My phone blew up yesterday—not literally though I often wish it would when not glued to my left ear—with the social-media-posted news that the Jackhammer team was selling its new Class 2 boat after just one truncated offshore racing season. Through text and voicemail, my device quickly became a milling area for unanswered questions on the subject.
“Is Jackhammer leaving the sport?” That was the gist of them.
The current Jackhammer Class 2 raceboat will be replaced by a new one for the 2027 season. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot Thrill Pix.
That would have been news to me and surprising given everything I know about the Langheims and Maldonados, the families involved with the team. They’re passionate about the sport and they’ve had success in it. They seem committed long-term.
So I reached out to Julian Maldonado. Not only does Maldonado throttle the boat with team-owner Reese “Lil’ Debbie” Langheim (ask him about this year’s Halloween costume), he owns Manatee Marine Unlimited in Palmetto, Fla., with Langheim’s wife, Sara. Prepping offshore racing teams including Jeremy Tschida’s 32-foot Super Stock-class Wozencraft/TFR Racing catamaran is part of the business. Campaigning a team of their own is good for credibility and marketing.
“Our new boat is almost ready,” Maldonado explained. “It’s another 38 Valor.
“It’s the ‘same’ boat,” he added. “We just want to help the class grow with our boats involved.”
Assuming the current Jackhammer sells, that means two 38 Valor catamarans will complete in Class 2 next year. The category already has multiple DWR and MTI raceboats in the mix. A pair of Valor cats will add to the Class 2 manufacturer-versus-manufacturer action and intrigue that happens on a playing field leveled by Mercury Racing 500R outboard-engine spec power.
I wasn’t relieved to hear Maldonado’s explanation because I expected it—or something like it. At the very least, I reckoned the team might be moving to another class.
But leaving the sport? That didn’t track.
Yet not everyone had such surety. And I have a phone full of messages to prove it.