J Boats J/9 Sailboat Review and Boat Tour

[@randomtraveler3363]

The ability to get I to a fun boat at a fraction of the cost, will always be a great option. Think about it, for the price of a new J9 you could buy a fleet of old J24s and start a sailing school or one design Regatta. Now there's fun for your dollar.

[@federicogaraventa2004]

Back in time, I had a J44 and a J92. Awesome boats, great memories

[@jackwalby6257]

I remember when in highschool seeing a J24 for the first time in 1977. My dad I were blown away. Sexiest racer we had ever seen. That was on Lake Minnetonka which went on to form the first one design fleet in the country. J9 definitely trying to hit the comfortable daysailer market. I've sailed a J100 and was totally impressed. Interestingly the 105 was meant really to be a day boat that you might think racing. I've raced a 109 for years and love it. A real dual purpose boat.

[@artsmith103]

The 109 is wonderful. The 105 design focuses on using less crew. In the j24 size I like more crew accommodations.

[@pmks4]

We had a J24 we sailed out of Belmont Harbor in Chicago years ago. We’d go out at night and sail on an empty lake so we wouldn’t run into to things. It introduced me to sailing and I’ve been dreaming about another sailboat ever since.

[@stephenpetranek8188]

I own J9 #50, which was in the Annapolis show a couple weeks ago. My boat was delivered in July after about 18 months of trying desperately to get one--they are significantly back-ordered and only about 12-15 are built a year. I have sailed many J-24s, and this boat is light-years better in performance and especially build quality. To make an old J-24 competitive is at least $50k, plus the boat itself. And although they are fast for their era, they are not that fast now and not comfortable to sail. Many J-24s do not even have symmetrical hulls, just as a starting point. Meanwhile, this video, though new, is way out of date on pricing. A new J9 with a chart plotter, radio, v-berth package, battery charger and shore power, bowsprit, three.sails custom made from Quantum instead of the North "package" sails, and a few other options will run you $190k before taxes. This is a $200k boat, not a $150k boat. That said, it's worth every penny. I've owned a lot of boats--racers and cruisers--and ordered the J9 after selling my beloved Passport 470, which I ordered new back in 2006. and sold in 2022. I needed a gentleman's daysailer at this point--a boat that was fun to sail with basic creature comforts, but more importantly, I needed a boat I could pile at least 6 people into occasionally but could safely and comfortably sail by myself. This is that boat. What I didn't realize was how much fun this boat could be. It's responsiveness to the slightest increase in windspeed is startling. And its ability to deliver speed in light winds is just short of impossible. I was sailing it on the Chesapeake two days ago in light winds. With 8 knots of wind, she was doing 5.5 knots easily without much tweaking. But in 4 knots of wind, she maintained 3 knots of boat speed. Did I mention that she tacks within 70 degrees? You sail this boat--you don't motor much. .That said, I opted for the Yanmar 2-cyl. diesel. After much experience, I don't exactly trust anything Torqueedo makes, and if I have to motor home with high winds and waves dead against me, I can do it easily with the diesel. In calm seas at 1900 rpm the boat motors at more than 6 knots. What don't I like? I'd like a real icebox instead of a cooler (though there's one kind of built in). I'd like more wood trim below decks .I'd like a teak half-door between the head and the main cabin instead of a curtain. I'd like thicker cushions on the bunks. But there's little I'd change about the way she sails or her deck (well, I'd like higher lifelines for better security on deck and you can't raise the main if the jib is already out on the port side--needs a turning block added to lead the jib line to the other winch or a stopper added). I've owned a Laser for 40 years and I sail it regularly just for pure sailing fun. The J9 is the only boat I've ever sailed that is as much fun as a Laser. The big difference is that even when the J9 is on a wild plane (easier to do than you might think--I did it on mainsail alone singlehanded) in 16-18 knots of wind--you feel perfectly in control and safe. You just can't get that experience in any other boat I know of. As the J-24 went down in history as the supreme design accomplishment of Rod Johnstone, the J9 will go down as the supreme design accomplishment of his son, Al Johnstone.

[@artsmith103]

We used boat buyers thank you for your contributions :-) That's a good description of the J24.

[@shainester]

Wow! Great comment! Your dedication to detail and getting it all in was impressive.

[@carlthor91]

The best summer I had on the water, crewed on a J24 on Lake Winnipeg, then sailed on it at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Waves Regatta. We came in 4th in class. Not bad for a pick up crew for one summer. The rest of the fleet was West Coast people, who sailed together on club nights. J Boats are awesome. Best wishes all.

