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Combine the hull of a world champion International 14, with the manageable rig of a Snipe -- and you get:
- planing hull and highly efficient sail plan.
- controlled sailing in all wind conditions.
- spinnaker for superb downwind runs.
- compatible for Juniors and couples.
- well-balanced and sleek lines.
- easy trailering.
AND the Jet-14 Class Association offers you:
- 30 yearly, open regattas.
- Senior, Junior, and Women's National Championships.
- Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Mid-West fleets.
- JetBlasts newsletter and JetStream website.
- Camaraderie & competition for nearly 50 years.
- Leads to inexpensive used boats
SSA is the home of the first Jet 14 Fleet to be chartered in several years, and the new fleet has been given the honor of hosting the year 2000 National Championship for the Class.
In simultaneously announcing the charter of Fleet 61 at SSA, and the selection of Annapolis as site of its Nationals, the Class said "this action reflects the nationwide upswing in one-design racing, which is particularly impressive in the Annapolis area." The Class also chartered Jet 14 Fleet 62 at the Annapolis Yacht Club.
The National Championship event will be held August 23-26, with race headquarters and most social events taking place at SSA, administered through the combined efforts of the two new fleets and long-time Jet Fleet 46 based at the West River Sailing Club.
Planners for the Jet Nationals this year expect the Annapolis regatta to exceed the 44-boat fleet from last year's event in New Jersey. For regular, weekend regattas in the Annapolis area, Class officials anticipate a 15 to 20 Jets this season - perhaps including a few traveling teams preparing for the nationals. The popular Tuesday Evening Series for One Designs, run by SSA's John Potter, expects a dozen or so Jets to compete this year - about double the number for last season.
Fleet 61's inaugural Fleet Captain Todd Lochner said the Jet 14 is fitting in well at SSA, complementing the mix of established one-designs. He said the boat accommodates people with a remarkably wide range of talent and experience, from former collegiate racers, to big boat sailors looking for "that sports car thrill - in something you don't have to be an Olympic athlete to handle."
"Jets are easy to sail, so we're attracting some brand new racers. But they're responsive enough to keep experienced sailors interested. The spinnaker really adds a dimension - it can make things very interesting in a boat this size," Lochner said.
Lochner noted that an SSA Jet Fleet 61 champion will be determined in an SSA regatta this year, earning the right to place the traditional, single "chevron" on his or her boat's mainsail.
According to Lochner, younger sailors who raced Lasers, 420s and Flying Juniors in high school or college "will find the boat handling techniques they learned in school work very well in Jets. But they'll find some tough competition from the 'old salts' among Jet racers, because these boats can be quite tactical."
The Jet 14 hull is a direct copy of a world champion International 14, using the more manageable rig of a Snipe. A new, state of the art Jet costs about $5,500, but competitive, used boats are available for less than half that amount.
Lochner emphasized that the Jet Class strictly maintains the one design integrity of elements like hull and rig, blades and sails. But control systems can be customized, "so boats can be set up simply, or to allow plenty of tweaking for those who like that."
In addition to Lochner, SSA's Jet Fleet 61 members include Alex Baquie, Brent Barbehenn, Randy Bruns (current National President of the Jet 14 Class), Craig & Christina Decker, Chandra Emery, Bruce & Megan Irvin, Dirk Schwenk & Stephanie Doering, Ted Sensenbrenner, Rhett & Celeste Simonds, Nick Von Wagoner and Dr. Stuart Walker.
For more information about the Jet 14 Fleet, email: jet14@severnsailing.org
Severn Sailing Association
311 First Street . Annapolis, Maryland 21403 . (410) 268-8744 . fax (410) 269-6832
office@severnsailing.org . webmaster: ssaweb@severnsailing.org
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