j70 yacht weight

Sailboat specifications

• Last update: 13rd March 2020

J/70's main features

• 2013: European Yacht of the Year: Special Yacht

J/70's main dimensions

J/70's rig and sails, j/70's performances, j/70's auxiliary engine, j/70's accommodations and layout.

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J/Boats J/70 Review

topRik experts talk about their experience of racing on a J/Boats J/70 , share their impressions of the yacht and invite you every Sunday to participate in sailing on this sailing legend (details in the review). The article also provides reviews of famous yacht racers, with the main characteristics of the sailboat, photos and videos attached so that you know what you will have to face this or next Sunday in the Bay of Kotor (Montenegro).

• FEATURES OF J/70
• PRICE CALCULATOR
• THE NEVER-FADING STAR OF J/BOATS

All Things Are Known by Comparison

Features of the design and sailing equipment, the crew of the yacht for the regatta and their tasks, don’t expect luxury, j/70 101 – tips from the toprik crew, good news for you.

• ADVANTAGES OF J/70
• REVIEWS OF J/70 FROM PROFESSIONALS
• VIDEO REVIEWS OF J/70

Features of J/70

• Brand: J/Boats
• Hull type: Sailing yacht
• Overall length, m: 6.93
• Width, m: 2.25
• Draft, m: 1.5
• Displacement, t: 0.794
• Exterior design (Architect): Alan Johnstone
• Interior Design: J/Boats
• CE Certification: C
• Mainsail type: Fully battened
• Jib type: Genoa
• Mainsail area, m²: 11.47
• Jib area, m²: 9.55
• Engine: Outboard

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The never-fading star of j/boats.

The year when a new star was born is 2012. But to this day, J/70 remains the brightest in the constellation J/Boats, even though this 7-meter keel sailboat is the smallest in the history of the shipyard.

After the first tours, tests and reviews in the US it was extremely well received. The boat was shown to European customers in December at a yacht show in Paris. By this time, the first regattas with the participation of the new class had already taken place in the New World, which, without administrative levers and lobbies, gathered more than 20 crews.

At the very first yacht exhibition in Düsseldorf following these events, the sailing boat J/70 was awarded with the title of European Yacht of the Year 2012/2013 in the Special Yacht nomination, besides the boat collected nominations 2013 Boat of the Year in the US and UK.

At the same time, the traditional Key West Regatta was held, in which 40 crews chose the J/70, and this is despite the fact that the first hull was sold only 6 months before that. The new class enters the European racing calendar just as quickly, starting with the Primo Cup Monaco regatta. The shipyard reported that it had received about 400 orders from 18 countries. No model of a 7-meter keel racing yacht has yet demonstrated such growth in popularity.

J/70 by topRik Team

What kind of boat is this and what is the cause of such a high demand? Based on their own experience of participating in the J/70 regattas, the experts of the topRik team tried to answer these questions in as much detail as possible.

Due to hereditary proximity, the new boat is best compared with its predecessor J/80 and closest competitors Melges 20/24 and SB20.

Compared to the J/80, the new boat is almost twice as light, while the sail area has not significantly decreased. It is easy to transport, it does not require special equipment for launching and installation of the mast is not needed (the complete carbon mast weighs less than 25 kg). Crew from 3 to 5 people, no weight limit (according to class rules). The J/70 enters planing much earlier than its predecessor, easier to manage too.

The ban on the use of foil sails and more than one set per year keeps the class open to everyone. The popularity of the J/80 and J/24 class in the world has attracted strong world-famous riders to the new class!

The high cost of ownership and excessive "acrobatic" Melges 24 did not provide much development to the class. For 10 years, the class could not catch up with the J/80 in terms of mass. The appearance of the M20 on the market should have changed the ratio, but this did not happen. It was J/70 that immediately occupied a niche between the M24 and M20, being just as fast and dynamic, but at the same time being cheaper and easier to set up and manage. In addition, it is more accessible to beginners, as it does not require them to be athletes.

Comparing the new class with the SB20, it should be noted that the SB20 itself is a very successful boat. It is as dynamic, fast, easy to handle and transport as the J/70. But the T-shaped keel collects all the nets and debris in coastal areas and it is also more difficult to use in an incomplete crew, for family outings and for training young people. In addition, in terms of build quality and hull strength, the SB20 is significantly inferior to J/Boats products.

The J/70 is the first lifting keel racer from J/Boats, which has ushered in a new era not only in NYYC but in organized sailing in general.

The carbon fiber mast is very easy to mount. A simple sail plan includes a square-topped mainsail, a roller staysail and a gennaker on a retractable bowsprit.

If you wish, and for insurance in case of little experience in sailing, you can install an outboard engine with a power of 2.5 HP on the transom.

The yacht is easy to attach to and it is just as easy to launch from the ramp of the car. For such meager dimensions, she has a surprisingly large cockpit, where the entire onboard life of the regatta crew takes place.

You already know that the J/70 is in most cases purchased for racing and is a team yacht. The composition of her crew is usually limited to 5 yachtsmen (maximum) – and if this is a training vessel, then add an instructor.

As a rule, the roles on J/70 are distributed as follows:

• forward - controls the setting and cleaning of the gennaker, is in the cockpit along with the rest of the team;
• trimmers – they work with staysail and mainsail;
• helmsman - controls the yacht with the help of a tiller.

At amateur regattas, like those that the topRik team holds every Sunday, a professional skipper-instructor manages the yacht, he also distributes roles between crew members and gives commands to each of them.

In professional teams, the yachtsman working with the mainsail plays the role of tactician. In amateur teams or a team of beginners, the skipper is responsible for tactics, he is also an instructor.

Yes, this sailboat does not promise a luxurious life on board. Here, everything is subject to speed and maneuverability, which means minimizing weight, including at the expense of furniture. For yachtsmen who prefer active yachting, adrenaline and physical activity, such a niche in the cabin is enough to equip a sleeping place for two.

The J/70 is a challenge for experienced sailors, but at the same time, the yacht remains interesting for less ambitious yachtsmen who prefer an active holiday with friends or family, without the need to set speed records.

Participants of J/70 class regattas will be interested in the principle of crew selection. The topRik team consists of 4 people weighing from 79-81 kg each, with a total weight of 320-322 kg. Exceeding this weight, in our opinion, can lead to unnecessary resistance.

The yacht weighs 794 kg, so it is easily towed using the trailer of an ordinary car. After the crew learns how to set up the mast, preparations for launching will take less than an hour.

If your trailer is not designed for a lowered keel, it is usually raised before the yacht is lifted out of the water. On the road, we recommend securing the sailboat with softwood wedges. This is necessary to prevent the keel from rocking and to prevent damage.

The J/70 class is limited to three sails: mainsail, staysail and spinnaker (or gennaker). In most cases, you can further limit your use of sails to just one of them. But you can take advantage of the developments of various companies producing sails, which for this class have developed variants of the staysail and mainsails that are suitable for different weather conditions.

We can happily announce that the racing sailboat J/70 completely won the hearts of the topRik team in full force, including the skipper. Therefore, we decided that everyone who is devoted to sails and the wind in their hair should experience these sensations.

Every Sunday, supported by SimpleSail and Porto Montenegro, you have the opportunity, together with our yachtsmen, to participate in races on J/70 yachts. We set the distance, go through 4-6 starts, and at the end - a small barbecue party.

It is not necessary to have experience in regattas - experienced yachtsmen of the topRik team will be in your crew. They will help you to join this amazing sport in the Bay of Kotor (Montenegro). You can see fragments of such Sunday races with topRik in the photos below.

Advantages of J/70

The main advantage of this sail racer is the thrill during each race. After all, the distances separating the leader of the regatta from subsequent boats are minimal if we are talking about professionals. This suggests that the design and handling of each boat is similar to the others , so that the skill of yachtsmen is clearly demonstrated during the competition.

The simplicity of the rig combined with the tiller ensures not only easy and intuitive handling, but also makes it easy for beginners to learn quickly.

The quality of materials ensures the durability and safety of the yacht:

• precisely selected composite materials for the body (sandwich based on infusion composite construction);
• stainless steel for retractable keel;
• bulb made of lead;
• carbon mast and other autoclaved carbon alloy parts.

There is nothing superfluous here - you can fully devote yourself to sailing, since the weight of the boat and the minimum wetting area allow you to develop high speed with a quick switch to planing and excellent maneuverability.

Such minimization in dimensions, sailing equipment and luxury elements was reflected in the decreased price tag, which, undoubtedly, is another important advantage of the J/70.

Reviews of J/70 from Professionals

Traditionally, we provide the opinions on the J/70 sailing racer from yachtsmen-journalists working for professional yachting magazines and popular websites dedicated to yachting, boats and naval architecture.

First, we decided to post excerpts from an interview with Peter Rendle, a yachtsman and correspondent from Sail-World, in which he talks to Ray Entwistle, the Australian distributor for J/Boats.

Here's Ray's response to a question about the history of the J/70. This sailboat has been designed to meet the demand for a boat that is easy to handle, safe for family sailing, yet with high performance. At the same time, it was required that the yacht could be easily towed, mounted effortlessly on the frame and launched from it into the water. These tasks were assigned to Al Johnstone, naval architect and designer for J/Boats. He coped with the task perfectly, considering that over 20 years her popularity has not only not decreased, but continues to grow. She repeats the glorious 40-year history of the J/24, which is still a hugely popular one-design racing yacht. The J/70 is the next generation and has already played its part in the single-design racing classes.

He noted the J/70's popularity with sailors of all ages, from teenagers to 70-year-olds, families, and single-class yacht racing enthusiasts.

The splendid design is complemented by the latest generation of carbon rigging and advanced construction techniques, making the yacht extremely light and durable with sufficient rigidity.

The seaworthiness of the J/70 makes it suitable for youth and women's teams. The strict rules of the J/70 regatta prohibit walking, which means that even less experienced crews can compete on equal terms with those who train intensively. The J/70 is full of surprises.

