j9 sailboat video

J/Boats Unveils The Sleek New 28-footer “J/9”

Responding to a growing need amongst sailors for a comfortable, simple and easy-to-own daysailer, J/Boats announces a sleek new 28 footer (the “J/9”) with one of 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, or 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 corner seats to nestle into and enjoy the day. With friends and family aboard , everyone can find the perfect place to relax. 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 plan is for the first J/9 to launch in Spring 2021.

LOA 28 ft – 8,54 m LWL 25.4 ft – 7,75 m Beam 8.6 ft – 2,63 m Standard draft 4.9 ft – 1,5 m Shoal draft 3.9 ft – 1,19 m Displacement 4.25 lbs – 1.927 kg J/Boats Website

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YACHT Magazine Reviews the new J/9 Day Sailer from J Boats

Today, there are 15,000+ J/Boats from 22-65’ ranging in style from one-designs to racers, cruisers and daysailers, and the ubiquitous J sprit boats – J/Boats’ innovation in 1992 for easy-to-use asymmetric spinnakers and retractable carbon bowsprits.  J/Boats has been honored with 20+ Sailing World/ Cruising World Boat-of-the-Year Awards, the SAIL Award for Industry Leadership; two American Sailboat Hall of Fame Designs; and five WORLD SAILING International One-Design keelboat classes (J/22, J/24, J/70, J/80 and J/111).  Second generation, family managed since 1988, J/Boats is headquartered in Newport, Rhode Island..   For  information about YACHT magazine December 2021 issue

Click to learn more about the new J/9 Daysailer

#jboats, #j/9, #daysailer, #gulfocast, #dealer, #murrayyachtsales.com

J/BOATS AUSTRALIA

J/Boats Australia are the importers and distrubutors of the quality performance range of J/BOATS for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

J/9 DAY SAILER

INTRODUCING THE NEW J/9

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 or bring along friends and family 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 is easy. A swim platform behind the cockpit allows walk-through boarding, and on those downwind sails, you can cool off 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? One tiller, one sheet. The big difference with the J/9 is you will be sailing with one sail comfortably and quicker. Ready for a bit more speed? Simply unroll the jib and enjoy effortless, stable & smooth sailing from the comforts of one of the best day sailer cockpits ever.

J/9 STANDARD FEATURES

• Easy-access cockpit with deep, secure 9’ (2.75m) cockpit seats and backrests, self-draining cockpit and step-on transom for easy swim platform boarding.

• A deck layout optimized for simplicity and efficiency with sail controls led to the cockpit.

• 20” (0.5m) lifelines and rails with starboard and transom boarding gates for secure boarding from a dock or a launch.

• Keel-stepped, tapered aluminium mast with single spreaders.

• Jib roller furling system with single-line self-tacking option.

• Tiller steering –the driver can comfortably sit with feet braced across the cockpit. At anchor, simply hinge up the tiller to expand one’s social area. And for solo sailors a belowdecks auto-pilot is available.

• Low VCG (vertical centre of gravity) 4.9’(1.45m) fixed keel standard, with shoal-draft 3.9’ (1.15m) optional.

• Auxiliary engine options: inboard diesel, inboard electric, or transom bracket for portable electric or 4-stroke outboard.

• Interior with main cabin seating, cooler, storage compartments, ventilation from two opening ports and skylight hatch, and a marine head system forward of the main bulkhead with privacy curtain and optional V-Berth package.

Built in Rhode Island, USA by CCF Composites

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Want to find out more about the J/9?

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Published on November 21st, 2020 | by Editor

J/9 seeks to reimagine sailing

Published on November 21st, 2020 by Editor -->

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.

Tags: Industry , J Boats , J/9

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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, or 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 benefitted 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.

Additional Information

Construction • Hull and deck molded with biaxial and unidirectional E-glass fabrics and Corecell foam for optimal strength to weight ratio. High density core inserts used in way of highly loaded hardware. • White gelcoat hull with single boot stripe. • 10 year transferable warranty against osmotic hull blistering, 5 year structural warranty. • White gelcoat deck with molded non-skid on horizontal deck surfaces. • High strength, inward turning and overlapping hull to deck joint. • Molded ISO/ORC height foredeck toe-rails on foredeck. • Large self-draining cockpit with wrap-around seating and angled backrests. • Two large cockpit seat storage lockers. • Swim platform with transom boarding access and optional fold-up swim ladder. • Molded, structural transverse keel support beams. • 4.9’ draft low VCG lead keel bonded and bolted to keel sump. Option for 3.9’ draft keel.

