J/111: Made to Go Fast

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!

Factory Visits

I spent most of Thursday in Rhode Island, at Pearson Composites (Alerion Express), CCFC (new J/95 builder for J/Boats), and US Watercraft/Waterline Systems (J/22, J/24, J/105). It is always very rewarding to go to the factory and get some hands-on time with boats that are in production. It is the best way to get first-hand product knowledge, and very enlightening for clients as well.

Most of the time was spent at CCFC where Rod, Al and Jeff Johnstone discussed the new J/95, a keel/centerboard boat will draw only 3' with the board up (5'5" board down). It is another big innovation from J/Boats at a time when innovation is the only thing selling boats, and I think it will be a winner. Now sailors in thin-water venues like Barnegat Bay can enjoy J/Boat performance.

Most of the J/Boat dealers from the eastern US were in attendance, which means I was in a roomful of yacht brokers. As usual, I was about 20 years younger than the average broker.


J/95 cockpit and deck, just out of the mold




J/95 bow - notice the new engineering that will conceal the retractable sprit when not in use




Joe DaPonte from CCFC, new builder for the J/95 (he's holding a rudder)



Centerboard trunk for the J/95



CCFC - a very clean custom-built facility



Jeff Johnstone and the J/95 hull mold



An Alerion Express 33 with furniture being installed.



Alerion Express 28, ready for engine installation

The first person to correctly identify this mold wins a pony!