RI)- Be sure to mark your calendars to view the J/111 at the Newport Sailboat show, open from September 16th to 19th.  Also featured will be the J/95 (the cool, shoal-draft centerboard cruiser); the J/100 with sprit option; the J/22 and J/80 at the Waterlines booth; the J/80 and J/105 on the Discover Sailing docks on the waterfront next to the J/Boats in-water docks; and the gorgeous J/65 BRAND NEW DAY (more info below) in the brokerage section.  For more Newport Sailboat Show info.
  

SAIL- J/111 Boat Test

The Latest From J/Boats Is All About Performance

(Boston, MA)- Adam Cort recently did a test sail of the J/111 and interviewed designer Alan Johnstone: "According to designer Al, the brief for the new 36ft 6in J/111 one-design was for a boat that he and the rest of the J/Boats crew would want to sail—-- and it shows.  During a recent daysail off Newport, Rhode Island, hull #1 reveled in picture perfect sailing conditions, with winds out of the east in the mid to high teens. Sailing to windward, the boat was balanced and easy to drive through the moderate swells. Off the wind, the boat lit up under a massive, but easy to handle A-sail."  Read more about Adam's interview here.    SAIL's J/111 video.
  

J/111 Sailing Fast!

(Bristol, RI)- This past weekend, the J/111 was launched in Barrington, RI in northern Narragansett Bay.  Sailing on the 111's maiden voyage was Joe Pimenta of builder CCF Composites, Ben Hall and Corey Butlin of Hall Spars,  Didier LeMoal of JB Composites (J builder in France), designer Alan Johnstone, and other J family members including Rod, Stu, Jeff and Matthew.

The weather forecast was partly cloudy with spotty ESE breezes from 0-12 knots, which is exactly what we saw for the 111's first shake-down sail. It was a good test of the boat's balance and acceleration capabilities in the low wind ranges. As designer Al Johnstone commented, "even with a #3 jib flying, we could tell right away that the J/111 has all the elements we were hoping for in terms of speed, acceleration and a feather light touch on the helm both upwind and downwind.”

On day 2, the full Doyle inventory (including #1 jib) was flown and a five person crew took the J/111 upwind in a steadier 12-16 knot southerly to test the balance, responsiveness and stability. Grins all around as the J/111 sliced effortlessly upwind with minimal wake and very easy steering/ trimming with helmsman able to drive and play the mainsheet (fine-tune) like a J/80.  Two people could handle the tacking duties, and the jib trimmer was in heaven being able to freely adjust the fore/aft/inboard jib leads with the cockpit led controls.

Jeff Johnstone added “we then hoisted the large A-Sail (130m2) and took right off. The boat balanced great and we felt we had equal opportunity to either go deep and rotate the kite out, or heat up to double digit speeds.  We threw in several jibes, including a double-handed one in 15-17 knots with Rod on helm and mainsheet and Al on both kite sheets.”

This week the commissioning continues with sailing electronics install, engine trials and final commissioning at Bristol Marine with sailing starting again this weekend in Newport.

With the schedule beginning to fill up in August/ September for the Newport demo sails, please be sure to contact your J Dealer soon to get a taste of J/111's sweet sailing experience.  For photos of the first sail, please go to the J/111 photo gallery.
  

111 Triple Threat

(Newport, RI)- The J/111 is ready to blast out of the starting blocks on three continents (Americas, Europe and Asia).  The J/111 speedster can count on dozens of passionate J aficionados around the world to tear up the track leaving nothing but steaming bubbles in its flat wake.  The J/111 launches this weekend and will undergo its commissioning and sailing trials next week.  Congratulations to the CCF Composites team (pictured here) for producing a beautiful, fair hull; a functional, well-laid out deck and cockpit; and a gorgeous, well-fitted, interior.  The schedule for demo sails is rapidly filling up.  Please make sure to contact your J/Dealer now to jump aboard for a thrilling ride on Narragansett Bay during August and September.   For more J/111 sailing information
  

J/111 Ready To Launch

(Newport, RI)- Sitting on the shop floor in Bristol like a powerful jungle cat stalking its prey, the J/111 is getting ready to unleash its power and go for some thrilling rides on Narragansett Bay.  Please be sure to speak to your J Dealer now about scheduling a visit to take her for an eye-opening sailing experience during August and September when the J/111 is still in Newport, RI. 