Steering System • High aspect, balanced spade rudder mounted in self-aligning, low friction rudder bearings. • Custom laminated, curved tiller. • Adjustable tiller extension.

Electrical • One AGM Group 27 battery. • 12V DC On/Off battery switch. • 12V DC electrical distribution panel w/ 4 circuit breakers. • LED navigation lights. • UL approved stranded, tinned copper ABYC color-coded wiring. • Bonding system to meet ABYC regulations. • Two swiveling LED reading lights in main cabin. • Two red/white dome lights. • Automatic electric bilge pump and panel switch for manual operation.

Deck Hardware • SS fabricated chainplates for shrouds. • Foredeck skylight hatch mounted on cabin house forward of mast. • Two opening portlights on cabin house sides. • Companionway opening with molded seahood and slider. • Acrylic offshore removable dropboard with inside/outside lockable hasp. • Two 2-Speed 35:1 self-tailing winches on cabin top. • Two 10″ lock-in winch handles with winch handle pockets. • Two fixed jib tracks on cabin top with plunger-style jib cars. Option for self-tacking jib system. • 5:1 Mainsheet system leading to boom-mounted ratchet block/cam near the tiller. • Adjustable backstay system with control lines led to the cockpit. • Jib furling system with control line led to cockpit. • Halyard lead blocks mounted at mast base, halyard organizers and double rope clutches one per side. • Stainless bow rail, stanchions and stern rails with single 20” height lifeline, starboard boarding gate and transom gate. • Foredeck and transom mooring cleats (4). • Cockpit operated manual bilge pump operable from the helm.

Spars & Rigging • Tapered, fractional, keel-stepped aluminum mast with single sweptback spreaders attached with stainless thru-bar. Mast includes halyard sheaves, fittings for boom and boom vang attachments, masthead crane, shroud termination points and a steaming light. Spars finished in white. • Boom with 8:1 outhaul, mainsheet attachment points, sheaves for the outhaul and reef line, and lazy jack terminations. • Standing rigging: 1×19 wire forestay & side rigging with adjustable open-body turnbuckles. Soft Dyneema backstay. • Running rigging package including main and jib halyards, main and jib sheets, reef line, furler line, lazy jacks. Optional spinnaker package.

Interior • Main cabin with full length settee berth and removable backrest to port, double seat to starboard, storage compartments outboard and below the berth/seats. • Choice of Sunbrella fabrics for 3″ standard main salon cushions. • Teak and holly synthetic high-wear cabin sole in main cabin with centerline access to bilge. • 48 Quart Igloo cooler. • Angled companionway steps with nonskid treads. • Molded V-berth supports (Option for V-berth platform & cushions). • Head platform with Raritan PH-II WC, TP holder, holding tank and deck pump out fitting. • Centerline storage aft of companionway (or engine compartment and systems w/inboard engine option). • Air-dry gelcoat finish on interior hull & deck surfaces. Options • Two-tone deck. • Additional Opening portlights (2) on aft face of cabin. • Self-tacking jib system with athwartships track with jib sheet led aft to cockpit. • Asymmetric Spinnaker gear package – fixed carbon bowsprit with tack line, spinnaker sheets, halyard, and turning blocks to lead the sheet tails to the cabin top winches. • 110V 30amp Shore Power system with shore cord and AC panel one interior 110V outlet & battery charger. • V-Berth package with platform, two cushions and two swiveling reading lights. • Adjustable outboard bracket mounted centerline. • Electric inboard engine with pod-drive and cockpit operated controller. • Inboard diesel engine (Yanmar 2YM15) with Saildrive and two-blade folding prop. • Flexiteek synthetic cockpit floor and swim platform surfaces. • Retractable/folding swim ladder. • Comfort Group – mainsail cover and tiller cover in matching Sunbrella, and 2” cockpit cushions in white vinyl. • Cockpit dodger with side curtains.

