J/80 North American Class Association

The 2021 J/80 North American championships are being hosted by Eastport YC and will be held in Annapolis Oct 1-3.

Registration is now Open: click here to register

New hulls continue to find their way into North America with 10 boats delivery to Hudson Sailing in time for the 2022 Worlds in Newport. This boat, 1632 joined the Fleet 1, NH fleet in the summer of 2020.

The molding of hull #1700 is in the works, making the J/80 the second most popular Jboat of all time, behind the J/24.  The legendary J/24 has some 6000+ hulls, so it is nice that the J/80 is mentioned in the same breath and continues to grow as a class. No offense to the venerable 24, but most people would prefer to race a J/80.

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Mark Girone's hull #1592 gets a Baltoplate finish and final assembly in Bristol, RI. 

J/80's on the used market are almost non-existant here in 2021. A new hull costs 55K without electronics or paint and still seems like a good deal given the cost of bringing an older boat back up to that level. Major fleets in Annapolis, Austin, Lake Winnepesaukee, NH, Toronto, Seattle, and Marion Massachusetts continue to grow.

A total year + rehab on hull #63 included a sprayed VC Epoxy finish. Ex Harmful 26 is joining the growing Massachusetts fleet in Marion this year. Used boats are difficult to find but worth the effort to rehab. The Toronto fleet found that importing a used boat from Europe helped build their fleet in 2020.

Nothing like a new bottom! Hull #1632 dangles from the fork truck during christening at Fay's boatyard in Gilford, NH.  Fay's and fleet 1 hosted the 2019 North Americans.

Rule Chance for only Proposal #2  to take effect January 1, 2021. Change to rule will be reflected in the J/80 Builders Specifications.
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J/80 Rule Amendment Proposals 2021

REJECTED
PROPOSAL #1 – Jib Material and Construction - Proposed by France J/80 NCA Class Rule: #G.4.1(b) Headsail Construction Current Rule: The body of the sail shall be constructed of either: woven ply and/or laminated ply made from one or more of the following materials: polyester, aramid, HMPE. Sail reinforcement shall be made from one or more of the following materials: polyester, aramid, HMPE, glass fiber. Aramid is marketed under trade names such as Kevlar and Twaron and HMPE under trade names such as Spectra and Dyneema. #5 or #6 luff tape shall be used for the furling system attachments. Proposed Rule: The body of the sail shall be constructed of either: woven ply and/or laminated ply made from one or more of the following materials: polyester, aramid, HMPE. Sail reinforcement shall be made from one or more of the following materials: polyester, aramid, HMPE, glass fiber. Aramid is marketed under trade names such as Kevlar and Twaron and HMPE under trade names such as Spectra and Dyneema. #5 or #6 luff tape shall be used for the furling system attachments. Effective for new sails delivered after January 1, 2021, all materials used to make the sail and the sail manufacturing process must be widely available to the sailmaking community. Reason for change: to level the playing field for suppliers and encourage more competitive (lower) pricing for the jibs.

APPROVED
​PROPOSAL #2 – Spinnaker Halyard Cleat Use – Proposed by North America J/80 NCA Ref: J/80 Building Specifications Line #52 Current Specification: Spinnaker halyard 150 cam cleat on starboard side of mast OR one cheek block on deck (outboard of mast) and one cam cleat aft on starboard cabin trunk. Proposed Specification: Spinnaker halyard 150 cam cleat on starboard side of mast AND/OR one cheek block on deck (outboard of mast) and one cam cleat aft on starboard cabin trunk. Reason for change: to allow concurrent installation and use of the two different cleats currently permitted in the building specifications. The aft cam cleat near the cockpit was standard on USbuilt boats for several years before the mast cleat became standard. The official building specifications have always allowed for either cleat but not both. For racing in normal conditions, the mast cleat is preferred as it keeps the crew weight forward; however in very windy conditions and with less athletic (i.e. older) crew, the cockpit cleat is safer for handling. Cost impact is minimal.

Date: Nov 17, 2020 - 8pm ET

Proposed Agenda
- Introductions
- Year in Summary (regional fleets to provide update)
- State of the Class - Financial Status
- J/80 Rules update
- Worlds 2022 update
- Future Championship venues - (2021, 2022, 2023
- Vote of the Board
- Summary

​Virtual connection details...

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85458485254?pwd=MWw5a1VIVnNzUXFoY1BKaks2ZGVMZz09

Meeting ID: 854 5848 5254
Passcode: J80srock
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Two out of the last 3 years, the most outstanding performance at the Sailing World Annapolis NOODs has gone to a J/80 team. Will Crump and crew on R/80 dueled 2016 NA champion John White and nine other teams, in close racing, to win a trip to the Caribbean.