Adam was part of the crew that tested the J/70 to determine the Best Boats 2013 winners.

He began his review with an intriguing statement that could indicate a negative assessment: the author announced that he was disappointed with testing a high-octane sports boat in a drifter. But it turns out that this in no way about the J/70.

The crew went sailing in sustained winds of 20 knots, with gusts in excess of 25 knots, with strong rip currents off Bristol, Rhode Island. On the way towards Popasquash Point, the boat proved to be nimble and manageable. The sailboat accelerated quickly in the gusts, and the light steering was maintained even when it dug into waves to leeward.

Even when they overshot the tack and the boat capsized momentarily, the crew didn't feel it was out of control. Here the ballasted keel and the large tiller rudder placed on the transom played their role.

Thanks to the spacious cockpit, which quickly cleared the water and a fairly high boom, moving from side to side was easy, which could not be imagined on the famous J/24.

Then J/Boats company’s president Jeff Johnstone decided to see if the sailboat could take off with just a mainsail and staysail. And was the crew delightedly admiring the foam trail, similar to the one left by Volvo Ocean Race 70 at high speed. But what impressed Adam more was how easily the team did it. At the same time, the skipper was not at all worried, because he received effective feedback to control the sails, but only tried to make the yacht move even faster.

Adam devoted a significant part of the review to describing the design, equipment of the yacht and their manufacturers. He noted that the efficiency of the boat's rudders and the shape of the hull, with its sharp bow and flat planing sections, are complemented by a carbon fiber mast with steps on the deck, a boom and a retractable sprit, made by Southern Spars.

Deck equipment on the test boat was provided by Harken, with rigging from Ronstan. You can rely on Dyneema's poles and lifelines to brace your back against when your legs are inward. On the keel there is a seaweed cutter. For safety, a solid side is equipped on the bow deck. The quality of construction is excellent throughout.

Dave describes his impressions of the J/70 while testing a sailboat for the 2013 Boat of the Year nominations.

He reports that the judges noted the versatility of the boat in the field of application: both single-design and club racing. Among racing yachts, this is not a very common occurrence. Among the best qualities were noted: a quick set of speeds, stability, ramp launch and, interestingly, the rapid development of the class just a year after the world premiere.

One of the testers, judge Greg Stewart, noted that the boat sailed really well in wind speeds of 10 to 15 knots. There was a slight feel from the helm both when driving upwind and downwind. It was immediately noticeable that the yacht was strong and stable - she sailed well on the waves, and with the kite up the crew got the angles they needed.

The stability of the J/70 is a key feature that the judges singled out immediately after ten miles. As Jeff Johnstone said at the jury briefing, stability was a fundamental concern for the developers. He added that there were originally two completely different designs: a recreational sports boat and a club coach. As a result, the choice settled on a sportier option that could be easily modified for sailing sport programs.

The location of the winch caused a discussion between the shipyard representatives and judge Tom Rich. Even though the 3.3-meter cockpit allows three adults to move freely, Tom reported that when he chose the most comfortable position to steer the boat - forward of the traveler, he was pressed against the winch.

Alan Johnstone joked that everyone who used the boat would like to get rid of the winches. But they will have to be tolerated, because they will be needed when driving in the wind, as the helmsman changes position.

Judging by the fact that the J/70 received the title of Boat of the Year 2013, the rest of the judges considered this moment insignificant.

Mike describes his impression of the J/70 he received on Fremantle Sailing Club's opening day when WA's first J/70 made its maiden voyage.

The J/70 sailboat has a respected pedigree and is the product of a shipyard that has already given us the very successful J/24. The length of the new racer under seven meters combines 21 m² of sail area with a displacement of 794 kg - 36% of this weight is ballast at the end of the 1.5-meter keel. All this math results in an easily manageable, productive and stable boat. The 2.5 HP auxiliary power unit makes this operation even easier.

The J/70 was launched from a trailer, made possible by the lifting keel. The crew quickly mastered the whole procedure: lowering and securing the keel, raising the carbon mast, tensioning the standing rigging and tilting the sails. After some practice, it turned out to be so easy that the team could complete the preparation in 20 minutes.

Light winds with little gusts and a daytime crew of 4 big men were the test conditions that day. When the speed approached ten knots, the sailboat rose and hummed, depicting a light boat. The performance can always be improved by adjusting the crew size depending on the strength of the wind.

The J/70 will also enjoy life outside of racing. In many parts of the world, this thriving boat has become a popular yacht for families, couples or a small company for fun without speeding up. Experienced loners can enjoy playing the lone skipper. For recreational, social and casual racing, the cockpit can accommodate eight or more people.

In a small forward cabin with a V-shaped berth, children can be accommodated if they are present on the deck, and if not, two adults can lie down freely there.

The sailing layout is simple, you can control it with one hand: an experienced skipper can control the backstay, mainsheet and staysail from one position. But to extend the bowsprit and set up an asymmetric spinnaker, you need a couple more hands. A pair of winches will be indispensable in strong winds.

Video Reviews of J/70

Just so you can enjoy the view of the J/70 sailboat in motion - this is a series of videos where both amateurs and aces of sailing regattas will demonstrate the boat's seaworthiness on camera.

First, sailing footage of J/70 at Bristol RI, Spring 2012:

Team Rosebud shows off their skills at 2020 J70 Midwinter Championship:

Best features of J/70 boat summarized:

Great explanation of various boat handling techniques from Vince Brun:

Quick walkaround tour at 2020 Boot Dusseldorf:

As you can see from our review and feedback from famous J/70 regatta participants, this is a very fast, maneuverable and safe sailing yacht, ideal for speed and tacking competitions. It is no coincidence that more than 3,000 cases have been sold to date.

But do not think that all of them were purchased for the crews of the regatta. The boat is also in demand among those families and friendly companies who do not strive to break speed records under sail, but love adrenaline and wind themselves. And J/70 is one of the best options, combining all these preferences.

The cost of the yacht allows her to become in demand among those who dream of their first boat. This is a great opportunity to immediately learn all the best that active sailing has to offer.

Where to Buy J/70 at a Bargain Price

We are sure that by the end of our review, you have already understood where to buy the J/70 at a bargain price. Since you are here, you will immediately get a free consultation from topRik marketplace experts about what benefits you are entitled to on our trading platform.

If you represent the crew of the regatta, there is special good news for you: we have programs for the joint purchase of yachts, which is important for the team.

If the J/70 is your first sailing racer, you will also receive great offers: join our Sunday amateur regattas and take a course at our SimpleSail Yachting School to get Bareboat Skipper qualification, which allows you to automatically receive an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

In any case, the marketplace team will provide you with the following services:

• search for a yacht that will exactly meet your preferences;
• negotiations with the manufacturer or dealer/owner in order to achieve favorable conditions for manufacturing, purchase, cost;
• on-site control over the assembly, inspection of the state of the yacht;
• preparation and execution of all required documentation for the sale and purchase, insurance, customs clearance, warranty, etc.;
• transfer of the sailing yacht J/70 to the specified location.

We have extensive experience in acquiring yachts on various terms for our SimpleSail fleet and are well aware of all possible reefs and undercurrents along the way. Take advantage of our skills - and you will pass the entire route quickly and without financial losses. Call, send a message to [email protected] or through the website feedback form.

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J-70 Boat Reviews

Boat Review Date: October 2014 Author: Mike Brown Overview

There is a steadily growing number of sports boats on the Swan; sail craft around six metres long, essentially big racing dinghies with ballast keels. Terrific fun, but needing athletic dinghy-style crews to sail them well. And they are purely racing boats where most racing is done by keel boats that have other careers as cruisers. A new entrant to the scene goes some way to bridge the gap.

The J70 is the latest product of the builder that gave the world the extremely successful J24, so it has a respected pedigree. A shade under the seven metres suggested by its name, it combines 21 square metres of working sail area with a displacement of 794 kilos. 36 percent of that is ballast on the end of a 1.45m keel; these are figures that suggest an easily driven, stable and fast boat. A clue to the easily driven nature of the J70 was provided by the choice of auxiliary power: a 2.5hp Suzuki that was far from working hard when called into use.

WA’s first J70 had its maiden voyage on Fremantle Sailing Club’s opening day, with everything new to its crew. It was launched off a trailer, its lifting keel making this possible and simple. The routine of lowering and securing the keel, stepping the featherweight carbon fibre mast, tensioning the standing rigging and bending on the sails was quickly mastered. The routine is so straightforward it could probably be achieved in 20 minutes if money were at stake.

Winds on the day were flukey, with some respectable gusts. As soon as anything near ten knots cropped up the J70 was up and boogying, impersonating a lightweight dinghy. The crew for the day comprised four sizeable males, adding substantially to the displacement. The performance suggested adjusting crew numbers to wind strength would be a useful ploy.

It is illuminating to do a few sums on displacement and sail area with a lightweight vessel like this. We have all seen the pictures of seriously large racers with a dozen or more crew members sitting on the weather rail as organic ballast. Compare their vast sail area with the J70’s and see how much more affect a couple of 80 kilo people sitting on the J’s rail has. And the J70 has the shape and equipment to make this a natural and comfortable position.

But the J70 can have a life away from racing. Overseas, where this is a runaway big selling boat, it is a popular family or married couple craft for weekend fun with the occasional race. Loners can enjoy single handing in it. For the most social and laid back racing – twilights – the cockpit can accommodate eight or more as well as the esky.

The small fore cabin has V-berths long enough for use by humans, and weekending is very much an option. Overseas experience says a big use of the cabin is for children, sated with sailing, who can migrate there to play with electronic toys rather than asking if they are there yet.

The layout is uncomplicated allowing single handing; from one position the skipper can control the adjustable backstay, main and jib sheets. Extending the bowsprit and setting the asymmetric spinnaker, though, will call for few more hands. There is a pair of sheet winches that are likely only to get much use in stronger winds. These and all the other hardware are satisfyingly beefy items, well up to their jobs.

