MOJO crushed the competitive Ben. First 40.7 fleet on Lake Michigan this year. Photo by Sara Proctor.
Congratulations to Gary Powell and Scott & Yvonne Ruhlander and their team of the Beneteau 40.7 MOJO, which had an epic season winning four big regattas in the ultra-competitive Lake Michigan Beneteau First 40.7 one-design fleet: the Colors regatta, the NOOD regatta, the Verve Cup and the Columbia Cup. Saying they had a great season is an understatement.
Co-owner Scot Ruhlander said, “The 40.7 fleet has great competition; in most regattas the fleet draws 8-10 boats. In this group, if you make a mistake, they don’t let you off the mat. I am really pleased with the level where the boat and crew are.” About his inventory of UK Sailmakers sails Ruhlander said, “I’m happy with the products, prices and service I get from UK Sailmakers. Mike Considine is a great guy.”
MOJO’s owners are Gary Powell (left) and Yvonne and Scot Ruhlander, second and third from the right in the front row.
In the Colors Regatta, MOJO racked up three seconds and two firsts to beat the second-place boat by eight points. The NOOD was a one-point squeaker, and at the Verve Cup they won by five points. Second and third in the Verve Cup were UK Sailmakers customers Ron Buzil on VAYU and Dave Hardy on TURNING POINT.
DEFIANCE WINS AGAIN WHILE DEFYING CHECK-BOOK RACING
DEFIANCE under sail.
The plaque for 2018 starts another side.
UK Sailmakers customer Dale Smirl sailing his Judel-Vrolijk 66 DEFIANCE won the Overall PHRF Distance Series once again for the seventh year in a row. Smirl said, “Not only are our sails fast, but I have never seen sails for a boat this size last so long. DEFIANCE’s [Uni-Titanium] mainsail just finished its fifth season, which is much more than I ever expected. UK Sailmakers sails definitely have superior longevity and durability.”
Dale Smirl, third from the left.
