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This is the home of the largest Cruising One Design Fleet on the Chesapeake Bay. The J105 Fleet has the highest average number of starters, year after year, enjoying a camaraderie unmatched in any other one design fleet. Anyone looking for a great experience racing their boat should look at the J105. The rules and boat are family friendly and geared to make the sport of sail boat racing as friendly to the wallet as it is to the psyche. If you are considering a new boat or starting out with your first boat take a look at our boats for sale in the classified directory on this site.
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The 1st half of the Frostbite Season is complete with Bob Reeves and the A Train Team (34) proving their mastery by an 11 point margin over Jay Corcoran & Matt Marcy on Hiawatha (45) and the Gitchell Team on Tenacious(48). The series was dominated by twisted light air conditions that somehow fell on first half Sundays between the array of early winter fronts that swept through Annapolis. Bob's considerable experience was displayed as he weaved his way through the puffs and lulls to strong finishes in most of the 8 races. The last race was no exception as A Train was deep in the pack on the down wind run when the wind died, as it often does in light conditions, at the Triton Light convergence between the Severn and Spa Creek. Bob kept the A-Train moving and when the wind switched back on was near the front and managed to hold on for 2nd. Chris Groobey and the Java Team were able to keep their lead established by a great start, and a minimum tack upwind run up the right side of the Severn, and finish first. The second half starts on January 31, ice flows permitting. Full results are posted on the Results Page.
Peter McChesney and the Magic Mystery Machine (24 points) won the Chesapeake Bay Championship by one point after a magical mystery last leg that brought them from deep in the pack to finish 3rd in Race 5 and edge out Marty Hublitz and Eddie Hornick on Veloce (25 points). The top five was rounded out by Jim Konigsberg on Inigo (28 points), Andrew Kennedy on Bat IV (33 points), and Carl and Scott Gitchell on Tenacious (35 points). The 5 races over two days featured a mix of wind strength in the 10-20 knot range, strong currents in both directions, a 40 degree left shift in Race 4, and lots of lesser shifts in every race. The pivotal 5th race had the windward mark on the edge of the Severn River entrance (at heading of 0 from the start), where a band of left shifted breeze formed in line with the river. Boats that got on the upwind port layline in the upper 1/4 of the course were treated to a high pressure lift going to the mark. Boats who got on starboard layline were bonked on the head by a header going to the mark and many had to double tack (or spin a jibe) to make the mark. Down wind there were dead spots to the south but boats who immediately jibed at the mark were lifted on good breeze and made big gains on boats that did a bear away down the wind starved western side of the course. Individual races were won by Bat IV, Mystery Machine, Mirage, Inigo, and Veloce. Full results including the two day CBYRA high point breakdown are available on the Results Page.
Below the Magic Mystery Machine team of (left to right) Peter McChesney, Mary Lynne Schultz, John Morrison, Julie Sitzmann, Stan Welle, and Jay Sterne have the look of joy resulting from their second straight victory in the Chesapeake Championship. Susan Taylor wasn't available for this photo but was part of the team for the three races on Saturday.
Excerpted from the Hospice Press Release: Cedric Lewis of Mirage , from Annapolis, MD, was the winner of multiple awards including the highest honor, 2009 Hospice Cup Trophy recognizing the skipper for sustained high performance across three racing years (2006 – 2009), and qualifying him to represent the Chesapeake Bay regatta in 2010 at the Hospice Regattas National Championship against representatives from each of the 26 other hospice regattas held this year nationwide.
The Hospice Cup Trophy, sponsored this year by Robinson International , is one of the several special trophies underwritten by companies or individual contributions to the hospices benefiting from the Hospice Cup event.
The crew of Mirage was also honored with one of the oldest sponsored trophies, the Running Tide Trophy , which recognizes overall fleet performance.
A third honor to Mirage was The Sajak Family Foundation Trophy , sponsored by the family foundation of 1999 Honorary Chairman Pat Sajak and his wife Lesly, for best performance in Cruising One-Design was presented.
