Some Thoughts on IRC

Lately we've been spending a lot of time here at McMichael talking about how successful IRC has been for boats in the 40' + range, and contemplating whether that success will find its way to boats in the mid-30' range that are currently racing in PHRF classes. With a flotilla of new IRC optimized designs hitting the water, it's something for us to pay attention to.

The ideal handicap rating system is one that encourages balanced, versatile boats of moderate designs and controllable costs, and IRC has done a great job with this. When a rule catches on and designers try to exploit it, you can end up with boats that only serve that rule, sacrificing form, performance, and sometimes safety. But IRC avoids this pitfall, in part by keeping some elements of the rule confidential.

The IRC rule also does not play favorites with old vs. new designs. At Key West Race Week this year, the IRC-2 division had 13 entries representing 10 different designs from 37 to 46 feet. Included in this spread were designs dating back to the late '80's all the way up to brand new designs, and all were competing on what seemed to be a level playing field. Taking third place for the week was the oldest design of the season, a J/44, while two new Mark Mills designs occupied the top of the podium.

If IRC can gain a foothold in the mid-30' range, I think it will make for some very exciting and close racing, similar to what we saw at Key West this year. Stay tuned for more posts on this topic.

February Activity

Last week I kept hearing this strange sound in my office: after some investigation I discovered that it was my phone ringing. Also the auspicious chime of emails landing in my inbox. Music to my ears.

It doesn't take much to come up from zero, which is about where inbound inquiries have been for the past few months, but it's great to see that some people are ready to buy boats. They are coming from all walks of life (including Wall Street), and for the most part they are expecting, and getting, great deals. Since the beginning of February I have had clients come to see my J109, J120, Beneteau 36.7 and Beneteau 331 - a pretty broad range of boats in the cruising/racing spectrum.

This is purely anecdotal, and represents only what I'm experiencing with my listings and what I'm observing at the office - I'm not trying to spin this as a rebound. But it is a step in the right direction, and I'm happy to showing boats.

Factory Visits

I spent most of Thursday in Rhode Island, at Pearson Composites (Alerion Express), CCFC (new J/95 builder for J/Boats), and US Watercraft/Waterline Systems (J/22, J/24, J/105). It is always very rewarding to go to the factory and get some hands-on time with boats that are in production. It is the best way to get first-hand product knowledge, and very enlightening for clients as well.

Most of the time was spent at CCFC where Rod, Al and Jeff Johnstone discussed the new J/95, a keel/centerboard boat will draw only 3' with the board up (5'5" board down). It is another big innovation from J/Boats at a time when innovation is the only thing selling boats, and I think it will be a winner. Now sailors in thin-water venues like Barnegat Bay can enjoy J/Boat performance.

Most of the J/Boat dealers from the eastern US were in attendance, which means I was in a roomful of yacht brokers. As usual, I was about 20 years younger than the average broker.


J/95 cockpit and deck, just out of the mold




J/95 bow - notice the new engineering that will conceal the retractable sprit when not in use




Joe DaPonte from CCFC, new builder for the J/95 (he's holding a rudder)



Centerboard trunk for the J/95



CCFC - a very clean custom-built facility



Jeff Johnstone and the J/95 hull mold



An Alerion Express 33 with furniture being installed.



Alerion Express 28, ready for engine installation

The first person to correctly identify this mold wins a pony!

MJM 40z Debut

Sometimes you just want to look at a pretty boat - like the new MJM 40z from J/Boats co-founder Bob Johnstone.

Beneath the pretty exterior is some real innovation. Forward-facing Volvo IPS drives with twin counter-rotating props keep vibration and engine noise to a minimum - just 75 decibels in the cockpit while cruising at 25 kts. Fuel economy was 17 gph at 25 kts, and that was with 10 guests onboard.

I'll leave the sales pitch there for now and let the picture do the talking. More info at http://www.mjmyachts.com/.


(click for larger image)