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Episode #88: Jim Antrim on Designing Boats

By Nicki Bennett | April 25, 2023

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Jim Antrim to chat his fulfilling lifetime of naval architecture. Jim founded Antrim Associates in 1979 and boasts one of the most diverse design portfolios in the industry, including boats that have set speed records and some of the most innovative boats on the planet.

Hear how to become a naval architect, sailing and design lessons from Jim’s mentors, how to test and perfect new boat designs, his most fun races to Hawaii, and why sailing is such a wonderful thing to do.

 

This episode covers everything from naval architecture to the TransPac. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • What gave Jim the idea of being a naval architect?
  • How big a crew will he take on the TransPac?
  • What did he learn from his mentors Dick Carter, Britton Chance, and Gary Mull?
  • How common is it to use carbon?
  • What’s on the drawing board now?
  • How have boats evolved over the years?
  • What’s Jim’s favorite Bay Area race?
  • Short Tacks: Why should people sail?

Learn more about Jim at https://www.antrimdesign.com/.

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!

This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/

Jim Antrim, Tom Hedin and Liz Baylis won their class in the 2006 Pacific Cup aboard the Antrim 27 ET.
© 2023 Douglass Peebles

Show Notes

  • Jim Antrim on Designing Boats
    • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
    • [0:25] John Arndt
    • [0:43] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
    • [0:52] Learn more about Jim at https://www.antrimdesign.com/
    • [1:54] What’s a story that shaped him as a sailor?
    • [2:34] Webb Institute
    • [4:28] What gave Jim the idea of being a naval architect?
    • [5:58] Internet
    • [6:07] What kind of sailing did Jim do as a kid?
    • [9:14] What did he learn from his mentors Dick Carter, Britton Chance, and Gary Mull?
    • [12:27] What kind of projects did Jim work with Gary on?
    • [13:39] This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/
    • Designing Boats
    • [14:34] What is Glass Slipper?
    • [16:44] What’s the difference between Class 40 & Open 40?
    • [17:58] What’s the difference between California Condor & Glass Slipper?
    • [20:31] TransPac
    • [22:06] What kind of racing will Glass Slipper do?
    • [22:49] How big a crew will he take on the TransPac?
    • [23:18] How common is it to use carbon?
    • [25:57] Is it noisier inside a carbon boat?
    • [26:39] How is it shorthanding a small boat to Hawaii?
    • [27:38] Has Jim done the TransPac in bigger boats?
    • [28:40] What is Rosie G?
    • [32:39] What’s on the drawing board now?
    • [36:42] What does Jim love about the sailing community?
    • [36:50] CCA (Cruising Club of America)
    • [39:04] What’s Jim’s favorite Bay Area race?
    • [41:39] How have boats evolved over the years?
    • [44:04] This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/
    • Short Tacks
    • [44:54] What would be Jim’s dream boat to design?
    • [48:46] How much cruising does he do?
    • [51:29] What’s the longest passage he’s done?
    • [52:32] How much of his family sails?
    • [54:13] Where’s his favorite place to sail?
    • [56:11] What’s the most important safety device on the water?
    • [57:02] Why should people sail?
    • [58:29] Shackleton’s Boat Journey by F.A. Worsley
    • [59:32] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
    • [59:42] What final thoughts does Jim have?
    • [1:00:25] Learn more about Jim at https://www.antrimdesign.com/
    • [1:00:48] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
    • [1:00:59] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
    • [1:01:07] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
    • [1:01:14] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
    • [1:01:21] Check out the April 2023 issue of Latitude 38
    • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

Thanks for listening to Jim Antrim & John Arndt on Good Jibes with Latitude 38. Subscribe here to receive Latitude 38 to your home each month.

This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/

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