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Black-sailed racing yachts close together at a start
Photo: Royce Fonseca / Unsplash

J/80

One-design class · Rod Johnstone · J/Boats · since 1993

Boats
23
Results
35
Wins
15
Races
12
Length
8m
Beam
2.49m
Draft
1.5m
Weight
1.3t
Sail area
41.2m²
Official builder page
OverviewCompareBoats23Races12

Why sailors choose the J/80

The J/80 is a 26-foot keelboat chosen for stable, forgiving one-design racing that does not demand an athletic crew. Owners like that it needs only three to five people, is easy to own and tune, and has a big international fleet. Newer classes such as the J/70 have drawn some owners away, and winning still takes careful rig and hull preparation.

  • Heavy lead keel gives stability and a big-boat feel
  • Races with three to five crew
  • Large worldwide one-design fleet of about 1,600 boats
  • Suits Corinthian teams and older sailors
  • Lost some owners to the J/70; top results need careful tuning

Our note

Most successful

  1. 1Filka3 wins · 3 results
  2. 2Team Baleària-RCNP2 wins · 4 results
  3. 3Palibex2 wins · 2 results

Specifications

One-design class

Designer
Rod Johnstone
Builder
J/Boats
First built
1993
Length
8m
Waterline
6.71m
Beam
2.49m
Draft
1.5m
Displacement
1,320kg
Ballast
650kg
Sail area upwind
41.2m²
Keel
bulb

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 class still gives amateur teams good racing, simple tuning and easy ownership; fleets steadied after some owners left for newer boats.

    Sailing World 'Inside the Classes' by David Reed · Sailing World, 2018

  • He moved from a J/30 to race with fewer people; four crew is ideal, and the boat is relaxed enough for a two-person daysail.

    J/80 owner Rich Harrison · Sailing World, 2018