Monday, February 9, 2015

J/88s Planing Assault on Chicago-Mac Race!

J/88 planing off Key West (Chicago, Illinois)- Rich Stearns, from Stearns Boating in Chicago, is inviting all J/88 sailors to join them for the 107th running of the Chicago to Mackinac Island race, starting on July 11th.  Then, afterwards do a short cruise to the spectacular North Channel/ Georgian Bay (simply imagine cruising “Downeast” Maine, but in crystal clear Caribbean-blue fresh water!) and/or sail in the equally fabulous Harbor Springs Regatta on Little Traverse Bay from July 24th to 28th.

There are six J-88’s in Lake Michigan that are doing the race, plus three out-of-towners joining them.  A total of nine boats so far!  Why not “take a crack at the Mac” yourself!?  With a J/88 on a trailer, it simply cannot get any easier.

Tow or get your J/88 delivered to Chicago.  Launch if for FREE at Chicago YC’s 5-ton hoist, using a single-point lift.  Plus, they have a tall “gin pole” right there at CYC that can hoist your incredibly light carbon rig with your kids!  Once the boat is in the water, Stearns Boating and CYC are offering awesomely cheap rates to dock the boats until the start of the Mac.  Your trailer gets taken care of and delivered (or towed) dirt cheap to Mackinac City, right next to the Mackinac Bridge!  Shepler’s Marina will pull the boat for $200 USD!  Heck, that’s cheaper than doing your kids Opti regattas!

Or, if you’re doing the Mac Race and staying for Harbor Springs, Stearns Boating can help organize your trailer delivery to Irish Boat Shop (another J/Dealer) and have it pulled at their marina by Mike Esposito (a famous J/World rock-star!).

In order to help your decisions regarding logistics and the all-important “fun-factor”, Rich and his wife Lori wrote a fantastic guide for any sailor, but in particular, J/88 sailors.

J/88 Chicago Mackinac InviteThe first guide is called “The Perfect Boat- or why everyone should own a J/88” (download the PDF here- http://www.jboats.com/images/stories/pdf/J88_PerfectBoat.pdf).  He’s not kidding!

The second document is called “J/88 Chicago-Mac Invite and Cruising Guide” (download the PDF here- http://www.jboats.com/images/stories/pdf/J88_ChicagoMac.pdf).  This latter document is so good, ANY sailor doing the Chicago-Mac Race should download it because it’s a race, cruise and logistics guide all in one!

For more information on this super-fun program, please be sure to contact Rich Stearns at Stearns Boating- email- rick@stearnsboating.com or ph# 847-404-2209 or Chief J/88 Cheerleader Paul Murphy- ph# 443/600-7400 or email- Paul@PaulMurphyAnnapolis.com