There has been a tremendous amount of buzz surrounding the J/111 since the new design was announced at the Annapolis Boat Show. Many people have noted that some of the styling is a subtle departure from typical J designs, but overall it is pure J/Boat. The development of the 111 was motivated by an owner looking for a new boat for the Sydney-Hobart race - he'll be racing hull #1 in that event in December 2010.
We now have the full specs and pricing for the boat, and I'm really excited about what the team at J/Boats has put together. This is a boat that is going to be fast, versatile, and easy to sail. And did I already say fast?
Unlike the latest crop of IRC-optimized designs that have higher displacement numbers, the 111 is a lightweight boat, made to get up on a plane downwind and hit double-digit speeds. A carbon fiber mast, high sail area to displacement ratio, two-metal keel and low cabin house make this possible. The standing headroom, functional galley and nav station assure broad enough market appeal that a One Design class should take shape. Here are some dimension comparisons that you should find enlightening:
All that power is made manageable with the deck features you expect from a J/Boat - outboard shrouds for a non-overlapping headsail, floor mounted traveler and a retractable sprit. This will be a very easy boat to sail, and it will sail very fast.
The J/111 will be built at CCFC in Bristol RI - same builder as the J/95 and J/100. So far I've been impressed with their work and they have the capacity to ramp up production as needed. With nearly 20 J/111 hulls reserved so far, it might be needed!
Posts
