J/70
One-design class · Alan Johnstone · J/Boats · since 2012
- Boats
- 19
- Results
- 26
- Wins
- 12
- Races
- 10
- Length
- 6.93m
- Beam
- 2.25m
- Draft
- 1.45m
- Weight
- 0.8t
- Sail area
- 26.38m²
Why sailors choose the J/70
The J/70 is a 23-foot sportboat that became the world's largest keelboat one-design, used heavily in national sailing leagues. Sailors choose it because it is light enough to tow and ramp-launch, stable for mixed-age crews, and quick on a plane. It is a pure day racer with almost no accommodation.
- Trailerable and ramp-launchable, fits in a garage
- Large global class with world, continental and league events
- Stable enough for families and mixed crews
- Lively planing speed in a breeze
- Minimal cabin comfort
Our note
Specifications
One-design class
- Designer
- Alan Johnstone
- Builder
- J/Boats
- First built
- 2012
- Length
- 6.93m
- Waterline
- 6.24m
- Beam
- 2.25m
- Draft
- 1.45m
- Displacement
- 795kg
- Ballast
- 290kg
- Sail area upwind
- 26.38m²
- Keel
- lifting
Published figures for the design; individual boats are often modified. Sources: boat-specs.com
What sailors and testers say · in our words, from the linked pages
The builder pitches it as towable by an ordinary car, stable for juniors and seniors, and sailed by over 1,800 boats in 30-plus countries.
J/Boats (builder) · J/Boats, 2026
He found it stiff and slippery in light air, saw mid-teen speeds in 15 knots, and quickly liked its carbon rig, retracting sprit and cockpit.
Yachting World tester Toby Hodges · Yachting World, 2013
Against its rivals
The J/70 against four designs like it, from published figures. Swap any of the four. Each spoke is scaled to the largest of the five; a figure that isn't published sits at the centre (— in the table).
| Design | Length | Beam | Draft | Weight | Sail area | Power (SA/D) | Boats racing | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J/70 | 6.9 m | 2.25 m | 1.45 m | 0.8 t | 26 m² | 31.2 | 19 | 12 |
| J/24 | 7.3 m | 2.70 m | 1.20 m | 1.4 t | 32 m² | 26.2 | 2 | 3 |
| J/80 | 8.0 m | 2.49 m | 1.50 m | 1.3 t | 41 m² | 34.8 | 23 | 15 |
| Melges 24 | 7.3 m | 2.50 m | 1.52 m | 0.8 t | 33 m² | 38.6 | 12 | 14 |
| Mini 6.50 Proto | 6.5 m | 3.00 m | 2.00 m | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
| Boat | Sail no. | Skipper or owner | Years | Results | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euro Voiles | — | Denis Infante | 2025–2026 | 5 | 3 |
| MARMARA YELKEN SPOR KULUBU / MAYK | TUR1731 | Batu Özonur | 2026 | 2 | 2 |
| Solyd Property Developers | — | Vasco Serpa | 2024–2025 | 2 | 1 |
| In2TheBlue | — | Martin Emmer | 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| Kanguru | — | Kristyn Gills | 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| Navis Portugal | — | Diogo Pereira | 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| PLACEBO | POR 5 | Henrique ANJOS | 2025 | 1 | 1 |
| SOLYD SAILING TEAM | POR 1618 | Vasco SERPA | 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| VIKING/ OCEANPACT | BRA 641 | Haroldo SOLBERG | 2026 | 1 | 1 |
| CALLISTO | — | James MURRAY | 2024–2026 | 2 | — |
| BáBá | — | Nuno ESPÍRITO SANTO SILVA | 2024 | 1 | — |
| Boot Tulln | — | Christian Bayer | 2024 | 1 | — |
| HOTEL VALVERDE | — | Pedro MENDES LEAL | 2025 | 1 | — |
| J-70 | — | Jeremija Kurbanović | 2021 | 1 | — |
| Mojito | — | Egor Volkov | 2021 | 1 | — |
| pantaenius Yachtclub Austria | — | Emilia Pottinger | 2024 | 1 | — |
| SAVASANA | — | Brian KEANE | 2026 | 1 | — |
| TRIMARINE/SAILCASCAIS | — | Rui BRITES | 2024 | 1 | — |
| WILCO | — | Diego GUARDAMINO | 2025 | 1 | — |
| Race | Results of this design | Wins | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cascais Vela | 9 | 3 | 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| Primo Cup – Trophée UBS | 4 | 2 | 2025, 2026 |
| Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy | 3 | 2 | 2024, 2025 |
| Alpe Adria Sailing Week | 3 | 1 | 2024 |
| Portonovi Regatta Boka Islands | 2 | — | 2021 |
| Semaine Nautique Internationale de la Méditerranée (SNIM) | 1 | 1 | 2026 |
| Bosphorus Kabotaj Cup | 1 | 1 | 2026 |
| TAYK Captain Haddock Cup | 1 | 1 | 2026 |
| Sandberg PalmaVela | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Loro Piana Giraglia | 1 | — | 2024 |