Irish J/111 Review

(Harbor Springs, MI)-  For those of you interested in the J/111, we thought we'd pass along some comments made by David Irish, a very experienced offshore sailor and champion racer from the Great Lakes, that had the opportunity to test sail the J/111 over two days in a variety of conditions off Newport, both in Narragansett Bay and offshore in Rhode Island Sound.  Dave offered his perspectives and reactions to the J/111:

"The J-111 is a different kind of J-Boat.  It has a tall carbon rig and relatively more sail area in relation to its displacement.  The interior is simple, comfortable, and roomy, but not elaborate.  The galley is basic with a stove, sink, and ice box.  The head forward has full privacy, and there is an aft-located sit down navigation station with room for what is needed.  Full headroom in the boat feels great.

But to a sailor who likes going offshore and often races, there are some characteristics of the J-111 that greatly please me.  First, I am ready for wheel steering in a boat of this size, but I am quite fussy about the wheel arrangement.  The gearing or ratio must be quick, with no wheel winding!  If my hand is on the top of the wheel and I move it to the right, the bow pulpit should move to the right with it.  As well, the diameter of the wheel should provide comfortable hand height when standing behind or towards the sides, and to allow you to steer upwind while sitting outboard and even straddling the wheel with small vertical wheel movements.  And of course the rudder has to be up to the job, deep and well designed to provide solid control and direct response.   The J-111 rates a 10 on each of these properties!

Second, the rig is all important for sailing pleasure and racing success.  The days of overlapping genoas on short rigs are largely gone.  Better than big overlapping genoa jobs for power is the taller rig, preferably carbon, with easy to trim jibs that don’t overlap the mast.  Combine that with today’s jib roller furling equipment and we get great performance and simple sail management.  The J-111 has a tall carbon mast from Hall Spars.  The mast has a clever track, which will accept a bolt rope, round slugs, or substantial cars.  I opt for the cars, with the mainsail left on the boom, all ready to hoist, low friction, and simple and safe for short-handed or single-handed sailing.  As well, with luff cars, reefing is both simple and safe.  To raise the sail, take off the sail cover, snap on the halyard, hoist, and trim—that’s it!!! And reversing the process after a sail is as simple- just flake the sail on the boom with the luff supported by the cars and put on the sail cover.  This boat is well suited for single-handed and short-handed sailing, both favorites of mine.

And third, asymmetrical spinnakers set on a sprit have matured nicely.  In the early days of this arrangement I was unconvinced.  Sure, sail handling was easy and reaching was good, but downwind left something to be desired. To keep power in the sail, we had to reach up to a “hotter” angle, and gave away the ability to sail deep.  Probably the biggest change has been the evolution in sail shape to powerful heads on the sails that will lift or roll the sail out to weather, and give a downwind shape similar to a symmetrical spinnaker.  As well, a light and easily driven hull that will get up and go makes downwind sailing with A-sails the fun way to go,  simpler to manage and potentially faster and more fun to sail. With no spinnaker pole, no mast track and eye, no after-guys, no topping lift, and just one string to handle in a jibe, the parts count went way down!

The first three items are big, but of course there are many reasons to like this boat including: the boom ends at a point forward of the wheel and is 6’ above the cockpit floor to minimize the worrisome possibilities of a whack on the head for skipper or crew; the powerful 3 cylinder engine utilizes a sail drive for smooth and quiet propulsion and precise handling and docking; and the cabin house is the right height so that when the helmsman sits at the helm, he or she looks over the cabin top at boats and water, not into the side of the cabin or the foot of an overlapping jib.

Sailing the boat I felt completely at home and comfortable and happy.  I can hardly wait for spring to start the next chapter in my sailing life on J-111 hull #15!!"   For more J/111 one-design sailboat information.  

J/111 One-Design & Racing Update

 

(Newport, RI)- Launched just over 6 months ago, the new J/111 has rapidly achieved significant momentum worldwide.  With over sixty boats ordered from 10 countries, one-design fleets are already forming in Canada (Nova Scotia), USA (Midwest and New England) and England (the Solent) with more to come.

J/111 events in America are slated to start in summer 2011, starting with the renowned Rolex Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week, then Chester Race Week in Halifax, the Chicago-Mackinac Race and the Harbor Springs Ugotta Regatta in the Midwest. By fall, the Solent-based UK J/111s plan to sail the Garmin Hamble Winter Series.  Things will really kick into gear in 2012 with a USA and European class schedule culminating in the first North American and European championships.

Several J/111 owners are planning to sail major offshore events in 2011 either as crewed or double-handed teams, including the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the Gotland Runt Race in Sweden and the Rolex RORC Caribbean 600 Race.  Included in the mix will be the classic California "north-south" races like the Cabo Race, Puerto Vallarta Race, Ensenada Race and the La Paz Race.  And, on the East Coast of America owners are sailing the Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race and the Stamford-Vineyard Race.

