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- Vento Solare New Mast Finally Installed — 1 comment
Bill Kneller
Author's posts
Apr 15 2024
Vento Solare Splashed 2024
Vento Solare launched at Borden Light Marina on 15 April The wet and wild March potentially pushed the launch date out, but over the past week the weather cooperated. It was warm enough to do the cosmetic gelcoat touchup that was on the list. Thanks go to Gardner Howe for stepping up with hull waxing and wet sanding. …
Permanent link to this article: https://vs.j109.org/vento-solare-splashed-2024/
Apr 15 2023
Vento Solare Splashed 2023
Vento Solare is finally launched! Normally this is just a check in the box but this year a major milestone. The week prior to Easter I felt miserable and had no energy. After a couple of calls to the doctor on separate days, I went to the Emergency room at Newport Hospital on Friday and ended up spending 5 days over Easter in the ICU being treated for pneumonia. …
Permanent link to this article: https://vs.j109.org/vento-solare-splashed-2023/
Jul 08 2022
Spinnaker Test Results
Vento Solare has a new North Sails 2022 Class A2 spinnaker that we used the first day at the Cedar Point OD regatta where we were not happy with how it projected. It was a light air day (winds less than 8 kts). The 2nd day we used the North Sails 2016 Class A2 spinnaker and liked how it projected better but winds were 10 to 12 kts. …
Permanent link to this article: https://vs.j109.org/spinnaker-test-results/
Upcoming Events
New York YC Race Week @ Navy Marina Slip A49TAGS: J/109 Narragansett Bay New York YC Newport USA NortheastToday! Sat. Jul 18th, 2026 @ 9:00AM EDT Be at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Sat. Jul 18th @ 9:00AM EDT Club Website: New York YC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Bill | Helm | ✓ | ||
| BillW | Pit | ✓ | ||
| GerryO | Main Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| PeterT | Mast | ✓ | ||
| Roan | Headsail Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| RolandH | Foredeck | ✓ | ||
| Sue O | Spinnaker Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Beatrice | Stay Ashore | Boat full | X | |
| LisaM | Stay Ashore | Boat full | X | |
| Olivia | Stay Ashore | Boat full | X | Can only make it on Thursday. |
| Total Crew: 7 (Confirmed: 7, Maybe: 0) | ||||
Those needing a ride on base please meet 8:45 am at the Pass & ID parking lot to be driven on base. If you arrive a few minutes early call Bill so I can meet you on the causeway to drive on base.
Bill will have beverages on the boat. Bring your own lunch.
Saturday:
- 1100 First Warning Signal
- 1800 Cocktails / 1900 Regatta Dinner
Sunday:
- 1100 First Warning Signal
- Following Racing Awards Ceremony
NYYC Race Week Dinner @ New York YC
Today! Sat. Jul 18th, 2026 @ 6:00PM - 8:30PM EDT
Be at New York YC - Sat. Jul 18th @ 6:00PM EDT
5 Halidon Ave, Newport, RI 02840
Club Website: New York YCUniform: Madras theme
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Bill | Skipper | ✓ | ||
| BillW | Guest | ✓ | ||
| Cindy | Guest | ✓ | ||
| GerryO | Guest | ✓ | ||
| PeterT | Guest | ✓ | ||
| Roan | Guest | ✓ | ||
| RolandH | Guest | ✓ | ||
| Sue O | Guest | ✓ | ||
| Total Crew: 8 (Confirmed: 8, Maybe: 0) | ||||
Cocktails will be at 1800 with dinner following at 1900. Dress is Madras Theme.
Bill has tickets for Race Week crew.