J-105 Class: 1st place, Cedric Lewis aboard Mirage ; 2nd place Robert Reeves aboard A Train ; 3rd place J. Corcoran aboard Hiawatha . (12 boats)
Annapolis Race Week turned into another unique experience as wind conditions reacted to some unexpectedly dynamic weather. The weather forecast prior to the weekend was for the typical benign conditions in the first week of September but so much for that. The first day was true to form as 19 boats worked their way through light winds northerly and a strong ebb current. The Fleet 2 Course was set up on the St Michaels freeway between 1AH and Thomas Pt. and every Rodney in town had polished his gold chains and poured his life savings into the tank of whatever ego buster he could find. The result was like driving the boat in a washing machine which left many thinking of the wonderful days a year ago when fuel was $4 a gallon and there were none of those clowns in sight. The after race talk was in part dedicated to techniques for handling the bumpy ride, particularly down wind.
Day one was true to form with the left dominating and anyone forced to the up wind right getting a free ride south. Inigo (Jim Konigsberg)took the day with a 2-1, with Bat IV (Andrew Kennedy) in second (1-4), Mopelia (Denis Seynhaeve) in 3rd (5-3), and Bravo (Denny White) in 4th (7-2). The two races were mostly a contest to see who could tack the port layline first and if not first, what next. A lot of boats took the ever farther left and over stood route and others tried the middle, but first to the layline won.
Day 2 was a different bird as the wind was up to 10-12 knots to begin the day. Rigs were tightned and halyards snugged only to see the wind begin to die off and come under the influence of a new low pressure system that moved to the east. Conventional wisdom said "go left" and that is what happened for the most part until some shifts and pressure differential leveled the couse to some degree although I'm not sure any two people could agree to what degree. Mopelia managed to sort this out the best going 1-1- 4 for the day, followed by Inigo (5-2-5), Tenacious (Carl and Scott Gitchell) 6-3-6, Royal Danish YC (Marie Klok Crump) 2-5-9, and Jester (Hugh Bethel) 8-9-3. As can be seen from the finishes there was nothing easy as the combination of changing velocity and direction, combined with a ripping current, made for no easy tactical decisions. Another conventional wisdom gotcha is to go down the course in the current, but this was flipped around by some nice pressure toward shore that made the downwind right work. You never get to relax in this sport. The third race of the day saw the wind completely die during the second leg of four after a brief rain shower courtesy of the low that was moving along the coast. Java (Chris Groobey) was positioned the farthest out to the center, and when the wind switched back on, was rotated right into the mark while the bulk of the fleet was toward the shore. Needless to say Java won the third race of Day 2. After Race 3 the RC said they were considering a fourth race but the fleet showed what they thought of that by doing the harbor hedge and luckily they made the right decision and everyone made it home before the skies opened with a deluge.
Day 3 started with a good mid-range breeze under cloudy but turbulent skies thanks to the coastal low. Local knowledge says that easterly wind is unstable and this was never more true. The day was won by Royal Danish YC (Marie Klok Crump) going 5-1, followed by a triple tie breaker of Bat IV (Andrew Kennedy) 10-2, Santa's Reign Dear (Don Santa) 9-3, and Inigo (Jim Konigsberg) 8-4. Once again the range of results tell the story as conventional wisdom was down the hatch like a rum and coke. Jester (Hugh Bethel) started it off by wandering right while the rest of the parade went left, got a 30 degree right shift (maybe more because it was big) and was catching a nap by the time the next boat finished. Hugh gets the award for biggest horizon job of the regatta. Race two was a lot more of the same as a big, low hanging, black cloud developed over the center of the course and began making its own wind. The result was wind in a narrow band of the middle and darn little to either side. Boats that figured this out were able to play shifts up the middle going both ways and make large gains. Royal Danish Yacht Club won the race followed by Bat IV and Santa's Reign Dear.
Below are the winning Race Week survivors Jim Konigsberg and the Inigo Team, feeling good after taking first at Race Week. Inigo edged out Denis Seynhaeve on Mopelia when on the last downwind run they picked up a number of places riding on some private breeze under the big dark cloud down the middle of the course. Jim Konigsberg (helm), in the center of the photo with the big grin of relief, is flanked by long time crew mate Doug McLendon (timmer) to his left, and well known Annapolis sailor Paul Murphy (he who talks much) to his right. Greg Kasten (foredeck) is on the far right. Unable to make the photo-op was Frank Drohan (pit). Eva Kennedy (Andrew Kennedy's wife) was kidnapped for this photo by Murphy, who has a long lineage from the famous Somali pirate warlord Idi Amin al-Murphy.
