Question: Tell us about your crew for the event.
Brendan: The team was made up of a couple friends, who instruct on Long Island. They all sail at their respective colleges and have extensive experience with keelboats. Peter Sterflinger and Tom Plucichino both sail at Johnson and Wales University. Luke Woodworth is an Opti sailor from Cold Spring Harbor. Sean Cornell from USF and Justin Ahern, a USF Alum, swapped days.
Question: What were your first impressions of the boat (J/24 and specifically 423)?
Brendan: The J/24 definitely took some time to get used to. It is a very tough boat to sail, but when you get her going, she’s a fun boat. We were very happy with USA 423. The Class has taken great care of the boat. With a smooth hull, all new rigging on deck, and new sails from Will Welles, 423 looks fantastic.
Question: What did you think of the Sayville venue and Northeast Regional event?
Brendan: Sayville was an awesome venue to sail our first event. The facilities and staff made it incredibly easy for us to splash the boat. The event was well run and featured a range of conditions. The team had a blast!
Question: Were the Class members & competitors helpful?
Brendan: The J/24 Class members were incredible! From the moment we showed up, competitors showed their support. Without their help with spare parts, sails and engines, we would not have been able to get out on the water.
Question: What were some things you learned?
Brendan: More mainsheet! Coming from a background in dinghies, I was used to playing the mainsheet and traveler. I would dump the traveler in the puffs, closing the slot and luffing the main. The team and I discussed using backstay as a “trimming” tool. The combination of trimming the backstay and steering made the boat go much better.
Question: What are the goals and future plans for the team?
Brendan: Our goal for 2017 is to get to the Worlds Championship in Toronto. We were awarded a spot from the IJCA. Thank you to Molly White from Seabags Racing who has worked diligently to secure us a bid. The team is working hard to collect funds for the event. Please reach out to Molly White or myself if you would like to support our Worlds campaign.
Here is a statement from USF Sailor and team member Sean Cornell: “Northeast Champs was a great first event for us. Sayville was an awesome venue, and the J/24 sailors were very welcoming. We are starting to get a feel for the boat, but we have a lot of work to do. We felt very good in light and mid breeze, but our speed and boathandling struggled in the heavy breeze and chop. I am looking forward to working with the team to get ready for some more events in the future.”
Here is a statement from USF Alumni Justin Ahern: “I’m 28 and from Clearwater, FL. I’ve spent most of my spare time the past few years racing in various windsurfing Classes. I enjoy this, but sometimes single-handed sailing gets old. It’s refreshing to mix in some keelboat sailing. I like trying to perfect my job instead of focusing on every aspect of racing. The J/24 is perfect for this because it is accessible yet highly competitive. It’s fun to go out with my buddies and try and chase around some of the best sailors in the country. I’ve been on a few different boats, and none of them have had an ‘adult’ on them. This is impossible in most other keelboat Classes. I like learning from experienced sailors but sometimes it’s nice to go out with my friends and just try to figure it out.”