SF Dede
New member
Is anyone aware of what might replace the J/88, which I understand is out of production?
J/88 - Replacement since it is out of production
- Thread starter SF Dede
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jerseyguy
Super Anarchist
I’ve always been interested in the concept of a J/97. 31’. Legit cruisable interior. Good for buoys or distance racing. Tiller or wheel. Easy enough for a couple or young family to handle.
Isn't this the J/99?
Jambalaya
Super Anarchist
Windward-leward focused. Not so good on a reach so not ideal for passage racing. An ex-owner told me many in the fleet only kept their boats 1 or 2 years. Not sure where they have all gone as I rarely see any around the solent now. Compare that to 20yr old J92 and 105s which are still out racing
To follow up on @Blur comment I'd say the J99 is by far the better boat just a lot more expensive
Jambalaya
Super Anarchist
Buy a used one then ... fairly recent design so a good few about and in generally ok condition
pqbon
Anarchist
We are moving to a J97 for shorthanded offshore... If it goes well it might be long term -- if not we don't know.
Jambalaya
Super Anarchist
In my humble experience it's not a good boat for that. Have you sailed one on a reach or downwind offshore in reasonable breeze and waves short handed ?
pqbon
Anarchist
Not yet -- we pick up the boat next week.
The owner really likes the boat but has said that if it doesn't work out we'll move on.
pqbon
Anarchist
Probably would have gone back to the 88 but it doesn't have the stablity for offshore races like the FN.
Jambalaya
Super Anarchist
I wouldn't want to sail an 88 beyond the sight of land and I imagine they'd be handful DH too in any remotely windy conditions ! I only sold my 92 as I wanted to do the FN. 105 was a good buy for that and the UK & French OD which existed at the time.
Anyway good luck with it. IRC 30ft DH boat these days is something from JPK or Sunfast
It's J Boats, so you know there is a plan. The stopped production of the 88, once it fell below a certain number of units/year for some period of time. No reason to keep building a boat people have stopped buying (new).
Whether or not there is a direct replacement in the works, depends entirely on whether or not J boats perceives there is a market for a 29 foot racer...I don't know that there is right now. I expect there might be a spot for a boat above the J/70 and below the J/99, but exactly what size that is remains to be seen.
What I do know about J boats is they have been talking to owner/perspective owners, and will not start a new boat without having the first couple dozen on order and ready to deliver to owners...
Whether or not there is a direct replacement in the works, depends entirely on whether or not J boats perceives there is a market for a 29 foot racer...I don't know that there is right now. I expect there might be a spot for a boat above the J/70 and below the J/99, but exactly what size that is remains to be seen.
What I do know about J boats is they have been talking to owner/perspective owners, and will not start a new boat without having the first couple dozen on order and ready to deliver to owners...
jackolantern
Super Anarchist
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Having sailed both the 88 and the 99, I can say hands down that I would prefer the 99 for any kind of offshore situation. Was pleasantly surprised to get one up and planing in the high teens and felt in total control doing it.
MagentaLine
Member
- 272
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They should just pull out the old j/100 molds, pump out about 300 new models a spin pole and no teak and call it a day. Have it all factory built with h5000 and mast instruments and make it one shot out the door price.
