The Merits of a J9

[Black Jack]

It is the right boat for the market. A simple, modern J boat at 28 feet.  Few need more.


• Easy-access cockpit with deep, secure 8.4' cockpit seats and backrests, self-draining cockpit and step-on transom for easy swim platform boarding. 

• A deck layout optimized for simplicity and efficiency with sail controls led to the cockpit.  

• 20” lifelines and rails with starboard and transom boarding gates for secure boarding from a dock or a launch. 

• Keel-stepped, tapered aluminum mast with single spreaders.

• Jib roller furling system with single-line self-tacking option. 

• Tiller steering – more responsive and maneuverable than a wheel, and the driver can comfortably sit with feet braced across the cockpit.  At anchor, simply hinge up the tiller to expand one’s social area.  And for solo sailors a belowdecks auto-pilot is available.

• Low VCG (vertical center of gravity) 4.9’ fixed keel standard, with shoal-draft 3.9’ optional.

• Auxiliary engine options: inboard diesel, inboard electric, or transom bracket for portable electric or 4-stroke gas outboard. 

• Interior with main cabin seating, cooler, storage compartments, ventilation from two opening ports and skylight hatch, and a marine head system forward of the main bulkhead with privacy curtain and optional V-Berth package. 

• Easy to trailer behind an SUV or ship overseas on an angled cradle inside a container.

 

[Quickstep192]

Has anyone seen a price? 

 

[climenuts]

I like it but I'm a ways away from considering a day sailor. Even from an afternoon sailing or single overnight point of view I'd prefer an optional sprit to play with. Really like the electric drive option

I can see groups of people who own bigger cruisers/racers splitting something like this to have something ready to take out quickly alone after work.

 

[sailman]

I like a lot of it but not the center point main sheet.  If they do not want a traveler then move the center point out of the cockpit middle to the boom end and put the sheeting cleat on the boom.

 

[Black Jack]

Rule 52 is about to disappear or become irrelevant in many mixed fleets. I beleive many of the J9 boats ordered will include powered below deck power main sheet winches as an option as well as a main power winch. This design and setup means owners will be able to sail well beyond what was formerly antisipated. The standard mainsheet otherwise works for people with deminishing upper body strength or for smaller statured members of the crew.

 

[glass]

J/9 PRICING & OPTIONS

BASE BOAT PACKAGE (FOB Bristol, RI USA)J/9 Standard Base Boat $ 105,900

J/9 with Inboard Electric Engine (TBD) TBD

J/9 with Yanmar Diesel Engine $ 125,850

EXTERIOR OPTIONS

Comfort Group (Main cover, tiller cover, cockpit cushions) $ 1,680

Flexiteek Synthetic Teak Cockpit Floor/Swim Platform $ 2,450

Folding/Retractable Swim Ladder $ 575

Opening Ports in Aft Face of Cabin (2) $ 785

Outboard bracket (TBD) TBD

Two-tone deck $ 1,770

INTERIOR OPTIONS

V-Berth Package $ 2,350

SPARS & RIGGING OPTIONS

Code Zero/A-Sail Deck Package $ 3,125

Self-tacking Jib System $ 1,445

COMMISSIONING OPTIONS

J/9 Sail-Away Package (main & jib, speed & depth, & sprayed anti-foul) $ 10,695

SYSTEMS OPTIONS

110V Shorepower System $ 1,795

[SIZE=16.6px]Note: Pricing is in US$ and based on February 8, 2021 Specifications, and is subject to [/SIZE][SIZE=16.6px]change. Please contact [email protected][/SIZE]

 

[sailman]

Rule 52 is about to disappear or become irrelevant in many mixed fleets. I beleive many of the J9 boats ordered will include powered below deck power main sheet winches as an option as well as a main power winch. This design and setup means owners will be able to sail well beyond what was formerly antisipated. The standard mainsheet otherwise works for people with deminishing upper body strength or for smaller statured members of the crew.

That’s a bold statement.  Do you have any stake in rule 52 being changed?

 

[Black Jack]

That’s a bold statement.  Do you have any stake in rule 52 being changed?

No stake.  I am observing what is going on in fleets all over the country/world. Here in San Francisco within the YRA and SSS, these organizations are creating divisions within the fleets that are powered. Harken and Lewmar have improved thier winches and battery life has made it feasable.

In the upcoming round the rocks race for the SSS, currently there are 8 vessels reporting PW (powered winches) out of 148. It is the tip of the spear for older sailors, injured and those with disabilities. It will a matter of time before you will inquire about them or get a vessel that has them. In an era of being politically correct who will disquailfy them from sailing in a regatta.

