The J24 is a One Design Class

The summer sailing season is almost upon us and along with all the other things you are doing to your boat to get it ready – don’t forget one very important thing – you must have a current measurement certificate !

The onus for this is on the boat owner – no other person or body. This means that if you don’t have a current IJCA certificate organised through our National Measurer Peter Stevens in the last couple of years, then you are not a legal J24 and will not be able to race. The pic above is the top of the correct certificate, if yours doesn’t look like this you have the wrong one.

If you don’t have your correctors in, your V-berth or your shelves are not fitted or you have made any other changes and not remeasured then you will not comply.

Now is the time to act, either contact your state measurer or Peter direct if you have any questions or doubts about your compliance.

The class is getting more competitive and we need to make sure all boats are racing on an even basis.

We have had formal direction from the IJCA and I have had a number of members contact me informally concerned about this matter. The National committee will be right onto this via our national measurement register this year and I gauge the mood from various members is also a “get tough” attitude. A non compliant boat is a protest just the same as a port and starboard, so don’t forget this important item in your boat preparation.

Alyn Stevenson has written an excellent piece here for us that you should all read as well concerning this matter.

J24 Measurement compliance and playing fair

As a past president of the class and someone who is not on any committees but is passionate about the class I thought it prudent to write an article on compliance of boats and measurement certificates.

Firstly members should be aware that measurers are there to protect the Class rules and ensure compliance, and in turn take their directive from the J24 International Technical Committee.

Owners are responsible for their boat measurement!

The J24 Measurement certificate is the same as an IRC certificate without it you can’t race!

If you change anything on your boat it must be done in consultation with a class measurer.

Your Measurement certificate is the most important document in your racing kit – value and respect it.

It has come to my attention that over the last 18 months there are incidences of boats removing correctors and this certainly is clear breach of RRS never mind J24 class rules.

The stalwarts of the class that have won most Nationals over time with boats that are optimized to the n’th degree but they will measure and comply.

They know the value of optimizing a boat but also don’t want to lose a Regatta because the boat doesn’t measure. They know the difference between optimization and an invalid boat that doesn’t measure. (They respect the rules)

The Australian Fleet

Boats that have missing correctors, made alterations etc. and have not had a new measurement certificate need to contact their State measurer and fix this immediately. (There can be no exceptions to these infringements of the rules)

The second categories of boats are older boats that have some basic missing items that invalidate them. The peers in class need to assist these owners to get their boats up to standard so they comply.

Having said that – Owners need to accept their responsibility and comply with directives from class measurers.

Two main areas are missing V berths and missing shelves. All of these can be replaced cheaply with lightweight replacements that comply with the class rules. A lot of us that have been in the class for a while can assist with information on how to achieve this.

At the end of the day it is ATTITUDE and RESPECT of J24 Class rule that counts, and anyone wanting to have their J24 comply will receive enormous assistance from within the class. That is the strength of the class, helping new owners come in and progress through the fleet.

COME ON – let’s play FAIR and accept our own obligation of an owner and competitor.

Alyn Stevenson

FNQ J24 Championships 2011

The FNQ J24 Championships were conducted by the Cairns Yacht Club over 3 days, 22-24 July 2011, on short inside harbour courses.

Morning races were light 5-10kt conditions with afternoon races sailed in 10-15kt breeze. A total of 8 boats competed; 6 owned by NQ Sailing, 1 from Port Douglas Yacht Club and 1 privately owned. Kaizen 2 won the finals carrying a 2min. in 100min handicap as a dry sailed boat, over the rest of the fleet in clean wet sailed condition.

                                                                                                       

GIPPSLAND LAKES RACE WEEK – EASTER 2011

Easter is often a time when there is little sailing on the bay.  So if you feel like making the trip down to Paynesville for some excellent lake sailing then here is your opportunity. Sounds like a great idea and could be lots of fun.

The Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club would like to invite J24 sailors to participate in the inaugural GIPPSLAND LAKES RACE WEEK.

Have a look at the promotional poster GLRW FLYER and the notice of race N.O.R. G.L.R.W. 2012_Rev

For more info phone Stuart Loft the Sailing Captain at the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club on 0488 055 462 or email glyc@sailglyc.com

Milev dominates J24 Canada

The 23 boat strong fleet of Canadian J/24 sailors were treated incredibly well by their host for the Canadian J/24 Nationals, Port Credit YC.   PCYC has to be one of the most gracious, fun-loving clubs on Lake Ontario, renowned for their “can do” attitude, excellent RC/PRO management of races and a club membership totally focused on having fun sailing.  Note, this is the same crew that host the largest offshore race of the summer Lake Ontario season- the Lake Ontario 300 that starts this coming weekend.  

