Sail1Design Editor

The Melges 24 hitting the scene in 1993, is a one-design class of sailboat commonly used for racing. With a very large asymmetrical spinnaker and retractable bowsprit, he boat is notable for its ability to plane over the water downwind in modest winds, and for its combination of a simple design that is highly tune-able. This is a fairly technical boat and has a very competitive class.

The boat’s hull is made from lightweight fiberglass. The mast, rudder, bowsprit, and keel fin are made from carbon fiber for light weight. The hull is generally flat on the bottom, making it plane easily. The 630 pound (286 kg) keel bulb can retract up to the hull bottom to make it easier to put on a trailer.

The boat is generally raced with a crew of four or five. Because the boat sails faster with a heavier crew, class rules for racing limit crew weight to 793 pounds (360 kg) total. Unlike most spinnaker-rigged keelboats, the Melges 24 is designed so that no foredeck work is required to fly the spinnaker; it is launched, trimmed, and doused from the cockpit.

loa 24’    
beam 8’2”
sail area 390 ft²
spinnaker area 670 ft² (!)
hull weight 1783 lbs.
crew 4-5
# of boats built 700 +
active US fleets MD, FL, CA, MA, CT, RI, VA, NY, TX, LA

Class website:
http://www.melges24.com/

When your home is near the water, J/105 may be your ideal sailboat. Count up the number of nights spent sleeping aboard and compare that to the number of picnic sails when you would have liked a larger, more comfortable cockpit. J/105 is the answer. Her large cockpit combined with simple 4-5 berth week-ending layout results in two significant owner benefits: (1) A savings of $50,000 in little-used furniture, systems and cabinetry needed for extended cruising, and (2) A boat that’s easier to handle, more comfortable in waves and more fun to sail for its size. J/105 has the stability, rig and sail controls to handle 15-20 knot winds without the need of reefing. It has the strength and seaworthiness for ocean going passages.

Sailing World Magazine’s panel of experts selected J/105 as Boat-of-the-Year among racer-cruisers in 1992. Since then over 630 have been launched worldwide, fulfilling a variety of needs. Enthusiasm for this great boat continues to blossom with an active owner’s association and owner maintained web site to help you get the most from your boat.  J/105 is the most successful modern one-design keelboat class over 30′ in the World. There are one-design starts in virtually every major sailing center across the US and several class starts across Europe. Single handed sailors have raced and cruised to Bermuda; an older couple is enjoys cruising in Maine and winning the Monhegan Race after giving up their Alden 54; and America’s Cup helmsman race for prize money around the country in a professional match racing circuit.

loa 34.5’
beam 11’
sail area 577 ft² w/100% jib
spinnaker area
hull weight 7,750 lbs.
crew 1,045 lbs
# of boats built 665
active US fleets CA, MA, NY, LA, FL, OK, TX, ME, MD, NJ, CT, RI

Class website:
http://www.j105.org/

It is probably safe to say that no racer-cruiser in the annals of fiberglass sailboat production elevated the self-esteem of sailors as dramatically as the J/35. When it was introduced in the spring of 1983, it was the closest thing ever seen to instant gratification in an offshore handicap racer and one-design. If it is an exaggeration to say that new owners stepped aboard, raised the sails and began winning races, it is a small one.

What made the J/35’s dazzling performance so accessible to sailors of varying experience and ability? Primarily it was its pure hull form, a sweet easily driven shape free of the rating rule-induced exaggerations that made other handicap racers of the 1980s cranky and difficult to sail. With its light weight and long sailing length, big but uncomplicated rig and sensible deck layout, the J/35 was graced with a responsive yet forgiving nature over a wide range of conditions.

These endearing characteristics gave the J/35 a parallel life as cruising boat. Easily handled by a family, it offered plenty of space below for accommodations that were plain but practical.

The J/35 was created in response to a downturn in the U.S. economy. To attract buyers in the offshore racer-cruiser category, the brothers who ran J Boats, Bob Johnstone, who handled marketing, and Rod Johnstone, designer of the J line, decided to modify one of Rod’s earlier designs, the J/36. With a slightly shorter hull, improved keel with a lower center of gravity and a masthead, instead of fractional, rig and cost reductions realized by eliminating wheel-steering and making some cabin amenities optional, the new 35-footer, offered at a base price $49,500 ($30,000 less than its predecessor), was an instant hit.  More than 170 boats (built by TPI) were sold in the first three years; there are 330 sailing today. One-design racing activity has been strong since the J/35 debuted-as many as three dozen of the powerful 35-footers have been on the starting line for class championships. The fact that the field is more level in J/35 class racing because of the boat’s forgiving nature has not deterred some of the world’s top sailors from competing in class events.

The boat’s greatest impact, however, has been in handicap racing. How ironic that this boat designed with a conscientious disregard for any handicap rule is one of the most successful handicap racing boats ever. It has taken honors in major offshore races around the world, including even the singlehanded transatlantic race. It is the most popular racer-cruiser rated by the IMS. In spite of a challenging PHRF rating more common to 40-footers, the J/35 remains a perennial winner in club racing.

Mainly, though, the J/35’s appeal endures today for the same reason the boat was immediately popular when it was introduced 16 years ago-because, in the words of Bob Johnstone, it is “a magical boat that turns good sailors into great sailors.”

-Bill Schanen, Sailing Magazine

loa 35’ 5”
beam 11’ 8”
sail area 663 ft² w/100% jib
spinnaker area ft²
hull weight 10,500 lbs.
crew
# of boats built >330
active US fleets

Class website:
http://www.j35.org/

The Melges 32™ is a superior racer with a big, high performance attitude. It is the culmination of the finest in progressive sailboat engineering and design by Reichel/Pugh, the craft and professional talent of Paul Amon at SOCA Sailboats in Trinidad and Melges Performance Sailboats’ incomparable experience and acumen. The Melges 32 takes one design racing to the next level.

