J/80 North American Class Association

The 2021 J/80 East Coast Championship is being hosted by J/80 fleet 1 on Lake Winnipesauke. J-Jamboree registration is open!  Haul-out is based on order of registration so sign up early! Lake Winnipesaukee is wonderful in the fall and the hospitality is spectacular! A big regatta against the stalwarts from fleet 1 is a great warmup for NA's in Annapolis. Join the tour! And email Fleet 1 fleet Captain David Stowe with any questions.

​(Jamestown, RI)- Having sailed against the PARTY TREE J/80 racing team in the Jamestown Tuesday evening race series and in various Round Jamestown Island Races over time, it was fun to catch up with them in the spring of 2021 at SAIL NEWPORT's south drysail lot as they prepared their boat for the 2021 sailing season.

Here is the story of how this crew of Millennials came to fruition from the perspective of Mike Filimon (kite trimmer, travel & logistics) and the team of Connor O'Neil (tactician), Sam Cushing (skipper), and Will Snyder (bow & tech support). 

​In his opening comments, Mike said, "the drop off in sailing among post college sailors and young people, in general, is something I am very passionate about. That is why I became the co-owner of J/80 USA 003 THE PARTY TREE. 

I sailed in college at the University of Rhode Island; while I was there, I lived in a house with several other sailors. 

We all graduated at different years and the last year one of us was in college, he was the last one in the house while still on the sailing team. 

One night we were sitting at the table after an alumni sailing event talking about how much we missed sailing. We were talking about ways we could keep sailing after watching all our friends and teammates who had devoted their lives to the sport STOP sailing after college. 

​We always had a fake tree with Christmas lights on it in the living room that turned on at 5:00 pm and turned off at 2:00 am. We called it "The Party Tree" in the spirit of Jimmy Buffet's "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" song. We were discussing this when the lights both literally and figuratively turned on and Party Tree Racing was born. We decided that night to form our own race team with the intent of buying a boat. So, as engineers/ geeks we are, we first we bought the domain name partytreeracing.com, as well as created the Instagram account- "partytreeracing".

After college, we all got adult jobs and moved to Newport and joined Sail Newport. We chartered the J/22 for a season and raced together...it was fun! We were really competitive (second in both series) and had a great time. We knew at this point we could be a race team. We also had lived together, so we knew we could handle paying bills together. 

We had liked the idea of a J/70, since that was the hot fleet and a boat that took 4 people to sail. We started looking at the market and quickly realized a J/80 was twice as much boat for half as much money and there were already two of them in Newport. All four of us are engineers, so we set out to develop a plan for the hard work of boat ownership. 

​We made a budget that included all the operational costs. We determined we could dry sail the boat at Sail Newport and store it there for the winter. We got insurance quotes and went as far as making a race schedule and checking entry fees. We budgeted for one new sail a year. We realized; split four-ways we could make this work. 

To ease the finances, we went to a bank, and they looked at the four of us and said, "you are renting a house?" NOT! And, we said "no, we are buying a boat". They looked confused and said they couldn't help us. We explained we needed a joint checking account, not a loan, and they said that they could do that for us. We drafted a boat agreement with rules governing usage and we all agreed to deposit the same amount per month in the boat account. We also agreed what expenses are personal and what are boat account. 

Now, the problem with the J/80 over the J/70 was that none of us had a car that could tow it!! Thankfully, one of us was thinking about trading in his old college beater. He bought a new pickup truck that could tow a J/80, so thankfully that solved that problem!

Around this time, I was out sailing on a C&C 35 with my Dad and all of his friends. They were complaining about how there aren't enough young people in sailing and not enough boats on the line anymore. I told them as a millennial we can't afford it. One of them owned a J/29 I had raced on and was moving. He said, "I would sell you my boat for $10 grand". I told him “That is not the issue, I can write you a check for $10,000 right now, but there is a 20 year wait for moorings in Newport."

​So, I need to rent a private mooring which costs thousands a season. I don't own a house, so I need to pay someone to haul it and store it for the winter. That is going to cost a lot more. I explained we need a J/80 because we can launch, tow, and store it ourselves. The owner looked at me and said, "wow you put a lot of thought into this..." I responded with "well we kind of have to".