Post # 5931New York YC Race Week @ Navy Marina Slip A49
TAGS: J/109 Narragansett Bay New York YC Newport USA NortheastTomorrow! Sun. Jul 19th, 2026 @ 9:00AM EDT
Be at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Sun. Jul 19th @ 9:00AM EDT
17 Perry Rd, Newport, RI 02841, USA
Club Website: New York YCRegistration: Link
Uniform: Thurs, Sat - Blue Tech Shirts | Fri, Sun - Green hoodies
Crew List, Event Contacts, Event Documents, Notice of Race, Notice Board, RC Announcements, Registration List, Scratch Sheet, Sailing Instructions, SI Amendment #1, SI Amendment #2, Starting Sequence, Team Trophy Registration, Team Trophy View Entry List, Waiver Form, Waiver Status
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Bill | Helm | ✓ | ||
| BillW | Pit | ✓ | ||
| GerryO | Main Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| PeterT | Mast | ✓ | ||
| Roan | Headsail Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| RolandH | Foredeck | ✓ | ||
| Sue O | Spinnaker Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Beatrice | Stay Ashore | Boat full | X | |
| LisaM | Stay Ashore | Boat full | X | |
| Olivia | Stay Ashore | Boat full | X | Can only make it on Thursday. |
| Total Crew: 7 (Confirmed: 7, Maybe: 0) | ||||
Those needing a ride on base please meet 8:45 am at the Pass & ID parking lot to be driven on base. If you arrive a few minutes early call Bill so I can meet you on the causeway to drive on base.
Bill will have beverages on the boat. Bring your own lunch.
Saturday:
- 1100 First Warning Signal
- 1800 Cocktails / 1900 Regatta Dinner
Sunday:
- 1100 First Warning Signal
- Following Racing Awards Ceremony
JYC Crew Rotation Race @ Navy Marina Slip A49
TAGS: JYC Narragansett Bay Newport USA NortheastIn 3 days Tue. Jul 21st, 2026 @ 5:15PM - 8:00PM EDT
Be at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Tue. Jul 21st @ 5:15PM EDT
17 Perry Rd, Newport, RI 02841, USA
Club Website: Jamestown YCRegistration: Link
Crew Rotation Race Form, Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Bill | Helm | ✓ | ||
| JohnN | Crew | ✓ | ||
| PeterG | Crew | ✓ | ||
| RolandH | Crew | ✓ | ||
| SarahW | Crew | ✓ | ||
| Sue O | Crew | ✓ | ||
| Total Crew: 6 (Confirmed: 6, Maybe: 0) | ||||
JYC Summer Crew Rotation race. The warning signal for the first class is approximately 1800.
Those needing a ride on base please meet 5:00 pm at the Pass & ID parking lot to be driven on base. If you arrive a few minutes early call Bill so I can meet you to on the causeway to drive on base
Post # 5813Ida Lewis Youth Crew Training @ Navy Marina Slip A49
In 4 days Wed. Jul 22nd, 2026 @ 5:00PM - 7:00PM EDT
Be at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Wed. Jul 22nd @ 5:00PM EDT
17 Perry Rd, Newport, RI 02841, USA
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Bill | Helm | ✓ | ||
| Elena | Crew | ✓ | ||
| KevinC | Crew | ✓ | ||
| Lukas | Crew | ✓ | ||
| Pia | Crew | ✓ | ||
| Total Crew: 5 (Confirmed: 5, Maybe: 0) | ||||
This message is to let everyone know that I will have a familiarization sail on J/109 Vento Solare this Thursday. Boat call time is 5pm. The boat is located in slip A-49 at the Navy Marina.
We will have a quick boat familiarization at the dock, then will go out and run through some evolutions upwind with the jib and downwind with the spinnaker. For this practice we will not rig jacklines, but I do expect all to wear PFDs.
I will try and arrange some of my regular crew to help coach and should know if I need additional assistance from either Coop or Rob. I expect this to complete no later than 7pm back at the dock. Please feel free to email, call or text with any questions.