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Boat Reviews of Pocket Cruisers and Daysailors: Tartan 245, J/9 and Beneteau First 27

• By Herb McCormick
• May 24, 2022

Sailboats are getting ­bigger all the time. Gone are the days when a boatbuilder like Catalina would pump out hundreds of Catalina 22s in a ­production run that would last decades. Profit margins for ­builders are far greater with larger ­vessels, and more and more ­buyers—even first-time buyers who’ve ­never owned a yacht—are ­coming into the market searching for boats 40 feet or greater. It’s kind of amazing but also true. 

That’s why it’s interesting and exciting when production boats under 30 feet debut, and it’s even better when our Boat of the Year judging panel has a dedicated class of nifty new ­offerings to inspect, as we did for model year 2022. 

What’s cool about the trio of boats that comprised this year’s Pocket Cruiser/Daysailer ­division—the Tartan 245, ­­

J/Boats 28-foot J/9 and Beneteau First 27—is that each was fundamentally different than the others, designed with a specific purpose or sailor in mind. Our task as judges was to determine which boat best served its stated purpose. As a big bonus, all three boats were stout ­performers and a blast to sail. 

With no further ado, let’s have a look at them. 

Tough Little Tartan

My first thought when I peered into the cockpit of the 24-foot, Tim Jackett-­designed Tartan 245 was that it reminded me very much of my ­ancient Pearson Ensign, which debuted in the early 1960s. Like the Ensign, the 245 is an unabashed ­daysailer with a long, inviting cockpit; good stowage beneath the ­cockpit’s coaming; and a ­little cuddy cabin forward for ­stashing sails and duffels, and for a ­simple berth or head while camping-c­ruising. When I mentioned this to Cai Svendsen, who’d commissioned the design for use as a trainer in the Judd Goldman Center’s adaptive sailing program, he expressed his fondness for the Ensign and confirmed that he’d incorporated some of its features in the brief.

But the 245 is also quite different than the old Pearson in several important ways. First, it employs a lifting keel with 900 pounds of ballast—a significant number in a vessel that displaces less than 3,000 pounds. Draft with the board down is 4 feet, 6 inches; raised, it’s a mere 1 foot, 8 inches. With a kick-up rudder, this boat can traverse very skinny water and even nudge right up to the beach. 

Next, with his experience teaching sailing (novices are known to whack the occasional dock), Svendsen opted for a false, sacrificial bow that is bolted on. It can be quickly and easily swapped out if damaged (you can also spec the boat without what Tartan calls the “Crunchbow”). 

Finally, like its larger siblings in the Tartan clan, the boat comes with a carbon rig (deck-stepped on the 245, with swept-back spreaders). You can also order an optional retractable carbon bowsprit for off-wind kites or reachers. For motoring in and out of the marina, there’s a 4 hp outboard. The whole package can be easily towed by a small pickup or SUV. 

The profile is no-nonsense with just a hint of a sheerline, and with an open transom for safe and easy swimming (something I wish they’d thought of on my Ensign). Sail controls are atop the coachroof, and the cockpit is definitely roomy; it is meant to accommodate four students and an instructor standing aft. Available sail plans include a choice of overlapping headsails or a self-tacking jib. The whole idea is to make the boat simple and accessible, a fact underscored by its potential use in programs where a wheelchair can be rolled aboard. 

Svendsen was gracious enough to take us for an afternoon spin on Chesapeake Bay in a fitful breeze that never topped 10 knots. It mattered not a whit. The tiller-steered 245, with a simple tiller extension so you perch up on the rail with a grand view, was an absolute blast to sail, quite responsive, and surprisingly quick considering its diminutive stature. (The 245 shares this prowess with the many Jackett ­designs in the Tartan lineup.)

When we sailed right up to the dock and dropped the main, Svendsen left us with this accurate thought: “Little boats are where you have fun. Big boats are where you spend money.” 

He’s totally correct. With the Tartan 245, in the fun/cash quotient, the return on investment can be measured in miles and smiles. 

• tartanyachts.com
• 440-392-2628

Everyone can agree on how ­awful the pandemic has been, but for fans of the sweet sailing line of J/Boats—designed and marketed by the Johnstone family for some 45 years now—the COVID-19 cloud had a silver lining. It was at least partially responsible for the creation of the company’s latest model: the simple 28-foot daysailer dubbed the J/9.

