j30 sailboat top speed

The J30 is a 29.83ft fractional sloop designed by Johnstone and built in fiberglass by J Boats between 1979 and 1986.

554 units have been built..

The J30 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a good performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

J30 for sale elsewhere on the web:

Main features

Login or register to personnalize this screen.

You will be able to pin external links of your choice.

See how Sailboatlab works in video

We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt

Accommodations

Builder data, other photos.

Modal Title

The content of your modal.

Personalize your sailboat data sheet

• AROUND THE SAILING WORLD
• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Email Newsletters
• Best Marine Electronics & Technology
• America’s Cup
• St. Petersburg
• Caribbean Championship
• Boating Safety

• By Bill Brockway
• Updated: February 8, 2002

Designed by Rod Johnstone in 1978, the J/30 was in production from 1979 through 1986, with 545 hulls built. The average selling price is $28,000. It takes a crew of seven to race the boat.

The J/30 is noted for heavy-air performance. It holds its own in moderate and light air as well, but really excels when it’s windier. The boat has several cruising amenities (standing headroom, enclosed head, large icebox, and hot water) for those who want to dual-purpose.

Many J/30s suffer from core rot due to water penetration around the chainplates, which could cost as much as $3,000 to professionally repair. New laminated racing sails should be approximately $9,000, but one-design class rules stipulate a Dacron main, reducing the cost.

J/30 http://www.J30.org Typical monthly costs: $852 Annual budget range: $2,000 to $12,000 PHRF 135 to 144 LOA 29’11” LWL 25′ Beam 11’2″ Draft 5’3″ Disp. 6,700 lbs. SA 460 sq. ft.

Back to main story

• More: Sailboats
• More Sailboats

Nautor Swan Has A New Pocket Rocket

Pogo Launches its Latest Coastal Rocket

A Deeper Dive Into the Storm 18

2024 Boat of the Year Best Recreational Racer: Z24

America’s Offshore Couple

Jobson All-Star Juniors 2024: The Fast Generation

Wingfoiling Gear: A Beginner’s Guide

Caudrelier Wins Round-the-World Solo Sprint

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Florida Travel + Life
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

• Forums New posts Unanswered threads Register Top Posts Email
• What's new New posts New Posts (legacy) Latest activity New media
• Media New media New comments
• Boat Info Downloads Weekly Quiz Topic FAQ 10000boatnames.com
• Classifieds Sell Your Boat Used Gear for Sale
• Parts General Marine Parts Hunter Beneteau Catalina MacGregor Oday
• Help Terms of Use Monday Mail Subscribe Monday Mail Unsubscribe
• Thread starter shemandr
• Start date Nov 23, 2015
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

I'm looking for info re this boat. I've done the sailboatdata.com, and google and the class association. I'm looking for tips for survey, performance info from anyone who has owned one or raced one - either on board or against one. Basically, I considering this for a Wed. Pm and club level PHRF racing for limited crew. Our regular Wed Pm breeze is 15- 18 knots. I would keep the jib on a furler and am considering using just the 105% as a working sail. Most of the sailing would be the admiral and I. No apes on the rail. We also would like to do overnights at a local anchorage. Nothing long distance. I know J 24's, 22's, 27's and 29's but I don't know much about the 30. What does anyone think?  

It's hard not to look at the 30 and see a big J24. Indeed it was designed right after the 24. Its a very decent boat; quick for sure. Will absolutely CRUSH any of its contemporaries in the 29-31 foot range that were coming out at the same time. (C&C, Bristol, Cal, etc) you name it. Only the Olson 30 is close. The boat is a bit tender but OK with a jib. Two can handle it easily that way. Fractional rig helps the 2-up part as well. Just play the main and all is golden. Hopefully your PHRF board will give you some credit for the jib and the furler. Racing? Limited (spin) crew means 5. Cruising fine. I think it has a 1-cyl diesel and is LOUD downstairs. No anchor locker on deck IIRC. Headroom is low, and tankage is small for a cruiser. But thats fixable. The whole thing is cored so look hard for wetness. Look for signs of strain from the rigging. Most have been sailed HARD.  

