I sail on an inland lake and currently have a J/24. I've always wanted a J/30 and now have the chance to own one. I race in local phrf club races, mostly distance races around government bouys, against other keel boats with phrf ratings anywhere from 135 to 225. The wind is on average light to medium. We raced yesterday with the wind blowing between 8 and 13 mph, which was a good day for us. My question, to those who have sailed both, what sailing characteristics does the J/24 and J/30 share? Will the J/30 perform well in light air and how different is it from the J/24 in light air? All advice and help is greatly appreciated.

Like the 24, the 30 is sensitive to weight location, a light hand on the helm and good crew that can do their job with the least amount of movement, and the obvious sail trim etc.

I find we lose ~2-3 places in the standings in really light air under phrf (we are also the slowest rated boat in the fleet, you would be the fastest). We have won some but this is due to some lucky tactical advantage vs boat speed. Above 8+ we can sail with all the boats in the fleet pretty evenly except downwind. Above 12+ we can run away from anyone in the fleet upwind and easily stay ahead of the other boats in the fleet downwind.

Our strategy is to hang as close as we can on light days and race aggressivly on the days we have wind. Then we hope at the end of the season the days with wind out number the days with light wind (below 6knts).

Don't know if this helps your decision or not.

This is all an argument for One Design (-:

David
#397

(Ignoring how to win in PHRF) Both have large and responsive rudders though some find the J/30 heavy on the helm while reaching with the #1. Both generally neutral helm and do well if sailed flat, due to the late '70s stubby keel. Weight on the rail helps. In breeze most J/30's have a dedicated mainsheet trimmer, leting the driver concentrate on steering.