The J/111 owners are already putting their boats to the test in a wide variety of sailing conditions and finding the boat to be exceptionally fast in both light and heavy winds. Early race results are promising with a debut victory at Key West Race Week, and local wins in England, New Zealand and the USA under varying handicap systems.  The J/111 is exceeding its “speedster” billing with several owners having now clocked average speeds over 18 knots (top speed 23.1 knots).

In order to meet the high global demand, new J/111 production has expanded to Europe with JB Composites of France expected to launch their first boats this spring. This added build capacity permits the J/111 class to grow faster and stronger throughout Europe and also allows CCF Composites, the Bristol, RI based American J/111 builder, to meet the strong demand for J/111s in America.  Production at CCF is now at four J/111s per month.  For more J/111 one-design sailboat information  

J/111 ARABELLA Leading Frostbite Series

(Southampton, England)-  The Royal Southampton YC Frostbite Series is in full swing and the fleet is being treated to, as usual, fairly extreme conditions-- from benign and beautiful to crazy and cold!

RACES 1 & 2
It was a windy blustery day which greeted the fleet for the first sail of the year and one which would certainly blow away the cobwebs from the H&Q!

The gradient wind was circa 22 knots with gust up to 30 knots from the SW which was relatively warm, especially after the recent cold spell for the inaugural race of the Doyle Sails Frostbite Series. With 35 entries in two IRC and two RSYC classes the first race got under way with many putting reefs in. The first run was exciting with plenty of boats flying their kites however there were plenty of broaches in the strong gusts and from early on Doyle Sails were going to be kept busy after the race!

An early casualty was ALICE, last year’s series winner, who sadly broke their mast which went with a bang as it was carbon fibre, fortunately no one was hurt. JAMMIN too had problems with their gennaker which wrapped around the forestay and took a good flogging in the breeze.

With four boats retiring and others with torn sails when the gradient wind picked up to 25 knots plus and the gusts up to 35 knots, the second race was wisely abandoned.

The racing was close in all classes with Class 1 being won by J/DREAM – Kirsty and David Apthorp’s J/109. Class 2 was won by J’RONIMO – David Greehalgh’s J/92s.

RACES 3 & 4
It was frosty for the early starters with wall-to-wall sunshine and a light Northerly breeze greeting the racers for the second days racing in the aptly named Frostbite Series.

In total contrast to the last Sunday of racing, the breeze for Race 3 was very light and fickle, shifting back and forth as it ran down Southampton Water as the boats started at Deans Lake beating for Hovercraft 1. All four classes got away but with the shifty light wind it was debatable whether they would finish the race until it shifted 50 degrees to the east and increased to 10 knots. Class 2 was won by JAMMIN the J/92 owned by Matt, Pete and Andrew. Class 3 was won by ARABELLA, the new J/111 owned by Niall Dowling.

With a steady 10 knot North Easterly established the second race was back and forth across Southampton Water and, as long as one had plenty of layers on it was not too cold in the sun.  Again all four Classes had clean starts ,although with a little jostling in Class 2, After Barn was the windward mark then up the river before cascading back and forth down to the finish at Deans Lake. All in all just enough before retiring to the warmth of the club which was very busy for the prize giving of bottles of wine and  Doyle Sailmakers bags.

With a more stable wind, the finish order changed significantly.  It was J-DREAM, Kirsty and David Apthorp’s J/109 who took the bullet in Class 1.  Niall Dowling’s J/111 ARABELLA had her second win of the day in Class 3 to now be leading the series in Class 3.

Sailing Photo Credit- John Greenway

More J/111 one-design racer-cruiser sailboat information.   

J/111 Yachting World "OnTest" Review

(London, England)- The March 2011 Yachting World magazine is out on the news-stands now; on the cover is Frank Slootman's new J/111, INVISIBLE HAND shot by Erik Simonson at H2oShots.com-- check it out.  Here's an update on Toby Hodges "OnTest" review of the Niall Dowling's J/111 ARABELLA- "Yachting World were the first media in Europe to sail this sizzling hot new one-design cruiser-racer. Conceived as a one-off, demand meant the J/111 quickly became a one-design, and in a special feature in our March issue, you'll find out why the midsize racing market has been crying out for such a model. But the J/111 is no one-trick pony. Her deck-layout makes her ideal for both crewed and two-handed racing, and we've no doubt she'll be highly competitive in IRC handicap events. This is a hot boat for the new season. Start saving now!"

Toby's OnTest video review of the J/111 ARABELLA is located both on the Yachting World site as well as  on YouTube.  You can see the full video review here- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yKz-OrdwwQ  Paul Heys, the J/UK dealer for J-Boats for the last 16 years was interviewed by Toby.  Paul explains more about the target market of the J/111, why she's the "2011 version of the J/105" and why she looks set to take the market by storm. See Paul's J/111 interview on YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxvRWI5BeyY     For more J/111 sailing information  

Three Bridge Fiasco A J/Fest!

