After the shipyard in Newport (Rhode Island) on the American east coast has been expanding its programme in the performance cruiser segment for some time, the Americans have now surprised us again with the announcement of a genuine dayboat or weekender under the type designation J/9. The new model is intended to be a late successor to the legendary and best-selling J/100. This was the last time the brand had a genuine daysailer in its portfolio (test in YACHT 24/2006).
Now the J/9 has adopted this successful concept. The features: a large cockpit, a short and flat cabin superstructure, slim and attractive lines, low freeboard and a layout that is as uncomplicated as possible with unrestricted single-handed suitability - a typical daysailer or weekender. J/Boats has reduced the concept to the bare essentials. "Keep it simple" is the motto.
The boat is supplied with a simple aluminium rig with a spreader. If you are travelling alone a lot, you can also have a self-tacking rail for the jib fitted as an alternative to the short overlapping genoa. For sportier sailors, a permanently attached carbon fibre bowsprit for a gennaker or code zero is also possible. Customers also have to choose whether they want to equip the boat with a small built-in diesel engine or an electric motor. However, both drive variants are only available as options and at an additional cost. The bathing platform at the stern, which is semi-separated from the long cockpit, is both unusual and interesting.
The interior below deck is sober and simple in keeping with the concept. For use as a weekender, the ship is fitted with a double berth in the bow. A small toilet is also integrated in the foredeck.
The J/9 will initially only be manufactured in the USA
The base price for the boat from the USA shipyard is currently 122,950 US dollars. Converted at the current exchange rate, this is currently around 115,400 euros net. Including 19% VAT, the pretty American comes to a base price of 146,300 euros (but without sails and without engine). Customers will also need to budget at least an additional 10,000 euros for the boat's transport from the USA to Europe. This is because the new J/9 will initially only be built in the J/Boats shipyard overseas. Production at the J Composites licence production facility in western France is not yet planned.
The first boat was delivered to the sales partner Dyna Sportboats in Switzerland in the autumn and was available to the YACHT editorial team there for a test. However, there was almost no wind at all. With just a hint of wind, the J/9 nevertheless showed very good and surprisingly agile sailing characteristics. The detailed test is planned for YACHT issue no. 4/2023. The magazine will be published at the beginning of February.
Technical data J/9
- Designer: R. Alan Johnstone
- Hull length: 8.54 m
- Waterline length: 7.75 m
- Width: 2.63 m
- Standard draught: 1.50 m
- Draft short keel: 1.19 m
- Weight: 1.93 tonnes
- Sail area downwind: 41.7 m2
