J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Teresa from SA

Back in the '80s I used to wonder why the J/30 became a successful one-design on the Chesapeake and elsewhere while the J/29 did not. Also used to think if J/Boats had made all the J/29s masthead/inboard instead of the mix of fractional/masthead/inboard/outboard we'd all be sailing them instead. About ten years ago I realized, to my surprise and despite my overwhelming orientation to racing, that the J/30's selling points are the inboard, head, and a bit of headroom below. This was affirmed the first time I sailed a J/29, which as I've said is only marginally bigger below than a J/24. It has also been among the reasons I've been reluctant to go down to J/22 or up J/105, both of which now have more boats racing one-design in Annapolis.

I think the four versions thing was brutal for the J/29, but, as you say, the fact that the J/30 is a real racer/cruiser, not just a racer, makes a huge difference. It's a lot easier boat to pop out for a Wed. night with the whole family, without having to give up decent one design racing. Of course, the other, non trivial thing, these days, is the people. It's a fun class, and that really does help keep the class alive.

- David

When I was looking for a boat everyone had opinions about this boat and that, but the J/30 was a consistent, "that's a great boat". They really seemed to find a nice combination that is still working 25 years later.

When I was down at TPI, mmm.. Pearson Composits, for their open house this past March, I ran into Rod on a J/124 that was being built. He has one now so I asked him how he liked it and he said that he loves it but one of his wife's favorite boat is still the J/30 (I had a tag on that said what type of J I owned). He said it was still the only boat that she was completely comfortable taking out by herself with the kids.

David

[This message has been edited by dbows (edited 07-21-2006).]