So far there is just the one J70 afloat in WA, but more were ordered at the Mandurah show. If overseas experience is any guide there should soon be enough here for one-design racing. The worldwide numbers grew so fast that less than 18 months after launching the International Sailing Federation approved the J70 as an ISAF class. The first world championship was held last month the entries capped at 120.

Price from                  $66,000

Length overall           6.93m

Beam                          2.25m

Draught                     1.45m

Displacement           794kg

Ballast                        286kg

Sail area                    21sqm

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• Sailboat Guide

J/70 is a 22 ′ 8 ″ / 6.9 m monohull sailboat designed by Alan Johnstone and built by J Boats starting in 2012.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Spinnaker (asym.) area: 491 sq.ft./45 m² More than 1100 delivered as of 2016.

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J 70 Sport sailboat

Shift from pleasure to adrenalin..

Treat yourself to a genuine icon of one design sailing! The J 70 is the perfect combination of an accessible design and unquestionable performance . It’s THE most widely distributed yacht in the world and for good reason. All is revealed in the video! Book your J 70 test.

HOIST THE SAILS AND ENJOY

With this recreational boat, you get to choose how you want to use her: a sporty pressure-free family escapade or a race on equal terms? Her lightweight design means you can quickly enjoy the delights of slipping along and her contained sail plan makes this bestseller totally safe and accessible .

JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL CLASS

Today the J 70 is considered to be the reference one design on a global scale! A record presence at every international event! The mastery of a precise and identical build process and an international organisation guarantee equal terms for every owner.

Videos of sailing, behind-the-scenes of manufacturing, expert advice and tips, or sea trials – discover the J/70 from a different perspective.

GET USED TO HAVING FUN

A fun craft that is both simple and technical, capable of making 20 knots under spinnaker, this yacht is supported by sociable and united national classes. Her construction is dedicated to downwind enthusiasts, while her size means you can easily head out to sea whenever you fancy .

BENEFIT FROM CUTTING-EDGE EQUIPMENT

The strengths of this yacht primarily rely on its latest generation equipment, with a carbon rig and top of the range construction technology, which make it lightweight and stiff with great longevity.

SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE

When the weather is fine, why wait to make the most of it? A small sportsboat measuring 7m, the J 70 is light as a feather, easy to transport and simple to launch and rig. Her keel is retractable, meaning you can reduce the height on the trailer.

BE PART OF A PERFECT SPORTS ORGANISATION

Its small manufacturing tolerances are a guarantee of sporting equity for all. The network of owner classes offers events of a regional and international scope in each country.

DEMAND UNFAILING RELIABILITY

Even when used intensively, the build quality of the J 70 guarantees unrivalled resistance and solidity , which translates as a high resale value. Thanks to a genuine ‘racer’ culture, a constant eye for detail, highly selective materials and strict production control, this boat is bordering on perfection in operating terms.

MAKE THE MOST OF HER ERGONOMIC CABIN

With her small cabin, you’re protected from bad weather. It also means all the equipment for the boat and the team can be easily stowed and transported inside. The forward deck hatch makes it brighter and enables effective ventilation of the interior volume. The outboard engine can be fully stowed down below while sailing.

GET INTO RACING

The characteristics of the J 70 make her accessible to all . She is perfectly suited to young and women’s crews. The strict rules on hiking mean that those who don’t take part in intensive training can still easily compete against more honed crews.

Technical specifications

International reputation.

The materials for the sandwich and infusion composite construction are selected with precision so as to achieve the best possible combination of lightness/solidity on the market.

The retractable keel comprises a 316L stainless steel structure and a lead bulb. The whole thing is encapsulated in a molded structural composites form

The J 70 is delivered with a carbon mast and boom, benefiting its handling, particularly upwind, and making it responsive and stiff. Furthermore, its weight means it can be easily set up by 2 persons

The carbon parts of the J 70 are made in an autoclave to guarantee unrivalled longevity.

Retractable keel

Transporting the J 70 is made possible by its retractable keel. This enables the boat to sit lower on its trailer making it easier to transport.

Deck-stepped mast

The J 70 boasts a deck-stepped carbon mast, which means the process of stepping it is considerably easier as it requires just two people.

Lifting your J 70 will be hassle-free thanks to its central sling, meaning the operation can be completed in a matter of minutes.

Once the boat is on her trailer, the latter can be towed by any kind of vehicle.

International classes

The presence of J 70 classes in numerous countries around the world means that a very dynamic one design race circuit is possible.

Respecting the class measurement

J Composites devote a great deal of attention to respecting the class measurement. With over 10,000 sportsboats built in over 30 years, the J Composites yard has fully mastered manufacturing tolerance.

One design requires specific equipment in terms of deck hardware and sail area, which translates as an interesting racing programme, whilst limiting the expense of the arms race.

The very little separating the boats during races is evidence of the similar, precise construction for every craft. As such thrills are guaranteed during the mark roundings!

A leading brand

Wherever your voyage takes you, your yacht will be recognised and admired. J boats are renowned for their sailing prowess, their longevity and how enjoyable they are to sail.

It is the story of a family and a team of enthusiasts, whose aim has always been to design the best yacht of its category.

Innovations

Innovation has always been part of the brand’s DNA: infusion, use of a retractable carbon bowsprit, build technology…

International monitoring

The presence of a dense international network means that you have advice and services at your fingertips in the majority of countries you’ll navigate.

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THE J/70  Click here for more info

J70BrochureWeb.pdf

J/BOAT’S FIRST RAMP-LAUNCHABLE KEELBOAT DESIGN                             

This new 22.75 foot speedster is designed to fulfill the growing need for an easy-to-tow, high performance, one-design that is exciting to sail, yet stable enough for the family. She is built to last under the watchful eye of J/Boats and the Rhode Island manufacturer CCF Composites. Class development is accelerating dramatically around the world. In the U.S. alone, there are over a dozen J/70 fleets that have formed already with nearly twice that amount in the formative process across America.

In 2012 SAIL Magazine’s panel of sailing experts reviewed a large cross-section of “performance” sailboats in the 30-foot and under size range. After a thorough evaluation of all the boats, the SAIL Best Boat expert panel chose the J/70 as the “Best Boat” in the “Performance Category”.  The J/70 also is Sailing World’s Boat of the Year Winner and has now reached ISAF (International Sailing Federation) status.

Here are the included features:

            Large comfortable cockpit with open transom (Harken winches & deck hardware & 11” SS lifelines w/comfort pads)

            Deck stepped carbon mast with single spreaders and carbon boom.

            3 Sail inventory including a masthead asymmetrical spinnaker (below-deck jib furling)

            Vertical lifting keel (4.75’ with kelp cutter that reaches down about 80%)  and it works!!

            Fixed motor mount (accommodates short shaft outboard)

            Cabin for storage and personal privacy (V-berth)

            Trailerability with easy ramp launching and retrieving

2022 Pricing is currently at $49,900 for the boat and $4,995 for a Triad trailer. Sails are additional (see more information later) plus a $100 factory set up fee prior to shipping.  Prices are subject to change.

Next available Hull is October of 2022.

To order a boat, a modest reservation deposit gets a hull assigned to you with a molding deposit due 3 weeks prior to molding. The balance is due upon completion. There are only two production line options (bow & stern hull guards $350 total), but after- market options are available through HOOPER’S which include cushions, covers or trailer modifications (detailed here later). At least 4 J/70’s without trailers can be shipped on one truckload. Three boats with trailers can ship on one truck load.

Any individual or group interested in ordering one or more boats should please contact Hooper’s Yachts. Special pricing may be available.

Performance and Sails:   In mid-April, 2012 on the water sail sessions were completed and it is no surprise that the J/70 can fly. The top speed realized was 16.2 kts with another boat hitting 15.8 kts. The most talked about characteristics was how quickly the J/70 accelerated both upwind and downwind. It was reported that she sails upwind, steering and tracking like a boat several feet longer - very easily. Stability was also realized as it was no surprise that the J/70 handled conditions very well. In Europe the spectacular wipe outs were from the European competition and the J/70 easily handled them all in the medium to heavy air. ‘Blew them away. In the 2013 French off shore race, the J/70 hit 20 knots.

In 2013 they set the J/70 NA Championship at a 90-boat entry, but the quota was hit in only 28 hours. So it was raised to 120 boats for the 2014 NA’s and that sold out in hours too. The J/70 phenomenon is crazy. Over 600 hulls sold in just over 2 years after first launch. In today’s economy, that’s remarkable. Some say it is not high performance enough. It is clearly fast, but not so amped-up that only really good or young sailors can manage it. We have heard that it is too easy to sail – too simple, but that translates into more participation – a design that is more inclusive. You can get into the sport boat game and develop as you go. She’s fast, but not intimidating, fun for various ages and abilities, affordable and offers good racing or day sailing everywhere you go.

The one-designed dimensions and specifications for the 3-sail class inventory have been finalized. Both North Sails and Quantum Sails helped with the process with collective input. The class rules are now available for owners. Anyone interested in receiving more information on sails can request them from us at any time.

2021: Quantum  Class Sail prices are $7,000 and  North Sails  is $7,599 and  Doyle Sails  is $7,300. ( Royalty and options might not be incl ) (All prices subject to change).  For fleet or institutional boat orders, special reduced pricing  might  be offered. Sales tax and freight are not included.  Sails should be ordered at the time the boat is ordered and a 50% deposit will be requested at that time. The assigned hull number will be sent to the sail maker of your choice and spinnaker colors will be selected.  Clew blocks may be additional.  The balance will be due when the sails are completed.

What is the anticipated crew weight limit?  One-design rules say that the crew should consist of 3 or 4 people.