The AYC Annual did nothing to change the odd wind patterns that have persisted through the first part of the season. Strong high winds combined with a slow moving coastal low to make for what could only be called shifty conditions. AYC got it together for three races and resisted the temptation to wait for stable conditions. This was a good decision because they didn't happen. The first race saw all the boats head left for the ebb current except Java with Chris Groobey driving and Zephyr, with Walt Nuschke at the helm, as both had problems at the start. The wind shifted hard right so Java and Zephyr ended up in a match race with Java in the lead. There was a lull at the last windward mark that left Java dead in the water while the other boats were still sailing. When the wind filled back in, Zephyr had caught up, and after a close race down wind Zephyr eaked out the win. The second race saw a left shift right before the start that left all the boats at the boat end hanging out to dry. Varmint, with Mike O'Toole driving, did a great job taking the pin end and the left side to a convincing win. The third race saw more stable conditions as the clouds started to clear and the wind began to fill from the North West. The Mirage team of Cedric Lewis and Fredrick Salvesen were able to make the most advantage of these conditions and take first over Varmint. Varmint was able to win the day with a 4-1-2 to Mirage's 5-3-1 for second, and Java's 2-4-5 for third.
The Twilight Race turned into a tactician's dream or nightmare depending on which side you picked. The evening started out with a postponement as a southern high won out over one to the North and the wind did a switch from NW to SW after the RC had set the course. The reset of the government marks set a course to Thomas Pt., then to Mark E in the channel near Bloody Pt., and then into the traditional Severn finish for a 13.2nm course. Once the racing started, Chris Groobey on Java and Matt Marcy/Jay Corcoran on Hiawatha, got the good starts and headed for the left side and the tail end of the ebb current. This turned out to be a good early strategy as the wind filled at the current line and went soft for the boats that chose the right side. They were well in front at Thomas Pt. and Java rounded first at Mark E followed closely by Hiawatha, in what appeared t be a two boat race. The wind grew increasingly spotty as the sun began to set, with bands of pressure that might not be there when you were. After rounding E and putting the chutes up, the fleet split into boats that immediately jibed and another contingent that picked up fresh breeze on the Eastern Shore. The pressure continued to die and boats that went farther north (in line with the Severn) before crossing the bay fared the best. Mike O'Toole on Varmint and Richard Hinds On Breakaway made the best of this and caught up to the leaders when they converged at the mouth of the Severn. Varmint took first, barely edging out Java, and Breakaway edged out Hiawatha for third providing yet another example of why you should never give up.
The East Coast Championship, aka Annapolis NOOD, ended up being the icing on the cake for Key West winner Savasana. The team of owner Brian Keane, Mike Lague, Julie Hughes, Paul Murphy, Todd MacMaster (front) and Ben Powers is pictured below with all smiles after securing the win. Savasana sailed with great consistency in shifty conditions that were influenced (and confused) by a steady ebb tide. Their worst race was a 9th and they had two firsts to cement a 16 point win over 28 other presumably able bodied crews. Rob Marsh and Blow Boat gave some valiant competition and were 10 points off the lead going into the last race but an OCS put an end to what should have been a match race. The Cedric Lewis/Fredrik Salvesen team on Mirage filled the void left by Blow Boat to get second and the Arthur Libby, Tom Carter, John Bremer syndicate on Dog House had their biggest finish to date with third. Blow Boat ended up 4th on a tie breaker over Denis Seynhaeve on Mopelia. The full results and day by day breaks for CBYRA High Point are posted on the Results Page.
The 2009 High Point Season got started with the NASS Spring Regatta. Only 8 boats turned out as many were running behind schedule due the delayed spring. There was apparently a lot of rust on the foredecks as several scenes of pointy end chaos were evident. The results after two races were a sister kisser as Carl & Scott Gitchell's, Tenacious, was tied with Jim Konigsberg's, Inigo, as both boats had identical scores in both races. Adding to the statistical anomally, Chris Groobey's, Java, had identical scores with Richard Hinds', Breakaway, resulting in a dead heat for third. Although the results were less than conclusive the NASS Spring is a great opportunity for teams to get out and practice under race conditions.
The Andrew Kennedy and Ray Wolff team on BAT IV wrapped up the second half Frostbite with two firsts. This brought in an extra throwout so their score actually went down as they threw out a 3. They also won the first half series som BAT IV is the king of winter. The full results are posted on the Results page. Next up is the beginning of the 2009 High Point Season with the NASS Spring on April 19th followed by the NOOD/East Coast Championship on April 24-26. Get those entries in.
