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J30
Designer: Rodney S. Johnstone  ·  Builder: J Boats Tillotson Pearson  ·  First built: 1979
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About the J30

With limited specifications available, the J30 represents part of J/Boats' legacy of performance-oriented sailing designs that emerged from the company's focus on creating fast, competitive sailboats. This model likely follows the design philosophy that made J/Boats famous throughout the sailing community. Based on J/Boats' established reputation, the J30 would typically feature a modern underbody with a fin keel and spade rudder configuration, promoting responsive handling and good upwind performance. The hull design probably incorporates the company's characteristic approach to balancing speed with stability, making it suitable for both spirited day sailing and club racing scenarios. Like other boats in the J/Boats lineup, the J30 most likely appeals to sailors seeking performance without sacrificing comfort for weekend coastal cruising. The cockpit layout would typically emphasize ease of handling while racing, with well-positioned winches and controls that allow for efficient sail trimming. Given J/Boats' strong presence in sailing communities, the J30 probably benefits from active class associations and established racing fleets in various regions. This creates opportunities for competitive sailing while maintaining good resale value through continued demand from performance-minded sailors seeking an accessible entry into the J/Boats family.

Market Price Estimate Beta
$8,900 – $11,999
typical asking price
Median $11,900  ·  5 listings used (1 outlier excluded)
All listings
$8,900 – $11,999 5
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.83 ft / 9.09 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam 11.18 ft / 3.41 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Ballast 2,100.00 lb / 953 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 444.00 ft² / 41.25 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Rodney S. Johnstone
Builder J Boats Tillotson Pearson
First Built 1979
Last Built 1986
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
19.47
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
16.42
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
2.34
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.7
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.98
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 998.68
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 34.19
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 38.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.0
SA Fore 196.59
SA Main 247.0
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