J/30 Sailors,

I have been doing some checking with the various Narragansett Bay area Yacht Clubs on the possibility for hosting the 2008 J/30 North American Championship. Bristol Yacht Club (BYC) would be willing to host this sometime in August 2008. There are four J/30 owners who are members at BYC - Gritz (Mike Campbell), Nemesis (Mark Rotsky), Blitz (Corey Butlin), and Mmmm (Bob Rude). There are a total of 17 J/30s on Narragansett Bay (not all active racers) and I'm sure we could arrange loaner boats.

Mike Campbell has contacted the BYC Board members to float this idea, and individually they were enthusiastic. It would need to be approved officially at one of the BYC board meetings, with the next opportunity for approval at the September meeting.


I will guarantee participation by at least 7 NB boats (even if a few arms need to be broken....), plus a number of loaner boats for those traveling from afar. I know David Bows can convince many in the Northern New England fleet to participate, and LI sound is just a stones throw away.

So - I'm asking the J/30 fleet to comment on this offer, and indicate what time frame in August 2008 would work to gain maximum participation. Here are the Aug 2008 weekend dates where the event might be centered around: 2/3, 9/10, 16/17, 23/24, 30/31.

Please provide responses on this forum so that the dates and location can be presented for consideration during the J/30 Class meeting coincidental with the 2007 North Americans.

Thanks,
Bill Kneller

p.s. Thanks to Mike Campbell for the research leg work behind the scenes on this!

Do you think this would encourage some more of those 17 Js to get out and racing?

I'd be interested in giving the bay a try again. Maybe I'll learn something about currents by then.

Dennis - don't share this with anyone, but here's a secret website that provides a model with Narragansett Bay area tidal currents: http://www.narrabay.com/empact/bayCurrents.asp
Shhh!

A quick story that some of the east coasters probably already know.

We were out there back in '97 or so when the NAs were in Newport. I think we were racing north of Prudence Island that day. The r/c gets on the radio with a nice welcome, and a reminder that there's a 2 kt. ebb... they know who the lake sailors are and will be watching closely. Hmmm.... wonder what they mean by that.

As we're getting close to the start, there's this enourmous hole right at the favoured r/c end of the line. My main trimmer is giggling, and suggests we take this gift. With 30 seconds to go, we're looking pretty good... and at 10 seconds, we finally discover what the r/c was talking about. Try getting back in light air with a foul current... painful.

We had an unforgettable time that week.

Great idea Bill! Maybe we can get all sorts of things sorted out in the September meeting? More J30s racing is a lofty goal.

When can we do a North Americans in Chicago again? Last one was 2001.

Good afternoon Gentlemen,

Bill, this would be fantastic. John Howell and I discussed last night and pls count us in and let us know what we can do to assist in the organization.

Best regards to all,

-John Cavanagh
(c)401/749-5306

(This is Good News - #175)

[This message has been edited by whk (edited 08-27-2007).]

I am sure Mallorca will be making the trip! Sounds great.

David
#397

[This message has been edited by dbows (edited 08-27-2007).]

Assuming things can be worked out with Bristol Yacht Club, it's a great location with easy access to some good racing venues. If we're talking August, those in Rhode Island may want to consider the Victory Day weekend as that would mean a Monday holiday to recover from a dark and stormy Sunday. Anyway, bringing the North Ameriocans back to RI is good news.

Yes, Good News! indeed

What's the wind on the bay like in August?