The 23 teams woke up Friday morning to light air, blistering sun and warm temperatures. Nevertheless, the PRO managed to complete one race and then by 2:00 pm the wind shut off completely.  The RC hoisted AP over H and the fleet went back to shore for shade, a dip in PCYC’s pool and re-hydration at the bar. By 4:00 pm a line of wind was spotted coming over the lake from the south west, so the fleet headed out and were able to squeak one more race out of the day. That’s awesome RC work, if you go to sail a Nationals, then be ready to go anytime!  At the completion of Day one, it looked like Rossi Milev sailing CLEAR AIR/ ORANGE BLOSSOM was a leader to be reckoned with, scoring a 2-1 to lead over Peter Wickwire’s team on SUNNYVALE with a 1-3.  Just off the pace was Tom Barbeau’s NAVTECH.CA with a 4-2.

On Saturday, the forecast called for very light air and the fleet wasn’t too optimistic, however, the wind filled in and by 11:00 there was a solid 9 knots of breeze coming from the east.  The Race committee started the race right on time to make the best of the wind while it lasted. On the next 2 races, a persistent veer in the wind caused the race committee to put up  ‘charlie’ plus green flags at the top end to indicate the leeward gates where shifted course-side-left. By the third race the wind had dropped substantially, but the waves & slop did not.  The Race committee shortened the course and brought the windward mark to 0.9 nm.  It was a hard slog up and down the course, and by the time the last boat had finished the fleet was exhausted.  Still leading after this long day on the water was Rossi Milev with a 1-2-2 followed by Peter Wickwire’s SUNNYVALE  with a 3-1-11 and Scott Weakley’s REX team working on the comeback trail with a 13-3-1.  By 4:30 Saturday, the fleet was back on dock folding sails and finding shade. The wind had completely died so calling it quits when we did was the right call. The fleet was definitely dehydrated and looking forward to the party Saturday night where PCYC put on a great BBQ spread with salads and deserts, and plenty of beer taps flowing.

Sunday morning dawned with a good breeze and the fleet took off to get in two races before the time expiration for the start of the last race.  After scoring a 5-5 and holding his principal competitor back, Rossi Milev’s team on CLEAR AIR/ ORANGE BLOSSOM from the local J/24 fleet at Port Credit YC were declared 2011 J/24 Canadian National Champions, winning with just 13 points after a toss race.  Second was Peter Wickwire’s SUNNYVALE crew from Royal Canadian YC with 21 points.  Third was another local boat, Scott Weakley’s REX team from PCYC with 28 points, winning a tie-breaker over Tom Barbeau’s NAVTECH.CA team from Yacht Club Quebec also with 28 points for fourth place.  Fifth was the first woman team skipper, Katie Colman-Nicoll sailing QUICK NICK for the host PCYC.  All in all, a good showing for the local PCYC boats taking three of the top five. [Excerpt from Jboats newsletter]

Turner smokes J24 Nationals in Weymouth UK

The Weymouth Olympic Sailing Center hosted their annual Weymouth Regatta that included the J/24 UK National Championship.  The organizers were blessed with beautiful weather, gorgeous breezes both days of racing for all.  The J/24s showed up en-masse ready to do battle to determine the 2011 UK champion– several veterans showed up that included past J/24 UK Champions, like Stuart Jardine from Royal Lymington YC.

After the first days racing in the steady breezes punctuated by long wind streaks, it was self-evident that one team simply had everything dialed in to go fast, stay out of trouble and show their transom to the rest of the fleet.  By day’s end, Bob Turner’s SERCO from Castle Cove SC simply smoked the competition, starting off with three bullets and a second to lead by a large margin.  Nipping at their heels and still within striking distance was Mark Penfold from the RYA sailed RELOADED.  

J/24 one-design sailboats- sailing off Weymouth, EnglandThe second day of sailing again dawned with good weather and a nice breeze from the southerly quadrants.  Again, Turner’s SERCO team stepped on the gas pedal, dialed in a 1-2 for the first two races, then simply coasted home in the last two races with a  7-6  to win with 14 points.  Brilliant sailing is an adjective that comes to mind to describe their remarkable, somewhat sparkling performance!  Maintaining their second position was Mark Penfold’s team on RELOADED, finishing with 20 points.  A perennial class leader, Stuart Jardine from  RLYC sailed his latest generation J/24 STOUCHE to a strong third, narrowly missing out second by one point!  Fourth was Darren Stansbury  from Saltash SC with 30 points and fifth was Roger Morris on JOLLY ROGER from Parkstone SC  Sailing photo credits- UK Fotoboat.com [Excerpt from Jboats newsletter]

Crew wanted in South Australia

J24 Australia welcomes Angus Middleton as the proud new owner of Amazing Grace in Adelaide and he is looking for some keen crew – see the SA pages for details.

Hit the Mark – July 2011

Editor Doug MacGregor is at it again and Victoria is the place to be seen with a J, even in winter as you will read in this riveting issue of ‘Hit the Mark’. The local committees have been busy working out plans for the future with ideas for the AP regatta, unfortunately this idea has now been shelved and the National Committee is working on a new plan. Melbourne will hold an AP regatta in the future and there is a great deal of support for that, but it will be a few years away. Read on here …. J24_Newsletter_2011_07

Rudder needed!!!

J24 Rudder urgently needed.  Please call Patrick on 0415 537524 if you have a spare and can help!