BoatsJ Boats J/70

J Boats J/70

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/transom Hung Rudder · First built 2012

A high-performance fractional sloop designed by Alan Johnstone, with over 1,100 units delivered for one-design racing

Designed by Alan Johnstone.

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

See her sail

The J Boats J/70, on the water

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

Footage from SEILmagasinet

Is it for you?

Character

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

TrailerableBeam 2.25 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 812 kg of hull, so roughly 1,400 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.
LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 9 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 9
CoastalBluewater

At 2.43 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.43
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 93
EasygoingPowered-up

24.6 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 24.6
TenderStiff

35% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 35%

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

  • Lighter than ~90% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~81% of boats her size on file
  • Narrower than ~84% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1090 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The J Boats J/70, 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 J/70 is a 6.9-meter fractional sloop designed by Alan Johnstone and built by J Boats since 2012, with over 1100 delivered by 2016. It features a fin keel with a transom-hung rudder and a large 491 sq.ft. asymmetrical spinnaker.3:12 The J/70 is frequently used in competitive racing, including as the women's class in Norwegian sailing before being succeeded by the Snipe.0:39 Crews like those seen by Quantum Sails emphasize coordinated movement and a "3-2-1" countdown system to synchronize weight shifts for efficient tacks, jibes, and mark roundings, minimizing rudder use and maintaining momentum.2:29 Petter Mørland Pedersen, a former Olympic sailor, competes in the J/70 class and advocates for its use in club-owned fleets to increase participation in regattas.25:16 Fran Palacio, a European champion in the J/70, highlights the boat's presence in competitive circuits.3:41 The J/7, a 7-meter daysailer, is marketed as a more affordable and family-friendly alternative to the J/70, with a wider, heavier hull and a fixed fin keel.0:40

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen 10 times across 4 channels of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The J Boats J/70 on video

Anette Melsom Myhre successful in the shorthanded class.Anette Melsom Myhre discusses shorthanded racing, the Seilsportsligaen, and efforts to increase female participation in competitive sailing.SEILmagasinetSystem Sailing 3.1 - Boat HandlingA J/70 crew uses a 3-2-1 countdown to synchronize weight shifts and minimize rudder use during maneuvers.Quantum SailsPeter Gustafsson, with a new boat he will once again make life miserable for Norwegian sailorsPetter Gustafsson campaigns a new J/99 for double-handed IRC offshore racing in Scandinavia and international waters.SEILmagasinetJ7: Finally an affordable sailboatThe J/7 undercuts the J/70 by 300,000 kroner while fitting seven in the cockpit.SEILmagasinetSEILmagasinet TV Episode 6-2024Winterizing a sailboat involves draining tanks, adding antifreeze to through-hulls, and using heaters to prevent freezing damage.SEILmagasinet

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
35.1%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
24.6
Displacement / length
93.2
Comfort ratio
9.1
Capsize screening
2.43
Hull speed
6.1 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
540
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/transom hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
First built 2012
Units built
1100
Designer
Alan Johnstone
Builder
J Boats

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.

J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/226.86 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio designed for competitive one-design racing
Sailing a J22 in Newport Beach, CA (July 2022)0:30from keeldragger
J J/77.04 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 2024 fractional sloop with a shallow 1.16m draft and a high 23.55 sail-area-to-displacement ratio for responsive daysailing
J7: Finally an affordable sailboat0:49from SEILmagasinet
Bavaria Yachts 6066.50 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA lightweight 6.5-meter fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited coastal sailing
Captain's Log Day 3: Things That Go Bump in the Night (3/10)4:19from Be The Captain
Ranger Yachts 226.86 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn IOR mini-ton racer with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, built for competitive performance in a compact hull
Starting a New Life at Sea | #SAL #3263:34from Hashtag Sal
Victory 216.40 mSame hull family0.5 m shorterA high-performance one-design sloop with a 24.9 SA/D ratio, produced across four decades by builders including Catalina.
The Catalina Yachts Story: Blessed, Broken, and Back?0:49from All About Sailing
Beneteau First 2357.11 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Groupe Finot-designed fractional sloop built for performance, featuring a light displacement and high sail area ratio
Sailing is Not Expensive - Full Cost Breakdown - ep 2813:07from 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 J/7A 2024 fractional sloop with a shallow 1.16m draft and a high 23.55 sail-area-to-displacement ratio for responsive daysailingJ Boats J/97A performance-oriented fractional sloop designed by Alan Johnstone, balancing competitive racing speed with a functional interiorJ Boats J/97eA 32-foot cruiser-racer featuring a 1.92-meter draft and a bulb keel, optimized for dual-purpose performance

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the J Boats J/70, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

Search the fleet for boats like thisAsk the fleet about the J Boats J/70

The newsletter

New boats, new stories, from everywhere.

One email from the fleet — boats newly added, videos newly analyzed. No noise.

Report an issue