The J/111 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 31.0′, the J/111 tops out around 8.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.0′ LWL = 7.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
20.4
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
45.5%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
128
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
26.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.62
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
26.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.62
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.6 |
5.9 |
6.5 |
6.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.7 |
7.2 |
8.0 |
8.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.2 |
6.6 |
7.4 |
8.0 |
| Run150–180° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.8 kts),
SA/D (20.4), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the J/111 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the J/111.
|
J/111 |
Cb 365 |
Cr 360 370 |
F3 |
Sun Fast 36 Jeanneau |
Swan 36 2 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.5 |
36.5 |
36.4 |
36.4 |
36.4 |
36.6 |
| LWL |
31.0 |
32.8 |
32.0 |
29.5 |
31.5 |
29.7 |
| Beam |
11.6 |
11.1 |
11.9 |
11.8 |
12.1 |
12.0 |
| Displacement |
11 |
11 |
14 |
10 |
11 |
14 |
| Ballast |
5 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
672 |
807 |
— |
630 |
688 |
624 |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
20.4 |
26.2 |
— |
20.6 |
21.3 |
16.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
45.5 |
— |
43.0 |
52.6 |
39.6 |
37.9 |
| Comfort |
26.7 |
20.4 |
— |
20.0 |
19.6 |
26.3 |
| Capsize |
1.62 |
2.00 |
— |
2.13 |
2.14 |
1.96 |
| Hull Speed |
8.8 |
7.7 |
— |
7.3 |
7.5 |
7.3 |