The M32™ features a lean-and-mean, supersonic-sleek hull shape and sports a simple interior, very clean deck layout and rig making it truly the ultimate day racer. It is by far the most comfortable boat in the 30-foot range. If one prefers to race overnight, pipe berths can be added for sleeping comfort. It boasts a large, powerful sail plan that makes it a cinch to sail and seriously fast. Swept spreaders with a fixed backstay, 105% headsails and masthead asymmetrical spinnakers will remind you of another Melges phenomenon — the Melges 24™!

The Melges 32 is easily launched via ramp and when equipped with a gin pole, it can be rigged without the assistance of a crane to step the mast.

Strict one design class rules govern the M32s amateur owner/driver requirements, professional crew limitations and crew weight maximum to limit the number of crew.

loa 31’ 10”
beam 9’ 10”’
sail area 699 ft² w/100% jib
spinnaker area 1,302 ft²
hull weight 3900 lbs.
crew 5
# of boats built
active US fleets

Class website:
http://www.melges32.com/

To expand your sailing horizons with a modern sportboat in open waters outside protected harbors and lakes, there’s only one choice: J/80. Sailing World magazine rated J/80 as easier to handle, less intimidating, safer and better suited for sailing offshore than other modern sportboats tested.

Numbers highlight the reason: The 1440 lb. lead keel with bulb on the J/80 weighs nearly the same as the leading competitor’s entire boat. No question. The most important standard when it comes to a forgiving design, family sailing fun and sailing in open waters is stability. Now these assessments have become official.

Offshore Certified

The J/80 is certified for Design Category B of the EU Recreational Craft Directive which states that qualifying boats are designed for waves up to 13 feet high with winds to 41 knots, or conditions which may be encountered on offshore voyages of sufficient length or on coasts where shelter may not always be immediately available. That these conditions may also be experienced on inland seas (or lakes) of sufficient size for the wave height to be generated. Other monohull sportboats we know of with retractable sprits under 30′ are rated for Category C, “designed” for waves of less than 7 feet and winds less than 33 knots or conditions which might be encountered on exposed inland waters, in estuaries, and in coastal waters in moderate weather conditions.

Don’t you think it’s time to join nearly 1000 other owners worldwide who are discovering how well the J/80 fits their plans for sailing fun? J/80 is the only sportboat that combines simplicity of operation, confidence building stability and 15 knot spinnaker rides in an affordable, low maintenance and trailerable package. It even has 4 berths and a 12 foot long cockpit. You can try one out or refine your skills with expert instructions, prior to delivery of your own boat, at a J World Sailing School in Annapolis or San Diego.

Class website:
http://www.j80.org/

Shields, the obvious choice for one-design racing…

The facts speak for themselves. Shields are simple boats. All Shields go the same speed given basic preparation. The Shields learning curve is short and the racing is very tactical. The boats live in the water on moorings or in slips. There is no time-consuming dry-sailing; between races the boats are always ready for a fun-loving day sail. Shields require very little maintenance. There is no arms race in the Shields Class. The Class limits sail purchases to one per year.

And….last but not least, the Shields are classic, pretty boats, admired by all…

Class website:
http://www.shieldsclass.com/

The Blue Jay continues to be one of the leading one-design, sloop-rigged sailboats in existence today.  Fathered by Drake H. Sparkman, head of the New York designing firm of Sparkman and Stephens, Inc. after his tenure as chairman of a yacht club junior sailing program, the Blue Jay was pencil drawn in 1947.  Designed as a “ baby Lightning” it became an all-around junior training boat and now has numbers over 7,200.  It is used not only in novice programs in yacht clubs from Florida to Maine, but also in teen’s, men’s, and women’s events.  Originally constructed of wood, the IBJCA voted in the early 1960s to allow fiberglass, however, wooden boats are still being made today.  It is interesting to note that when a friend of Drake Sparkman suggested that he name the boat “Blue Bird” he decided on the “Blue Jay” which could effectively be marked by a blue “J” on the sail. (Perhaps he thought noting the junior aspect).

The International Blue Jay Class Association was formed in 1954 by Allegra Knapp Mertz.  President for 35 years, she built the class with active board members.  Among those, Bob Sparkman, Drake’s son, who was treasurer for 20 years.  James Rousmaniere was President in 1960 and 1961; Ed Hoffman, President in 1971.  In 1984, at American Yacht Club’s Blue Jay Nationals, Leggie turned the gavel over to Bill Dunbar who had been an active board member for ten years.  He continues in this position today.

The Association (IBJCA) is made up of voluntary officers and executive board members from different sailing areas on the East Coast.  They continue to maintain a strict one-design class, publish a yearbook and newsletter, coordinate regional regattas and clinics, offer a National regatta ( Championship winner may apply for Champion of Champions ) and Master’s regatta plus have added a website

In 2005, Jim Hansen of Formula Boat Works, Ledyard, CT donated the Blue Jay mold he acquired from Salle Evelyn,(deceased), of Formula Yachts, to the Association in her memory.  Both Jim and Salle were dedicated to the Blue Jay and its continued growth for many years and this offer was graciously accepted. The Association has made arrangements to have a new builder, Allen Boat Co., use the newly acquired mold, noting that Tom Allen has been the builder of the Lightning for many years.  We welcome him “ on board”.

Class website:
http://www.sailbluejay.org/