Scott Easom in his modified J100 is leading the effort here.

 

[Crash]

I like it but I'm a ways away from considering a day sailor. Even from an afternoon sailing or single overnight point of view I'd prefer an optional sprit to play with. Really like the electric drive option

I can see groups of people who own bigger cruisers/racers splitting something like this to have something ready to take out quickly alone after work.

There is an option for a fixed sprit J/99 style...

From J/News in January:


Fun J/9 FAQs


Following are some follow-up questions that have come in since the J/9 announcement.

Can I add an auto-pilot to the J/9? 
Yes, either an above deck or below decks auto pilot can be installed aftermarket.

Why are the jib tracks on the cabin top and not the side deck? 
We learned from the J/99 that the optimal upwind jib lead sheeting angles are generally between 8 and 9 degrees depending on the wind strength and sea state. But to do that on the J/99 (and most other boats) one must rig in-haulers. The J/9 gets rid of all that clutter with jib tracks installed on an 8.5 degree sheeting angle with easy trimming right to the cabin top winches. Tacking between cabin top winches is much easier than primary winches (no scrambling across the cockpit needed). This one, small change significantly cleans up the side decks.

How does the mainsheet system work? 
This is the first J with the primary mainsheet purchase at the end of the boom and the sheet tail coming out mid-boom into the cockpit near the tiller. Instead of a bulky traveler with cars, blocks, purchase, control lines, etc. the J/9 will have a mainsheet purchase that floats on a double Dyneema strop. For 90% of one’s daysailing needs, the double strop attaches to a centerline pad-eye aft of the tiller (much like leaving a traditional traveler centered). Then for the occasional times one wants to optimize centerline boom sheeting, each strop can be quickly moved outboard to a pad-eye (P&S) to create a triangle bridle – similar to the set-up seen on the Olympic 470 and 49er. This is another solution that visually reduces clutter, simplifies sailing, and doesn’t give away performance.

What size outboard do you recommend? 
The ideal outboard for the J/9 will be a 6HP. A 5HP could be sufficient in protected waters without strong tides. The final design for the outboard bracket is in process and will include a tilt-up position so the outboard can remain on the transom while sailing.

Can you tell us more about the electric inboard option? 
We’re reviewing several electric options including a new product coming online in 2021 from our long-time diesel engine supplier Mack-Boring. We’re not able to share specifics yet, but are planning to test out a system on hull #1, before signing off on the final option.

Will there be a bow sprit option? 
The J/9 is designed for main-only or main & jib-only sailing, but we will be offering a sprit option for those wanting to fly an overlapping A-Sail. We are finalizing the design for a 2-3’ fixed carbon sprit option that matches the bow profile of the boat (similar to the J/99) and that will be packaged with all the necessary rigging and blocks. This option will be available to add aftermarket.  For more J/9 daysailer sailing information

 

[Swimsailor]

There is an option for a fixed sprit J/99 style...

From J/News in January:


Fun J/9 FAQs


Following are some follow-up questions that have come in since the J/9 announcement.

Can I add an auto-pilot to the J/9? 
Yes, either an above deck or below decks auto pilot can be installed aftermarket.

Why are the jib tracks on the cabin top and not the side deck? 
We learned from the J/99 that the optimal upwind jib lead sheeting angles are generally between 8 and 9 degrees depending on the wind strength and sea state. But to do that on the J/99 (and most other boats) one must rig in-haulers. The J/9 gets rid of all that clutter with jib tracks installed on an 8.5 degree sheeting angle with easy trimming right to the cabin top winches. Tacking between cabin top winches is much easier than primary winches (no scrambling across the cockpit needed). This one, small change significantly cleans up the side decks.

How does the mainsheet system work? 
This is the first J with the primary mainsheet purchase at the end of the boom and the sheet tail coming out mid-boom into the cockpit near the tiller. Instead of a bulky traveler with cars, blocks, purchase, control lines, etc. the J/9 will have a mainsheet purchase that floats on a double Dyneema strop. For 90% of one’s daysailing needs, the double strop attaches to a centerline pad-eye aft of the tiller (much like leaving a traditional traveler centered). Then for the occasional times one wants to optimize centerline boom sheeting, each strop can be quickly moved outboard to a pad-eye (P&S) to create a triangle bridle – similar to the set-up seen on the Olympic 470 and 49er. This is another solution that visually reduces clutter, simplifies sailing, and doesn’t give away performance.

