Background info on my 1986 Captiva 240

Now with a little history under your belt behind the name, I'll provide some detailed information on the vessel itself. First and foremost, I purchased the boat on July 8, 2008. Shortly thereafter, I began my quest to find information, reviews, forum sites, etc regarding Captiva Yachts, Inc. From what I have gathered, Captiva Yachts was based in Oldsmar, Florida. They managed to stay in business from 1984 to 1987 before going belly up. The boats were designed by O.H. Rogers (I have absolutely no idea what "O.H." stands for, so we'll say uhh...Orval Hubert?) who was a retired Naval architect. The Captiva 240 is a modified version of the RODGERS 24 with slightly different rig and keel. The ROGERS 24 hull is unique as it is a planing hull design. Additionally, she is a shoal draft, meaning she can sail in shallow water, with a swing keel for greater pointing control and tacking in heavier wind. Jep is a tiller steered boat with a retractable rudder (again, for shallow water). Jep currently has a little Johnson 4hp outboard for navigating out of the harbor or up the Milwaukee River.

In the main cabin, there is a dinette to port along with a majority of the electronics mounted to a small dinette console. The main electronics below deck include a 25 watt VHF ship-to-shore and a 208 watt Sony CD Stereo (w/Aux input) with two 5.25 inch Boston Acoustic speakers. As a side note, the stereo sounds outstanding (and it's not even finished - I have Pioneer Nautica 6.5 inch 2-ways for the cockpit)! To starboard is a single berth that is actually quite comfortable! Also to starboard, there is a small pullout galley with a sink and single burner alcohol stove. Up in the bow is a v-berth that can sleep two, along with a porta-pottie on the port side.

The cockpit of Jep is quite simple. There is a large storage compartment under the port side seating. The 3 gallon fuel tank rests under the starboard seating. This spring, the cockpit will be transformed after the laundry list of projects I have are complete. Currently, aside from the tiller reaching in from the stern, there is a main traveler roughly 18 inches from the companionway. She has two Lewmar non self-tailing winches, one to port and one to starboard, with the el-cheapo Wincher self-tailers. The main and jib halyards route back into the cockpit.

Currently, the head sails (I have 2; a 100% working jib and a 150% Genoa for lighter wind conditions) hank onto the forestay. Eventually I'll pop for a roller furling system. All in good time...

The main sail has a single reef point and 4 battens. I dropped my main off with Tom Peace of North Sails in January to have the slugs replaced, sail numbers applied (52997), and attach tell tales to the leech. Tell tales allow you to monitor how efficiently your sail is channeling the wind.

With a PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) rating of 222, she can race with 26 to 29 footers competitively. Because of the limited production of these vessels, finding additional information has proven to be difficult. However, I can detail some technical specs:

L.O.A. ........................... 24' 0"
L.W.L. ........................... 20' 0"
Beam ............................. 8' 2"
Draft (board up) ................. 2' 0"
Draft (board down) ............... 4' 8"
Displacement ..................... 2,400 lbs.
Ballast .......................... 1,000 lbs.
I (deck to top of mast) .......... 31' 0"
J (forestay to mast) ............. 8' 6"
E (main foot or boom) ............ 11' 0"
P (boom to top of mast) .......... 27' 0"

This picture was taken moments before I put Yep, It's Jep into hibernation for the winter. What a depressing day!

What's in a name?

Inevitably when someone finds out I own a sailboat, the first question I am asked is, "What's her name?"

Yep, It's Jep!

The name rolls off your tongue quite quickly, so often times I encounter a confused, blank stare. I like to give everyone a moment to process before I recite my elevator speech.

"Cool. What is Yep, It's Jep?"

It's funny how people ask or phrase the question, like they missed some obvious observation and assume I think they are a total dolt (chances are, I do think you're a dolt, but for different reasons). But I digress...

The name for my 1986 Captiva 240 originates from the painting posted. "Yep Its Jep", without proper punctuation, is the original campaign poster for my Great Grandfather Dale K. Jepson when he ran for probate judge in Ionia, Michigan back in the 1930s. The poster was actually painted by an inmate at the Ionia County Jail, 'Rumley.' You can see his signature at the bottom right. I'm guessing 'ol Rumley skipped one or two English classes. This was the inspiration for the name since my middle name is Jepson. My folks had the original poster fully restored and digitized in 2007 as a Christmas gift (seriously one of the best presents I've ever received). The painting is now the focal point in my condo!

Just as a note, no, I do not look like my Great Grandfather. If there is a resemblance, it is a total coincidence, as my Grandpa Jepson (Willy) was adopted.