The J30 is a very nice boat. It was on my short list when I was looking to purchase a boat in the 30 foot size range. I crewed on one years ago and am pretty familiar with it. Ultimately I decided against buying one because it had to be sailed very flat to be competitive and I knew that I wouldn't have the crew weight to do that. My sailing area typically has wind speeds in the 15 knot range. The boat also developed a lot of weather helm as she heeled, primarily because of the wide beam. They are very fast down wind in a blow but struggle in light air and chop. Specific areas to check on the J30 are the structural supports for the engine mounts and the fiberglass floor around the mast step. The hull and deck are balsa cored so a moisture check should be done. I'd be surprised if they come up dry as almost all boats with this type of construction have some issues. It's just a matter of how widespread it is. There were two cockpit disigns over the years. The earlier models had cockpits which were similar to the J24 with almost no coaming. The later models had coamings which helped keep water out of the cockpit.  

Jackdaw, They came with a Yanmar 2GM 2 cylinder diesel. The anchor locker is on the starboard side near the chain plate. A Danforth type anchor can be stored vertically. It's easy to miss because the locker lid is narrow and doesn't look like a typical anchor locker especially because of its location.  

Ted said: The anchor locker is on the starboard side near the chain plate. A Danforth type anchor can be stored vertically. It's easy to miss because the locker lid is narrow and doesn't look like a typical anchor locker especially because of its location. Click to expand

I appreciate the responses. I'll probably take a look at it. I'm a little concerned about the draft which is a bit over what's considered max around here. I'll see if the condition is good enough to worry about that.  

The J30 has been popular in my club for the past 20 or more years. There are 2 deck versions, the older version does not have backrests in the cockpit the newer version does. They do like to be sailed flat. The transom hung rudder can develop some weather helm and in heavier conditions it is not well balanced so it takes more effort to steer. As others have noted, the entire boat is balsa cored, so watch out for wet core or the price should reflect the wet coring. Head room is just under 6'. The interior is comfortable for short term cruising, a week or two, not a boat that I would want to live aboard. The One Design J30 has a longer spin pole than PHRF allows, so you pay a rating penalty. Some boats have had problems with wet transoms. Here's a link to the J30 Class Association: http://j30.us/blog/  

DL, Maybe you can confirm for me that the 163 is the class jib? I was looking on the Class Association site and that seems to be the case. I didn't find the class rules or a link to such.  

Here's link to the class rules. Paragraph 5.12.5.1 describes the allowable limits of the #1 Genoa's LP. ' Its been a few years since I raced on J30, but I think the class mostly uses 155% genoas. We always referred to them by number, 1, 2, or 3. Edit: forgot to paste the link! http://j30.us/j30.org/public_html/html/technical/J30-2013-Class-Rules-only.pdf  

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…

New Jaktar J-30: Go-Anywhere Explorer Boat

Jaktar, a new builder in Stockholm, just launched its J-30 explorer boat, designed for the far north, but capable of cruising everywhere from the near Arctic to the Great Loop. Indeed, Vripack, the Dutch firm that designed the Jaktar, says the brief called for a boat that was “to be ready to go anywhere, at any time.”

The Jacktar J-30 is hand-built using marine-grade aluminum. It has a 46-knot top speed from two 300-hp outboards. (You also can order it with two 250-hp outboards for greater fuel economy and range.)

The company says the J-30 was “built for performance and comfort in the toughest conditions. It’s a warrior of the seas.” In fact, it could be used as an expedition boat, a fishing boat, a family weekender. With its relatively light weight and 8’ 5” beam, it also can be easily towed from one remote coastal destination to another.

The J-30 is a marriage of Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic with Vripack’s Dutch marine expertise. Bart M. Bouwhuis, Vripack’s co-creative director, says it “packs a powerful punch while cradling its guests in comfort and safety,” adding that it is “the utility knife of boats.”

