J Boats Dealer Meeting March 11-12, 2009

Bob and I arrived in Newport Wednesday evening and ate seafood at the legendary "Black Pearl". It was good! We hit the road the next morning and ended up at JBoats. Al and Jeff were putting the final touches on their materials for the dealer meeting, and we were able to sneak preview some of the new J/111 hardware choices. Great stuff coming! Jim Johnstone showed up and we made the rounds checking in with the key JBoats builders and suppliers. All are doing well and getting busy. It was great to see.

The first stop was US Watercraft. I was surprised to see a production line of 3 J/105's under construction. Slight changes to the galley area.

We also stopped by Harken. The new Radial winches were on display. We got to tear one apart and put it back together. Takes about two minutes. Pretty impressive. Racing sailors are going to like this winch. If you are due for a refit on your winches-give these a serious look.

After driving all over Rhode Island it was time to blow off some steam with hot wings and a game or two of pool. Burt Geiges (Custom Offshore yachts) Bob Sittel (JBoats Southwest) and Jim Johnstone (President, JBoats Asia).

Friday: Meeting at CCF

Pre meeting coffee and danish. Approximately 40 dealer representatives attended, primarily from the eastern US but from the UK as well.

Jeff Johnstone, President of JBoats reviewing the product line from top to bottom.

One of the highlights was the announcement of Didier LeMoal emerging as the Managing Director of JBComposites France. Didier has been the key player in the development of the J92s and the J/109. Under Didier's direction there have been over 370 J/109's built! His current focus is to build one J/97 per week. JB Composites will continue build the J/80, J/92s, J/100, J/109, J/122, and the J/133. US bound J/109's, J/122's, and J/133's will be kitted and finished in Bristol R.I. JB Composites is also moving to a new facility. With the JB Composites team, a new facility and a singular focus on building great JBoats service and support for your European built JBoat will be better then ever!

Following the exciting news of JB Composites was the announcement of Jim Johnstone taking on the role of President of JBoats Asia. Jim originally went to China for a two week consulting engagement. The builder quickly realized that he needed Jim full time to help take the boat building operation to the next level. After a few short months of Jim's involvement the good news is pouring out of China: The Royal Hong Kong YC has chosen the J/80 as their fleet boat. Two other major Chinese YC's will follow suite naming the J/80 as their fleet boat. This is leading up to a J/80 Worlds event that may be hosted in Hong Kong in 2015! The current production backlog for J/80's is over 40 boats! There are 14 boats coming to the US for final assembly. US boats will be molded in China and finished at US Watercraft. The hull molds are the same deck and hull molds as used by JEurope. These boats will be US assembled and warranted. This will be a great combination! 10 Boats are available as "2011 Worlds Specials". 6 of which are sold. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SPECIAL!

The J/80 has been the top selling JBoats model for the last five years. More then 1200 hulls worldwide with 500 sold in the last few years. The 2010 J/80 tour has generated a lot of enthusiasm and there are plans underway for developing a 2011 J/80 tour. BMW Sailing Services continues to use the J/80 as their boat of choice: WATCH IT HERE

It's not too late to capitalize on the J/80 fun in 2010 and take advantage of one of the "Worlds Specials".

CCF Composites continues to be recognized for their excellence in boat building. The latest honor came from Governor Donald Carcieri recognizing the J/95 and the CCF innovative "green" boat building facility. SEE IT HERE

CCF had 3 J/95's in production.

Much better tolerances and better functionality.

One of the new innovations is the keel/centerboard now being installed as an assembly.

Seems the Europeans have discovered the J/95 with several of the latest orders being shipped to Europe. Paul and Marie Claude Heys-principals from J Europe raved about both the J/95 and J/97. They have had great results racing both boats. It was interesting to hear them discuss how surprised they were at the J/95's ability to point. The J/95 is proving that a deep fin keel is not a pre-requisite for stellar upwind performance. This dealer went on to say that they got caught in a 40 mph "blow" and the J/95 did not wipe out as the leeward rudder always was deep in the water providing complete control. The European dealer is also experimenting with installing a wheel on the J/97. Hope to hear more on this development in the future. CCF has recently molded the latest J/100 with a bow sprit. Jorge Borges at International Marine is completing this boat and it will be on the water soon.

The JBoats dealer in Florida has orders for four J/95's as those that sail in shallow waters are looking for a great performing 32 foot day sailor. Texas Gulf Coast sailors need to take a look at this boat. Race Wednesdays in Clear Lake, around the buoys in Galveston Bay on Sunday, and then do the Harvest Moon. When you are done pull it out using the boat ramp and leave it on it's trailer. There may not be a more versatile 32 footer around. We have one on the water and want to take you sailing on this great boat.

The J/111 was the hot topic of the meeting.

The engineer in me loves to hear about the design philosophy behind the boat. Al Johnstone did not disappoint and started by discussing the best upwind boats produced by JBoats: J/22, J/24, J/29, and J/35. These boats have been recognized as great upwind performers. The best upwind lines from their hull forms have influenced the lines of the J/111. The latest trend of building wide body boats has resulted in less then optimum upwind performance, in favor of downwind speed. The J/111 has a nice spacious cockpit but is preserving a hull shape that will go up wind very well. The downwind performance design envelope was greatly influenced by the J/125. The J/125 has been the best downwind performer built by JBoats with 1 TransPac OVERALL victory and 3 class wins. Just a couple of weeks ago the J/125 took 1st place overall in the 790 mile Newport Harbor YC Cabo race and the top three positions in class. Expectations are high for the J/111 upwind and downwind-with it's pedigree it will deliver! However the "Ease of use" that has been designed into all JBoats will be evident in how the J/111 sails. Hull #1 in production:

Hull #1 in Production!

Other J/111 news items:

Hall carbon mast utilizing nanotechnology materials to create a lighter stronger section.
Dyneema backstay 5-10 year life
Mainsheet: 6:1, 4:1 course/fine tune trim. No winches required
High tech engineered keel

Rudder has a carbon shaft
Low freeboard design-huge advantage keeping the weight low.
Vinyl ester resin core hull/lightweight foam core deck.
We can schedule a summer sail for you on hull #1. Just let me know if your interested in getting an early ride on the J/111 in Newport.

Other Dealer news tidbits:

Now available with sprit option.
J/100 Sprit kits will be coming to upgrade previously delivered J/100's. J/boats is looking for existing J/100 owners to work with on this upgrade
New J/100's now have bow anchor locker.

J/105 hired professional class administrator - Chris Howe
Motivated by J/80 tour to do a 2011 J/105 tour.

Finish is better then in the past.
Prices will not increase for 2010.
North Americans will be held at New York YC, Rolex in July. 40 are expected to be at Cowes Race Week.
UK Royal YC selected J/109 for keel boat

Interest in this model continues to grow, both for racing and cruising.