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Sunday, January 07, 2024
Greetings J35 Class Association Members and Friends
It is with great enthusiasm that I am preparing for the 2025 sailing season. 2024 was a year to forget.
As some of you may know I purchased my J35 in the fall of 1996 and have been actively racing it on the Great Lakes ever since. 2024 marked my 25 th Chicago Race to Mackinac thus qualifying me as an “Old Goat”. The plan to celebrate this was to participate in the 100 th running of the other great race to Mackinac Island, the Bayview Race to Mackinac starting in Port Huron Michigan. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Our trip to Port Huron was rudely interrupted by a reef in Port Austin. Damage to the boat
was extensive and while we were able to keep her afloat and save the sails, equipment and hardware, the hull was ultimately a total loss. My pride and joy of 28 years was totaled and beyond repair.
I was faced with a big decision. What boat to replace her with? I often had been asked why I did not move on from the J/35 class to something newer, faster, more, more “up to date” My answer was always the same. I love my boat! It is still competitive; it is still a great looking boat. It also, although all too rare these days, provided me with the
opportunity to one design race at the highest level against an outstanding group of fellow J35 owners and crews. Even in a hull that was nearly 40 years old, I still was able
to compete and win races with my J35. Why spend ten times as much when a J35 provided the best racing in the world.?
Given that I quickly made arrangements to build a “Frankenboat.” I secured a new hull that is in the process of being fully refurbished inside and out. We will use the mast, rigging, sails and much of the hardware from my original boat and in the end for a relatively modest investment above my insurance settlement, I am going to have a brand-new J/35! I could not be happier with my decision!
The resurgence of the J35 fleet here in the great lakes is real. The recently completed North American Championship regatta held at the North Star Sailing Club, on Lake St. Clair MI, was an amazing success with more than a dozen boats all over Michigan and one boat from Ontario. Racing was intense with five different boats winning the ten races and only two boats with two bullets. Mr. Bill’s Wild Ride after a rocky day one came on strong and locked up first place with one race to go and only seven points decided the next 5 places. Amazingly, tight racing and more importantly an exciting time was had by all.
This is what One Design is all about and the J/35 is still the best big boat one design fleet in the world. Rod Johnstone’s classic design, a strong enduring class structure and O/D rule, continues to be relevant and in many cases dominant, even after 40+years.
Yes, some of the boats need some TLC but these boats can be purchased and refurbished and brough to like new condition for a fraction of the cost of a new boat. Throw on some sails and in short order you will be racing with world class sailors in highly competitive races be it One design, ORC, PHRF or whatever handicap system you favor.
I am excited about returning to the water soon on my new old boat. I am already signed up for the big races and cannot wait to see the classic J/35 back in my slip.
Please support the J/35 Class Association with your membership. Joining is not easier than ever as our Treasurer Robert Gordenker has done the work to get us set up with all online, paperless application and online payment of dues. Thank you and WELL DONE to Robert who volunteered many hours of time to get this project done.
Cheers and Happy Sailing in 2025
Larry Taunt
President
J/35 Class Association
ltaunt@j35sailor.com
Sunday, March 03, 2024
J-35 North American Regatta
September 5th - 8th of 2024
Anchor Bay -Lake St. Clair, Michigan
North Star Sail Club
(32041 South River Rd, Harrison Twp, MI)
Make your plans now!
We welcome you to join in for this truly special event. Combined with the 100th racing of the Bayview Yacht Club Port Huron to Mackinac Race, it will be a year unlike any other in the history of the J-35.
Those responding early will have (subject to availability) the opportunity to come early, race the 100th annual Port Huron to Mackinac Race where J-35s should have their own one design class (https://bycmack.com/), participate in the local J-35 races, tune up with, and meet your fellow classmates.
Your race organizers are working hard to make this an enjoyable, fun, competitive event. The North Star Sail Club 2024 J-35 North American Championship will be submitted to US Sailing for regatta of the year.
North Star Sail Club (NSSC) is home to the largest active J-35 fleet in the world and anticipates the largest fleet of J-35s competing in many years.
No Ratings... Same Excuses!
