J/80 North American Class Association

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.