The easiest way to touch up the bottom paint on an Open 5.70 is…  (more…)

Here is a link to some pictures from the 2nd annual Coupe de France Universitaire held in Brest, France.

The May 2009 issue of Sailing World includes an in depth review of the Open 6.50. The review isn’t available online but you should pick up an issue at your local newsstand.

“If his living room were big enough, Jerome Sammarcelli would display an Open 6.50 like a piece of modern art, where he could admire its robust curves and autoclaved carbon beauty“

Some pictures from the one design race in San Francisco have been posted on the Open 5.70 Class Association Website be sure to check them out.

After cancelling the first race because there was too much wind (25 knots+) and cancelling the second race because there was not enough wind (<3 knots) the Wednesday night beer can racing finally completed it’s first race. (more…)

“These builders are keeping the need for speed and fun alive in their corner of the sailing market.”

“sailing needs guys like Jerome and Nick out there hustling, hawking their sportboats so we can all get out on the water, have fun, and plane around when the white caps come up.”

Sailing World Magazine (May Issue)

Saturday April 18th saw the beginning of one design Open 5.70 racing on San Francisco Bay. There were five boats on the start line for the Don Wan regatta hosted by Tiburon Yacht Club. With three boats from the Bay Area and two boats visiting from Southern California it was going to be interesting to see how the level of competition.

The first race started in a light on shore breeze but with relatively flat water the Open 5.70s moved along nicely to the first mark. The Tiburon Yacht Club courses are not your typical windward/leeward as they use fixed marks in the Bay so this first leg was a long close hauled sail on starboard without any real need to tack before the mark. Nik Vale on USA 208 was the first to round the mark and set the spinnaker with Jerome Sammarcelli right behind him on USA 169. The other 3 boats were still in the race but had chosen to stay closer to shore which cost them some time. In radically shifting winds the downwind leg was more than strange. Half way down the leg the wind switched from onshore to offshore filling in from the back of the fleet. The two lead boats were struggling to sail more than 5 knots while Paul Dorsey on USA 190 and Kathy Conte on USA 214 were sailing 10+ in the same direction on the opposite gybe! The result was a big shift in positions around the 2nd mark with Nik Vale rounding in last place! With building breeze the last windward leg was over quickly but since the conditions were still unsettled and there was current to contend with there was plenty of opportunity to make up ground on those in front. At the finish line Nik Vale had managed to come right back to the front of the fleet crossing with Michael Gough on “Boracic” for a photo finish. 1st place was awarded to Micheal but the race committee, based on shore, said that it was a really tough call since both boats were so close.

By the 2nd race the wind was more consistent and blowing a solid 15 knots – perfect Open 5.70 conditions. The first leg was a close reach/close hauled port tack so those boats that took a good start had the advantage. Jerome Sammarcelli was first around the mark where it was a spinnaker set for a fast downwind ride to the next buoy. With solid breeze and favorable sea state the 5.70s were planing along nicely with 10+ knots of boat speed proving that the Bay really is a great venue for the Open 5.70! This time the course was square so after a long sail on starboard one gybe would almost be enough to get you in a position to round the next two marks. It turns out that the boats that gybed earlier ended up sailing into less current allowing themselves to close the gap on the leaders. With a close battle for 1st and 2nd between Jerome and Nik involving multiple close crossings it was Jerome that rounded the last mark a few boat lengths ahead. The last leg was another close haul/close reach which left little opportunity for passing earning Jerome the victory for race 2 and the win overall for the regatta!

On Sunday the Open 5.70s are headed out again for a sail around the Bay. The goal – to have some fun! If you’re interested in going for a sail then give us a call – 310 928 6570!

On the 5 caravaning north with two Open 570s for a windy weekend of one design racing out of Tiburon yacht club.

Pictures from on the road with hull#2 on it’s way to Miami.

The 2nd American built Open 5.70, USA #273, has left the factory and is on the road to Miami. (more…)