Any class limits expected on hiking?   The J/70 has 11” high, stainless safety lines with comfort pads around the cockpit which are designed for comfortable seating, facing either inboard or outboard. This suits the boat well for club team-racing/match-racing events which tend to prefer inboard seating vs. one-design/recreational sailing where both are popular. As there is no bow pulpit, class rules require crew on deck to stay aft of the mast except for temporary sail handling needs which should be minimal with a roller furling headsail and retractable sprit for the asymmetrical which can be launched from the cockpit. Not more than two crew may have their legs outboard of the sheerline. When tacking or gybing, crew shall not hang, push or pull on the shrouds, mast, cockpit safety lines, stanchions or any other item to promote the maneuver. No roll tacking.

What is the expected PHRF Rating?   It’s too early to tell until the boat sails head to head against some PHRF benchmark boats in various conditions – something that is underway now.  The one-design sail plan is nicely powered up, so there is no reason to consider non-class sails, which also helps keep your cost down.

After market Options:

Several suppliers have stepped forward with offers to provide aftermarket accessories such as canvas products, cushions and outboards. J/Boats is encouraging this open market approach as apposed to exclusivity which tends to push pricing up. So, they are dealing with reputable suppliers that dealers can work with. But, these options are not essential.  Here are some of the many items that will be available through Hooper’s Yachts:

V-Berth Cushions                                                                                                                  

            Line Bags

            Mainsail Covers

            Furling Jib Luff Covers

            Electronics, compass, Windex, etc.

            Outboard Motor (Torqueedo Electric 1003 $1,999) We are also Nissan/Tohatsu dealers

            Bottom Paint

            Ground tackle, fenders, dock lines, etc.

            Running & Cabin lights (portable or permanent)

 There is a complete compliment of covers available for the J/70 for practically every need including full trailering covers down to blade covers, etc. If interested, we will happily email you the price sheet.

J/70 Triad Trailer included gear

Tentative trailer ratings:

Gross Vehicle Weight rating: 2,990 pounds

Trailer weight: 900 pounds

Approximate trailer carrying capacity: 2,650 pounds

Suspension:  Single 3,500 pound capacity Tie Down Engineering Eliminator Torsions bar axle equipped

with Tie Down Engineering Super Lube® bearing system as well as reversible spindles.

Brakes : The stock package Triad Trailer  will not be equipped with brakes . Hydraulic surge disc brakes

will be offered as an option factory direct from Triad Trailers LLC.

Important Note: The following states will require brakes to be installed on the J/70 Triad Trailer:

California , Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee and Utah

Tires : Carrier Star ST205/75D14 load range C tire mounted on 5 hole Galvanized Spoke wheel. Carrying

capacity for each tire and wheel assembly is 1,760 pounds. Heavy duty galvanized steel fenders and high

impact fender guards will protect the tires.

Trailer finish:  Hot dip galvanized after the trailer has been completely welded

Front trailer jack:  The trailer will come equipped with a 1,000 pound capacity marine jack which adjusts

in height by turning a crank handle. The jack swivels to a horizontal position for travel.

Forward and rear hull support bunks:  2 inch x 6 inch pressure treated board covered with Tie Down

Engineering Bunk Slicks. Bunk slicks provided very low friction for ramp launching/retrieving, assist in

centering the boat on the trailer and do not retain water preventing hull blistering.

Front under centerline hull support : A 12 inch wide non marring amber roller will be located on

centerline of the trailer approximately 3 feet – 3 inches aft of the stem. The roller will keep the boat

elevated during launching and retrieval.

Keel support:  The trailer will come equipped with a 12 inch wide keel support which will be covered

with marine grade carpet. The keel support will ride roughly 11 inches from the road surface.

Bow stop : The J/70 Triad Trailer will come equipped with a bow stop. Mounted to the bow stop will be  

a 1,300 pound capacity single speed winch equipped with a nylon winch strap with snap hook. The

We have a couple of different banks to draw from, but basic financing info is simple and it takes only a minimum $5,000 down payment (or 10%) to get into a J/70 and over 15 years the average rate range is varies depending on the credit rating of the boat buyer.  Contact us for the monthly payment. With 15% down the same rates apply but payments are lower.  The process for applying for a loan is simple. Call for details and an application.

COMMENTS FROM J/70 SAILORS:

My impressions, as crew, of the J70 are positive. Like most J boats she is well mannered and comfortable. She does not appear to have any bad habits or quirks. Overall it was a really fun weekend with two great days on the water. I got the impression everyone involved was psyched to be there and looking forward to more racing on the J/70. There was plenty of talk of races in FL this winter and growing of fleets in the Great Lakes, the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic in the spring. –Greg Lanese after sailing the Fall Brawl First J/70 OD completion in Annapolis in heavy winds

The boat definitely does not feel and sail like a sport boat. It sails like a keel boat and that is good. - Rich Stearns

The comment after the first J/70 sail from one of our local buyers: “  the boat is a Ferrari, just wonderful. Smooth, fast, stiff”.

All J/70 Events can be found here :  http://www.j70class.com/index.php/event-calendar2/

ALL PRICES AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

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Bob johnstone awarded us sailing’s herreshoff trophy.

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Latest Event Highlights

2019 mid winters.

J/70 – World’s Fastest Growing One Design, Trailerable Speedster!

Easier to trailer, rig and ramp launch. The J/70 Speedster (22.75 feet) is J/Boats’ first fully ramp-launchable, keelboat – designed to fulfill a growing need for an easy-to-own, high performance one-design that is exciting to sail, stable enough for the entire family, easy to tow behind the family vehicle, to rig in the parking lot, ramp launch and sail.  Plus, J/70 is built to last.

In less than 48 months the J/70 worldwide fleet is over 1,300 boats strong, attracting some of the most talented sailors in the world and helping to spark growth of numerous sailing leagues across Europe. J/70 is replacing tired old keelboat fleets at a number of sailing clubs and helping to reinvigorate membership by attracting younger sailors into the ranks.  There are fleet discussions underway now around the world both for new leagues and for established clubs.  The Sailing World Overall Boat of the Year J/70 has taken the world by storm and future growth for this fantastic boat looks very bright, indeed!  These days it is safe to say  there is some J/70 event happening on almost any given weekend somewhere around the world!

Key J/70 Features.

• Large comfortable cockpit with open transom.
• Deck-stepped lightweight carbon mast for easy rigging & stepping.
• Inexpensive three sail inventory with masthead A-Sail.
• Vertical lifting keel.
• Small cabin for storage and personal privacy.
• Easy to trailer to regattas, ramp launch and store at home for winter.
• Only 1,750 lbs & low road height so most 6 cyl vehicles can easily tow.
• Fits inside most standard garage doors!

More comfortable to sail on deck. The 11′ long cockpit and moderate height boom in the J/70 allow easy crew movement across the cockpit while tacking and jibing. For sitting and hiking comfort, mid-height padded backrests/lifelines run cockpit length, large cockpit floor mounted toe-rails for secure foot bracing and comfortable seat height and ergonomics makes J/70 one of the most comfortable small keelboats to helm.  No need for hiking straps to keep you in the boat. Plus there are strict class limits on how to hike to make the boat less physical to sail.

Easy for the entire family to join in! With mandatory on-board jib/spinnaker sheet winches, a feather light responsive helm and confidence building stability, you can enjoy sailing with friends and family more often.  Kids or seniors will feel as comfortable and in control steering or trimming sails, whether for daysailing or evening sunset races, the J/70 will be both exciting and forgiving.  When you are ready to take it to the next competitive level, the competition at national events won’t disappoint.

On-board privacy, protection, storage & auxiliary power The small cabin below is a bonus in any small keelboat, and the J/70 cabin is just large enough to provide weather & sun protection, a place to nap and/or for personal privacy… essential to keeping the whole crew happy if spending a day on the water.

The J/70 one-design class rules provide for a 2.5 hp outboard engine (gas or electric). This means one can sail further away from homeport without worrying about paddling home or hailing for a tow. Race Committees can start races on time and finish them later in the day without having to arrange tow boats.

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J70 SPEED GUIDE

North Sails class leaderTim Healy answers your J70 speed and boathandling questions.

Who sails a J70?

Our competitors in this class range from what we might call “classic” J/Boat club or Corinthian teams to fully professional teams like us. The boat appeals to these different groups because it’s fun to sail—it’s a mixture of dinghy and keelboat—and it’s not technically too difficult. The class also has J/Boats’ backing, and the quality of boatbuilding is high. People are happy to invest, knowing the boats will last.

The J70 class has been a runaway success since its introduction in 2012. It’s big cockpit easily fits a crew of four; by rule, two are allowed hike with their legs out. © Mauro Melandri

What’s involved in crewing?

On our boat, we have four crew ranging from 175 to 180 pounds each, for an all-up weight of approximately 710 pounds. There can be three or more people on the boat, there is no weight limit, and a maximum of two people can sit with their legs outboard. Most people sail with four, as the most competitive weight seems to be settling in between 700 and 780 pounds. Some people are experimenting with more weight—above 750 pounds. The risk of having too much weight is too much drag.

What are the three J70 speed tips?

• Prep the bottom and foils carefully in accordance with class rules.
• Adjust mast rake until you have balanced helm.
• Time on the water will make the difference.

What’s the most important performance ingredient?

Owners that do best have consistent dedicated crew at most regattas—whether they are friends or pros. That way they can steadily build on what they learned at the previous event.

What should buyers know when choosing a J70?

J/Boats began building this design in 2012, and buyers choosing a new boat will spend approximately $54,000-$55,000 including sails and trailers. In Europe, where the boats are also built, buyers typically spend €44,000-€45,000. Used boats range from $35,000 to $55,000, depending on condition and equipment.

How do you move a J70 around?

The J70 weighs 1750 pounds (794 kilos), so it’s easy to tow on a trailer. Stepping the mast and rigging up to launch can take an hour or less, once your crew has learned the routine.

The keel is typically hoisted up before the boat is lifted out of the water, although there is a keel-down style of trailer available that makes hoisting the keel unnecessary. When securing the boat for a road trip, we recommend using a set of soft-wood wedges to keep the keel from rattling around and being damaged inside the keel trunk.

How many sails are required?

