J/Boats

American racer-cruisers, built in Europe by J Composites.

J/Boats was founded in February 1977 by brothers Rod and Bob Johnstone and has its headquarters in Newport, Rhode Island. Rod Johnstone built the Ragtime prototype in his garage in Stonington, Connecticut, and this led to the creation of the J/24, of which around 5,500 have been built. To date, more than 9,500 boats of this make have been launched. The company designs the boats itself and commissions their construction. For the European market, this is carried out by J Composites in the Vendée region of France, which announces the models in collaboration with J/Boats.

The current range extends from the J/7, at around seven metres, a simple keelboat for day trips, through the one-design classes J/70 and J/9, and the sporty J/99 and J/111, to the larger J/36, J/40 and J/45, at nearly fourteen metres. The yard describes its boats as racer-cruisers: fast enough for the racing circuit, yet comfortable and straightforward enough for family cruising. The larger models are fitted with a diesel engine as an auxiliary propulsion system.

Facts & figures

• Founded in February 1977 by the brothers Rod and Bob Johnstone
• Office in Newport, Rhode Island
• Made famous by the J/24, of which around 5,500 have been built
• European models built by J Composites in the Vendée region of France
• Builds sailing boats ranging from around 7 to almost 14 metres