Recent Results
| Event | Date | Results / Series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New York YC Race Week New York YC Race Week @ Navy Marina Slip A49TAGS: J/109 Narragansett Bay New York YC Newport USA NortheastFri. Jul 17th, 2026 @ 8:30AM EDTBe at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Fri. Jul 17th @ 8:30AM EDT Club Website: New York YC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Bill Kneller | Helm | ✓ | ||
| Bill Woodruff | Pit | ✓ | ||
| Gerry O'Neil | Main Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Peter Teague | Mast | ✓ | ||
| Roan-William Iribarren | Headsail Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Roland Hansen | Foredeck | ✓ | ||
| Sue O'Neil | Spinnaker Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Total Crew: 7 (Confirmed: 7, Maybe: 0) | ||||
Those needing a ride on base please meet 8:15 am at the Pass & ID parking lot to be driven on base. If you arrive a few minutes early call Bill so I can meet you on the causeway to drive on base.
Bill will have beverages on the boat. Bring your own lunch.
Friday:
- 0800-0900 Registration – NYYC Sailing Center
- 1100 First Warning Signal
- Following Racing Post Race Social
/ Class: 9 of 12
New York YC Race WeekBe at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Thu. Jul 16th @ 8:30AM EDT
Club Website: New York YC
Registration: Link
Crew List, Event Contacts, Event Documents, Notice of Race, Notice Board, RC Announcements, Registration List, Scratch Sheet, Sailing Instructions, SI Amendment #1, SI Amendment #2, Starting Sequence
Race Results: 6 of 12, 6 of 12
New York YC Race Week @ Navy Marina Slip A49
TAGS: J/109 Narragansett Bay New York YC Newport USA NortheastThu. Jul 16th, 2026 @ 8:30AM EDT
Be at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Thu. Jul 16th @ 8:30AM EDT
17 Perry Rd, Newport, RI 02841, USA
Club Website: New York YCRegistration: Link
Crew List, Event Contacts, Event Documents, Notice of Race, Notice Board, RC Announcements, Registration List, Scratch Sheet, Sailing Instructions, SI Amendment #1, SI Amendment #2, Starting Sequence
Race Results: 6 of 12, 6 of 12
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Bill Kneller | Helm | ✓ | ||
| Bill Woodruff | Pit | ✓ | ||
| Gerry O'Neil | Main Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Peter Teague | Mast | ✓ | ||
| Roan-William Iribarren | Headsail Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Roland Hansen | Foredeck | ✓ | ||
| Sue O'Neil | Spinnaker Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Total Crew: 7 (Confirmed: 7, Maybe: 0) | ||||
Those needing a ride on base please meet 8:15 am at the Pass & ID parking lot to be driven on base. If you arrive a few minutes early call Bill so I can meet you on the causeway to drive on base.
Bill will have beverages on the boat. Bring your own lunch.
Wednesday:
- 1600-1800 Registration – NYYC Sailing Center
Thursday:
- 0800-0900 Registration – NYYC Sailing Center
- 1100 First Warning Signal
- Following Racing Post Race Social
Friday:
- 0800-0900 Registration – NYYC Sailing Center
- 1100 First Warning Signal
- Following Racing Post Race Social
Saturday:
- 1100 First Warning Signal
- 1800 Cocktails / 1900 Regatta Dinner
Sunday:
- 1100 First Warning Signal
- Following Racing Awards Ceremony
JYC Summer SeriesBe at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Tue. Jul 14th @ 5:15PM EDT
Club Website: Jamestown YC
Registration: Link
Crew Rotation Race Form, Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions
Race Results: 2 of 7
JYC Summer Series @ Navy Marina Slip A49
TAGS: JYC Narragansett Bay Newport USA NortheastTue. Jul 14th, 2026 @ 5:15PM - 8:00PM EDT
Be at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Tue. Jul 14th @ 5:15PM EDT
17 Perry Rd, Newport, RI 02841, USA
Club Website: Jamestown YCRegistration: Link
Crew Rotation Race Form, Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions
Race Results: 2 of 7
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Bill Kneller | Helm | ✓ | ||
| Lisa Molinari | Mast | ✓ | ||
| Peter Teague | Foredeck | ✓ | ||
| Roan-William Iribarren | Headsail Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Sarah Wilme | Pit | ✓ | ||
| Sue O'Neil | Spinnaker Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Wayne Iurillo | Main Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Total Crew: 7 (Confirmed: 7, Maybe: 0) | ||||
JYC Summer Series Tuesday night weekly. The warning signal for the first class is approximately 1800.
