The J's Have It

Two J-160's have finished 1st and 2nd in Class and Overall in the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race. As Eugene said in the classic film about the punk rock scene, The Decline of Western Civilization, "It's great, but it's fucked."

It's only great for the two owners and J-Boats. It's fucked for everybody else who had to suffer at the gift ratings handed to these things. Once again, the idiots in PHRF did nothing to correct the obvious wrong when they handed out a -6 downwind rating. Right away the boat won, and that's okay, except it kept winning, even when it appeared to be a cruiser. It was clear that off the wind, the thing went along quite well, easily and often sailing well above it's rating.

As we understand it, PHRF SoCal was about to hit the boats with a much deserved rating change, except for some major whining from the J- Boat dealer in San Diego. In typical fashion, PHRF rolled over, impotent and spineless as ever, and did nothing.

These boats went merrily on their way, fat and happy that they had gotten away with it, but that of course was not enough. They were caught, red-handed, pulling cushions, doors and tables off their boats before the race. They put the stuff back on, with no penalty, and went on to win overall honors (or is that dishonor?). Yes the boats had good sailors, Keith Lorence, Chuck Sinks, Eric Rogers, and a couple of over-rated and worthless jack offs that only illustrate how generous the ratings are that they could still win with those schmucks on board.

A sad commentary and another glaring illustration as to why PHRF continues to be the best reason to get into One Design.