Read the full story 

Today's ever changing environment has made scheduling a North American Championship or any other regatta for that matter rather challenging; the J/80 NAs is no exception.  The J/80 Class has decided to "hoist the AP" on the J/80 North American Championship until our regatta landscape is better understood and therefore will not have the Annapolis NOODs host as venue for this event.  The Class however will consider a Fall option in Annapolis if an opportunity arises for a championship to commence in 2020.  Stay tuned for further information on this and for the AP to be lowered over the coming weeks.

Please send your comments on the proposed Class rule changes by Aug 1, 2020 to  rbannura@yahoo.com or comment on this blog.

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J/80 Rule Amendment Proposals 2020

PROPOSAL #1 – Jib Material and Construction - Proposed by France J/80 NCA Class Rule: #G.4.1(b) Headsail Construction Current Rule: The body of the sail shall be constructed of either: woven ply and/or laminated ply made from one or more of the following materials: polyester, aramid, HMPE. Sail reinforcement shall be made from one or more of the following materials: polyester, aramid, HMPE, glass fiber. Aramid is marketed under trade names such as Kevlar and Twaron and HMPE under trade names such as Spectra and Dyneema. #5 or #6 luff tape shall be used for the furling system attachments. Proposed Rule: The body of the sail shall be constructed of either: woven ply and/or laminated ply made from one or more of the following materials: polyester, aramid, HMPE. Sail reinforcement shall be made from one or more of the following materials: polyester, aramid, HMPE, glass fiber. Aramid is marketed under trade names such as Kevlar and Twaron and HMPE under trade names such as Spectra and Dyneema. #5 or #6 luff tape shall be used for the furling system attachments. Effective for new sails delivered after January 1, 2021, all materials used to make the sail and the sail manufacturing process must be widely available to the sailmaking community. Reason for change: to level the playing field for suppliers and encourage more competitive (lower) pricing for the jibs.


​PROPOSAL #2 – Spinnaker Halyard Cleat Use – Proposed by North America J/80 NCA Ref: J/80 Building Specifications Line #52 Current Specification: Spinnaker halyard 150 cam cleat on starboard side of mast OR one cheek block on deck (outboard of mast) and one cam cleat aft on starboard cabin trunk. Proposed Specification: Spinnaker halyard 150 cam cleat on starboard side of mast AND/OR one cheek block on deck (outboard of mast) and one cam cleat aft on starboard cabin trunk. Reason for change: to allow concurrent installation and use of the two different cleats currently permitted in the building specifications. The aft cam cleat near the cockpit was standard on USbuilt boats for several years before the mast cleat became standard. The official building specifications have always allowed for either cleat but not both. For racing in normal conditions, the mast cleat is preferred as it keeps the crew weight forward; however in very windy conditions and with less athletic (i.e. older) crew, the cockpit cleat is safer for handling. Cost impact is minimal.

​Due to current events impacting sailing regattas, travel, and related global disruptions, the J/80 North American Class Association Executive Board is saddened to announce the cancellation of the J/80 2020 World Championships that were originally scheduled to be held September 28,2020 in Newport RI;  however, the J/80 Worlds will return to North America in 2022.  The next J/80 World Championship will be hosted by the Royal Danish Yacht Club in Hellerup Denmark, Summer 2021. 


Please stay tuned for details surrounding the planning of the 2022 J/80 Worlds to be hosted by the J/80 North American Class Association.


The 2020 J/80 North American Championships remain planned and scheduled concurrent with Annapolis NOOD regatta previously rescheduled and now to be held August 28-30, 2020.