The J-30 can carry eight people and it has one cabin with two berths and one head below. The pilothouse has panoramic windows and suspended seats for comfort. Two 2.2kW Webasto diesel heaters keep everyone warm, and a Seakeeper gyro keeps them comfortable.

Unique gas-lifted gullwing doors provide access to the bow from the pilothouse. You can run the boat up to a beach and them climb off the bow.

Specs.: LOA: 31’7”; Beam: 8’5”; Draft: 1’8”; Disp. w/o engines: 5,676 lbs.; Fuel: 171 gals.; Water: NA; Power: 2×300-hp outboards. Click on Jaktar’s link below to read more and see a great video:

http://jaktar.com

http://vripack.com

About Author

Related Posts

More Remains Revealed of Historic Shipwreck

George Bush’s Fidelity V Sold at Auction

Johnson Launches Large New 70

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

• Sailboat Guide

1982 J Boats J 30

• Description

Seller's Description

1982 J30 Sailboat

Excellent Condition - stored indoors in heated building during off season. Triad Trailer - new tires in 2015 Bottom professionally sanded and barrier coated - 2016 Martec prop refurbished 2020 New cutlass bearing 2020 Yanmar 2GM diesel runs great Fresh fuel filter 2021 New water pump 2021 2 West Marine batteries - 2017 Newer VHF radio AM/FM CD Player 19” TV with mast mounted antenna New - North Sails Radial Cut Main - 2020 Somerset laminated 155 Genoa - 2013 good condition Somerset laminated main - 2013 - worn but usable Furlex Roller Furling - 2013 Raymarine ST 2000 Tiller Pilot - 2017 Raymarine i70 System with Wind, Depth, & Speed - 2017 Spinnaker pole Spinnaker recut to fly as Asymmetrical Running rigging and dock lines 2013 or newer

Boat launches May 14 in Bay City, MI

Equipment: 1982 J30 Sailboat

Triad Trailer - new tires in 2015 Yanmar 2GM diesel runs great Newer VHF radio AM/FM CD Player 19” TV with mast mounted antenna New - North Sails Radial Cut Main - 2020 Somerset laminated 155 Genoa - 2013 good condition Somerset laminated main - 2013 - worn but usable Furlex Roller Furling - 2013 Raymarine ST 2000 Tiller Pilot - 2017 Raymarine i70 System with Wind, Depth, & Speed - 2017 Spinnaker pole Spinnaker recut to fly as Asymmetrical Running rigging and dock lines 2013 or newer

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

This listing is presented by SailboatListings.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller.

View on SailboatListings.com

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

Similar Sailboats For Sale

1983 J Boats J/30

• About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Average Speed of a Sailboat (Plus Top Speed)

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Going fast in a sailboat can be lots of fun. But what is the average of a sailboat? Well, let's find out.

The delight and gratification that comes from speed can be a big plus for adrenaline-seeking sailors. Well, nothing can fire up the adrenaline more than having a speedy boat ride out on the water. This is essentially why having an idea of how fast a sailboat can go is of great importance. When it comes to looking at the speed of a sailboat, it can be crucial to consider the types of activities that you'll be using your sailboat for. In fact, your sailboat should only be considered ideal if it meets the level of expectations required of it in terms of speed and activities on the water. Even with this, the speeds of sailboats can vary based on several factors. But what is the average speed of a sailboat?

The top speed of a sailboat will vary based on its size and purpose. For example, high-end racing sailboats are purposely designed to reach maximum speeds while larger and bulkier sailboats may be slower due to drag and friction. That being said, the average speed of racing sailboats is 15 knots (17 mph). On the other hand, the average speed of cruising sailboats is 4-6 knots (4.5-7 mph) and can attain a top speed of 7 knots (8 mph). In essence, cruise speeds of over 8 knots are quite normal.

Let's get into the details.

Table of contents

Measuring Sailboat Speed

The nautical measurement of speed is the knot. According to the World Sailing Speed Council, one knot is equal to about 1.15 mph. The knot measurement is dependent on the circumference of the Earth. So if your sailboat is cruising at an average speed of 1 nautical mile per hour, it means that it's cruising at a speed of 1 knot.

