BoatsJ Boats Tillotson Pearson J/35

J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/35

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1983–1992

A masthead sloop with a 2.1-metre draft and a 42% ballast ratio, available in a shoal-draft configuration

Designed by Rodney S. Johnstone & Rod Johnstone.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

See her sail

The J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/35, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Practical Sailor

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 19 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 19
CoastalBluewater

2.16 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.16
LightHeavy

174 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 174
EasygoingPowered-up

21.3 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 21.3
TenderStiff

42% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 42%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Draws more than ~86% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2963 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/35, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/35 is a masthead sloop designed by Rodney S. Johnstone, built from 1983 to 1992 by J Boats Tillotson Pearson. This fin-keel sailboat has a spade rudder, measures 10.8 meters LOA with a 3.6-meter beam, and draws 2.1 meters, displacing 4762 kg. A shoal draft version was also available, drawing 1.83 meters, and a small number were built under license in Australia.14:25

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
41.9%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
21.3
Displacement / length
173.6
Comfort ratio
19.2
Capsize screening
2.16
Hull speed
7.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1265
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1983–1992
Units built
330
Designer
Rodney S. Johnstone, Rod Johnstone
Builder
J Boats Tillotson Pearson

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Beneteau First 36s710.90 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA performance-oriented fractional sloop by Berret-Racoupeau, featuring a bulb keel and an optional taller IMS rig
Sailing for Beginners | Top 10 Questions Everyone Asks9:21from Practical Sailor
Waarschip 36 LD10.80 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance fractional sloop featuring optional water ballast and a deep-draft keel for serious speed
The Man's (and Boat's) Fight Against Osmosis and Rain | #SAILING #367from Hashtag Sal
Beneteau Oceanis 34.110.77 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Marc Lombard-designed cruiser featuring a hull with dual rudders and multiple keel options for versatile performance
A Liveaboard That Sails Like a Race Boatfrom Practical Sailor
Beneteau Oceanis 37010.87 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe Briand-designed masthead sloop built for cruising comfort with a stable, moderate displacement hull
CHEAP Sailboat to live on in the Bahamas! Ep 292 - Lady K Sailingfrom Lady K Sailing
Catalina Yachts 35010.80 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop with a 2.03-metre draft and a high-volume hull designed for comfortable coastal cruising
Is This the Best 35-Foot Sailboat Ever Made? Catalina 350from Practical Sailor
Hunter Marine 35 Legend10.84 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA fractional sloop featuring a distinct blister coach roof and an optional shoal-draft wing keel for versatile cruising
Unveiling the Hunter Legend Sailboat: A Comprehensive Review, Sailing Adventure Ep261 Lady K Sailingfrom Lady K Sailing

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/35cA performance-oriented masthead sloop derived from the J/34C, featuring an extended stern and a standard fin keelJ Boats Tillotson Pearson J/33A high-performance masthead sloop with a 22.31 SA/displacement ratio, designed for competitive club racing.J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/34A dedicated IOR 3/4 ton level racer built for competitive speed with a 20.11 sail-area-to-displacement ratioJ Boats Tillotson Pearson J/37A masthead sloop with a 2.21-metre draft and a 42% ballast ratio, built for performance-minded sailorsJ Boats Tillotson Pearson J/30A 1979-1986 production racer-cruiser featuring a fin keel and transom-hung rudder for responsive handlingJ Boats Tillotson Pearson J/39A masthead-rigged 12-metre performance cruiser with a 2.21m fin keel, built for speed and offshore stability

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