J/80 World Championship History
 
2001    Newport, RI, USA                
            Kerry Klingler (USA)
 
2002    La Rochelle, France               
            Pascal Abignoli (FRA)
 
2003    Fort Worth, TX, USA            
            Jay Lutz  (USA)
 
2004    Sandham, Sweden                 
            Peder Arvefors (SWE)
 
2005    Falmouth, UK                        
            Ruairidh Scott  (GBR)
 
2006    Corpus Christi, TX, USA      
            Glenn Darden  (USA)
 
2007    La Trinite, France                   
            Jose Maria Torcida (ESP)
 
2008    Kiel, Germany                        
             Ignacio Camino Rodrigues (ESP)
 
2009    Santander, Spain                    
            Rayco Tabares (ESP)
 
2010    Newport, RI                           
            Jose Maria Torcida (ESP)
 
2011    Dragor, Denmark                   
           Ignacio Camino Rodrigues (ESP)
 
2012    Dartmouth, UK
            José van der Ploeg (ESP)
 
2013    Marseille, France
            Hugo Rocha (ESP)
 
2014    Annapolis, MD
            Brian Keane (USA)
 
2015    Kiel, Germany
           Rayco Tabares (ESP)
 
2016    Sotogrande, Spain
           Rayco Tabares (ESP)
 
2017    Hamble, UK
           Rayco Tabares (ESP)
 
2018    Les Sables D’Olonne, France
            Rayco Tabares (ESP)
 
2019    Bilboa, Spain
           Pablo Santrude Del Arco (ESP
 
2020    Sail Newport, Newport, RI USA
            Your Name Here!
            Sept 28 – Oct 3
           

-       Charleston Race Week  (CRW) - April 23-26
-       Helly Hansen Annapolis NOODs (J/80 North Americans) - May 15-17
-       Helly Hansen Marblehead NOODS  (ECC) - July 23-26
-       Rochester/Sodus Bay YC, NY (LYRA) - Aug 1-2
-       J/Fest Newport, RI - Aug 15-16 
-       Lake Winnipesaukaee, NH - (J-Jamborie) - Sept 18-20
-       J/80 Worlds -Sail Newport, RI - Sept 28-Oct 3
        Click here Registration for Worlds is now open on Yachtscoring.com

2020 J/80 North Americans will be held in Annapolis May 15-17, 2020 during the Helly Hansen NOODs as hosted by Sailing World and Annapolis Yacht Club. This venue will be one of the prime stops on the J/80 Worlds tour leading to the J/80 World Championships to be held in September 28-October 3 in Newport RI.

For details on the NOODs event, please monitor the event website for announcements...

https://www.sailingworld.com/helly-hansen-nood-dates-set-for-2020/

In a raffle to raise money for the up coming J/80 World Championships to be held in Newport RI Sept 28-Oct 3, 2020, David Doyle from Toronto Canada Fleet 20 was the lucky winner and proud recipient of a Quantum Main and Jib.  Congratulations David!   

Below: J/80 North American Class President presents sails to David Doyle during the J/80 North American Championships in New Hampshire last weekend. 

Twenty-two teams battled unusually light-air conditions across three days before a champion could be crowned. Hurricane Humberto stalled a high pressure system over Lake Winnipesaukee and the host Winnipesaukee Yacht Club for a three day stretch of sunny but fickle breezes.

Cam Tougas got his name on the J/80 North American Championship perpetual trophy for the second straight year, this time as helmsman aboard the winning boat, Aegir representing Beverly Yacht Club in Marion, MA.  Last year Tougas, 24 and a graduate of URI, crewed aboard Chip Johns winner Cavitica from BYC when the event was held in a blustery Marion venue on Buzzards Bay. 

This time Tougas and his band of twenty-something friends had to hit the road and change to light air mode with a 2,9,2,1 score to win the championship.  

Ten travel teams from all over North America, including Canada came expecting the typical heavy air sailing usual at this time of year. One team claimed they changed the rig tune three times before a race was in the books.  Breezes in the 3-5 knot range, included huge shifts in direction, made for challenging racing. 

​With over 1,600 boats now sailing in 30+ countries, the J/80 continues to set the world standard for keelboat one-design racing and leading-edge institutional sail training. And 2020 promises to be even more exciting in North America with the return of the J/80 World Championships to Newport, Rhode Island (Sept 28 – Oct 3). Newport hosted both the inaugural J/80 Worlds in 2001 and the epic 2010 J/80 Worlds.

Class racing in North America is re-energized, and to celebrate, we’re pleased to announce the J/80 Fall Package:

​• 2020 Model J/80 with standard specifications including:
• AG+ mast and boom
• Profurl R250 New Gen roller furling system
• Lewmar winches and Harken deck gear
• Triad Trailer - Galvanized, double-axle lift off trailer
• Companionway spinnaker bag.
• Safety Gear package – anchor, chain & rode, bucket, bilge pump, first aid kit, two fenders, two docklines.

​The package price is $54,950 (Bristol, RI) with an order deadline of October 15, 2019. Delivery dates are available from February to May. Please contact your local J/Dealer or J/Boats.