Company president Jeff Johnstone said that the inspiration for the J/9 came when the regatta season was canceled and he spent time sailing exclusively with his family on a 23-foot J/70, the only boat that was available. 

“It was the best summer,” he says. “No racing, just pleasure sailing. I rediscovered my joy for it. We got to the fall and started thinking about older sailors, this whole generation of baby boomers who might be getting out of racing but still want to sail. And we revisited the concept behind the J/100, a 33-footer that was ideal for a simple day’s sail.” 

The seed was planted; ­simplicity would reign.

As Johnstone says, all ­

J/Boats perform well under main alone. Having owned both a J/24 and a J/30, I can ­attest that the statement is without hyperbole. At first, the idea was to perhaps go with a boat driven solely by a mainsail. “But it didn’t take long before our sailing instincts kicked in and we wanted to go upwind,” Johnstone says. 

So the boat became a straightforward sloop with a furling jib. Hoist the main, ­unroll the headsail, and away you go. (A short, fixed sprit is available for those who must ­also fly a spinnaker.) 

As with the Tartan 245, the focal point of the J/9 is the cockpit, and it’s clear the team spent a lot of time considering it. (That said, the J’s interior is actually quite cozy, with a pair of settees and an optional V-berth forward; I could have a fun time aboard on a little camping-­cruising vacation.) Johnstone said that his team was enamored with and inspired by the Carl Schumacher-­designed Alerion Express 28, a fine little sailboat, but the Johnstones made what I consider a significant improvement by going with an open transom that airs out things aesthetically and makes practical sense as a perfect swimming/boarding platform. 

RELATED: 2022 Boat of the Year: Best Pocket Cruiser/Daysailer

The boat has a trio of auxiliary options: a basic outboard, an inboard diesel, or an electric Torqeedo Cruise 4.0 pod drive with a dual-blade folding prop that’s powered by a 48-volt, 5 kW lithium-ion battery with a 650-watt charger that can be plugged ­directly into dockside shore ­power. “It’s the first time in our ­history that we could offer an electric alternative at the same price as the diesel, not 20 percent more,” Johnstone says. “And talk about a simple ­installation.”

We sailed the J/9 on a cracking fall day on Chesapeake Bay in an ideal 10 to 12 knots, and man, it did not disappoint. As advertised, the layout is simplicity personified: one hand on the tiller, the other on the mainsheet. There’s no traveler, but the boom is controlled by an ingenious bridle ­setup. There’s a clear view of the B&G plotter on the coachroof, the solid Sparcraft vang aids in boom control, and lazy jacks for the main keep everything manageable. And the J/9 sails like a witch, notching just shy of 7 knots hard on the breeze, and topping that ­number cracked off on a reach. 

The joy of sailing, eh? Here’s your ticket. 

• 401-846-8410

First Is First

When all was said and ­done, the winning entry in the ­Pocket Cruiser/Daysailer class was the Beneteau First 27. 

It was a tough call because the three boats were so apart from one another—not apples and oranges, but an apple, an orange and a pear. Yet the judges were unanimous in our choice, partly because of the Beneteau’s excellent fit-and-finish, and also because we felt it best-suited for what it set out to do. 

“The mission for this boat is shorthanded distance racing, and I think that’s really interesting. It’s probably the fastest-growing segment in the racing scene,” judge Tim Murphy says. “The idea is getting sailors in a competitive environment to really develop themselves as sailors. When racing, it’s not about comfort; it’s all about the sailor getting offshore and navigating and sailing overnight, and having the sail controls and layout set up to derive and maximize the power available in the boat, which is significant. It’s a tool for really becoming an experienced sailor. I think that ­mission is really strong.”

To underscore that point, our test sail aboard the First 27 was sensational, conducted in 10 to 14 knots of fine Chesapeake Bay wind, with speeds topping out at almost 8 knots hard on the breeze. We did 10 knots with the asymmetric kite up and drawing—it’s set off a retractable sprit—on a tight, close reach. The little rocket is a ball to steer, with a full-width traveler to dump the main in the gusts, and twin outboard rudders that really grip the seaway and offer pinpoint control. Remember, we’re talking about a boat shorter than 27 feet here. It provides the sort of performance usually reserved for craft with significantly ­longer waterlines. 

