J/Boats is pleased to announce its newest dealer, J/Boats Midwest. Andy Camarda will take the reigns from the former Midwest dealer, Rich Stearns, and will continue to serve Chicago and the surrounding area. We would like to extend a big thanks to Rich of Stearns Boating for his 2 decades of work. Even as Rich enjoys […]
Finding the right set up to get the most out of your boat By Andy Camarda, edited by Carl Eaton To anybody unfamiliar with the sport of sailing, it would seem preposterous that the margin between competitors is measured in minutes and seconds at the end of a 333-mile race. It is even more unbelievable […]
By Andy Camarda In the previous article in this two-part series, I discussed how I took a 30-year-old racer/cruiser from the boatyard to the podium on Mackinac Island. If you haven’t yet read that story, follow the link HERE. After the blisteringly fast Chicago Mac race, I turned my attention to the 100th anniversary Bayview […]
By Andy CamardaEdited by Carl Eaton Each year, the Chicago and Bayview Mackinac Races are the most well-attended races on the Great Lakes. With the races starting on back-to-back weekends in July, nearly 300 boats pull out all the stops to try and collect these two prestigious trophies. The longer, 290 nautical-mile Chicago to Mackinac […]
This year’s Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac proved to be one of the fastest on the books for just about every team that participated. As always, Lake Michigan threw everything she had to offer at the fleet, from brief yet extreme squall lines to areas becalmed for hours on end. We would like to congratulate everyone who participated in this record-setting race, and we thank Chicago Yacht Club for allowing us to sponsor such a prestigious and historical event.
One team in particular made the 115th Race to Mackinac one that will not be soon forgotten. Maverick, an Andrews 80 owned by Bill Kinney and Sandy Curtis smashed Pyewacket’s race record by over an hour, setting the new record at a blistering 22 hours, 22 minutes, and 23 seconds, But they didn’t stop there. The team continued on to Port Huron and took a full 10 hours out of the previous “Super Mac” record. This amazing achievement was credited to a 19-member crew largely comprised of Corinthian sailors hailing from Ohio.
At Evolution Sails, we are proud to not only be the sailmaker for Maverick, but to have our team participate alongside their crew to achieve this spectacular result. Evolution Sails founder Rodney Keenan was onboard and played a large role in designing and delivering a re-invented sail package that propelled them to their record result. Andy Camarda, the local Evolution representative from Chicago, caught up with Rodney between regattas to get the inside scoop on Maverick’s race.
When To Replace My Sailboat’s Sails? Sails are a crucial component of your sailboat, impacting both performance and safety. However, they don’t last forever and knowing when it’s time to replace them can be tricky. In this article, we’ll discuss the key indicators that signal it’s time to invest in new sails, ensuring your sailing […]
Do New Sails Make a Difference? As a sailor, you may often ponder the impact of investing in new sails for your boat. Do they really make a difference? The answer is a resounding yes! New sails can significantly improve your boat’s performance, including speed, sailing angle, and heel angle, making your sailing experience faster […]
How to Find the Critical Measurements for Your Sailboat Getting a quote for new sails involves providing accurate measurements of your sailboat’s rigging and sail dimensions. Understanding these measurements is crucial, and fortunately, there are several ways to obtain them. This guide will explain the critical measurements needed—I, J, P, E, SPL, and ISP—and how […]
How Much Do Sails Cost? One of the most common questions among sailing enthusiasts, whether they’re seasoned sailors or new to the water, is: “How much do new sails cost?” The answer, like many things in sailing, depends on several factors, including the size of your boat, the type of sail, and the materials used. […]
Luff Curve and Mast Bend The alignment of the luff curve of your sails with mast bend or headstay sag significantly influences sail shape and performance. This relationship dictates how the sails fly and interact with changing conditions. In modern sail design, understanding how sails respond to changes in mast bend and headstay tension is […]
Hi, my name is Andy Camarda, and I am the founder of 180sails.com.
I started sailing before I could walk 30 years ago, and have been working for major sailmaking brands in the industry for over 8 years.
I have been a part of a team that has won every major event in Chicago including the Chicago to Mackinac, the Verve, and the NOOD.
