Simon Grain

Complete set of near new North Sails (only done less than a dozen races).  Will sell for 30% off current new price o.n.o.

Call Simon on 0413 870046

John Bennett our well known supplier of masts and booms at Sparloft in Auckland, New Zealand, messaged us to say that his wife Raewyn passed away on Friday afternoon after suffering from cancer for some time. This is sad news for all of us as Raewyn was a strong supporter of the class and has visited us here in Melbourne previously with John. A memorial afternoon tea is being held at the yacht club in Panmure on Monday afternoon the 30th November for an expected large number of friends and fellow yachties. On behalf of all of us in Oz who have known Raewyn and John,  we offer our thoughts to you John on Raewyn’s passing.Here are some shots John has sent me of some of Raewyns sailing adventures.

Lots of people are already talking about the Nationals, lots of questions being asked about sailing in Melbourne in January. There’s lots to tell and some potential big news …. but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Firstly let’s get the NSW States done and dusted.

I hear Kirj is trying to back up his win at Gosford, got the gun team on Arthurs boat ! I hear the Cronullans are getting around 5 boats to the states ….. go shire ! From Melbourne, Simon is steering with Tim, Brendan is steering a Sydney boat and Ron is bringing Kicking to tussle with Janette for the NEW Thommo Cup. If the weather gods are on our side it will be a beautiful regatta again at Prince Edwards, perhaps the best secret yacht club in Sydney.

So back to the Nationals, this season, gauging from the interest shown already we may be looking at the first 30 boat Nationals for a very long time.

The NOR will be out online shortly, but for those not already looking at the calendar page above, you’ll need to know that the Nationals are being held at Sandringham YC from the 2nd to the 8th January. Racing is the Monday 4th – 8th with a layday on the Wednesday. Registration, measurement and weigh in starts on the 2nd and there is a practice race on the Sunday 3rd, probably around 2pm, regardless of whether you do the practice race or not your boats need to be in the water by then. I know, none of you will sail through the finish line (might save on race management if we don’t need one !)

So plenty of hard racing, 12 of them in fact – 13 if you count the practice race, so most will be pretty hung out by the end of it. But for those with plenty of energy there will be a full social program as well.

First hang over opportunity will be the welcome sausage sizzle on the 3rd after the practice race – well, once you are cleaned up a little bit – I’m sure you all want to make a good impression. Not enough for you? Try Big Tuesday, a tradition with the Nationals in Melbourne, the big themed party at the yacht club (no idea what the theme is yet – we’ll let you know in good time to prepare for it !). You’ll need the lay day if you play hard in that one. Still not enough for you, President Doug is a tiger for punishment and wants to take you all out to St Kilda on the Thursday night, show you the town etc. – remember though Doug is Scottish so bring your own money!

And someone is going to win the whole thing – we’ve got a few wannabes thinking it’s themselves already, visitors should read up on the Black Prince of Sandringham before they come, he’s on a bit of a roll at the moment, but there will be some big names in the running – trust me. Winners means happiness – for some … and that means a humongous prize giving dinner on the Friday night. If you aren’t lying in a heap in the boat yard on Saturday morning – you didn’t try hard enough !

Ok a few house-keeping things, yes it does cost money – $500 entry but it is well worth it to rub shoulders with the best. Of course you can do that in the bar, but you’ll need to be on the water by 1100 each race day if you want to do it on the bay.

Visiting? Then you will have a trailer – no worries we’ll store them at the club for you safely (although if you make up a little trailer sign “Simon’s Boat Trailer Hire” I could make a few bucks while you are all out sailing!)  And there will be club FOB keys available as well. Accommodation is something you might need and you should work this out ASAP, you might get a bed with a local or for those with money and high taste there are plenty of local establishments nearby.

If you have any queries, Victorian President Doug’s your man – he is passionate about you coming to Melbourne, so why not give him a call on 0400 584 067 or you can call me for an ‘unbiased’ chat about all things J.  0413 870 046

Dave Eickmeyer at Quantum in Melbourne has put together great deals for J24 sails.

North Sails has changed its outlook on J24 sailing in Australia.

Sam Haines, previously with UK and most recently his own loft as AUS Sailmakers has joined North Sails as their One Design Guru and J24 sails/sales rep.

North are offering a discount…4% off 4 sails…6% off 6 sails, 10% (capped) off 10 sails…of any one sail shape.

Give Sam a call if you want to talk to North about your sails. More info on the North Page here

Or call Sam on 03 9584 9844

The National Committee has released a great new J24 Australia video live on YouTube. The video features the Melbourne fleet at Sandringham Yacht Club. Ben Hartnett of Sailing Shack Racing was commissioned to make the video , he has had great success in making sailing videos and this is another great example of his work.

Go here to see the video.

Are you thinking of coming to Melbourne for the 2016 Nationals but haven’t sailed at Sandy before, maybe you are used to high traffic areas, confined waters with wind altering headlands or tidal variations that make light days difficult. Sandringham has clear water, virtually no traffic, and very little tide, great sea breezes in summer and racing right off the front of the yacht club, this new video will give you some idea of the facilities and the sailing at Sandy Yacht Club. Check out the video and plan to come to the 2016 Nationals at Sandy – looks like it could be our first 30 boat regatta for decades. Stay tuned about the Nationals – more surprises to come !

It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of legendary J 24 sailor Ian Philip Torode.
Ian owned three J’s “Paddy Wagon, Cookie Monster and Duesburys”,  competing in the 1986 Newport Rhode Island and 1988 Sydney World Championships. His results of note were 10th in the worlds, twice 3rd and 4th in the Australian Championships and 3 Victorian Titles.
Ian greatest legacy was the work he did as National measurer and decade long service on the National Committee. The Australian J24 Class would not be what it is today, without the efforts of Ian.
A Orthopedic Surgeon of international repute, he is survived by his wife Lyn and sons Robbie and Tim.

Recently I visited Cairns and caught up with the J guys up there. Enjoyed a sail on the river and did a bit of sight seeing. I also had a good look at Kaizen 2 and Deathstar, two good Bashos currently for sale there. They both represent excellent buying and come with road trailers. A bit of a drive, but you only do it once !  I took many pics and have a good handle on the boats condition. So if you are thinking about either of them give me a call and I will share this info with you.  Call me on 0413 870 046, Cheers Simon.

Are you travelling in Europe in late August, early September ?

Missing some J sailing during winter – well here is a side trip to revive your sanity or delight the family if they are with you !

With just over a month to go, the German J/24 teams, their families and friends are looking forward to sailing and partying with you in Boltenhagen on the Baltic coast. One of the top sailing areas, the venue can be reached by air (via from Hamburg and Berlin), by ferry (via Lübeck-Travemünde, Puttgarden or Rostock) or by car. Boltenhagen’s attractive location in Mecklenburg-Vorpommerania allows spectator-friendly inshore racing, with stable winds and free from commercial shipping lanes.

The event will be based in the purpose-built Boltenhagen Marina located within the exclusive ‘Weiße Wiek’ holiday village which offers a modern yet relaxed atmosphere. Racing will be organised by the ‘Norddeutscher Regattaverein’, one of Germany’s oldest yacht clubs, that has many years of experience in staging international events such as Kiel week and countless One-Design Championships. The town of Boltenhagen is close to the venue and grew from a fishing village into a picturesque seaside resort in the early 19th century. Its well-restored family hotels, shops and restaurants offer a pleasant alternative to the excitement of the racecourse.

On www.j24worlds2015.com, we will provide you with event information and details about race organisation, charter boats, entry and logistics. In the meantime, please subscribe to our mailing list for regular updates. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us on info@j24worlds2015.com.