Modern sailboats have GPS tracking devices that can be used to measure the distance covered, as well as the speed at which the sailboat is sailing.

Factors that Determine the Speed of a Sailboat

Different types of sailboats can attain different speeds. There are several factors that can determine the speed of a sailboat. Let's take a look.

The Length and Size of a Sailboat

While the speed of a sailboat will depend on several factors such as currents, wind conditions, and many other factors as we'll discuss later, the most important thing that can influence the speed of a sailboat is its size and length. You may be asking yourself; what's the connection between the length of a boat and its speed?

Well, the ability of a sailboat to go fast depends on the harmonizing act between its length and the power that drives it. When a sailboat moves through the water, it creates a pattern of waves. These waves include one along the side of the sailboat, which produces a ridge of water at the bow and a trough at the stern.

If the length of the wave is almost equal to the length of the boat, it creates a huge ridge that shoves the sailboat back into its trough, thereby slamming it up against an almost dense wall of water resistance. This then gives the sailboat sufficient speed to lift its bow out of the water and the ability to skim above the bow waves while allowing it to overcome the resistance that the water or the waves create.

A sailboat, of course, needs a lot of power to get over the hump in the resistance curve. So a longer boat will have a higher speed than a shorter boat. This is because a longer sailboat will create longer waves across its hull and move faster. On the other hand, short sailboats tend to generate shorter waves, thereby will have reduced speeds. In essence, it's almost impossible for a sailboat to travel faster than the speed of a wave if the wave is longer than the boat.

In most cases, boat designers create extreme lengths to get boats over the mound of the wave resistance. While a lightweight boat can easily achieve this, it can leave you shorthanded in heavy winds as it can be easily pushed by the winds. Again, it may not have the stability needed to carry enough sails to get the appropriate power to sail on the water. So if the boat is light, it should at least have a double hull to at least compensate for its instability.

The Shape of the Hull

This may be hard to believe but some hulls are more efficient than others when it comes to creating the wave resistance that is needed to move the boat. Generally, hulls should be very slim and carefully shaped. Keep in mind that a sailboat that has a hull that's shaped like a fat tub will not be as fast as a sailboat with a very slim hull even if they're of the same length.

A proper indication that the hull has the ability to be faster depends on its aft or buttock lines. If a hull has a straight line from the lowest point of the hull to the transom and the transom is a little bit wide, the boat will not only be stable but will be much faster. On the contrary, a hull that curves a lot but has a narrow stern may not be that fast. In essence, hulls play an integral role in slicing through the water and do not push water aside and down.

Comparing the Speeds of Catamarans and Monohulls

Are catamaran or trimaran hulls more superior to Monohulls in terms of speed? Well, cruising on a sailboat with a cat hull will be much faster than cruising on a sailboat with a monohull by 25%-30% if the two sailboats are of the same length. A catamaran hull will not only achieve speeds of a racing monohull but will be more comfortable to sail on.

A tri-hull is even much better in the sense that they're generally designed towards the performance end of the spectrum. They will, therefore, double the speed of a racing monohull.

The only downside of a cat and trimaran hull is that they're more sensitive to loading and their performances will significantly suffer if they're loaded. On the other hand, a monohull can perfectly handle loading and this is a huge advantage is you're planning to sail with a crew. To this end, you should consider keeping your cat or tri boat as light as possible if you want to maximize speed. We all know that keeping your sailboat light is as difficult as they come but it's of importance if speed is your main goal.

Monohull (6-8 knots)

Most average sailboats are designed with monohulls. They're generally displacement hulls designed to split through the underwater. This not only stabilizes the boat but slices through the water smoothly. If you want to make a monohull sailboat much faster, you can consider raising the entire hull above the water.

Catamarans and Trimarans (9-10 knots)

Unlike monohulls, cats and trimarans are located on top of the water. This means that they'll be displacing less water, thereby making them a lot faster. The only downside is that this design will make the boat less stable, which can be a cause for concern given that safety should always come first while on the water. This is essentially why catamarans and trimarans have two and three hulls respectively. This will, however, make the boat extremely buoyant.

