I was cleaning out a bookcase the other day and came across two articles by Bob Ross from 1979 and 82 in copies of Australian Sailing. It is interesting to read how some things stay the same and others have changed considerably. This was all before my time in Js so rather than try to dissect it for you, I think it is better for you to read and take away some of the valuable information contained in these articles.
So here, on the eve of the inaugural Legends regatta with many from that era including Rob Mundle, who will MC the upcoming Legends Dinner evening in Gosford this October and features in this story, is the first one. Enjoy.
To read, click on the Boat Talk link above or click here
Spring isn’t that far away and the summer season will be hot on it’s heels. If you haven’t had a close look at your boat during winter, then now is the time to check it over. In particular your rudder gudgeons, these little fittings out the back end are often overlooked, being outside the normal sphere of vision. They should be checked for cracking, especially the bottom one around the forward hole as a broken gudgeon could really ruin your day. I believe that Ronstan don’t make or carry these fittings any more and if you need new ones then suitable fittings are available from Schaefer in the USA through Sparloft in NZ. John from Sparloft tells me that these fittings also need some strengthening, he also offers a custom made unit that will fit the existing Ronstan fitting hole positioning. Cost for either unit (Schaefer without any extra strengthening) is approx $200NZ for one fitting or $380NZ for a pair – plus postage.
So now is the time to check as you won’t get these overnight. Happy sailing.
The 2010 World Championships in Malmo, Sweden are about to start. Australian has two crews representing us, both from Sandringham YC in Melbourne. They are Hugo Ottaway (Vice Versa) and Robyn Coombs (Hyperactive – skippered by Kirsty Harris).
You can follow their progress and the whole regatta by using this link www.j24worlds2010.com
Sparloft in NZ have let me know that they are shipping an Etchell mast to Oz in the near future and this could provide an opportunity to save at least 50% on shipping costs if you want to have a new mast built. Let me know on 0413 870 046 if you want to take advantage of this opportunity.
Janette Syme, sister and competitor to brother Ron Thomson on “Kicking Bottom”, is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with, sailing and training with Arthur Crothers (probably one of the best sailors and teachers in the business). She is one of a small group of lady skippers that are making a real difference in the class. And giving the guys a run for their money.
Janette has found a very good article on Sailing World about best crew practices.
Doug MacGregor (Crackerjack) has been promoted to the Victorian Publicity Officer position – first job get a regular newsletter going. It’s called ‘Hit the Mark’ and I’m sure you’ll agree it certainly does that well.
As irreverent as a dour Scot can be, Doug’s editorial style is already flourishing in Issue One, emailed to the great unwashed of the Victoria J24 community today. His hard hitting, ‘pull no punches’ style will engage you from the start and you will be waiting for the next one to hit. Make sure you’re not the subject of the editors pen ! Move over Mad magazine.
More Pictures of the 2010 Vic States have been put online on the ORCV site – these are some great shots from Steb Fisher, if you want to have a look CLICK HERE
Jeanette Syme skippers Scott Salisbury into 3rd in the Vic States
Good things come in small packages, just ask Jeanette Syme. She helmed Scott Salisbury into 3rd place at this weekend’s Victorian State Champs at Sandringham YC in Melbourne.
Jeanette couldn’t have seen much of the race out in front as she is only half the height of Pete Stevens who spent the weekend right in front of her doing the trimming, but she is beaming. Big brother Ron, sailing Kicking Bottom and sailed very well and although the green machine was up near the pointy end of the fleet a lot of the time, he could only manage 5th.
We suggested she should rename her boat “Kicking Ron”.
In fact the whole Kicking Bottom / Scott Salisbury relationship is an interesting tale. The Melbourne fleet is undergoing something of an explosion of interest and in the last few months we have seen two new boats join the fleet and we have another 3-4 people genuinely interested in buying boats. Warren Campbell who has been sailing on Kicking Bottom for the last two owners, jumped out and bought Scott Salisbury from Adelaide a couple of days before the regatta. Peter Stevens very kindly brought the boat over and sailed on it with Arthur Crothers and Jeanette Syme and crew who came down from Sydney. So Warren, still sailing on Kicking Bottom watched his new boat sailed by his skipper’s sister fly by to finish ahead.