[@hansslob6749]

I’ve never sailed a J24 but looking at these boats on the water they must be a great pleasure to sail and race with.

[@joeldelamirande5792]

I did a j 35 in a race was kind of deceiving C&c and beneteau were passing right beside us

[@chrisrulla6386]

@@joeldelamirande5792 Maybe you weren't sailing it like these fellows. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmLRXmqZr9KWZ5Y

[@migstwo5591]

I owned and raced both a J24 and a J30 on Galveston Bay. I've also crewed on a J29. J-Boats have always been my favorite.

[@BillBoyeson]

I've raced and cruised in the Seattle area for over 50 years (the last 25 on my J-42) and I decided to finish out my "golden years" in an easy to maintain and easy to sail J-9. I got the electric engine option and couldn't be happier to eliminate all the issues that come with a combustion engine, etc. A quick call to my crew and they eagerly show up for a quick no hassle sail. I did add a few cruising amenities allowing my wife, and I to do some overnights as well. (As long as we go out for dinner....). If you're willing to spend the money the J-9 is the "perfect" day sailor.

[@bobdailey9533]

Another Great job Tim! Good tour, very informative!

[@ross.neuberth]

I LOVE this boat

[@jphusta]

I believe J/Boats make the best monohulls in the world! A boat built for its function, to have fun sailing in whatever kind of weather safely, simple, and easy to sail. I’d go for the J/95 if I had my choice. Could also trailer the J/70! Thanks for Rod’s dream into reality!

[@rb239rtr]

Fun fact, JBoats do not build boats.

[@peterm4475]

The J24 came out in the UK around 1978 at an introductory price of £5500. British yachting journalist Jack Knights in his review called it "A Laser with a lid".

[@christerman]

I rented a J/24 as a day sailor out of Hilton Head back in the late 90s. It was a fun boat. I had never heard of them

[@texarama]

That J/9 cockpit looks 1000x's better than riding the turtle could ever be.

[@Rich-xg2cg]

Moore 24 RULES !!!

[@charliepick3923]

The J9 looks great. A perfect day sailer. We have one at our club already and she’s owned by a retired admiral of the USN who at one time commanded an aircraft carrier! Just a little bigger boat. I think they’ll be popular here on SFBay. As for me, I’ll stick with my J105. We race one design with 20-30 boats on the line throughout the year! But who knows, in 20 years?

[@petervanderwaart1138]

The J/88s around my area always catch my eye.

[@scottselover7613]

I sailed on a J24 in San Francisco Bay during the Nationals back in the 80s. While the boat was easy to deal with in light to moderate winds, when things piped up the boat was unmanagable. If the boat got up on a plane, the transom hung rudder was always in turbulent water and had almost no authority. The Santa Cruz boats (Moore, SC and Olsen) moved the rudder forward to keep it in laminar flow. It made a huge difference (I own an Olsen 911 now). Early J boats, the 24 and 29 suffered. Newer J’s are much more accepting of big wind.

[@scottselover7613]

Oh, and the Express 27. Planning that boat was easy up to 25 knots

[@chrisrulla6386]

Olson, but I'm sure you know that.

[@markymarknj]

If I were to get a boat, I'd want something minimalist, but not Spartan. Though they're wonderful boats, I'm not keen on luxury sailboats like Hylas Yachts; boats like the Corsair 24 are more my style in terms of accommodations. Plus, it can be used as a big daysailer; I LOVE IT! I think that the J boats have a real winner with the J9. Like you though, I could be tempted by a well kept example of its grandfather, the J24... :)

[@robertbranch1667]

I am on Lake St.Clair also, the opposite corner from you. Just a few weeks ago i had to sell my last boat. I no longer have the balance, strength in my hands or sensativity in my numb fingers and feet to do any of it anymore. You wax poetic on the J-24. But I have always viewed it warily and with much apprehention. To many have capsized. Too many have gone down, they get wildly out of control in a big breeze...one of my boats was rammed by one totally out of control like that before a start when we were committee boat. Yes they sail well under 20 knots but from high teens up, i want something that the hatch doesn't submerge so easily when knocked down. Nor should even coastal racers be faced with the crew standing on the keel to try to right it. I believe those pics came from a Sarnia to Alpena race on Lake Huron. Interestingly i had for a few years a Merit 25 which is closely related to the J-24 and it displayed none of these issues in the same size boat that was a bit faster. Respect the J boats for what they are but just because the boat is a legend doesnt mean it doesnt have issues, and some can be very nasty on this boat.