The J70 class is fundamentally a three-sail class—mainsail, jib and spinnaker (also called a gennaker). At most events, you can only measure and use one of each, although North has developed variations in jib and mainsail designs suited for different wind and wave conditions.

Calipers (or Loos tension gauge) are used to measure rig tension, which is critical to managing headstay sag.

What are the keys to rig set-up?

When tuning the J70 for racing, our focus is on headstay length and tension on the upper and lower shrouds. You can read about this in detail in the North Sails Tuning Guide but in broad strokes, here is our method:

In light air, our goal is to generate headstay sag (to power up the jib) and to see about one-half inch of leeward sag in the middle of the mast (to power up the main). This is generally achieved with lighter tension on the shrouds, which makes the mast as flexible and free to bend as possible.

In heavy air, we increase shroud tension until the headstay remains tight when we pull the backstay on. If you make the lowers too tight, you can’t flatten the main enough. You want to just see inversion wrinkles, and the headstay should not be bouncing around more than one inch. Also, the mast tip should fall off to leeward by about one inch.

The headstay length is also a factor, but we only adjust that in a range of .25 inches, and we set it before we leave the dock. Since we started sailing J70s, top competitors have slowly been adding more mast rake, and we’re now sailing with up to an extra inch of headstay length compared to four years ago.

What other control systems are important on the J70?

Most crews mount extra cam cleats for the jib sheets on the windward side so the jib can be led from the leeward cleat to the windward cleat. Out of the tack, the trimmer will trim the jib 90 percent of the way in, cleat the sheet to leeward and also cleat it to windward on the way to hiking out. Once up to speed, either the jib trimmer leans in or the mainsheet trimmer leans forward and “banjos” the sheet to final trim by leaning or stepping on the sheet between the two cleats. On our boat, we prefer to sheet directly to the windward winch, the same way we sheet to windward on a J/24. In that scenario, the helmsman trims the mainsheet and the next person forward controls the jib.

Teams often trim the jibsheet to windward, using cam cleats mounted on each side of the cockpit.

J70 Upwind Sailing

Upwind, where does the j70 crew sit.

In light to moderate winds and a flat to modest wave state, slide crew weight forward! Note that class rules prevent anyone from sitting in front of the mast other than temporarily to make a repair, etc. Both outboard-facing crews should have their weight up against the bulkhead—one might be on the rail and one at the forward end of the cockpit— and the third crew should be tight against them. The skipper will typically sit with his or her hip against the winch. A crew can stand in companionway but is not allowed to put head or shoulders below deck.

Even when it’s windy, J70s like weight forward until it gets choppy and you take water over the bow. Then slide aft, typically with the two legs-out crew pushed against the back stanchion. The crew with legs in moves aft to the winch, straddling it or even sitting behind the winch if it gets rough enough. Before the main trimmer goes that far, the skipper can move aft a foot or more.

How do you trim the J70 mainsail upwind?

The boats have two distinct modes—high and slow or fast and low. As you might expect, you trim the main leech harder for height and leave it more twisted for speed. In speed mode (or when accelerating), all the leech telltales should be flying. In height mode, the two upper leech telltales will stall.

Maintaining a constant angle of heel is critical to maximizing performance in each mode, because then the helmsman’s feel for helm load will only be affected by sail trim.

You can use the high and slow mode at times, such as getting off the starting line, but you pay for it if you do it too long. Sailing a little lower and faster nets out over time, because better flow over the foils reduces leeway.

How do you trim the J70 jib upwind?

On the J70, the sheeting angle to the jib lead on the track is too wide for a lot of conditions, so we “inhaul” the jib with the weather sheet. If you’re not familiar with the concept, it basically means after trimming the jib normally, you tension the windward sheet as well, moving the clew of the jib inboard.

The amount that we inhaul the jib—and how high we can point—depends on how easy it is to keep the bow steady; for example, in flat water, we typically inhaul more because we can keep the bow steady and control angle of heel easily. One telltale sign that you need a wider sheeting angle is if you need to steer the bow up and down a fair amount. You can use excessive inhaul if you need to shift into a serious point mode, but you pay for it speed-wise.

Upwind trim typically includes tightening the inhauler (windward sheet), which moves the jib lead to windward and reduces sheeting angle. If it gets too choppy, ease the sheet and move the jib lead forward.

In flat water we sail with a fairly flat foot and sheet harder with a tighter leech profile; in choppy conditions, we keep the foot deeper and the leech twistier. Due to the angle of the sheet, the inhauler has the effect of moving the jib lead forward, so the more inhaul you use, the farther you need to move the lead back.

The jib-lead holes in the track are typically 1 to 1.5 inches apart, and in heavy air without inhauling we normally have 4 to 5 holes showing in front of the car. If we’re inhauling significantly, the lead can go aft until 8 holes are showing. We try to be a little conservative in how far we go in case conditions change and we suddenly have to blow off inhauler, leaving our lead way too far aft.

What does a good team look at when sailing upwind?

On our boat, the helmsman trims the main upwind and the jib trimmer is the other crewmember sitting with legs in. If a bad set of waves are coming and we’ll need to accelerate, we ease the leeward jib sheet; if we realize we’ll be sailing into choppier water for several minutes, we may adjust both the inhauler and the jib sheet. If it’s a long-term change in conditions, we’ll talk about changing the jib-lead position before our next tack.

If all we did was ease the leeward sheet, we have good marks on both sheets so both helmsman and trimmer can see where we are in the range. If we need to make a bigger adjustment, the trimmer will move to leeward long enough to check that the jib telltales aren’t stalled.

The whole time, I’m asking our tactician on the rail about boatspeed. “How is this mode?” When I ask, they assume I changed something and the response might be, “Good. We’re netting out fast forward” or “we’re netting out with great height.” If they say, “We’re netting out even, a bit higher but slower,” that’s OK, but then I’m searching for our next speed move.

Note, the forward crew’s hand is “banjoing” (trimming) the weather sheet to tighten inhauler.

Who calls tactics upwind?

On our boat, except inside three boat lengths to the mark, one of the two crew with legs out does the tactics upwind. When they say, “Tack,” we tack. When you sail with good people you trust, hesitating even a second can make the difference in the call. When they completely own it, they can expand on their own responsibility and see the whole picture, which is ultimately what you want.

J70 Downwind Sailing

Where does your j70 crew sit downwind.

In most conditions downwind, the J70 likes weight forward with the crew all up close to the cabinhouse. In 8 to 10 knots, our bow person is in the companionway or crouched on deck up forward. Our tactician is all the way forward on the leeward tank where they can see under the kite to call laylines. Under 8 knots, the bow person moves to leeward with the tactician.

The spinnaker trimmer is all the way forward on the weather side, up against the bulkhead. The tactician and the bow control heel with little movements, making gross adjustments if needed. As helm I sit on the weather tank with my forward hip up against the winch, straddling the traveler.

In light air downwind, the crew is far forward—helm against winch, two against the bulkhead, and one ahead of the shrouds but not in front of mast (per class rules).

When the breeze picks up to 12 or 13-knots, the J70 starts surfing. The crew needs to stay forward to get on the wave and then move weight back enough to avoid crashing into the next wave. At 14 or 15 knots of breeze, you’ll get on waves with the bow up and start planing. We try to stay high initially to keep planing, surfing down a wave once the apparent wind goes forward. This is what we call “lazy planing,” where we’re still aggressively playing our weight forward and back to catch waves.

In 17 to 18 knots of breeze, we aggressively shift our weight back and really begin planing. I move closer to the aft stanchions, the spinnaker trimmer moves behind the winch, and the tactician might even move behind the winch, too. The next move, at about 20 knots, is to get the tactician behind the helmsman, standing or sitting, and the bow behind the winch. Now the boat is flying!

In planing mode, the whole crew will be aft of the winch, with the tactician trimming the main at the transom from behind the helm.

What are the keys to lighter-wind trim when flying the chute?

In up to 7 knots of wind, we sail in VMG (“velocity made good”) mode, which means sailing higher jibing angles to maximize our velocity toward the next mark. Practically speaking, we heel the boat slightly to leeward and sail high enough to keep the chute filled. In this mode, our jib is rolled up and our tactician is giving give steady feedback on whether a higher or lower angle would be faster.

In 8 to 13 knots we sail as low as possible, keeping speed up, and easing the kite and rotating the luff around to weather. As a general rule we sail the boat flat, but there are times when we rock the boat a few degrees to weather. Unless it’s super choppy, we’ll ease the tackline up 4-5 inches, which allows the luff to rotate to weather so we can sail slightly deeper.

After the set, the jib is being furled. This boat is sailing low, in displacement mode.

The helm and spinnaker trimmer need to get in sync with a conversation like, “How’s that feel there?” “Feels soft; come up a bit.” Meanwhile, the tactician provides feedback on the general mode we’re sailing compared to the fleet.

The J70 spreaders are swept and there are full battens in the upper part of main, so it’s important to set enough vang tension to control the upper leech. We look for a small S turn in the battens around the shrouds, keeping the leech a little firm but not too tight. We add more vang as the breeze comes up and ease in lighter air.

What are your downwind trim tips when the J70 is planing?