Waves play a critical role not just in the speed of your boat but also in the safety of your boat. We all know that waves are very unpredictable. They can be calm and gentle but can suddenly become wild, confusing, irregular, and angry.

Generally described as freaks or rogues, waves can be very dangerous. They can bully your boat and attempt to roll it over. Waves can also make your boat faster or slower. As such, waves can either positively or negatively affect the speed of your sailboat. Given that calm waves cannot be appropriate in achieving the maximum speed of your boat, the right wave condition that should enable your sailboat to move faster should overlap and interfere in the right way.

The wind is the only thing that propels sailboats. The wind will fill up the sails, which is then used to move the boat. Both true winds and apparent winds can be integral in moving the boat forward. True wind is essentially the type of wind you feel when you stand still and it's what pushes a boat. Needless to say, strong winds may move a sailboat faster than calm winds but this may depend on the wind direction.

How to Improve the Speed of Your Sailboat

Having looked at the average speed of a sailboat, as well as factors that may affect its speed, it's important to highlight how to improve the speed of your sailboat.

It's important to make sure that your sailboat is properly designed to attain maximum speed. The sailboat should also be properly maintained and serviced to work at maximum speed. Make sure that the hull and foils are clean and in perfect shapes. Here's what to do.

• ‍ Make sure that the foils do not have seaweeds or plastic bags
• Ensure that the hull is in tip-top shape and can hold tension
• Make sure that the sails are in the right conditions
• Make sure that the masts have the right stiffness

You may have a lot of difficulties reaching your targeted speed if the weight of the crew exceeds the appropriate capacity of your sailboat. This is because there will be some sort of drag and tension and this may significantly hinder the speed at which the boat travels. In essence, a lighter boat may be a lot faster than a heavier boat. This is what you should do.

• ‍ Make sure that the weight is appropriate
• Ensure that the boats overall weight is moving aft and out appropriately
• Make sure that the maximum weight is not exceeded

The settings of your sailboat can either negatively or positively affect its speed. For instance, you should make sure that the mast rakes, mast step position, shroud tensions. Jib car position, vang tension, and keel position, as well as any other part of the sailboat, are perfectly set to make the boat faster.

You should compare various settings and figure out which type of settings gives you maximum speed. Here are some of the things to do.

• ‍ Ensure that jib cars are in the right position
• Make sure that your mainsails are in the right position
• The vang tension should be efficient

The technique you use on your sailboat can make a difference when it comes to your speed. Techniques such as steering and trimming can be a huge speed factor, particularly when the conditions at sea are difficult. You should also have varying trimming techniques. Here are some important skills.

• ‍ Know how to steer perfectly
• Know how to control primary upwind
• Know the right amount of curl to have in your kite
• Make sure that you're pumping efficiently
• Know how to play the jibs and genoas

These factors can be of great importance in increasing the speed of your sailboat. You can use them efficiently next time you want to be up to speed.

Bottom Line

Sailing speed is, without a doubt, one of the most favorite discussions among sailors. Most sailors often try to figure out how to make their sailboats faster or why a given sailboat is faster than another one. In essence, the average speed of a sailboat ranges between 4 knots to 15 knots but this may depend on the size and type of the sailboat, as well as other factors. This means that the average speed of sailboats is 8 knots but there several factors such as the type of the hull, waves, and wind conditions can affect the speed of your sailboat.

It's, therefore, important to know how these factors may affect your speed and what you need to do about them. For example, your sailboat may not be as fast as you may want if it's not properly prepared or maintained.

Related Articles

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

by this author

Learn About Sailboats

How to Sail

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Similar Posts

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

September 13, 2023

Best Small Sailboat Ornaments

September 12, 2023

Discover the Magic of Hydrofoil Sailboats

December 11, 2023

Popular Posts

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

December 28, 2023

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (866) 342-SAIL

© 2024 Life of Sailing Email: [email protected] Address: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244 Disclaimer Privacy Policy