John Wylie

Owner Profile: John Wylie.
Doing it and Doing it Well

The single most important force that propels our sport is the guys and gals who buy the boats. Without owners, there is no game, certainly not on any scale. One of the more interesting aspects of racing sailboats (and one that is completely lost on non-racers) is the fact that owners spend gobs of their money on a game that offers zero return on the investment. Much money and time are given to an endeavor that really can only offer a couple of things in return, only one of which is tangible, that being the pickle dish if you are fortunate enough to earn one.

One Design 35 "Tabasco

I think we all and owners most importantly, play this game for the intangibles: the competition, the sense of accomplishment and ultimately, the unmatched high of administering an ass kicking on the racecourse. Oh sure, there's the fun, camaraderie, drinking, etc., but really it is all in search of The Win that keeps most of us coming back time after time, like rats in the lab pushing the button for cocaine instead of food. Theory has it that those rats will continue to push the button until they die. Sound familiar?

It is my estimation that unless an owner receives satisfaction on the water, he or she will simply stop playing the game. Granted, different owners have different goals, but for most the goal is winning. We're always impressed when owners play this sport well, and we like to share their story. John Wylie is one such guy. Based in San Diego, John has surely progressed through the sport, both in terms of boats and ability. He is now a huge factor in the competitive OD 35 Class with "Tabasco", regularly compiling good results at the pointy end of that fleet. To wit: for 2001 he and his team have won the 'Frisco Nood and North/Golison regattas. They recently finished 3rd in the Nationals, earned 4th at the SORC, and 3rd at the San Diego Yachting Cup. My guess is that there are a few OD 35 owners who would like to have those results.

What is great of course, is that he steers his own boat and sails almost exclusively with a non-pro team. And of note, his wife Stephanie is a big part of their efforts, often sailing on the boat and about as dedicated and enthusiastic as one can be. How essential is that for a program? I'd say very.

From a J-105, to a Nelson CM 1200, to his second OD 35, John has made a commitment to the sport and has truly seen the results of that effort. We cornered John between regattas, raising a family and running a business to learn a bit more about how

How in the hell did you sucked into this sport?

JW
I grew up around the water and water sports. As a kid we always had boats and were exposed to power boating and sailing. When I moved to San Diego in the late 80's I joined the Harbor Island Sailing Club. They had a fleet of Santana 22's and would have club races on Sunday's and Tuesday's. From there I got really interested in doing more racing. I started crewing on different boats in PHRF and CRA races. Once I decided to buy a boat I new I wanted to learn to improve my skills and compete. It has been a learning process the entire way.

What do you do for a living?

JW
I am an investor. I run a hedge fund and we invest, long and short in U.S. equities.

Why did you choose the OD 35?

JW
After campaigning the CM 1200 for several years I wanted to increase the intensity level of our program. The criteria was a boat that Steph (my wife) and I could race together, one that could travel easily to different parts of the country for events, the boat needed to be a high performance platform, and it need to fit a reasonable budget. The One Design 35 fit the criteria perfectly.

In the relatively short time that you've been racing, you've come a long way. What are the three most important factors to this success?

JW
I think more than anything you have to put the time in to prepare. Everyone wants to win…who wants to loose? But who puts the time in to practice, prepare the boat, and take care of logistical details? You asked for 3 things…

Tabasco can be seen at virtually all the major OD 35 regattas around the country. What is your approximate annual budget?

JW
It changes year to year based on how much traveling we do and how many sails we buy. That is one great thing about the 1D 35 is that is a relative bargain when it comes to traveling. I can tell you this…we did Key West last year and our entire budget was about the same as just the trucking and yard expense the year we took the CM1200.

Are you in support of both limiting professional participation and enforcing owner-driver rules in our sport?

JW
I think that there is room in the sport for both types of racing. However, it is clear that without the owner driver type classes the last few years the grand prix scene (at least in this country) was going the way of the dinasaur. Witness the Mumm 36 and top end IMS sailing...for the most part the guys who were writing the checks were not getting grins. To answer your question directly. I like the owner driver rule for the 1D 35 and I like limiting the number of pros on a boat (helps control the cost). But it isn't for every class.

JW
Over the years I have had an aversion to "hiring" crew. Instead, I have taken the approach of building a group of good sailors who all wanted to get better together. I also recognize that for some this is a business, their livelihood. I have felt that hiring those guys for a practice day, a regatta or season and really getting all that you can from them is a good investment.

There have been some questions about the long-term quality to Carroll-built boats. You are on your second OD 35. Why?

JW
I think the quality of Barry's boats have come a long way. I think he is doing a very good job now. The second boat had nothing to do with a problem with the first. We sold that boat in an effort to build the fleet up here in San Diego.

JW
No, not at all. I bought my J 105 in 1992 and it was the 2nd boat in SD and 6th on the west coast. It was 8 more years untill there were 8 J 105s in SD and now look at how many there are! We have 13 boats on the West Coast now. For someone who wants a fun, high performance boat to race in a competitive but friendly fleet- the 1D 35 is the perfect product.

You've gone from racing your CM 1200 in PHRF to racing your OD 35 in One Design. Give us your thoughts on one vs. the other, and would you ever go back to handicap racing exclusively? Why or why not?

JW
I have found one design sailing much more conducive to continuing to stay on the steep part of the learning curve. I think the competition is better deeper. And the feedback loop is immediate. There is never the excuse…"he should be faster in these conditions". If someone is faster…figure it out.
The other aspect to PHRF sailing in particular that I did not like was the entire rating philosophy and process. I found it to be too arbitrary and political. That is why I was drawn towards the IMS rule…but that hasn't worked here either. I am intrigued by the box rule concepts such as TP 52 or the British stab at the IRM (at least if they are arbitrary they are less political).
Having said all that, I am sure we will do more handicap racing again someday.

JW
Nothing on the drawing board right now. I am intrigued with what happens to the TP 52 class…will it take off? I am probably most drawn right now to a powerboat. Something to take the family to Catalina in.

You've had a pretty intense program. Do you see yourself backing off at some point? Maybe come full circle and buy a J-105?

JW
Sure, I see us backing off some…but not a J-105. The 105 is a fine boat, but once you have sailed a high performance boat like a 1D 35 it would be tough to take that step.