​P.O. Box 90 557 Thames St. Newport, RI 02840 USA Tel 401-846-8410 info@jboats.com

2019 J/80 North American Championships
 
LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, NEW HAMPSHIRE
September 18th – 23rd
 
Registration is open NOW:
 
Click here to register 
 
J-Jamboree!!! Pack up the boat, crew and bring them to the heart of New England. Epic racing. Epic off the water activities New England style. Ask your friends, this regatta does not disappoint!
 
See Notice of Race for more information. More details coming soon.
 
Email: Dave Stowe, regatta chairman: davidstowe@lwsa.org

The 64th U.S. Adult Sailing Championship, AKA the Mallory Cup, is being hosted September 4-8, 2019 by the Beverly Yacht Club in Marion, Mass. The regatta is open to representatives (male or female adults) of regional sailing associations chosen by resume. Many of BYC’s members are donating their personal J/80s for the event.
 
BYC, which recently hosted the 2018 J80 North American Class Championship, has a strong J/80 fleet. The J/80s will be in strict OD condition and also have a local fleet rep to attend to any equipment issues in the round robin event.
 
According to U.S. Sailing, racing for the Mallory Trophy was first held in 1952 as the U.S. Men’s Sailing Championship. Since then it has become a more open and inclusive regatta, allowing female skippers and all-female crews. In reflection, the regatta was renamed the U.S. Adult Sailing Championship in 2013.
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Teams representing their Regional Sailing Association (RSA) from across the country qualify by competing at a high level in their respective RSA qualifying events or by submitting a resume. Last year, the Wayzata YC in Wayzata, Minn. hosted 35 sailors from 12 states who raced in J/22s.
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For more information on the U.S. Sailing adult Championship and how to enter visit U.S Sailing.

For a history of the Mallory cup click here:

J80 Hull #1592 Just delivered from JBoats France to Newport, RI 

It was announced at the J80 North American Championship in Marion that Hudson Sailing had ordered a fleet of new J80s from France. In addition, individuals are also buying new boats as well. Mark Girone of Nashville, TN is awaiting delivery of his new boat, hull 1592, after initial prep in Newport, RI. 

For people like Mark, this will be his third J80. He briefly went over to the dark side and purchased a J70, but found that it didn't accommodate all his buddies that he wanted to race with, according to SW JBoats dealer and 4x J80 North American Champion Steve Lemay. who brokered the deal.  

The boats are shipped in a container without the keel attached (see pic above). All put together, with rig, running rigging, and trailer, sans sails, electronics and outboard, the current price is 55K. Lemay also said the quality of the boats is so high directly from the builder, that when hull 1592 was shown to Randy Borges of Waterlines fame, that he didn't feel any additional bottom work was necessary or warranted. It is hoped that enough interest will allow for a price reduction with a multiple boat order. With the J80 Worlds coming to NA in 2020 it is expected a new boat fleet will be delivered for charter boats and subsequent sales.

With a dearth of used boats available, people looking to get into the class are encouraged to contact their local JBoats dealer. For those loving their existing boats, it is good news that new boats are available, the class is growing even more, and the value of their boats remains high.

Beverly Yacht Club Commodore Jack Gierhart (left) presented the perpetual J/80 North American Class Association trophy to Bill Marvel, Zander Gryska, 2018 champion skipper Chip Johns & Cam Tougas. Race PRO Sam Vineyard is at right

​Chip Johns and his crew of Zander Gryska (mast), Cam Tougas (pit), and Bill Marvel (trimmer) dominated in 3 days of racing in windy conditions to win this year’s 2018 J/80 North American Championship, hosted by the Beverly Yacht Club in Marion, Mass.  The crew aboard 702 Cavitica, whose worst score in the 13 races held was a 4, got shot out of a cannon early to open the competition with two straight wins on the opening day of racing on Buzzards Bay and never looked back. Congratulations to team Cavitica on a fine performance!  

Thursday evening at the skippers’ meeting before racing opened, Race PRO Sam Vineyard promised a brisk turn-around between races, for the 22 teams assembled, as a cold front with heavy rain and a lightning show outside the BYC clubhouse swept in a strong northeasterly breeze that would hold and build across the event. Vineyard was true to his word, getting off 5 races on day one in 13-knots and better; day two saw 15-plus knots with higher gusts in the often oscillating winds and washing machine-like chop; day three saw 15-20 knots under a low overcast cloud cover- all in unusual contrast to Buzzards Bay usual southwesterly thermal and wave set.

