Johnstone drew the J/109 as a fractional sloop. She carries 644 square feet of sail on a 53.5-foot tapered aluminum mast and weighs nearly 11,000 pounds, yet remains light on her feet.
Design and Construction
The J/109 measures 35.25 feet overall, with an 11.5-foot beam and a 30.5-foot waterline. She is 3,200 pounds heavier than the J/105s from which she descended in spirit. That extra weight adds cruising substance without killing her turn of speed.
The fiberglass hull uses BALTEK ContourKore end-grain balsa composite construction, with biaxial and unidirectional glass and vinylester resin on the outer hull. J/Boats molded the structure using the “SCRIMP” resin-infusion system for strength. GRP-molded structural bulkheads are bonded to the hull and deck.
The keel carries 3,900 pounds of lead ballast, cast and bolted to a deep molded stub. A high-aspect spade rudder gives the helm its bite. Standard draft is seven feet, although some hulls were built with a shallow-keel option drawing 5.75 feet.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The sailplan combines a mainsail with a non-overlapping headsail on a furling system. This arrangement keeps short-handed sailing manageable and avoids the winch strain of overlapping genoas. All winches are self-tailing.
Continuous rod rigging supports the tapered aluminum mast, while a hydraulic backstay adjuster allows the crew to add mast bend as the breeze builds. Off the wind, an asymmetrical spinnaker flies from an extendable bowsprit. The sprit retracts into the forward V-berth when it isn’t in use, keeping the forecabin clear.
With a hull speed of 7.4 knots, the J/109 is a lively performer on her fin-with-bulb-and-spade-rudder platform.
Accommodations and Systems
Practical Sailor’s survey notes that the J/109 has two cabins. The forward V-berth also serves as stowage for the retracted bowsprit.
The factory auxiliary is a 27-horsepower Yanmar 3GM30 diesel with sail drive and a folding prop. The 18.5-gallon fuel tank sits beneath the aft-cabin berth, keeping it out of the saloon but limiting cruising range.
Water capacity from new was 21 gallons. The original 12-volt electrical system included a house battery bank of only 80 amp hours. Both figures are lean for extended off-grid cruising.
Known Issues and Refit Considerations
The main shortcomings are the factory capacities: 18.5 gallons of fuel, 21 gallons of water, and an 80-amp-hour house battery bank. These are smaller than most cruisers would want today. Owners planning to cruise should allow from the outset for larger fuel and water tanks and a heavier house battery bank.
The Yanmar 3GM30 with sail drive is a straightforward auxiliary to service, but the small standard tanks argue for a refit-minded survey.
Buyers should also confirm the keel fitted to any particular boat. The deep fin draws seven feet, while the optional shallow keel draws 5.75 feet.
The Verdict
The J/109 is a genuine dual-purpose 35-footer: quick enough to campaign, yet stable and laid out for weekends aboard. Her infusion-molded balsa construction and bonded bulkheads provide serious structure, while the retractable spinnaker bowsprit is a clever, cruiser-friendly feature.
The weak points are purely about provisioning. The factory fuel, water, and battery capacities assume you’ll race more than you roam.
Pros
- A true racer/cruiser balance in Rod Johnstone’s design
- Balsa-composite SCRIMP hull with bonded structural bulkheads
- Non-overlapping furling headsail and self-tailing winches ease handling
- Retractable bowsprit keeps asymmetrical-spinnaker handling tidy
Cons
- Factory fuel (18.5 gal), water (21 gal), and battery capacity (80 Ah) are lean for cruising
- The shallow-keel version (5.75 ft) must be distinguished from the 7-ft standard keel