As soon as you are planing, unfurl the jib. The apparent wind comes far enough forward that the added sail area helps. Be sure the jib is never over-trimmed; the upper leech should open so it doesn’t restrict flow to the kite. Once set, the jib requires little active trimming. In 20 knots, ride the edge! You want the most power you can get without losing helm control. The controls to depower quickly are vang, mainsheet and spinnaker. All three can be eased at the same time to depower and then trimmed back in as soon as the boat is back under control. If you’re in the zone, the spinnaker trimmer doesn’t have to trim in and out a lot. Use the main as a trim tab, a smaller adjustment, and sail the boat as high and fast and as powered up as you can. The goal is to avoid loading up the helm to the point that the rudder cavitates and the boat spins out. The windier it is, the less vang you should use and the twistier the main should be. On our boat, the tactician is usually playing the mainsheet and I’m saying, “Ease, trim, ease, trim,” and sometimes “Big ease!” When we are in sync we can push it harder and sail closer to the edge. The closer to the edge, the faster we go. If you do wipe out, blow the vang and quickly let the spinnaker halyard down about 8 feet. That should get the boat back upright so you can bear off, pull the halyard back up, and go for it again! In 17 to 18 knots, you might be more active on the spinnaker sheet as you try to surf low on waves. There are bigger apparent wind changes, and pumping the spinnaker is often effective at getting the boat over the next wave. Kinetics rules allow for one pump per wave on the mainsail, but there’s no restriction on pumping the spinnaker as long as you achieve a surf. That being said, pumping the main is very effective in this wind strength, especially if you can get in sync with a big spinnaker pump. In 14 to 16 knots, we are much more aggressive on trim due to the big shifts in apparent wind strength and direction. On a good surf the apparent wind goes forward until we crash into the next wave, when the apparent goes way aft. At that point, we stay fast by easing both spinnaker and main, heading up, and then trimming again. If we find ourselves in displacement mode for too long at the bottom of a wave, we furl the jib and wait for the next planing puff.

When do you switch between displacement and surfing modes?

In 12 to 14 knots, if there are long stretches, say 30 seconds, between having enough wind to catch waves, you’re better off furling the jib and sailing low. If you’re not sure, it’s safer to stay in displacement mode. But keep asking your tactician if you should shift modes to match other boats. If you’re sailing in a breeze with well-defined puffs coming off the shore, we roll the jib out, turn up 10 to 15 degrees to meet the next puff, and get on a plane. When the puff goes away, we furl the jib and turn down. We see big gains and losses in these conditions.

How do you handle the J70 backstay when downwind sailing?

When it’s ripping, you don’t have to ease the backstay. Keep it hammered on. The main doesn’t need more power, and by pulling the mast back you’re keeping the luff of the spinnaker tight. (For the same reason, keep the tack line all the way down when it’s windy.) Our backstay will be eased in 15 knots, although not completely slack. In a VMG or reaching mode in light air, the backstay should be completely slack.

When do you sail a J70 “wing and wing”?

In 10 knots, you can start to wing the spinnaker on the opposite side from the mainsail. It’s important to pick a place to do it with little traffic astern, to avoid sailing in disturbed air.

Sailing “wing and wing” can be tactically useful for short periods; this boat is approaching the leeward mark and maintaining position or avoiding extra jibes. To start a wing, sail low, ease the spinnaker, then commit and pull the boom over, making sure there’s some vang on so the top batten pops correctly. Heel the boat to weather after the jibe, and either helm or tactician holds the sheet out as if winging a jib on a small boat. On our boat, I hold the sheet out it because otherwise the tactician has to slide aft. For us, this has become an effective tactical move to avoid traffic in 9 to 13 knots. Sometimes on the first run when there are lots of boats together, all sailing too high to keep their air clear, we jibe away from the group and head down the middle. But we always check to see whether we are netting out; if not, we shift back to conventional trim. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5BIpAMA-ak

J70 Boathandling

What are the keys to starting well in a j70.

• Confirm all settings ahead of time by tuning with a partner, as well as knowing your compass headings. Set up the cunningham, backstay, traveler, vang, and jib sheets to your marks so when you sheet in to start, you can get to those marks faster than the boats around you. As a result, you can punch out ahead—that’s the biggest key. This makes a big difference on the J70 because of its weight sensitivity.
• Practice initial acceleration as a team and understand the movement of the bow so you can get to your fastest settings as soon as possible. Know when to flatten the boat—just as you get up to course, but not too soon. Everyone needs to feel when to pressure the rail. Either the helmsman or tactician can make that call.
• The class has allowed use of the Velocitek Prostart GPS-based system for knowing the distance to the line. Practice pinging each end of the line accurately, the same way every time at the boat and the pin. Understand how to read it, which includes learning to think in meters (not boat lengths), and know how fast the meters count down.
• Whatever your prestart routine is, stick with it and don’t get distracted by little things.

Any tips for downspeed sailing in a J70?

We furl the jib for the pre-start when the wind is over 8 knots and, until there’s less than a minute to go, we only pull it out if we need to get somewhere quickly. The boat is quite maneuverable in 8 knots of wind or more, our vision is much better, and we can accelerate into another area, or stay slow, to start wherever there are fewer boats. In light air, keep the jib out before the start to keep the power up and flow over the foils.

How do you make a fast spinnaker set?

Everyone needs to know their job and have the boat ready: the tack line is preset, the spinnaker halyard free of its keeper, and the spinnaker head and corners are out of the companionway. At the mark, we hoist the halyard up at least halfway, then pull the pole out. It’s important to understand the right angle to set at so you’re not too low and burning speed, but also not too high and can’t fill the chute. We put a telltale on the shroud and make sure the wind is at least abeam or just aft of the beam before we set. When it’s breezy, don’t set if the boat is heeled over; turn down far enough so you have a flat, stable platform. We also ease the vang on the offset leg to reduce the risk of wiping out.

What are the keys to a good J70 spinnaker takedown?

Be sure to plan ahead. In light to moderate winds, you have time to make last-second changes, but not if the boat is planing. In that case, the tactician has to spell out what’s going to happen well ahead of time. Always take chute down on port side in front of the shrouds, and leave room to turn downwind briefly to unload the spinnaker during the drop. When in doubt, do it sooner. It’s way better in heavy air to take down too early than too late. On a windward drop, coordinate the turn-down with releasing the leeward sheet, overhauling the weather sheet, and getting the clew around the headstay; once you see the clew, that’s a signal you can release the tackline and pole, which will collapse the chute. While the spinnaker trimmer eases the halyard, the bowman stuffs the chute below. On a leeward drop, the trimmer oversheets the spinnaker so the foot comes in. Then the bowman grabs the sail mid-foot and pulls in from there, while the trimmer releases the sheet and releases the tackline and pole. The biggest takedown mistake is letting the tack fall in the water; that’s when you “shrimp”. If you’re late on your takedown and the chute is still being stuffed, be sure to pull the foot in first to get the tack into the boat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph4hBanekZ4

What are the keys to tacking a J70 well?

Over-turning a J70 in a tack is bad, but it’s worse if you don’t turn far enough. In light to moderate air, coming out too high will kill your boatspeed and it can take minutes to get it back. Consistent turns will help the crew sync up the jib trim and the timing of the roll tack—when to make the initial roll, and then when to flatten the boat to accelerate out of the tack.

What are the keys to jibing a J70 well?

When the boat is not planing, the spinnaker trimmer handles both sheets. As the turn begins, ease the leeward sheet until the clew gets forward and closer to headstay. Then turn the boat, allowing enough time for the sheet ease. The trimmer then releases the old sheet and rapidly trims the new one. The bowman helps the new sheet around the headstay and also pulls it down, which helps to fill the spinnaker. As soon as the sail pops full the bowman releases the sheet, and usually the trimmer does a big ease at the same time. Jibe the mainsail after the spinnaker clew passes the headstay.

The most common mistakes we see are coming out of the turn too low, or poor coordination between the ease on the old sheet and the rate of the turn. Also if the boat is turned too fast the kite will go inside the foretriangle, which takes a while to sort out.

Besides handling the sails, everyone focuses on flattening the boat out of the roll jibe. On our boat, the tactician calls the cadence— in 8 knots it might be “2, 1, flatten” but in 12 knots, there’s no delay to scramble across and flatten the boat.

When jibing while surfing or on a plane, choose a good wave to carry the momentum of the boat through the jibe. The spinnaker trimmer’s goal is to fill the sail on the new jibe at a relatively low angle while the crew hits the rail, so the helmsman can then turn up and find a fast planing angle.

What are the most common J70 boathandling mistakes that are easy to avoid?

• Turning too far or too little through a tack
• Poor acceleration off the starting line
• Poor spinnaker management at mark roundings

What boathandling drills do you recommend?

Practice tacking, even by yourself. There’s no need to make it stressful. Take enough time to talk about making the next one better. Put in the repetition so the whole crew can understand what a good tack is, then practice that. The same goes for jibes, sets and takedowns. Keep the stress low and practice doing it well. Always end on a good maneuver.

What’s the coolest thing about the J70 class?

It’s become the most popular one-design keelboat in the world. It’s attracting the best competition and as a relatively new boat, the learning curve is still steep. It’s exciting to be part of that.

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Boat Review: J70 UPWIND TIPS FOR BIG WIND AND CHOP

NORTH SAILS

North Sails J70 expert  Zeke Horowitz  reflects on the  2023 Bacardi Invitational Winter Series in Miami, Event 2, and shares his key takeaways after winning the event.

The second event of the Bacardi Invitational Winter Series delivered the best sailing conditions a fleet of J70s could ask for. Friday had a glorious Northerly, which delivered shifty and puffy winds that challenged the fleet to find the right mode. Saturday brought a full breeze-on day with gusts into the low 20-knot range, allowing the fleet to enjoy a bunch of blast reaching around beautiful Biscayne Bay. And Sunday brought a delightful 10-15 knot easterly, providing ideal conditions for the fleet to duke it out for the final standings.

Winning this event onboard John Heaton’s  Team Empeiria  was no easy feat. The immense talent throughout the 26-boat fleet made for super tight mark roundings and photo finishes. There was never an inch to spare around the race course, so finding consistent top-end speed was the name of the game. Our speed and conservative tactics allowed us to lay down a consistent scoreline with no major mishaps. We worked very hard to shift gears upwind through the major changes in velocity and ferocious chop.

Below are some of our key takeaways that will help you beat the chop and big breeze at your next event.

