Can anyone tell me if J30s were/are marketed in Europe. Is there a one design class.

It seems unlikely to find enough J/30s there to race one-design.

Earlier this year, I corresponded with Ron & Penny Hunt of Barbados, who own a 1979 J/30 built by Westerly in England (hull number WM15379). Alan Johnstone confirmed only that Bob Johnstone recalled 20 to 30 J/30s were built by Westerly in the early days, but had no other information in the archives.

An early J/30 Journal by J/Boats reported that hull #10 was shipped Westerly Marine to serve as a model as they began production in the UK. She was named Juggernaut and entered the Fastnet Race skippered by Andy Cassel and crewed by Tim Levett, a project manager from Westerly. It was later renamed Judicious and registered to Capt. Jock Smith of Dublin, Ireland circa 1993 (Capt. Smith was reported deceased in 1996). The only current information I have on any J/30 owners is hull #251 (TPI/WM?) Katla, owned by Martin and Ian Pavey and located in Ipswich, northeast of London.

Where are you? Do you know of any others?

We have owned Judicious (Hull # 10) for the last 6 years -
John & Nina Lillie
Phone 0044 1752 848636
Fax 0044 1752 844891
e-mail jlillie@simpson-lawrence.co.uk
As far as I am aware Westerly imported 2 boats Juggernaut (now Judicious) and JetLag. I dont think that they manufactured any.

If memory serves me JetLag went to Switzerland.


I know about the J30 in Ipswich. I had a report that someone saw one in cruising format c/w bicycle transitting the French canal system last year, and that, to my knowledge is it for Europe!

We are very happy with Judicious and intend to keep her - we wouldnt mind a newer one with the coamings and oven, but to import from the USA would seem to be too expensive.
Judicious has a Perkins M29 deisel engine (29hp) and Genesis sails. We do pretty well under the IRC handicap system.

We would love to have a go at sailing against other J30's and keep talking about chartering a good boat for the N/A's (anyone want to do a boat swap next summer).

John, I don't know how I overlooked you as both you and your boat Judicious are in the class directory. Interesting that you have a Perkins. Did you replace the Yanmar or know if it was replaced by a prior owner?