J/95 Fixed Keel Renderings

J/95 #9 molds next week, and the engineering to replace the keel/centerboard with a fixed keel is in place. Comparing the K/CB version side-by-side to the fixed keel version (drawing 5'6") really helps you see the difference in chord length, and I can't wait to see how she sails in comparison to the standard K/CB configuration which performs great!

This stage is really my favorite part of the job - only with a new boat does every option get chosen purely based on how well it serves the client's needs. Finalizing decisions from sails & electronics to more cosmetic items like Awlgrip & upholstery is a detail-rich process, and watching the boat come together is fun too!

Market Update

Time for a long-overdue look at how the market is bearing up in the last quarter of 2009.

Going into the Newport International Boat Show this year, my biggest question was would we see new boat sales return this Fall (the usual season for ordering new boats for Spring delivery). Remember, the Lehman Brothers collapse came on the last day of 2008's Newport show - an unfortunate bit of timing.

This year's Newport show was considerably smaller (for example, Tartan/C&C had just one boat on display, instead of their usual 5+), but the mood of show-goers was much more positive, with some people ready to move forward on new boats. Their were only a handful of truly new boats at the show, and McMichael was proud to be representing most of them: the Summit 35, the J/95 and J/97, and the MJM 40z.

In the weeks after the show, my big question was answered: I was able to finalize sales on a new J/95 (the first to come to WLIS) and a new Alerion Express 28. The rest of the McMichael team secured a Summit 35 sale (also the first in the area), 3 more Alerion 28's and an Alerion 38. Not bad at all!

The brokerage market continues to be extremely competitive (sellers competing for buyers) and getting a deal done takes more effort than ever. Another reason to have a good broker working for you! We now have some hard data for 2009 that compares units sold and value between 2008 and 2009. Did you buy a boat in the first half of 2009? Then congratulations, you timed the bottom of the market correctly. But values are STILL down over 10%, and some outstanding deals remain available. The good new for sellers is that units sold on a per-month basis have finally returned to 2008 levels. The table below provides some interesting data (click for larger size):

What a Difference a Year Makes

The 2009 Newport International Boat Show has come and gone, and it was a big change from last year. The mood in 2008 was already cautious, and when Lehman Brothers collapsed on the last day of the show it didn't exactly lift spirits.

Fortunately, this year's show arrived on a rising tide of economic optimism, and attendees were clearly in a better mood. I can't speak for everyone, but I have more prospects for new boat sales this winter than last.

The in-water portion of the show was noticeably smaller than last year, with fewer boats on display. But the McMichael crew was busy with the debut of FOUR brand new models, plus the full fleet of Alerion Express yachts.

The Summit 35 from designer Mark Mills hit the water just in time for the show, and build quality (from Edgewater in Florida) was excellent. Designer Mark Mills was on hand to discuss how owners could further optimize this IRC-rocket for their particular sailing venue. The Summit 35's big sister, the King 40, was at the show as well.

J/Boats has continued their tradition of bringing innovation to a lagging market, with the arrival of the first J/97 racer/cruiser from France, and the J/95 keel/centerboard daysailor. A beautiful Stars & Stripes blue J/100 was also on hand. Since all three boats are between 31 and 33 feet, the most common question at the J booth was "How are these different?" Here's a quick answer:

J/97

A truly dual-purpose boat with the potential for racing at the most competitive level, as well as comfortable cruising for a small family - full galley, enclosed aft cabin, great interior.

J/95

A keel/centerboard daysailor for those that want J-level performance, but the ability to sail or dock the boat in just 3 feet of water. Spacious and ergonomic cockpit with wheel steering and plenty or room to move around.

J/100 - The purist's daysailor: very fast, very simple, with tiller steering and a carbon rig for an optimal sailing experience.

Finally, the MJM booth proudly displayed the new 40z. This one has been out for awhile but was making her first boat show appearance in the Northeast, to rave reviews.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, especially the ones who mentioned this blog! You know who you are...

First Sail: md35 from Summit Yachts/Mark Mills

The very sexy md35 has been sitting at our dock for quite awhile now, and I was finally able to sail her recently. She is all about going fast and looking good, with teak decks and an open transom that screams "Wally" to fans of modern design aesthetics. But you never know if the bulb keel and narrow waterline are going to translate into boatspeed until you take her out there.

We sailed the boat in the Thursday night beercan series with a provisional rating of 54and breeze from 3 to 9 kts. The first leg (upwind) had us only slightly off the pace of a Club Swan 42 - impressive! As the breeze picked up they were able to take advantage of the additional waterline to leg-out on us, but in the really light stuff this boat will MOVE.



Judging by the smiles in the back of the boat, she felt great downwind too. I was struggling a bit with launching the big asym kite out of the companionway since there isn't much real estate on the bow. It's not a very typical "pit" set-up but would get easier after a few outings.

For someone that wants a real head-turner that is going to sail circles around just about anything in her size range, this is a great boat, and the price point is significantly less than some of the similar daysailors coming out of Europe. Joe, should I sign you up for one?

Summer Cruise Pictures

Last week was the first really hot, 90+ degree weather we've had in the Northeast this summer, and of course I was taking the week off to go cruising. We didn't let the weather get us down though, and it was actually a great trip!

After a short sail to Port Washington to raft-up with some friends (and a lot of fenders, thanks to a storm in the middle of the night), it was off to Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson, Huntington, back to PJ, back to Oyster Bay, then home. Some friends joined me at different intervals along the way, and I did two days solo days as well. Very peaceful.

There were quite a few minor equipment failures but I'll save that post for another day - in the meantime, here are some pictures.

J/95 First Sail

Last week I finally had the opportunity to sail the J/95 here on Long Island Sound, on a beautiful evening with 7-11 kts of breeze.

The sea trial was for the benefit of a J/80 owner who is considering moving up, and we had the whole family onboard - mom, dad and two grown sons. The client currently uses their J/80 as a daysailor, with a very minimal amount of racing. However, they do enjoy using the asymmetric spinnaker and love the excitement it brings.

In short, the J/95 is a perfect fit for the way this family sails. For the first time, the client's wife was able to relax and not feel "in the way" as the rest of the group tacked, hoisted the kite, jibed etc. This is where the ergonomics of the cockpit design really paid off: with the traveller on the cockpit sole and the primary winches well aft, there was plenty of room for "non-sailors" to sit back and enjoy the ride. It's a very functional and comfortable lay-out.

We experimented with the board up and down while going upwind, and in the light breeze we could barely tell a difference. Leeway might have been a bit more board up but in both cases you could trim the sails and simply let go of the wheel. A great feeling!

The only thing about the boat that isn't a fit for this particular client is the keel/centerboard arrangement. His sailing venue has plenty of depth, so a fixed keel drawing 5'6" wouldn't be a problem. J/Boats is considering making this an option, and personally I think it would be a great move.