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J9
Designer: Alan Johnstone  ·  Builder: J Boats  ·  First built: 2021
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About the J9

Launched in 2021, this newest addition to the J Boats family represents a modern take on performance-oriented daysailing and coastal cruising. Designed by Alan Johnstone, the J9 embodies the builder's decades-long commitment to creating fast, responsive sailboats that prioritize sailing pleasure over accommodation space. With a fin keel and spade rudder configuration paired with a fractional sloop rig, this 28-footer delivers the crisp handling characteristics that have become synonymous with the J Boats brand. The boat's moderate displacement of 4,250 pounds strikes an effective balance between stability and performance, while the generous sail area ensures lively sailing in light to moderate conditions. The J9's design priorities clearly favor sailing performance over extended cruising amenities, making it an excellent choice for day sailing, club racing, and coastal adventures. The low comfort ratio indicates this boat was conceived for active sailing rather than overnight accommodation, though weekend trips remain certainly feasible. Built with fiberglass construction and featuring modern hull lines, the J9 continues J Boats' tradition of creating accessible performance sailboats that appeal to sailors seeking an engaging, responsive sailing experience without the complexity of larger racing machines.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.40 ft / 7.74 m
Beam 8.60 ft / 2.62 m
Max Draft 4.90 ft / 1.49 m
Displacement 4,250.00 lb / 1,928 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 449.00 ft² / 41.71 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Alan Johnstone
Builder J Boats
First Built 2021
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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
27.46
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
115.78
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
14.28
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
2.13
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. 6.75 kn
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. 780.51 pounds/inch
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