[@robertbranch1667]

i just noted in a response above the speeds the J9 listed above. The last boat i just sold was a catalina 27, a 78 model. It had a fully battened main (Kent sails) and i got a roller furling 130. Thw speeds we got consistantly in the wind speeds listed were the same., I bought the 'Catalina for $1100. One new sail, new halyards, rigged single line refeefing, installed a chart plotter, and new sheets. Nothing on the Bay was faster under 30 ft just in daysailing with one cvrew and never doing a sail change or rigging a chute. I sold it for $1200 cause i did not want to pay winter storaqe on it, and wanted it to keep sailing rather than get chopped up. It will sail for probably another 20 years. VS $200,000 to daysail? Oh it was fun to sail, just as fun as back in the 70's when i sailed my first catalina 27 in the one design fleet where we had 100 boats out to race each week. I was fleet champion one year. It was a lot of fun then. I came to it from the Laser. I knew what fun was then too. I have to agree, 200K is just nuts.

[@gs4280]

Love the channel! Do you or will you have any videos on stepping your mast? We have to take our mast out every year (as cranes haul us out). Our boat has 2 spreaders and its always a pain to get a line up the mast for the mast crane to attach to. I'm seeking the best way to do it.

[@JTSLJR]

I’d pay the extra to avoid the pain of the 24. Great around the marks but the J9 really makes a nice weekend ride for a couple.

[@jackwalby6257]

J24 cockpit leaves something to be desired. The original Catalina Capri 25 is definitely more comfortable. I speak from experience

[@slowhand9mm]

I daysail a Rhodes 19 on Lake Champlain here in Vermont. A J-9 was on stands next to it for about a week having the sail drive serviced. Anyhow, I thought it was the most perfect boat for daysailing the lake. Beauty, speed, comfort. What more could you ask for?

[@RModillo]

J-24s are absurdly uncomfortable for anyone over 5' tall. It's basically a shrunken 2-ton IOR boat. Your foredeck crew will need kneepads just to keep from being sent to the ER after a day of trying to grab lines and hardware. If you want an actual cockpit that will fit the whole crew and allow them to sit comfortably, the J-9 delivers a much better experience.

[@Lew114]

Best part of the video: “And for people under 30, mail is…”. Thanks for the laugh.

[@kiwiwifi]

I really like the new format. Did I hear you say that you sail an Ohlson 30? I'm a new sailor with an Ohlson 38 from NZ

[@scotp6362]

If I could drop 150k on a daysailer this would be it, and yes, I would spend the extra 3 to have a code zero. Having crewed on a J24 for 15 years there is something to be said about the most comfortable cockpit in a Jboat ever. A lower priced option if sailing inland is a Harbor 20- same concept - comfortable daysailer you can race. If you just want to race, definitely buy the J24 or a J80. We race the J24 competitively with the J70 winning consistently on time and we cross the line first often. The J70 does look more comfortable. The J24 is not a comfortable daysailer to bring along 5 of your non crew friends. It is a racer through and through!

[@charlies7658]

J24s are fun to sail but limiting with family crew. Would say J80 over J24. Still the price on the J9 is way too much for me when I think about all the other affordable used boats featured on this channel, would be curious how the one compares to newer Catalina 270 sport which also seems to be in that comfort and sporty sweet spot. Thanks

[@billd.5892]

Or maybe a J22 which has a longer cockpit than a J24 and sails much better under main alone. Also sails easier with standard jib & main, no backbreaking genny to crank around. Maybe it comes down to: how many friends want to go sailing with you on any given day? If more than 3, reach for that checkbook!

[@artsmith103]

J22 is great but a pretty hefty tow rig is required.

[@billd.5892]

@@artsmith103 compared to a Laser, sure. But it's a lightweight compared to a J24.

[@artsmith103]

@@billd.5892 Agreed. I would never consider a J24 but would consider a J22. Problem is the 4ft fixed keel draft and what that can entail on different ramps. If someone doesn't already have an adequate tow rig, that makes the J22 expensive for 22ft. Subaru will easily manage 22ft swing keels and no tongue extension required.

[@billd.5892]

@@artsmith103true that. I'm spoiled and launch her once in the spring and pull her out early Nov. Lucky to live on a v clean freshwater lake in upstate NY.

[@chrisrulla6386]

Better idea is to restart production of the J/80 and do a lifting keel. With some value engineering, they could be mass produced at $25k each for us poor folks.

[@seonewport363]

Andrews 28 is also a very fast & easy to sail wonderful design. That unfortunately never got much attention

[@chrisrulla6386]

Evidently a whopping 4 of them exist.

