BoatsJ Boats Tillotson Pearson J/37

J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/37

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1987–1991

A masthead sloop with a 2.21-metre draft and a 42% ballast ratio, built for performance-minded sailors

Designed by Rodney S. Johnstone & Rod Johnstone.

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

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 22 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 22
CoastalBluewater

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

Capsize screening 2.08
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 177
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 21.2
TenderStiff

42% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 42%

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

  • Draws more than ~91% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2921 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
42.2%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
21.2
Displacement / length
176.9
Comfort ratio
21.7
Capsize screening
2.08
Hull speed
7.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1428
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1987–1991
Units built
52
Designer
Rodney S. Johnstone, Rod Johnstone
Builder
J Boats Tillotson Pearson

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

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.

Elan Yachts 38011.34 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Rob Humphreys-designed fractional sloop built for performance with a deep 2.35m draft and a stiff, light hull
Beneteau Oceanis 3811.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA versatile Finot-Conq design offered in three distinct interior layouts, from daysailer to full cruiser
Ericson Yachts 3811.48 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Bruce King-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance
Hunter Marine 37611.35 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA spacious cruiser featuring a B&R rig and wing keel, sharing a proven hull design with the later 380 and 386 models
Arcona 3811.45 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthBuilt between 1995 and 2001, this 11.45-metre cruiser pairs a 1.9-metre draft with a nimble 6,800 kg displacement
Hallberg-Rassy 37211.35 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA fractional sloop with a 1.99-metre draft and a 38% ballast ratio, optimised for a stiff, stable cruising motion

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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