ENERGY - A Transpac-Proven J/105

Few J/105s can claim an offshore pedigree as impressive as ENERGY. In 2025, this 1993 J/Boats J/105 successfully completed her first Transpacific Yacht Race, sailing the legendary 2,225-mile course from California to Diamond Head, Honolulu. Entered by Berkeley Yacht Club and sailed by skipper Jamie Isbester, Jeni Miller and John Hassard, ENERGY was the smallest yacht in the entire 53rd Transpac fleet - yet she accomplished exactly what her crew set out to do: cross the Pacific safely, reliably and without incident.

That passage speaks volumes about both the capability of the J/105 design and the preparation of this particular boat. ENERGY combines the responsive, exhilarating sailing performance for which the J/105 is famous with the proven strength and seaworthiness demonstrated by a successful Pacific crossing. For a sailor looking for a competitive San Francisco Bay racer, an exciting coastal performer, or a remarkably capable offshore adventure boat, ENERGY offers something few boats in her class can match: a documented ocean-racing history and a voyage to Hawaii already in her wake.

J-105 gives the on-deck cruising comfort of a 40-45-footer and the speed of a Grand Prix racer. Though designed as a strict one-design for recreational fun with overnight capability, Sailing World's panel of experts selected her as the "Racer - Cruiser" Boat-of-the-Year for 1991 and 1992. With J-105, sailing is easier and smoother. No pitching, no rolling about and no panic drills. A sailor may never have to leave her comfortable cockpit. No feverish routines of course and sail changes.

Enjoy the luxury of a dodger while napping on full-length cockpit cushions. Only one jib to tend. Roll it in or out. The spinnaker is contained in a snuffer. Jibing this high-tech beauty is a one-person operation. Simply let go of the old sheet, then trim in the new one. Good-bye big racing crews. Hello fun and relaxation.

J-105's asymmetric spinnaker enables reach at a fast 90-degree apparent wind angle, while actually sailing a deep 155 degrees from the true wind. The carbon-fiber bowsprit retracts. Whether blowing 5 mph or 20 mph, J-105's asymmetric spinnaker adds a whole new dimension to sailing enjoyment in five ways:

1) it's safer - less deck clutter plus total snuffing or partial quick-reefing from the cockpit;

2) it's easier - one person controlling all sails;

3) it's smoother, with a better-balanced sail plan which helps in steering out of trouble;

4) it's stiffer due to the spinnaker's lower center of area and flat, open leech; and,

5) it's faster over waves, thanks to the power and lift of this unique spinnaker design.

Sailing trials in adverse weather conditions clearly demonstrated the superior handling qualities of this design. The Dacron mainsail on sailslides, a single roller-furling jib, the dodger and spinnaker-in-a-snuffer make this design easier to sail, quicker to stow and more fun to own than conventional racers and cruisers.