The J/105 is LTYC’s offshore one design fleet.
Throughout the summer season this fleet competes in Sunday afternoon one design and Tuesday night PHRF racing. A highlight each summer is racing in the Ugotta Regatta weekend at the end of July. In addition, our fleet competes in offshore racing. For years LTYC has had J/105 representation in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. In 2017, Carter William’s Creative Destruction scored a podium position for the second year in a row, an impressive feat in a J/105 fleet of over 20 boats. The J/105 fleet rounds off the summer season with the LTYC Beaver Island Race in mid-August and the J/105 Social at LTYC on Labor Day weekend. The J/105 Social allows potential owners and crew to experience the capabilities of the boat and what it is like to “Feel alive on a J/105.”
The J/105 continues to be a thriving class with large fleets participating in major regattas around the world. Interest in J/105s will likely increase in the Great Lakes with the 2018 J/105 North American Championships. LTYC and the Chicago Yacht Club will co-host the 2018 J/105 North Americans— combining the Chicago Mackinac Race with three days of windward/leeward racing in Little Traverse Bay as part of Ugotta Regatta. There will likely be over 20 boats participating in the Championships, so the racing should be spectacular!
The J/105 fleet is particularly proud of its ability to provide a platform for junior sailors to gain experience in larger boats and offshore racing. The fleet has made it a point of emphasis to include as many junior sailors on board as possible. The size of the boat allows junior sailors to gain experience in a variety of positions. LTYC junior sailors are included as crew on all boats throughout the season.
If you are interested in crewing on a J/105 or finding out more about the boat, contact any J/105 boat owner or or the local Fleet Captain at j105s@ltyc.org