The conditions made the starts critical as those who got off with clear air got to choose when to tack on each shift while the boats in the second row looked to clear air but often got pin-balled by the lead group. Here again, Johns and his team were masters of the start with phenomenal acceleration off the line and going the right way. They seemed to tack on every shift and while they didn’t win every race, their 1,1,3,3,2,1,1,3,1,4,2,4 scores were enough to hold off Kevin Hayes & Jeff Kirchoff’s More Gostosa from fleet 1 on Lake Winnipisaukee, helmed by Conor Hayes, who finished in second overall, 11 points behind, and 2016 NA Champ John White on 1162, who finished 3rd, with 44 points.

Johns, a past Commodore at BYC, was instrumental in getting BYC to host the Championship this year. The fleet-12 Marion racers upheld the honor of the host club with an outstanding demonstration of winning starts, acelleration off the line, upwind boatspeed-keeping the boat flat in windy conditions, great tactics and sound boathandling.

The excellent all volunteer BYC committee provided housing for visiting teams and quick turn-around on launch and haul at Barden’s Boat Yard. While J/80 class president Ramzi Bannura oversaw the weigh-in and measurement supported by several independent ISAF measurers.  BYC’s hot clam chowder, free beer, excellent food service, and inclusive dockage made a welcome and easy focus on the racing.

Full Official scoring can be found on Yachtscoring.com
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Photographer Anne T. Converse has posted some pics on facebook HERE.

Day 2, Race 1 Cavitica horizons the fleet.  Photo courtesy of Hew Russell

The start line with Gary Panariellero (Bow#7) who finished 4th overall getting the jump!  photo courtesy of Hew Russell

​In a stunning display of boat speed in light air, Les Beckwith and his team on 1151 FKA came from behind and won the 2018 J/80 East Coast Championships in Boothbay, Maine this past weekend. FKA representing fleet 1 from Lake Winnipesaukee, had a solid first day of racing with a couple of bullets, but also a 10th place and a couple of mid-pack 6th place finishes in the 16-boat fleet to put him in fourth place after 5 races on the first day of racing-which was held east of Squirrel Island in a light SSW’ly 4-6 knot breeze and sunny skies. The left side of the course paid off all day with a lift off Fisherman’s Island and a bit more velocity.
 
The standings after day one had 1153 More Gostosa, helmed by Conor Hayes leading with 16 points followed by Dan Shanahan’s Lawyers, Guns, and $, (Mangos), Ken Mangano from Annapolis being a guest trimmer, with 22 points, followed closely by Craig & Madeline Preston’s hull # 4, Sky Rocket, then Beckwith, a slim point behind them in 4th place, with 24 points.
 
The 16-boat fleet, with boats from Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire joined the host fleet-14 Maine boats back at the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club for a traditional lobster bake with all the fixings, including a Maine blueberry sheet cake for desert-No one left Hungry!
 
Sunday morning the wind was up a bit more to start, blowing 8-knots out of the South and PRO, Carter White set up on the west side of Squirrel Island to take advantage of that. This time the right shore lift paid dividends, especially for Beckwith and his FKA team who recorded four straight bullets to jump over everyone to win the East Coast Championship. Les and his team on FKA had 6 bullets in the 9 races run.
 
More Gostosa slipped to second overall in spite of a strong 2,2,5,2 second day, Lawyers, Guns, and $ (Mangos) took third and New York boat 381 Upsetter, skippered by Jason Viseltear won the Corinthian Award (top amateur crew) with a 5th overall.


In his acceptance speech, Beckwith (4th from left) thanked the BHYC organizers  and co-chairs Jen Baker (left) & Ken Colburn (2nd from left) for a fabulous venue and incredible hospitality!
 
For full results visit Regattaman.com
 
For race photos complements of Keith Luke

​Race report by: Jeffrey Rabinowitz

Dear Fellow J/80 Sailors,
August is now upon us and the first Regatta of the exciting Northeast Circuit is just a few weeks away.  The J/80 East Coast Championships is August 24th to 26th and is being held for the first time at Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club.   Fourteen boats are now registered for what promises to be excellent racing on the beautiful Maine Coast with an active social lineup including a Lobster Bake on Saturday evening.   Launching/haul out and the social events for your crew of 4 are included in the $275 entry fee.  Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club is working on housing for visiting boats.   The entry fee goes up by $50 as of 2000 this Friday, August 3,  so get your entries in. 
 
You can enter at https://www.regattaman.com/def_event_page.php?race_id=517&cancel_dest=calendar.php
 
 
Please direct any questions to the event co-chairs:
 
 
Ken Colburn                                                       or                                            Jen Baker
kcolburn@105600.com                                                                                  jenpbaker81@gmail.com
617-901-1941                                                                                                     860-707-3899