Those needing a ride on base (Sarah, Roan & Sue) please meet Lisa 5:00 pm at the Pass & ID parking lot to be driven on base. If you arrive a few minutes early call Bill so I can meet you on the causeway to drive on base
Post # 5870JYC Summer SeriesBe at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Tue. Jun 30th @ 5:15PM EDT
Club Website: Jamestown YC
Registration: Link
Crew Rotation Race Form, Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions
Race Results: 4 of 9
JYC Summer Series @ Navy Marina Slip A49
TAGS: JYC Narragansett Bay Newport USA NortheastTue. Jun 30th, 2026 @ 5:15PM - 8:00PM EDT
Be at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Tue. Jun 30th @ 5:15PM EDT
17 Perry Rd, Newport, RI 02841, USA
Club Website: Jamestown YCRegistration: Link
Crew Rotation Race Form, Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions
Race Results: 4 of 9
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Beatrice Witzgall | Mast | ✓ | ||
| Bill Kneller | Helm | ✓ | ||
| John Nothacker | Headsail Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Lisa Molinari | Squirrel | ✓ | ||
| Peter Gelsthorpe | Headsail Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Peter Teague | Pit | ✓ | ||
| Roland Hansen | Foredeck | ✓ | ||
| Wayne Iurillo | Main Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Total Crew: 8 (Confirmed: 8, Maybe: 0) | ||||
JYC Summer Series Tuesday night weekly. The warning signal for the first class is approximately 1800.
Those needing a ride on base please meet Lisa 5:00 pm at the Pass & ID parking lot to be driven on base. If you arrive a few minutes early call Bill so I can meet you to on the causeway to drive on base
Post # 5868JYC Summer SeriesBe at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Tue. Jun 16th @ 5:15PM EDT
Club Website: Jamestown YC
Registration: Link
Crew Rotation Race Form, Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions
Race Results: 7 of 6 (DNF)
JYC Summer Series @ Navy Marina Slip A49
TAGS: JYC Narragansett Bay Newport USA NortheastTue. Jun 16th, 2026 @ 5:15PM - 8:00PM EDT
Be at Navy Marina Slip A49 - Tue. Jun 16th @ 5:15PM EDT
17 Perry Rd, Newport, RI 02841, USA
Club Website: Jamestown YCRegistration: Link
Crew Rotation Race Form, Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions
Race Results: 7 of 6 (DNF)
| Colors: Green Confirmed. Yellow & Grey Maybe, verify with Skipper. Red does not crew for event. White, Availability not set. Grey - Skipper needs to assign a position. | ||||
| Name | Position | Assignment | Avail | Comment |
| Beatrice Witzgall | Headsail Trimmer | ✓ | ||
| Bill Kneller | Helm | ✓ | 1 for Texas Tuesday BBQ | |
| Francesco Rima | Main Trimmer | ✓ | 2 for TT | |
| Gerry O'Neil | Pit | ✓ | 1 for BBQ | |
| Peter Gelsthorpe | Mast | ✓ | 2 for Texas Tuesday | |
| Peter Teague | Foredeck | ✓ | 2 for TT | |
| Sue O'Neil | Spinnaker Trimmer | ✓ | 1 for BBQ | |
| Kristin Pedersen | Standby Crew | on call if needed | ✓ | |
| Sarah Wilme | Standby Crew | on call if needed | ✓ | |
| Total Crew: 9 (Confirmed: 7, Maybe: 2) | ||||
JYC Summer Series Tuesday night weekly. The warning signal for the first class is approximately 1800.
Those needing a ride on base please meet 5:00 pm at the Pass & ID parking lot to be driven on base. If you arrive a few minutes early call Bill so I can meet you to on the causeway to drive on base.
Texas Tuesday party with Leading Edge at Almondy Inn after racing. Please put in crew comment if you are attending and if bringing a significant other.
Post # 5810
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