The new J/111 mast is a single-piece seamless tube from Hall Spars constructed using carbon epoxy pre-preg laminate technology.  Ben Hall's commentary: "Our carbon pre-preg fabrics are made to our specifications just for the J/111 project. During our autoclave-curing process, the infused high-strength epoxy resin is heated until it becomes liquid, at which point it completely surrounds the carbon fibers.  At 250 psi and vacuum pressure of at least 5 atmospheres and baked at 200 degrees centigrade, we ensure the J/111 mast is light, strong and meets our Grand Prix specifications. The tall, powerful sail plan of the exciting new J/111 is the perfect platform for this technology."  For more J/111 one-design sailboat information
  

J/111 Ready to Fly

(Newport, RI)- Preparations for the first sail of the J/111 are in their final stages.  CCF Composites has done a wonderful job preparing the molds, tooling and finish work; some additional tools were made to increase strength-to-weight ratios and improve production efficiencies.  The end result will be a clean, lightweight, durable performance sailing machine.  Additionally, sailmakers around the world have broken out their heavy artillery to ensure the first sails out of the bag are fast, strong and lightweight.  To date the first boats will have Doyle/New Zealand, North, Quantum and Ullman Sails aboard, all designed by their latest "flow design" programs, with latest materials technologies and managed by their leading sail designers.  Sail design concepts and specifications proposed by these leading sailmakers are pointing to a 111 class inventory of a main, two jibs and two asym spinnakers.  Photo credit- Doyle Sails.  For more J/111 sailboat information.
  

J/111 One-Design Hatched

Dave Reed, Editor at Sailing World, had a chance to catch up with both Jeff and Stu Johnstone at J/Boats regards J/111 developments and perspectives on this next-generation one-design class.  You can read more about this interview and learn more about the J/111 on Sailing World.com in the July issue.  Please read more about it here- http://www.sailingworld.com/sailboats/hatching-a-one-design
  

J/111- Hatched and Ready to Fly!

(Bristol, RI)- Fresh out of the molds and seemingly ready to take off is J/111 hull numero uno at CCF Composites operations in Bristol, RI.  The first boat will spend the summer in Newport, RI sailing locally and moored in Brenton Cove, just off the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court docks.  The second boat is going to Chicago to sail the renowned 290 nautical mile sprint- the Chicago-Mac- at the end of July with a cracker-jack crew that won last year's event overall.  Peel your eyes away from your work screens and take a look at this gorgeous hull, sweeet lines and curvy, firm buttocks- she's a keeper, fun, fast and great-looking!  You can see more revealing shots of the first J/111 hull here.

  

J/111 Speedster Update

HOT and Getting Hotter

(Bristol, RI)- The J/111 first hull is molding and the deck plug is complete.  The project is on track for sailing in June. Interest continues to grow, with two dozen orders from Europe, New Zealand, America and China.  Perhaps more importantly, some of the key specifications have been determined to provide state-of-the-art performance and affordable racing for a grand prix one-design class. The J/111 will sport a carbon pre-preg Hall Spar.  The spar design and tube section make use of Hall Spars leading carbon technology-- it  promises a rig that is both stronger and lighter than comparable carbon rigs.  For superior lift, low VCG and maximum righting moment, the J/111 has a vertical L-shaped bulb keel comprised of a 316L formed stainless steel fin and an antimony-reinforced bulb attached to the hull with a broad SS flange.  The deck plan is ultra-simplistic for maximum ease-of-use for a crew of just six people.  The large 60" wheel affords superior visibility of wind, waves and the leading edge of the jib.  The interior for the American market has simple cruising accommodations, a functional galley and navigation station.  For more J/111 one-design sailboat information.  

J/111 Speedster - It's Alive! Ready to Rock!

(Newport, RI)- J/Boats' partner in building the J/111, CCF Composites from Bristol, RI, has done a beautiful job lofting and building an incredibly fair and spectacular looking hull plug.  Prepare yourselves for some eye-candy and mouth-watering performance in June flying across the waters of Narragansett Bay.  With twenty J/111s on order from all over the world (1/4 from Europe alone) the momentum and excitement continues to build for this new J speedster....certain to "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee".  For more J/111 information, sailing performance and more pictures.