Third Annual J/Cruise

The J/46

This year's event will feature the best of Down East cruising with some fun pursuit races and great socials... it's a perfect time to cruise in Maine and thirty to forty J's are expected to participate this year. The fleet rendezvous is Northeast Harbor in the center of an area many believe to be the best cruising grounds in the world.

Maine also has a number of other sailing attractions this year. The New England 600 Rally, sponsored by Blue Water Sailing Magazine, starts in Annapolis in mid-June with a layover in Newport. The 2nd leg to Camden starts on June 29th with an overnight in Provincetown. In July, the Volvo Leukemia Cup Regatta hosted by Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club (at their all new clubhouse) from Friday afternoon July 20 with racing on 7/21-22. In August, right after the J/Cruise, members may participate in the Corinthians Cruise starting in Bar Harbor on August 5. Then, everyone is invited to DownEast Raceweek August 10-17 — this is informal PHRF racing for spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes around islands to a different anchorage each night with everyone living on their boats. Among the large turnout of Js, there will be 8 or more J/42s.

Thursday, August 2nd

12:00 to 6:00 PM Rendezvous in Northeast Harbor where there is excellent provisioning at the Pine Tree Market, good shops and galleries and marine supplies at FT Brown. Contact the Harbormaster Will Boddy on VHF Ch. 9 or at 207-276-5737 for a mooring. There will be an opportunity to raft-up or tie up at floating docks.

4:00 to 6:00 PM Registration at Bob & Mary Johnstone's, 20 Sea Street, two doors up the road to town from the Marina. Look for the red "J" Banner.

6:30 to 10:30 PM J Boats Cocktail Reception and Dinner-Dance at the Asticou Inn with seafood buffet with proper dress required (gentleman in jacket and tie). The J/Cruise group will occupy the Garden Room overlooking the harbor with overflow onto the deck. Buses will leave the Marina starting at 6:15 PM.

Friday, August 3rd

9:00 to 11:00 AM "Open-Boat" visiting hours, part of our fun judging.

12:00 Noon Start of the Around the Islands Pursuit Cruise using Rod's latest handi-Jcap ratings with the fastest boats starting last, so everyone finishes together. That's the theory anyway. Instructions will be passed out at the Reception.

5:00 and 6:00 PM SEA PRINCESS Leaves Northeast Harbor Marina for Little Cranberry Island (Islesford). Catch the early boat and enjoy a walk to the end of the island and back before dinner.

6:30 PM Islesford Dock Lobster Dinner. The Dock Restaurant, converted from an old bait shed, is run by New York investment banker Dan Leif and his wife Cynthia and sits on stilts over the water with a view toward the West and the local fleet of lobster boats. One of Maine's best restaurants. We've taken over the whole place for the evening. Wine and Beer on the House. Cash Bar otherwise. SEA PRINCESS trip back to the Marina in Northeast after dinner.

Saturday, August 4th

9:00 AM Harbor Start

10:00 AM Start of the Blue Hill Bay Pursuit Cruise ending up at the anchorage off Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club in Blue Hill harbor.

6:00 PM Bus and/or Hayride to Dinner on top of Blue Hill with a selection of Beef Tenderloin or local bay Salmon Dinner under a tent near the crest with panoramic view of the islands catered by Jonathan's Restaurant. Final Prize Giving and Fun Awards.