BoatsJ Boats Tillotson Pearson J/80

J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/80

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/transom Hung Rudder · First built 1992

A 1992 fractional sloop with a high 26.59 sail area-to-displacement ratio, engineered for rapid, agile performance

Designed by Rodney S. Johnstone & Rod Johnstone.

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

See her sail

The J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/80, on the water

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

Footage from Maryland School of Sailing

Is it for you?

Character

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

TrailerableBeam 2.51 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 1,315 kg of hull, so roughly 1,900 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.
LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 12 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 12
CoastalBluewater

At 2.32 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.32
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 122
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 26.6
TenderStiff

48% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 48%

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

  • Lighter than ~85% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1810 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/80, 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/80 is a 8.0-meter fractional sloop designed by Rodney S. Johnstone, built by J Boats Tillotson Pearson since 1992. It features a fin keel with a transom-hung rudder, a 2.5-meter beam, 1.5-meter draft, and displaces 1315 kg. The J/80 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 26.6 and a comfort ratio of 11.6. A J/80 regatta was observed in the anchorage at La Linea by the crew of *Sailing Suria*.21:33 Fran Palacio, a world champion in the J/80, has also won European championships in the J/70.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen 2 times across 2 channels of the fleet.

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
48.3%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
26.6
Displacement / length
121.6
Comfort ratio
11.6
Capsize screening
2.32
Hull speed
6.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
649
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/transom hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1992
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.

Abbott Boats Inc. Soling8.15 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA high-performance Olympic class keelboat designed by Jan Herman Linge for tactical three-person racing
Dehler Yachts 25CR7.50 mSame hull family0.5 m shorterA Van de Stadt-designed fractional sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio built for spirited performance
Jaguar 257.62 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA Frank Butler-designed masthead sloop with a deep fin keel, offering a similar layout to the popular Catalina 25
Maxi Yachts 777.70 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterThe most popular model in the builder's history, offering both inboard and outboard engine options for versatile cruising
Comet 7707.70 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA Jean-Marie Finot-designed IOR quarter-tonner with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited club racing
Martinique 257.70 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA Brazilian-built masthead sloop with a 44% ballast ratio, offering a stiff and stable platform for coastal cruising

The family

Boats like this

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

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/80, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

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