It’s all About the Heel

Because the J70 has such a “deadstick” feel on the helm, it’s very easy to want to sail the boat with a lot of leeward heel. The heel gives the helmsperson a bit of tug on the tiller which makes the boat feel loaded and good. But this creates drag on the rudder and also decreases laminar flow on the keel resulting in less speed and less height; essentially the boat will slip to leeward when it heels. In aggressive chop, the desire to heel becomes even more extreme, but time and again we found that even in terrible chop with the boat slamming through wave after wave, it is better to try to sail the boat flat. The boat may slam a little harder, but you’ll find that your boat speed comes back on quicker and without a sacrifice in height if you’re patient and drive through it.

It is quite difficult to sail the boat with less than 20 degrees of heel when the wind is in the upper teens or low twenties but there is a huge cliff when the boat heels past that 20 degree point. We set a goal of sailing at 14-17 degrees of heel in the big breeze and chop. We set mental and verbal alarms for any time the boat heeled over 20 degrees. It takes the right rig tune, sail trim and steering technique to keep the boat going in this narrow groove and it requires a lot of teamwork.

The jib trimmer needs to be playing the in-hauler (banjo style) on the weather rail so it can be dumped in big puffs and pulled back on through big lulls. The main trimmer needs to be going through a range of backstay and mainsheet with the boom vang just taught (easing sheet and tightening backstay in the big puffs, easing backstay and tightening mainsheet in the lulls). Make sure your backstay is in a range where you can “invert” the main with a diagonal wrinkle out of the clew in the biggest puffs and then ease the backstay to erase that wrinkle in the lulls. The bow person must be extremely accurate with both their puff  and  lull calls. However, the hardest job is that of the helmsperson. They need to keep sharp focus on the tell tales, waves, speed target and heel target so they can keep the boat in a narrow groove. If the boat is approaching 20 degrees of heel, they need to be delicately feathering up to take some heel out even if they are about to be smacked by a set of steep chop.

It’s a hard skill to develop, but focusing on the speed and heel target will give some peace of mind when it feels terrible. The trimmers should try to communicate when they’ve reached the extreme end of their range so the driver knows the trimmers can no longer save the heel angle. Saying something like, “main’s out, max heel” to the driver will let them know that it’s all on them now to feather up to keep the boat flat. We often joke that if it feels good, you’re probably doing it wrong. Learn to feel good sailing flat and chopping wood. I recommend a digital heel angle display and a paddle wheel speed read out for the most accurate information.

Weight Back

The J70 loves to have weight forward in most conditions. But adjusting the weight aft as the breeze and chop comes up is imperative to let the boat sit on its lines as it smashes through waves. The more you slide the weight back, the less slamming you will do but it will also help you sail a bit lower on average without over-heeling. (Weight forward tells the boat to point and weight aft tells the boat to foot). A “normal” hiking position is to have the bow person just a couple inches aft of the stanchion near the shrouds, the jib trimmer pressed right up against them, the main trimmer sitting just forward of the winch and the helmsperson just aft of the traveler cleat. But in the extremely choppy conditions, as we saw in Miami, it was critical to get the weight back such that the main trimmer was either straddling the winch or just behind it with the jib trimmer just in front of the winch and the bow person even with the jib sheet cleats. The helmsperson only slides back a couple of inches so they are still comfortable and accurate with steering. Should you find a bit of flat water, try to push forward a few inches and then call for weight back when a big set of waves is coming. Keeping the crew weight together is very important as well and when you combine this fore/aft movement with the trimming and steering technique described above, it allows the boat to sail flat while sailing low enough to power through the waves.

Don’t Let the Main “Blow Up”

In the windiest stuff we saw, there were times that the main trimmer would have to let the main sail completely luff in order to keep the boat from over-heeling however this is not ideal. If the main is eased so much that it’s flapping, that creates drag and slows the boat. Even when you’re overpowered, you want to be able to keep the main engaged so that the boat is balanced and easy to steer straight. Making the main flat is the first step which starts by having enough rig tension. Your uppers and lowers should both read about 31 or 32 on the Loos Gauge at your tightest setting. Next, you must have enough backstay gross-tune on so that you can still invert the main (overbend wrinkles) with the backstay control line. Lastly, make sure you’re not shy about using the cunningham. This takes those overbend wrinkles away, essentially allowing you to pull even more backstay on to flatten out the main. But a great jib trimmer knows that they actually control a lot of this issue. If the jib is too full or sheeted too hard, it will cause the air to flow to windward as it exits the leech of the jib and spill into the leeward side of the main making it luff. So if you’re noticing that the main is blowing up multiple times per beat, you need to try to flatten out the jib by either easing the inhaul, pulling the jib leads back, or easing the primary sheet. Also be sure there is enough jib halyard on that the luff is smooth with no horizontal wrinkles coming back off the luff. There should be an alarm that goes off in the jib trimmer’s head any time they hear the main blowing up. Of course at some point when it gets windy enough, the main just has to rag to keep the boat upright but this should be once it’s blowing over 25 knots or so. The further your team can go up the wind range without blowing up the main, the faster you’ll be.

Mastering the J70 in steep chop and big breeze is about as hard as it gets; however learning to feel good when it feels bad will make it a whole lot easier.

To learn more about the J/70 click here.

Brett Lyall A lifelong, passionate boater, Brett brings 26 years of sailing and 18 years of powerboat knowledge to the McMichael team. His background includes Environmental engineering and consulting, along with 7 years of sales and marketing experience in the luxury market. In addition to being an avid fisherman, surfer, and scuba diver, he is a sailing coach and has crewed extensively offshore on a variety of boats from J109, J105, J99 and 112E to a Gunboat 57. His knowledge of all things boating related is second only to his reputation for exceptional customer service and professionalism.

Doug Conner Doug’s life-long love of all things nautical naturally led him to pursue a career in luxury yacht brokerage. His professional background in sales and marketing, combined with his overall experience in and passion for the yachting industry, makes him a valuable asset to his clients for sail and power boats. Doug is committed to providing his clients with honest, professional, knowledgeable, and personal service.

Myles McQuone Myles is a licensed captain from age 18. He is a third Generation Merchant Mariner, operating boats runs deep in his family. Myles has held multiple roles within the marine industry between Marine Towing and Salvage, Marine Technician and Marine Service Manager. Myles’ focus has always had the customers best interest in mind; expect the same attention while consulting with Myles.

Ethan Morawski Ethan grew up in Fairfield CT and has been sailing for 13 years and powerboating for 10 years all over Long Island Sound. He has worked in the marine industry since High School and has an excellent reputation for superb customer service, seamanship, and attention to details. He is a graduate of Bryant University in RI.

Position Title: Boat Yard Crew Member Position Type: Full-time Experience level:  2-3 years preferred

Reports to: Service Manager

Job Description and Summary: In this position you will work alongside a team of supportive and experienced marine industry professionals. Your primary role will be to support the efficient daily operations of the McMichael yacht yard and the satisfaction of our customers.

This will include a variety of functions and tasks including basic property maintenance, launch and recovery of boats, cleaning, crane and forklift operations, blocking boats, and winter storage and other relevant duties as assigned.

Core Skills:

• Ability to clearly understand instructions and complete tasks accordingly
• Mechanically inclined
• Able to lift and reposition equipment, tools, and materials
• Basic boat operations – power and sail (will train)
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written
• Focus on customer satisfaction
• Proactive mindset
• Able to work unsupervised
• Ability to collaboratively work well with other team members

Responsibilities:

• Support of daily operations
• Support clients boating activities, prepping boats, fueling, etc.
• Safe operation of company vehicles, forklifts, and equipment, including trailer handling
• Haul, block and launch boats
• Boat cleaning and detailing
• Bottom paint and waxing boats
• Dock and marina area maintenance
• Shrink wrapping
• Repositioning boats

The ideal candidate is someone who will enjoy the nautical environment of the boatyard, which includes being around boats and being on the water. They will have at least two to three years of experience at a previous boat yard or yacht club. Their background will include a familiarity with boats. They will be someone who enjoys the boating lifestyle and enjoys working outdoors. They value working in a team and being part of a family-owned organization an enhancing part of the local community. We encourage you to apply if you do not have the experience but are dedicated to building a career in the marine industry.

What does a typical workday look like? A typical morning could involve arriving and immediately removing covers, prepping several boats to be launched and readied for use by their clients. You could find yourself assisting with changing a large tire on a trailer or rigging and craning a boat onto a truck for transportation. Daily activities will also include basic maintenance of the boatyard facilities which includes painting, building repair, emptying garbage, and cleaning, as well as assisting technicians with boat maintenance.

Salary range: $15 – $30

Email: [email protected]

https://vimeo.com/758079548

Position Title: Fiberglass / GelCoat Technician Position Type: Full-time Experience level:  2-3 years preferred

Job Description and Summary: In this position you will work alongside a team of supportive and experienced marine industry professionals. Your primary role will be fiberglass and gel-coat repair work on sailboats and powerboats. The fiberglass work will include everything from small parts repair to structural repair and rebuilds. The gelcoat work will be similarly inclusive and will also involve spaying hull bottoms and topsides with boat bottom paint and gelcoat.

• Working with vinylester, polyester, and epoxy resins
• Experience working with various coring materials
• Knowledge of gelcoat matching and application
• Cutting, grinding and finish sanding
• Visually spot imperfections in all parts
• Use of buffers, DA’s, pencil grinders etc.
• Finish buffing and polishing
• Exceptional paint rolling and spraying finishing
• Proactive mindset and able to work unsupervised
• Complete fiberglass and composite repair work to the highest possible standards
• Spray gelcoat, clear coat, and metal flake consistently and evenly to desired thickness
• Getting the customer back on the water with a safe operating boat
• Ensuring all repair work structurally and visually exceeds expectations
• Lifting heaving objects
• Assisting the entire service teams with various tasks

The ideal candidate is someone who will enjoy the nautical environment of the boatyard, which includes being around boats and being on the water. They will have at least two to three years of experience in fiberglass and composites fabrication or repair as well as experience with painting and gelcoat work or similar skill sets. Their background will include a familiarity with boats and enjoy delivering exceptional finish work. They will be someone who appreciates the boating lifestyle and working sail and powerboats. We are looking for a person who values working in a team and being part of a family-owned organization that is a respected part of the local community.