[@UncleJoeLITE]

8:10 Sorry, lovely little racer, but $150k USD? Wow, that's a niche new market for cashed up racers, I guess that's why they can charge that price. So it's the J24 & $130k unless your pockets are deeper than mine. _For me, a skiff is just fine for the odd mucking around between buoys!_ ⚓

[@JP-lz3vk]

That's what gave me pause. How big a boat could your get for $150K? A lot more.

[@Flyinglawyer5286]

How about a used J27 for 25K?

[@JamesThomas-w5g]

It strikes me this new boat gives J Boat a worthy day sailor option to compete against Alerion 28 or the Schock 24 at a reasonable new boat price.

[@davidguerra2966]

do saffer yachts please

[@Frog13799]

They know not the mighty Muira

[@michaelpeters513]

This is where new boats go wrong for me 150k? For that? Was on it at the boat show, and someone said 90k. Still too much for a day sailor. Maybe 60k. You can get an immaculate j24 with all the "bugs" worked out of it and with a top of the line trailer for under 30k or a fixer upper with trailer for 1500.

[@erichyney6287]

First 😊

[@stanleybest8833]

Two things strike me with racing sailboats. They are as light as they should be. Racing people have to be fussy and impulsive, and a few blemishes will have an owner turn on his boat, and if it can be intercepted before it gets scrapped, it's a sweet fixer upper. After all, it's sports equipment.

[@tonybodlovic5825]

J24 is world class sailing for a fraction of the cost. There's not even a discussion to be had. Put an electric toilet on your J24, if you need it. Hell, add a sugar scoop too, if you insist. There is no way whatsoever you could ever justify to me a price of $150,000 for a 28' yacht. I just bought a 29' (Australian designed Mutiny 28 by Peter Cole) race yacht with 1.5 aspect ratio fractional rig and electric toilet for $5,000 AUD. Are you nuts? Oh, for clarity. She's 29' because she had the sugar scoop added after market.

[@chrisrulla6386]

What, you're not a billionaire?

[@tonybodlovic5825]

Unfortunately not. I forgot to setup Patreon.

[@philo5096]

200 g's for a day sailor with a cooler instead of a real fridge. Its very small inside the cabin. Like the RV industry, everything is so over priced. It's insane!

[@jaapBooij-rz1id]

130 to 150000 us dollar , what can you buy for that money on the “ collapsing” used boat market ??? . Yes, prices of new boats are high, just as the costs of material, wages etc etc . This of course comes together in this price. Finally it looks to me that a 150000 Price is not a budget racer anymore.

[@chrisseidel6347]

j24 is the best. still a very active class. I own USA 4398

[@seanpadraig1266]

I would buy a used J9

[@stephenjensen275]

I was looking for a used J/92, I ended up with a J/29. The J/30, J/29 are fat hulls, The J92, J/100, J/9 are all thinner. What's the difference?

[@chrisrulla6386]

Evolution. The J/30 is generation 1. They needed form stability and had much of the lead up high in the keel rather than down in a bulb.

[@stevenf927]

I really don't like the jibsheet winches on the cabin trunk - terrible for singlehanding with the main and jib. I'd take a J/100 in a heartbeat over the J/9. Less expensive, faster, and better looking.

[@chrisrulla6386]

And it has a real traveler.

[@HaysClark]

That is a pretty big price-tag for such a snoozer of a boat. If racing, Melges 24 is a way better deal and it will have much better fleets. If going classic cruiser I'd much rather own a pre-owned Herreshoff 12 1/2 or Doughdish.

[@romaniandracula]

J22 is the answer for a longer and drier cockpit. For the price maybe 10 of them to start your own fleet instead of the J9. I’ll stick to my 24’ Farrier/Corsair tris, stay dry, easily trailer, seat as many people on some models, and sail as fast as the 40-50 foot J boats. And the cockpit is too wide to really do what that guy is doing. Talk about uncomfortable. Having sails and races J boats for years, I don’t totally understand the mystic but I guess 150 grand buys it for you.

[@richardduval9237]

First or Sunfast.

[@suggap0ps]

Blame inflation.

[@kirklivingston3991]

The J24 is not comparable to a J9. A better comparison are other modern day sailors.

[@Lew114]

I don’t follow.

[@kirklivingston3991]

@@Lew114 A better comparison to a J80 for example, J88 all with asymmetrical spins and a big cockpit.

[@CarlaCarter549]

Who TF wants to sleep with a toilet for a pillow? Something is very wrong with the interior of that boat.