Huntsman, 38, of Rumson, who sails out of Monmouth Boat Club, Red Bank, packed finishes of sixth, second and first in the three-race series sailed in light to medium air on Barnegat Bay.

With his son John, 14, and Greg Beshore, 28, serving as crew, Huntsman outsailed a fleet of 35, defeating teams skippered by Jack Elfman (5-3-7) and Steve Warren (13-1-3), both of Surf City Yacht Club, who were second and third, respectively.

Huntsman also captured Lightning state crowns in 1993 and 1994, but winning this year with his son in the cockpit makes it all the more memorable.

"What a great thing to be able to compete with your son side-by-side," said Huntsman.

The championship exposure will come in handy, too. The Lightning Atlantic Coast Championships are this weekend at Cedar Point, Conn. The North Americans are Aug. 12-18 at Annapolis, Md.

"We had a great day," said Huntsman. "The crew did a good job. Things went right. We sailed very well as a team."

Paul Gelenitis, Metedeconk River Yacht Club, skippered a fourth-place finish with 2-4-14 -- 20. Jon Schwartz, Monmouth Boat Club, and Keith Taboada, were fifth with 9-6-6 -- 21.