July/August 2010 - Yacht Essentials

J-Class at Antigua’s Classicabout 10 friends. We mix them according to abilities, usethem around to involve them as much as we can, keepingit fun and safe. These are big, powerful boats.“One of Williams’ many talents is assessing the skill ofguests. “We’re pretty good at knowing what people cando. Some are young and fit and want to get involved.Some just sit in the cockpit and enjoy the sail. A lot ofguests pull the spinnaker down the hole. Thousands offeet of sail,” he laughed. “It’s a big privilege to do that.”Simply day-sailing a J is an arduous task, but racing oneagainst other larger-than-life vessels with dozens of smallercraft speckling the course is a true challenge. “The hardestpart from a tactician’s view is momentum,” said Dodson.“It takes a long time to start speed and a long timeto slow. These boats don’t turn well because of the keelhungrudder. Planning is even greater on these boats.”Sails are another issue. “The sheer size of the sails and theconfinement of the deck…they all have to be handled byhand,” explained Dodson. There are no easy buttons topush, but there are, thankfully, hydraulic winches. Thosemodern wonders, along with the 3DL North Sails, are crucial,according to Williams. “That’s what’s made it possible tomake them bigger. Instead of a cutter, we use a blade jib.”J-Class enthusiasts were watching the Classic this year,anxious to see three boats face off for the first time inages. But on the eve of the first race, Hanuman pulledout, sending a wave of deep disappointment. Rangerand Velsheda, always eager to face off, were undauntedas they competed in the Spirit of Tradition Class againstRebecca, Bequia, Windrose of Amsterdam and Gaia.Everyone on the course, whether on a porky old gafferor a fancy Fife, gets to experience first hand the thrill ofthe Js. Started last, the Js approach and overtake everyvessel, sometimes breathtakingly close. The site of their1960’s flashback-colored sails and the earsplitting noiseas they plow through waves are unmistakable. Someskippers complain they’re rendered shorthanded whenall their crew run for cameras.Besides being entertaining, the Js can be thieves, stealingminutes of valuable wind and rolling victims on their ear.During the 2009 Classic, Velsheda and Ranger were in thethick of it when they collided and three people jumpedoff. “Well, Velsheda was in the wrong. It was a bit of amisunderstanding,” recounted Williams. “A bit scary, butno one was hurt.” Chase boats picked up the swimmersand damage to the boats was relatively minor.Antigua’s Classic is known as “The Gentleman’s Race,”and no one demonstrates that as well as the captainsand crew of the Js. Competition is matched with camaraderie,evidenced by the dockside reruns of the race.According to Williams, “A lot of the Velsheda crew areour friends. We usually have a beer after the race.”This year, it was Velsheda’s crew buying the suds, asDodson and friends beat out Ranger in a close race. Butthe real winners were all the yachting fans who got to seethese two amazing boats go head to head once more.26 YACHT ESSENTIALS