J/95 Sailing Performance

The J/95 opens up a new world to sailors who may have otherwise thought that high performance in shallow water was the special preserve of power boats. With the J/95 you can explore the many new harbors and shallow bays and estuaries and enjoy the ultimate thrill of sailing a fast, sleek sailboat anywhere you want- the ultimate in sailing freedom!

The J/95’s performance hull emphasizes high form stability, relatively narrow beam and an easily driven shape. A modest upwind sail plan powers this boat at speeds and upwind tacking angles that sailors expect from a J. The J/95 will sail upwind with the centerboard fully retracted and retain its stability while doing so. This is a distinct advantage over boats with vertical lift-keel arrangements where stability is all but lost (and sailing not an option) when the keel in the “up” position. Over 90% of J/95’s ballast is in the fixed lead keel, with the rest in the foil shaped bronze centerboard. 

To optimize steering control during shoal draft operation, the J/95 is specified with tandem rudders. Sailboats of the past with single shoal draft rudders share the common trait of horrendous weather helm load when sailing at large heel angles, especially close reaching in a breeze. This is true of everything from traditional catboats up to the finest keel-centerboard designs to the CCA Rule back in the 1950s and 60s. Likewise deep rudders which pivot up for shallow water create huge helm loads when raised. J/95 will be a dream to steer in any situation with centerboard up or down. Balance and steering control are two of the key features which set the new J/95 apart.

While reaching and running the J/95 has high speed potential, especially with a large masthead asymmetric spinnaker and a raised centerboard. This is a boat that’s even easier to handle than a J/105, with the same high maneuverability in tight quarters that sailors of smaller J’s have been showing off for years. 

J/95 Sailing Test & Report

When the J/95 was first launched, the designer Rodney Johnstone took the J/95 out on her maiden voyage.  Here's his report:

"The J/95 passes the performance test with flying colors. We exited New England Boatworks in Portsmouth, RI at 6.5 knots under power (2800rpm) and goosed it up to 7.2 knots at 3,200rpm before we hoisted the sails (Main and 105% jib.) I did not floor it the first time out, but we were not maxed out on the rpm, so I suspect we could hit 7.5 knots in smooth water, and we confirmed this later.

We sailed upwind in a 10-12 knot NE wind with occasional higher puffs and lower lulls on the upper bay - starting out with the centerboard all the way up. The boat felt lively and the helm was balanced. We tacked through about 80 to 90 degrees, and did not seem to make any noticeable leeway. The boat sails better than most keel boats upwind despite the the board being up, so it passes the fun-to-sail-anywhere-in-3.5'-of-water test. When we lowered the board you could feel the whole boat hook in and want to climb into the wind more. So the boat is definitely more close-winded and makes less leeway with the board down. 6.5 knots seemed to be our average upwind speed. We used the onboard GPS, and we were out at slack tide beginning to ebb, so we are confident in the accuracy of our observed speed and sailing angles.

Steering control with twin rudders is great when the boat heels over. We were able to bear off sharply and quickly from a heeled 6.5 knot upwind course to downwind without easing the sails - an instantaneous downwind stop-the-boat move which may be a unique capability of this boat. The rudders and the Edson wheel steering system provide total control without sacrificing the light helm feel that we all cherish, and make for effortless steering.

Acceleration out of tacks and maneuverability are excellent. Stability to handle the sail horsepower seems just right. The boat does not need a genoa in 10 knots of breeze. We had only four of us on the boat - Craig Crossley, Skip Mattos, Al and myself.

We set the 82 square meter chute and were going between 7 and 8 knots at true wind angles averaging about 135 degrees. The highest speed of 7.9 was when we heated it up for the photographer (Jeff).

The 6:1 rope tackle hoisting system for the centerboard works easily and quickly, even under a full side load."