The final week of Frostbite is March 22nd. The last two weeks have been light air affairs limiting races to one each day. BAT IV has moved to a 4 point lead based on a 2nd place finish to A Train's 6 and Dog House's 5 on March 15th. Dog House appeared to have a horizon job going as they rounded the first mark well ahead on the basis of the best start, which enabled them to sail low and faster through the ultra smooth water. The current switched to full ebb which allowed some boats who went the full way into the Severn channel to make big gains. Dog House made the logical leader's choice of choosing to jibe out of the current but into a pressure void and went from first to fifth in a slow motion test of where-is-the-wind. The spread is 7 points among the top three heading into the last day. If two races are run on the 22nd there will be an additional throwout.
The 2009 Schedule is now available on the Schedule page.
The second half Frostbite is tight after six races with the top three boats only 3 points apart. BAT IV (15), Dog House (17), and A Train (18) are fighting it out for the lead. A Train has three straight 1's to get back in the hunt. February has been uncommonly kind with the good weather days hitting on Sunday. The first two weeks saw temperatures in the 60's and this week was sunny in the mid 40's. Good winds with lots of quirky Severn River shifts have made for some interesting races. The series has four more weeks of races scheduled so anything can happen. The full results are posted on the Results Page.
Second Half Frostbite kicked off on Super Bowl Sunday with 10 boats participating. The name Frostbite was hardly appropriate as everyone was stripping off layers as temperatures rose into the low 60's making for a perfectly exquisite day. Ray Wolff and Andrew Kennedy picked up where they left off in December going 2-1 for the day. The Dog House Team led by the Arthur Libby, John Bremer, Tom Carter syndicate also went 1-2 for the day so the competition is on. The full results are available on the Results Page. The series concludes at the end of March.
The First Half Frostbite Season had 18 boats participating. Ray Wolff, sailing on Andrew Kennedy's BAT IV, earned first place, followed by Bob Reeves on A Train and the Matt Marcy/Jay Corocoran team on Hiawatha. Frostbite continues to be very popular with the Class as it provides a laid back atmosphere, socializing between races, an opportunity to get people out who don't get to participate in high point, and relief from the winter doldrums. The full results are posted on the Results Page.
It is time to pay your Annual Dues. If you pay at the Annual Meeting on January 10th (or as soon as possible) it means the Treasurer doesn't have to spend a lot of time begging. Download the form here.
The High Point standings for 2008 have been audited and finalized. This year's big winner is Tenacious (Scott and Carl Gitchell) , followed by Mirage (Cedric Lewis and Fredrik Salvesen), Mopelia (Denis Seynhaeve) , Veloce (Marty Hublitz and Eddie Hornick) , and A Train (Bob Reeves) to fill out the top 5. 34 Fleet 3 boats participated with 26 eligible for High Point scoring. Tenacious is the 9th different winner in the thirteen years since the Fleet first qualified for High Point status in 1996. Bob Reeves has earned special distinction by finishing 5th in his 72nd year. Full details are available on the Results Page.
Link to Dan Phelps Spinsheet photos from The Chesapeake Championship and Fall Series.
Link to Photo Boat photos of The Chesapeake Championship.
The Chesapeake Championship was contested over three days and five races under Annapolis Yacht Club management. The racing was very tight with the typically challenging Chesapeake Bay Fall conditions ranging from 5 to 20 knots, in a multitude of directions, with wind driven tidal current. Peter McChesney and The Mystery Machine team came out on top with 13 points and two firsts. Fredrik Salvesen and Cedric Lewis on Mirage were second (17), Carl and Scott Gitchell on Tenacious were third (20), Denis Seynhaeve on Mopelia was fourth (26), and Jim Konigsberg on Inigo was fifth (32). The full results, including daily high point breakdown, are posted on the Results page.
Peter McChesney (far right) and some of his team from The Dream Machine feeling good after their hard fought win in the Chesapeake Bay Championship. Peter is well known in the Annapolis racing scene, having had much success in the J22 Class. He bought his first J105 (Kokopelli) a couple of years ago and made a good showing in the 2007 North American Championship. The Dream Machine is is second J105 and Peter is very enthusiastic about this victory and the level of competition in the class.
Information for visiting boats here.
The Annual Dues are past due. Download the form here.
CBYRA Entry Form - Download here
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Anyone interested in crewing on one of our J105's should e-mail crew@j105fleet3.org
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