However, make no mistake—the First 27 is by no means a stripped-out, Spartan ­racing machine (well, at least the ­version we sailed; there are two models: one a dedicated racer and the racer/cruiser we tested). All the elements are there for real coastal cruising: a serviceable galley, head and berths, and a 15 hp Yanmar diesel. Yes, the boat was conceived for racing, but it’s also a quite adequate pocket cruiser as well. And on top of all that, it’s trailerable.

Built in Slovenia, the boat was originally marketed as the Seascape 27 before Beneteau acquired the company and rebranded the model as the First 27. Construction is top-notch: vacuum infusion with a PVC foam core, a laminate that’s light and strong. Nearly 1,350 pounds of ballast are incorporated in the lead, T-shaped bull keel (fastened to a steel blade), a significant figure in a vessel that displaces less than 4,000 pounds (the sail area/displacement ratio of 97 is not a typo). The idea was to instill super stability in a hull that planes, a concept that might seem diametrically opposed but works well in practice here. There’s even a little crash bulkhead forward. And all the related equipment is terrific: Seldén spars, Harken winches, B&G instruments and a Spinlock tiller extension, to name a few. 

There’s no question that this is an athletic boat to sail and operate, and plenty of adjustments in the rig and sail plan make it eminently tweakable. In other words, there’s nothing sedate about the boat underway. But the effort put in is returned with thrills in spades. For a certain brand of sailor, the trade-off and rewards will be more than worth the sweat equity involved.  

• beneteau​.com
• 401-990-0270

Herb McCormick is a CW  editor-at-large. 

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J Boats J/9

* Price shown is the base price and does not include options, freight and prep. *

All boat showing are by appointment only. Please contact our broker to schedule. Contact Us About This Yacht

Specifications

Builder:  J Boats Model: J/9 LOA:  28′ LWL:  25.40′ Beam:  8.60′ Draft:  4.90′ / 3.90′ Displacement:  4,250 lbs

J/9 Aces Sailing Test with Flying Color

The J/9 cockpit comfort is second to none, both when sailing and at the dock. We couldn’t find a spot that wasn’t comfortable to sit in. Nor did we come close to maxing out the number of people aboard – in fact five adults can sit on the same side of the cockpit. But it’s more than just seat comfort. Being able to steer in a relaxed manner with feet braced across the cockpit, easily see over the cabin top, and have the main sheet and backstay controls at your fingertips, is what also makes the J/9 so comfortable and fun to sail.

One sail is all you need for a perfect day’s sail. We had a wonderful two-couple J/9 outing over Memorial Day Weekend. We started by hoisting the mainsail under the lee of Fort Adams in Newport, and then turned the corner upwind into a building 12-14 knot sea breeze. The J/9 quickly settled onto a steady angle of heel and knifed through the southwesterly chop with minimal fuss. The small roller furling jib was at the ready, but everyone was wearing such big smiles that we left the jib furled and happily continued the rest of the afternoon under mainsail only, exploring all the anchorages in the area. Back in the harbor, we couldn’t resist a bit of showing off and ended up short-tacking through the crowded mooring field past many admiring onlookers. One tiller and one sheet, and no one had to move a muscle. What a day!

Less is More – it’s easy to overcomplicate the rigging and deck layout in pursuit of an extra tenth of boat speed, but how essential are these extras for daysailing? And is all the extra visual clutter worth it? Thanks to a very simple mainsheet bridle that allows the boom to nearly reach the centerline while sailing upwind, the traveler track and controls are GONE on the J/9. Thanks to inboard jib tracks (on the coach roof) that allow a narrow jib sheeting angle for better upwind performance, the cockpit winches (that otherwise seem to only serve as elbow bruisers) are also GONE.

The J/9 is the perfect size for family daysailing – boats come in all shapes and sizes but until you invite the kids and their kids it’s hard to know just how much boat one needs to keep everyone happy. With such a smooth, seakindly sailing motion and 9’ long cockpit seats with an aft swimming platform, you’d think the J/9 was a 35-footer. But you’ll be very happy it isn’t when you realize how much easier 28 feet is to own, sail, and maintain.