J/92 RAGTIME Wins Class
(San Francisco, CA)- With a record number of entries for the 2011 Single Handed Sailing Society’s annual 3 Bridge Fiasco, numbers became an interesting part of the 21 nautical mile "pursuit-style" tour of San Francisco Bay.

The 368 paid entries was certainly a record number for this midwinter short handed classic which allows only single handed and double handed entries. Working with a reverse handicap, the highest rater (PHRF 264 and over) started at 9:30 AM.  2 hrs:8 min:6 sec later, the lowest rater, Peter Stoneberg's Formula 40 catamaran crossed the start line. All boats have until 7:00 PM to finish. A classic "pursuit" race like Nantucket's infamous FIGAWI, your finish position is your division and overall finish order. The course begins off the Golden Gate Yacht Club and has 3 marks to round-- Blackaller buoy just to the West and in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, Red Rocks just below the Richmond San Rafael Bridge and Yerba Buena Island which anchors the Oakland Bay Bridge. Any direction and order you wish. It’s a Fiasco after all!

The forecast for light winds from the west at 5-8 knots and the 7:21 AM high tide was going to be a challenge; with about 6 feet of water slipping out the gate, at a 4.4 knot ebb during the heat of the event, plus an extra push from snow melt runoff from an unusual mid-January warm spell and you have a recipe for a ginormous ebb flow-- a.k.a. the infamous "monster Bay flush"!

162 boats managed to make it around the course in the allotted time, 139 boats failed to do so. Not that they were not trying, even calling the Race Deck as the 7:00 PM witching hour approached.  The majority of boats seemed to go with a Counter-Clockwise attempt at the course, but found themselves in suspended animation just off Aquatic Park and by Alcatraz where the rushing ebb provided just enough current to remove any SMG from boats sailing to their potential.  The smart money went clockwise and got around Red Rocks early then rode the magic carpet to the Berkeley Flat and squeezed around Yerba Buena later as the counter-clockwise fleet found out just a tad too late. Boats in the counter-clockwise group that did fetch a ride to Treasure Island, ended up in a maddening cluster seeking relief along the Island western edge. Bumper boats, anchor setting and even some short period groundings ensued.

Mother Nature threw the fleet a bit of a curve ball this year. The predicted front which was forecasted to arrive late Saturday night rolled through mid afternoon and brought with it the usual SW winds, but also managed to roll out a thick fog bank which enveloped the bay by early afternoon, reducing visibility to one-quarter mile.  Along with it, a damp cold heavy drizzle followed, just in case you were doubting your commitment. Add to that some period of little to no wind and pulling the plug became an easy choice for those not really liking their position or chances to finish in time.

Frank Slootman, owner of J/111 INVISIBLE HAND, had this to say about his first double-handed adventure: "3BF was actually quite good for us with a second in division and 15th overall. That said, there were two well-sailed J/105s that we didn't catch, but we caught all the other J Boats! Key thing is to keep the boat moving and take what it gives you. The 111 is quite easy to keep moving for its size, not sticky at all. I am super pleased with the boat's performance. Most impressive thing is that she is well-rounded and balanced on a variety of conditions and points of sail, no glaring weaknesses in performance I can see. I think you're going to be in the hunt every time with this boat!"

Amongst the leading J's was Bob Johnston's J/92 RAGTIME.  A long-time competitor of the 3BF and member of SSS, Bob was amongst the "smart" boats going clockwise (like the two J/105s and the J/111) and managed to win Division 3 Singlehanded Spinnaker and 9th overall of all 34 boats racing singlehanded!.

In Division 11 Doublehanded Spinnaker, the J/111 INVISIBLE HAND sailed by Frank ended up 2nd in division and 11th keelboat overall in the largest 3BF class (49 entrants).  Behind him in 8th was Andy Costello sailing the well-known red rocketship, the J/125 DOUBLE TROUBLE, and 9th was another J/92, Tracy Rogers' RELENTLESS.

In the J/105 One-Design Division 19 class, Rich Pipkin sailed RACER X to 1st in class and 5th keelboat overall out of 267 boats!  Just behind him was Doug Bailey's AKULA in 2nd and 10th keelboat overall!  Third was Richard Butts in MELILANI, 4th Richard Craig in LIGHTWAVE and 5th Adam Spiegel in JAM SESSION.

Not to be outdone by their "younger" stablemates, Tony Castruccio sailed his venerable J/30 VENT VITESSE in 2nd in Division 22 Doublehanded SF Bay 30!  And, the 30s "soul brothers" in the J/24 Division 27 One-Design class saw Don Taylor win with ON BELAY, Darren Cumming get 2nd on DOWNTOWN UPROAR and Raymond Lynch finish 3rd on ANOTHER WHITE BOAT.  Article contributed by Erik Simonson at H20Shots.com/ pressure-drop.us  For more Three Bridge Fiasco sailing results.   For more info on the race and Singlehanded Sailing Society.