Got all that! Need more?
Simon Grain was the bridesmaid again and Dave Suda, who didn’t even make double digits in his series score was very clearly the winner and deservedly so. He had an almost clean sweep with 5 wins and a second – guess to who – Yep “Kicking Ron”. Good things do come in small packages, although she did say the crew were brilliant too.
Of course the “Kicking Ron” crew stayed at Warrens!
What it does very clearly show is that you can take an older boat, set it up in half a day and be very competitive in the fleet.
A very noticeable change this year was the calibre of the fleet, with close racing, and boats that have been out the back, now right up in the pack. Boat speed was generally up on last year and so Ron Thomson’s “Kicking Bottom”, Mike Lewenhagen’s “Excite Your Senses” and Doug MacGregor’s “Crackerjack” all lifted themselves into 5, 6 and 7 respectively. The Hyperactive Babes had an up and down regatta and finished fourth.
The weather co-operated with 5 – 15 knot northerlies, a little shifty and patchy at times but great sailing and with this sort of weather for many of the last years comps, the Vic States really is the “Balmy Regatta”
Although we had expected 4 interstate boats, it turned out to be two and the other boat was Terry Wise from Sydney who brought down Starpac with a very keen sailing school crew who really enjoyed the glamour Melbourne weather experience, flat water and warm sunny skies.
The tail end of the fleet was rounded out with new owners Andrew and Chris Hely on Vertigo, Jack Crawford’s Sanguine and another new owner Rowan Pollard on Two Dogs.
Glam weather also allowed the social side of things to go very well indeed, with a huge BBQ at Lisa Simonov’s house (thankyou Lisa) and virtually the whole regatta crowd were able to have a great night outside in the warm weather. Terry Wise gave a presentation on the upcoming Gosford “Legends Regatta” that is shaping up to be a very big event.
You’ve probably picked the name missing from the results. Hugo Ottaway was unable to make it this year due to his son doing the big 21 party and the bleary eyed master did struggle down on the Sunday to say hi – “lights on, but no one home” look !
The class is on fire and next year at the rate we are going we could very well have 20 boats on the start line, so book early if you want a bed in Melbourne!
In a world that is constantly changing and becoming more expensive, one keelboat class offers you the opportunity to cruise and race for under $20,000.
A class that offers fleets all over Australia and an international fleet of over 5,500 boats.
You guessed it – the J24. And it’s making a big come back as people realise the unique potential of this little boat.
24 ft with a main, jib, genoa and kite, five crew, 4 bunks and an icebox. 24 ft of competitive excitement. And they are everywhere and compared to Etchells, Sportsboats and other similar sized keel boats – they’re as cheap as hell.
Some call it old – it is, same age as the Etchell.
Some call it slow – it isn’t, Div 3 of this years Spinnaker Cruising (Racing class) at Geelong Audi Week (the biggest class available), 56 boats and J24s gained 3 First places and a Second over the line in the 4 races held, even though it was the smallest boat in the fleet (beating boats 12ft longer over the line). It isn’t a sports boat speedboat, but it is a one design that doesn’t get out designed and out dated.
Some do call it outdated – it isn’t in fact, in a handicap or measurement class it rates so well they hate us entering – we tend to win. We still put 90 odd boats on the start line at most world champs.
So what other one design keelboat is there for under $20,000 with all these benefits you can get into and race competitively (or cruise), in a fleet around Australia?
You’re right – there isn’t another one.
Some people call it all sorts of names…… But we call it the J24
We’re putting stars into …. reasonably priced … boats !
Doug MacGregor, a new skipper competes at the Nationals in Melboure 2010