What size outboard do you recommend? 
The ideal outboard for the J/9 will be a 6HP. A 5HP could be sufficient in protected waters without strong tides. The final design for the outboard bracket is in process and will include a tilt-up position so the outboard can remain on the transom while sailing.

Can you tell us more about the electric inboard option? 
We’re reviewing several electric options including a new product coming online in 2021 from our long-time diesel engine supplier Mack-Boring. We’re not able to share specifics yet, but are planning to test out a system on hull #1, before signing off on the final option.

Will there be a bow sprit option? 
The J/9 is designed for main-only or main & jib-only sailing, but we will be offering a sprit option for those wanting to fly an overlapping A-Sail. We are finalizing the design for a 2-3’ fixed carbon sprit option that matches the bow profile of the boat (similar to the J/99) and that will be packaged with all the necessary rigging and blocks. This option will be available to add aftermarket.  For more J/9 daysailer sailing information

Fixed sprit adds unnecessary length to slip fees.  J Boats is pretty good at building retractable sprits.  Silly it's not offered.  I would have to upgrade slips at my marina (max LOA in my slip is 28').  That would mean another 1-2 years on a wait list.   

 

[Crash]

Fixed sprit is simpler, lighter, no risk of leaking into forepeak (the retractable sprit on my 109 did that when new and needed some "adjustment") and cheaper.  Talking to Jeff J, and looking at the J/99 at Richmond boat show in '19, I think the fixed sprit is "relatively" easy to remove.  Yes, you'd have to unbolt and de-rig/ bolt back on and re-rig, which would be a pain, but might work for a year or two while waiting on the list?  Or at least do the first time to "qualify" then stop doing until someone complains to management?

I like a retractable sprit too, and would prefer it as well.  But there was more vertical clearance on the J/109 from vee berth to sprit than there would be on the J/9...so that might cause an issue as well.

Everything is a trade off/compromise...

 

[glass]

If you do not like the fixed sprit and/or if the J9 with the fixed is too long to fit in your slip do not order the sprit option.

 Install one of the many after market deck mounted retractable sprits that are available instead.

 

[Swimsailor]

If you do not like the fixed sprit and/or if the J9 with the fixed is too long to fit in your slip do not order the sprit option.

 Install one of the many after market deck mounted retractable sprits that are available instead.

I'm not a fan of the deck mounted options.  Ugly and take up lounging space.

 

[apophenia]

I'm not a fan of the deck mounted options.  Ugly and take up lounging space.

I suspect a lot of grandparents will buy J9s. After a few years, the kids / grandkids take possession and begin upgrades. Grandma doesn't want all the string in the cockpit, grandpa doesn't think asyms are real spinnakers. Hopefully these things will be hot-rodded like Honda Civics in the coming decades.

 

[glass]

I'm not a fan of the deck mounted options.  Ugly and take up lounging space.

Which particular deck mounted telescoping sprits do you dislike.

I doubt that J Boats considered providing lounging space forward of the mast.

 

[sailman]

You could order without the option and go with a Trogear:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/201934160?app_id=122963

 

[Swimsailor]

Which particular deck mounted telescoping sprits do you dislike.

I doubt that J Boats considered providing lounging space forward of the mast.

I see the Selden version a lot.  It just looks clunky.  Bean bags on the foredeck make an awesome place to lounge!

 

[Crash]

I suspect a lot of grandparents will buy J9s. After a few years, the kids / grandkids take possession and begin upgrades. Grandma doesn't want all the string in the cockpit, grandpa doesn't think asyms are real spinnakers. Hopefully these things will be hot-rodded like Honda Civics in the coming decades.

I'm not sure it needs a ton of "hot-rodding."  For example the J/9 has more upwind sail area than a J/88 (449sqft to 439sqft), yet displaces 740lbs less than the J/88.  Sure, the keel's not as deep, but I think it should go just fine.  Add and optional sprit and Asym, and you'd have a very nice beercan racer as well as a nice daysailer.  I think grandma and grandpa are going to mostly sail it under main alone....

 

[glass]

I'm not sure it needs a ton of "hot-rodding."  For example the J/9 has more upwind sail area than a J/88 (449sqft to 439sqft), yet displaces 740lbs less than the J/88.  Sure, the keel's not as deep, but I think it should go just fine.  Add and optional sprit and Asym, and you'd have a very nice beercan racer as well as a nice daysailer.  I think grandma and grandpa are going to mostly sail it under main alone....

Bravo !

Could not have stated it better myself.