Additional Information

• With the tiller extension, you can steer the boat from the front of the cockpit, under the dodger, and reach all the controls – perfect if having to sail in adverse weather. The aft corner seats are equally as comfy, and the cockpit coamings are the perfect height for armrests. The addition of dedicated cockpit drains enables the main cockpit floor to be lower to provide more comfortable, deeper seating and better bracing while standing and steering.
• Abovedeck or belowdecks autopilot can be installed aftermarket.
• The J/9 gets rid of all that clutter with jib tracks installed on an 8.5-degree sheeting angle with easy trimming right to the cabin top winches. Tacking between cabin top winches is much easier than primary winches (no scrambling across the cockpit needed). This one, small change significantly cleans up the side decks.
• This is the first J with the primary mainsheet purchase at the end of the boom and the sheet tail coming out mid-boom into the cockpit near the tiller. Instead of a bulky traveler with cars, blocks, purchase, control lines, etc. the J/9 will have a mainsheet purchase that floats on a double Dyneema strop.
• The ideal outboard for the J/9 will be a 6HP. A 5HP could be sufficient in protected waters without strong tides. The final design for the outboard bracket is in process and will include a tilt-up position so the outboard can remain on the transom while sailing.
• The J/9 could be the perfect main-only or jib & main only daysailer, but yes, we will be offering a sprit option. We are finalizing the design for a 2-3’ fixed carbon sprit option that matches the low profile of the boat and will be packaged with all the necessary rigging and blocks. This option will be available to add aftermarket.
• We’re continuing to work on an optional sail package as well as some of the popularly requested aftermarket commissioning items like Awlgrip (or vinyl wrap) topsides, bottom paint, and safety packages.

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Siblings, 8 and, 5 killed, 13 injured as suspected drunk driver plows through children’s birthday.

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Two young siblings were killed and 13 other people were injured when a suspected drunk driver plowed through a children’s birthday at a Michigan boat club Saturday.

The horror unfolded around 3 p.m. when a 66-year-old woman crashed 25 feet through the Swan Creek Boat Club, where the kids and their parents were enjoying the festivities, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said.

“The scene was described by the first responders as extremely chaotic, with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” he said.

An alarming video shows the woman’s blue SUV speeding through the club’s parking lot and smashing into the back wall of the building, narrowly missing a lamp post.

A plume of debris can be seen exploding out of the corner of the frame, cutting off the catastrophic damage the allegedly drunken woman caused.

An 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother died at the scene, police said.

Three children and six adults were taken to area hospitals by two helicopters or ambulances, some with life-threatening injuries.

Others injured were given first aid at the scene, and some of them were taken to hospitals by private vehicles.

Police did not identify the woman, but said she had been taken into custody on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing death.

She was cooperating with authorities and likely would face more charges as the investigation continues, according to Goodnough.

The Swan Boat Club announced it would be shutting down for the remainder of the weekend in light of the disaster.

“There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion. Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers,” the boat club said on Facebook.

The accident occurred in Berlin Township, about 30 miles south of Detroit.

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The alternate channel, located to the northeast of the fallen bridge, is open to “commercially essential vessels,” port officials announced late Friday.

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Siblings killed, multiple injured after driver crashes into building during birthday party at Swan Boat Club

BERLIN CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — A vehicle crashed into a building during a children's birthday party on Saturday afternoon in Monroe County, killing two siblings and seriously injuring other kids and adults, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

VIDEO: Watch Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough provide an update after the tragedy:

Multiple agencies responded to the scene at Swan Boat Club located in the 600 block of Brancheau Road in Berlin Charter Township around 3 p.m.

Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough said an 8-year-old girl and her 5-year-old brother were killed in the crash. Goodnough said 15 people were injured, and that nine people were transported via ambulance or medical helicopter. Of the nine, three are children and six are adults.

Officials said a 66-year-old woman crashed into the building, entering about 25 feet inside. Sheriff Goodnough said the woman was taken into police custody for Operating While Intoxicated Causing Death. He said additional charges will likely be brought against the driver.

VIDEO: Video shows the vehicle right before the deadly crash into the building:

Goodnough said first responders described the scene as "extremely chaotic with high level of emotions."

Video from the scene showed a large hole in one of the buildings.

Swan Boat Club posted the following statement to their Facebook page:

Officials said this is an active investigation.

Stay with WXYZ.com for updates on this breaking news story.

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