Salary and benefits: $50 – 70k, Medical, 401K

Position Title: Marine Service Mechanic Position Type: Full-time Experience level:  2-3 years preferred. Certifications Preferred. Equal skills and high motivation also accepted.

Job Description and Summary: In this position you will work alongside a team of supportive and experienced marine industry professionals. Your primary role will be engine maintenance and repairs for both gas and diesel engine systems as well as service and repair work on a variety of other boat system. A large part of this position will include troubleshooting, engine and drive preventative maintenance, emergency repairs at the yard or at the location of the boat needing service. You will be working on inboard and outboard systems and interacting and communicating with our boaters, so a focus on customer service is an important skill. Certification not initial required but is a plus.

• Effective and knowledgeable mechanic
• Problem solving – engines, drives, control systems and electrical
• Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting
• Engine rebuilds, 12v DC systems, machining work
• Gas and diesel engine/generator operations
• Wiring and soldering
• Performing maintenance and repairs safely and quickly
• Have your own set of tools
• Performing functionality checks on engines and systems
• Basic boat operations

The ideal candidate is someone who will enjoy the nautical environment of the boatyard, which includes being around boats and being on the water. They will have at least two to three years of experience as a marine service technician, automotive mechanic, Gen Tech, or similar skill sets. Their background will include a familiarity with boats and enjoy solving mechanical and systems issues. They will be someone who enjoys the boating lifestyle and working outdoors. They value working in a team and being part of a family-owned organization an enhancing part of the local community. We encourage you to apply if you do not have the experience but are dedicated to building a career in the marine service industry.

Salary and benefits: $60 – 80k, Medical, 401K

Position Title: Yacht Sales Consultant Position Type: Full-time Experience level:  2-3 years preferred

Reports to: Sales Manager

Job Description and Summary: In this position you will work alongside the McMichael Sales Team to consult with our client boaters, guiding them to find and purchase the best yacht for their modern boating needs. You will work with an experienced team that specializes in premium racing and sailing yachts, as well as high-performance inboard and outboard day and cruising power yachts. You will work with existing clients as well as being responsible for identifying, nurturing, and closing new clients. You will cultivate relationships with our clients and their families that demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism for the McMichael brand. You will be supported by the team to help you locate, acquire, and nurture prospective new client boaters. You will be a part of a sales and service team that caters to the all-encompassing boating needs of the McMichael community of boaters.

• Active listening
• Conveying key features and distinguishing selling points of a given boat model
• Ability to close high-value sales from $500k – $3M
• Prospect farming
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Influencing with content through digital and social media tools
• Consulting with and guiding clients effectively
• Proactive mindset that fosters successful unsupervised work
• Ability to work collaboratively with other team members
• Close deals on new yacht sales
• Deliver world class service in the form of professionalism, knowledge, and customer service
• Acquire and develop prospects into leads, then into new boat sales
• Attend boat shows and events to meet with and engage boaters
• Use digital and social media tools to engage with boaters
• Secure used boat listings
• Close used boat sales
• Guide boaters through the research, selection, specification, closing, delivery, and commissioning process
• Work with the Sales Team to constantly increase brand and model knowledge
• Influence your client boaters to choose McMichael Yards for their boat servicing and storage needs

The ideal candidate is someone who will enjoy the nautical/boating lifestyle and has grown up around boats. They will have previous experience selling in the corporate environment, in addition to a strong boating background and several years of selling yachts over 30 feet and over $500K. They will be an excellent communicator who is able to convey information clearly and concisely. They will be motivated to constantly learn more and achieve more regarding new boats and sales goals. They will be a person who can collaborate with all the members of the sales team to find creative solutions to barriers and issues.

Experience Level Experienced as a sail or power boater or similar industry background 2-3 years preferred

Salary and benefits: Base of $50 – $70k, commissions, Medical, 401K

John Glynn John brings to McMichael more than three decades of sailing, boating and sales experience. In addition to his time at BEYC, Glynn’s resume includes years as an Associate Editor (and Contributing Editor) for Sailing World magazine, where he was part of the team that created both the “Boat of the Year” awards and the NOOD Regattas. Over the years he has raced aboard C&C 40s, New York 36s, J/35s, Express 37s and Farr 40s, as well as his own J/30 and Soverel 33 Grey Seal. He boats with his family out of Captain Harbor in Greenwich, CT.

“John brings a wealth of experience as a racer, boat owner and industry professional,” said Michael Beers, McMichael Sales Manager. “He will be a fantastic resource for his clients in buying and selling boats. We’re proud to have him on our team, and his background will help us continue to fulfill our motto, ‘Experience Counts!’”

“I’ve been fortunate enough to spend my career in and around the sailing and boating community, enabling me to love the various jobs I’ve held,” said Glynn. “In joining McMichael Yacht Brokers I’ve found another fresh, new outlet from which to apply my knowledge of and passion for yachting. Moreover, I’m able to do that while working in the company of some of the finest yacht brokers in the business. It is my hope to bring to my brokerage customers a sense of confidence and satisfaction as they make yacht transactions, both from the buyer’s and seller’s sides.”

Cameron Campbell Cameron has been boating his entire life, starting as a toddler on Great South Bay on Long Island. He grew up in Connecticut and spent every summer on Long Island Sound. In college he was a member of the University of Rhode Island Sailing Team and also ran operations at the URI Waterfront Center. After college he was an ASA Sailing Instructor at the New York Sailing School on City Island and then for Olympic Circle Sailing on San Francisco Bay. He participated in many regattas on both coasts in both small and large boats. He owned a Sabre for many years which he cruised from Annapolis to Maine. Cameron also has experience with power boats ranging from center consoles though larger cruisers.

Cameron has been working with clients preparing for Bermuda races, extensive blue water cruising, and many that are new to boating.

Rick Fleig Rick grew up on Long Island spending many years sailing on the Sound in everything from J/22′s to J/105′s, Custom C&C 41′s and many other boats, competing in all the major Northeast events. This experience and passion for sailing led him on a path to sail in the 1987 America’s Cup in Perth, Australia with both the Courageous and USA Syndicates. He has sailed in many major international regattas, including the Swan World Championships in Sardinia, the World 6 Meter Championships in Portofino, Italy, and several Newport Bermuda races.

Rick combines his extensive sailing background with both the marine and sports industry, having worked as a regional sales manager at SunfishLaser and Vanguard Sailboats, and prior to that as a regional sales representative with sporting goods giant Nike. He believes that building relationships and understanding the clients’ needs are essential in helping customers have a great experience with their boats. He works out of the McMichael Yacht Broker’s Newport office at the Newport Shipyard.

Rick resides in Portsmouth, RI, with his family, having fallen in love with the Newport area during his many sailing events there. He recently retired as the director/coach of the Portsmouth High School Sailing Team after many years, and along with his wife, Carline, now enjoys his time proudly following their youngest son, Tyler, who just finished his second year at the US Naval Academy. Tyler is a very accomplished sailor himself, and a member of the nationally ranked USNA dinghy sailing team. Rick is a member of Sail Newport and can be seen racing many weeknights and weekends in all the local events in a variety of boats.

Michael Beers Michael is a licensed captain and active racer who began his sailing career in Boston on the Charles River. As someone who did not grow up sailing, he especially enjoys introducing new boaters to the sport. Michael has a proven track record of working tirelessly for his clients, and enjoys working directly with buyers to identify the best possible “next boat” from the many options available. He is an active racer, recently racing in the J/70 fleet at Quantum Key West Race Week and aboard the J/130 Dragonly in the 2012 Newport Bermuda Race.

Prior to joining McMichael in 2007, he captained the 80′ schooner Adirondack II in Newport, RI and was an instructor at Offshore Sailing. In his free time, he enjoys cruising his Sabre.

Todd Williams Todd started sailing on his family’s cruising boat before his memory serves. His love of racing was cultivated through sailing Blue Jays and Lasers in Pequot Yacht Club’s junior program.  Since then he has actively raced in the J105 fleet, J109 fleet, and helped form the J122 class. He also developed and helped launch the LIS IRC 35 class.  Todd is an experienced distance sailor and was involved with winning the Vineyard race class and IRC overall aboard the J122 Partnership.  

Todd enjoys using his extensive knowledge of boating to find his clients the boat that best suits their needs.  He is dedicated to providing the best possible service to all his customers.  Todd can often be found racing with clients and helping them build their racing programs. Through the years, he has custom built many J/Boats, Alerions, and MJM power boats for clients, many of whom he now considers personal friends.

During the winter season you may spot the Williams family on the slopes at Okemo where they have a ski house.

Andy Kaplan Starting October 4, Andrew (Andy) Kaplan has joined the brokerage team at McMichael Yacht Yards & Brokers. The addition increases the McMichael roster to seven full-time yacht brokers serving customers up and down the east coast with a concentration on the Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay. He will work primarily out of the McMichael Mamaroneck, NY, office as well as Martha’s Vineyard.

“Andy is bringing to McMichael a lifetime of experience in sail and power boating with a keen focus in the sailboat racing world,” said McMichael President Steve Leicht. “His broad familiarity with offshore and one-design sailboats combined with his powerboating experience makes him an ideal addition to our brokerage team.”

Kaplan spent the majority of his career in finance including helping create the Quattro Global Capital, LLC where he was a principal and head of operation and marketing. “I believe that my financial sales and management experience is a great asset as I transition to yacht brokerage,” noted Kaplan. “While they are different industries, to succeed in either you need similar disciplines when matching buyers with the right product. That’s what creates and maintains long term customer relationships.”

Kaplan grew-up in Mamaroneck and has been a member of the Larchmont Yacht Club for over 30 years where he has been active in the Club’s leadership. He lives in New Rochelle, NY, and on Martha’s Vineyard, MA.

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2023 J/70 World Championship at St. Petersburg Yacht Club - Overall

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