j105 class health?

[bgytr]

How's the 105 class been holding up? Was doing a quick scan of 105s on yachtworld and prices seem lower by quite a bit compared to 5 or so years ago.

 

Just curious, still a great boat for decent local one design if the class is still good..

[bloodshot]

currently 13 boats for BIRW and their East Coast Championships.

[Skaf]

Going great out here in SF Bay, 20+ boats on the line at any given regatta. Couple new owners in the fleet, and a couple more show up out of hiding for less competitive regattas like midwinters.

[proOC]

We will get 10+ for our NOOD regatta in June. Plenty more on the Great Lakes but many do not race. Has to be upwards of 20+ 105's on Lake MI.

 

Race to Mackinac 2017 20 boats and counting.

 

Black Diamond out of MI City? Why ORR section vs 1 design start?

[Wet Spreaders]

21 registered for this weekend's event at the SFYC.

 

We see 3 or 4 boats turn over each year - which is healthy. I've been racing Fleet One since 2005. Of the 21 boats registered, 3 have been with the fleet longer than me. 13 of the boats have been regulars for longer than me.

 

So, we have about 80% owner and 40% boat turn-over in 15 years. There were 64 known J105s in and around the SF Bay in 2012 when we counted them, about 40% race in Fleet One at some point during the season. A few more like to do only PHRF or short-handed SSS races and about half are AWOL.

 

Where else can you participate in a +20 OD keelboat boat fleet 10 times a year? The fleet is very healthy and the biggest on the bay. Other smaller boats have excellent fleets with good racing: Knarr, Folkboat, Express27, I race SSS under PHRF from time to time and the Express drivers are really hard to beat. The Knarrs have a reputation for being spectacularly good tactical sailors, and the Folkboat fleet is really friendly. I still like my J105, though - it's been a great platform for fun with a crew and also with my kids when they were little - it's big enough not to be scary and has light enough loads that they could drive it when they were quite small.

 

Contrary to what most people do, I bought mine when I found out that my wife was pregnant (most people sell up when they get their kids). My happiest times with my boys have been on the boat teaching them thinking skills, being responsible for an important task and having patience, building confidence and working with them to a shared goal. Priceless.

 

 

 

 

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[J24Soup]

Doing great in the Pacific NW.  3 just had a Division in the Oregon Offshore (with some good finishes in another downwind run), 7 are doing the Swiftsure Race, ~15 expected at Whidbey Island Race Week, and lots of events up in Seattle with 8-10+.  Four now in Stumptown (Portland) which is fun.

[Grey Dawn]

Very healthy j105 fleet in Naptown and the Chesapeake.

[surf nazi]

Had 22 for the naptown noods with teams from canada and bermuda. Looked pretty healthy to me. 

[SF20kts+]

I just brought a great 105 up from Long Beach and am now busy bringing up the rear in SF Bay Fleet 1 races, a newb to OD racing. 20 boats on the Cityfront coming off the line? Love it and will be doing this for a long time.