See more articles

J/Boats J/109 Design Preview

J/Boat's J/109 To be Built Initially in Europe

By Staff

August 30, 2001

Photos courtesy JBoats

JBoats' new J109 joins a crowded 35' racer-cruiser market this fall. Built at the J Composites plant in France, it makes its European debut at September boat shows. North American sailors will get their first look in November when the boat sails in Annapolis.

A new 35' racer-cruiser, the J/109 features the popular carbon fiber retractable bowsprit and asymmetric spinnaker system and a 2-cabin interior layout with standing headroom. The J/109 is designed with a very low VCG, long waterline, and generous sailplan with the horse power for competitive racing and stability for relaxed cruising when the racing crew is not aboard. The J/109 fits within the current J/Boat sprit range as a stable, easy to sail performance boat with the interior volume necessary for comfortable cruising and a great dual purpose deck layout.

The sleek profile and generous sailplan give one an immediate sense of the speed potential of the J/109. The hull profile reveals a long waterline, low wetted surface and a low VCG fin keel (7'), designed for excellent stability when sailing short-handed.

The deck/cockpit layout is a cross between the J/105 and J/120, the two J/stablemates that clearly bracket the targeted market for the J/109. Sail handling systems follow the J philosophy of keeping things easy. Halyards and reef lines are cockpit led, mainsheet controls are within reach of the wheel, and inboard sheeting tracks permit the use of both overlapping and non-overlapping headsails. With the Comfort Pack (Harken furling, dodger, hot water, battery charger, cockpit shower and shore power), the J/109 is ready to cruise. There is ample on-deck stowage, thanks to the transom locker, cockpit seat locker and a bow compartment large enough for both the anchor rode and the asymmetric spinnaker.

The interior is European style with two private sleeping cabins and an option for a pull-out double in the large main cabin. The "L" shaped galley includes a double sink, two burner propane stove and a pressure water system. The nav station is a large sit-down forward-facing console with abundant space for instrument displays. The head is located aft near the companionway, providing easy access from the cockpit while underway.

The J/109 laminates and structure are engineered by TPI Composites to optimize strength and durability without excess weight. J/109s are built utilizing the SCRIMP molding process.

The J/109 is powered by a Volvo MD 2030 28HP, sail drive engine with a two blade folding prop and an 85 liter (18.5) gallon fuel tank. The steering system features a large diameter (48") wheel with leather grip, a high-aspect spade rudder and JP3 self-aligning rudder bearings.

The J109 makes its European debut at the Amsterdam and La Rochelle boatshows in early September (4-9 and 5-10 respectively), then at the Southampton Boat Show (September 14 - 25). The first J109 will arrive too late in the US for the Annapolis boatshow (October 4-8) but will be in Annapolis in early November and will be exhibited at some winter shows in early 2002.

Specifications

	US (ft)	Metric (m)
LOA	35.25	10.75
LWL	30.50	9.30
Beam	11.50	3.51
Standard Draft	7.00	2.10
Shoal Draft Keel Option	5.50	1.68
Displacement	10500	4763
Lead Keel	3900	1769
Engine	28 hp	28hp
Headroom	6'2"	1.88
100% SA	644	59.8
I	46.50	14.17
ISP	49.00	14.93
J	13.30	4.05
P	43.25	13.18
E	15.50	4.72
SA/Dspl	21	21
Dspl/L	165	165