We started scouring the market for a J/80 that fit our needs and found one in Wickford for the right price. It was even sail number 3 (number tree) so at that point it was fate. We put in an introductory offer because it didn't have a set of sails that would be competitive, and it was accepted. We bought it Wednesday, sailed it across the bay Sunday, and raced the Jamestown PHRF Fleet Tuesday. We didn't really have kite, or kite sheets, but we were out there. 

That summer we raced the PHRF Fleet in Jamestown and had a great time doing it.  Anytime not racing, we spent daysailing, or rafting up with friends. 

We got an email from the J/80 fleet captain for the Marion J/80 fleet. He explained that J/80 North Americans were happening in Marion, MA and they were trying to get as many boats as possible. We explained that we were not going to be able to attend because our boat only came with its original 1993 kite, which was cut as a reacher, and would not be competitive. He decided to talk to the fleet and help us. One senior member had purchased a new kite for the J/80 NA's and decided to give us his old kite in return for our participation. Another fleet member agreed to lend us a jib. We raced with a 13-year-old mainsail made by Vermont sailing partners. In the end, we raced and had a great time. 

We learned a lot along the way that other people can hopefully use to run successful programs. We decided that we would make a better team than individuals. We knew we would be each other's crew and after living together knew we could handle it. Pooling our resources let us afford it and we also split the work. 

I once had someone ask me, "How do you share a boat and not get in fights over who gets to use it?" 

My answer is "we don't co-own the boat; the boat co-owns us". LOFL! The work list is beyond us individually!

We split the work as a team, which is the only way it works! And, when one of us wants to take the boat out, we all get to go and enjoy it together. 

Our usual response is that boats are so much work, how do you own them by yourself?  

We are also still roommates, but have split from one house to two apartments. I have a detached garage at my apartment that is our sail loft, and the other apartment has a basement storage unit that stores the outboard, bottom paint and epoxy supplies all winter. 

We each have our defined roles, Will is tech support, Sam drives the bus, I get us to the starting line and Conor gets us over the finish line. 

We also could not pull this off without fleet support. The J/80 fleet in Marion, MA and around the USA had been great and welcomed us with open arms. 

We have so far received 3 hand-me-down sails from other boats who were happy to help because they wanted to see us on the water with them. 

We have even agreed someday, when we are older, and in a position to do so, we have to pay it forward to the next generation after us, because we owe that debt to the sailing community. 

The active J/80 fleets have been a friendly group of great sailors who are always happy to lend a hand to what it takes to get another J/80 out there with them. I even managed to hop on a boat in Seattle for West Coast Championships during a business trip and found friends on both coasts! 

We now run an active program and are gearing up for our second Block Island Race Week...hahaha, we may be the boat to beat this time!! 

Last year, not only did I win the family rivalry and leave my Dad in my wake, but we also ruffled a few feathers when we were crossing gybes with a Swan 42, who were shocked we were so hard to pass. We are a steady fixture at J/80 one-design events and have friends in other fleets. 

The J/80 one design events are always well-run and feel like a reunion as we get to meet old friends and make new ones.  

We typically trailer to a few one-design events and then fill in the schedule with local events in and around Newport. The J/80 has been not only affordable, but let us do everything we could ever want in a boat. Whether it's spending the night on Block Island or top level one-design racing, our J/80 has served us so well we have even convinced another college friend to buy one for his young family. 

This all started to happen in the summer of 2018. We have come a long way since then and have a trophy collection to prove it. We even did a FIGAWI and were known as the people crazy enough to race such a small boat and even crazier to sleep on it. 

When we aren't racing, we are out sailing every weekend. To the point that Tim Kohl, the local J/Boat dealer in Newport, saw us once on the water and said, "you guys don't stop"!! 

Two years later, doing the Storm Trysail Club Vineyard Race on the same C&C 35 with my Dad (after we had beaten them at Block Island Race Week the first time) the owner said, "well you guys all make good money, you could buy a bigger boat". Laughing, I said "yes, we could buy a bigger boat, but that wouldn't mean we have any more fun!!" 

We may not be the fastest boat in the fleet, and we are definitely not the best funded, but if you see a J/80 with four guys wearing green hats, we are definitely having the most fun on the water!! GUARANTEED!! PARTY TREED!!  Fair Winds- Mike Filimon"  

​Sailing photo credits- John Lincourt.  

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.

​

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
​

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.
​
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.
​
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.