J/9 seeks to reimagine sailing

The cancellation of fall boat shows denied the J/Boats Company the opportunity to shock us with their latest offering, so this statement from the group will have to suffice:

Responding to a growing need amongst sailors for a more comfortable, simpler and easy-to-own daysailer, J/Boats is excited to announce a sleek new 28-footer (the “J/9”) with perhaps the most comfortable cockpit and easiest-to-manage sailplan in this size range.

“With the J/9, we set out to reimagine how to make sailing easier, more relaxing and more inclusive,” said Jeff Johnstone of J/Boats. “This is a boat you can sail by yourself in just a few minutes, and also bring along the whole gang with plenty of room to spare. Escaping to the water and enjoying shared family adventure has never been more important, and the J/9 is the perfect platform.”

The J/9 cockpit has four great corner seats to nestle into and enjoy the day. With friends and family aboard, everyone can find the perfect place to relax. And access aboard has never been easier. A swim platform behind the cockpit allows walk-through boarding, and on those downwind sails home, you can cool off by dragging your feet in the water.

Sailing the J/9 is as easy as hoisting the mainsail and trimming the sheet. Why make it any more complicated? Look around on the water and you’ll notice 80% of the sailboats are sailing with only one sail. The answer is keep it simple! One tiller, one sheet.

The big difference with the J/9 is you will be sailing with one sail more comfortably and quicker than most others with two sails or under motor. Ready for the afterburners? Simply unroll the jib and enjoy effortless, stable & smooth sailing from the comforts of the best J/Boats cockpit ever.

The daysailing community has not benefited from a dedicated design from J/Boats since the award-winning J/100 (33’), which remains one of the most sought-after J’s created. The NEW J/9 offers the cockpit comfort and sailing features of a larger boat, at a price most will find competitive to the best brokerage offerings.

From Scuttlebutt editor Craig Leweck:
Stu Johnstone, who leads the marketing and business development for J/Boats, took no time to let me know the J/9 is a boat tailor-made for me. Knowing how I adore our Alerion Express 28, it is not hard to find the similarities between the two boats.

While we appreciate the Alerion’s fantail for random storage and daysailing perch, getting out of the water is struggle, a problem the J/9 has nicely resolved. And when I mentioned to Stu how I like the clean look of our Alerion with no stanchions and pulpits, he noted how of the first ten J/9s ordered, more than half opted to also go without for a visually cleaner and prettier look.

When asked about the significance of the J/9 name, Stu noted how “it came from a desire to separate this new line of daysailers and keep it simple. This is the first one in the range of perhaps four daysailers. We have a number of orders for larger ones already.”

The hull plug and deck plug are completed, with the hull mold also completed. With options for auxiliary power options to include diesel inboard, electric inboard, or outboard (gas or electric), the plan is for the first J/9 to launch in Spring 2021.

As much as I love all the varnished wood on the Alerion, we do have to park the boat a couple times a year for the varnish team to spend our money. Looks like the J/9 resolved that issue too.