J-Boats J/112 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

J Composites builds the hull with end-grain balsa coring and infuses it using the SCRIMP vacuum resin system, as are the foam-cored deck and bulkheads and the fiberglass floor grid anchor. An outer layer of vinylester resin is added to the layup to prevent osmosis, and the builder backs the hull with a 10-year warranty. All intermediate bulkheads are glassed to both deck and hull, while a fiberglass floor stringer grid is infused to promote stiffness and help support rig and keel loads. The deck laminate uses a foam core to help lower the center of gravity, and the V-shaped bow sections are intended to provide directional stability and reduce slamming when seas are up. The result is a structure the builder is willing to stand behind, with a sleek sculpted cabintrunk paired to blunt hull ends and a springy sheer for a modern performance boat.

Rig and Handling

Above the deck, the J/112e carries a slightly fractional, double-spreader tapered aluminum mast with a minimally overlapping blade jib, rod rigging, and a retractable offset carbon bowsprit. A hydraulic backstay adjust, moveable genoa cars, and low-stretch Dyneema halyards for both jib and main round out a race-ready tune, while a carbon mast remains an option. The standard keel is an epoxy-encapsulated cast-iron fin with a lead bulb drawing 6 feet 11 inches, and a 5-foot 9-inch shoal-draft foil is offered as an alternative anchor. Chainplates set outboard and a long mainsheet traveler recessed into the cockpit sole keep the boat balanced and easy to trim. Under power, the slippery hull and powerful spade rudder make maneuvering a pleasure, and the chain-and-wire linkage with deep fin rudder gives fingertip control.

Performance Under Sail

Tested in the 2016 Chicago to Mackinac Race aboard the boat Mary Gail, the design regularly clocked speeds in excess of 16 knots flying the chute and once reached 18.2 knots. Sailing away from the line with a Code 0, the boat made wind speed on a close reach in 7–8 knots of breeze and pulled away from its competition in light air. After the first squall, when the crew shifted down to a genoa, she tacked with confidence, and her well-balanced helm and spade rudder controlled the boat in a following sea late in the race.

Accommodations

Below, the J/112e uses cold-molded solid and laminated walnut with white side and ceiling panels, lit by large cabintrunk windows and a pair of small hull windows. The forward owner’s cabin has a roomy double V-berth with storage beneath, a large hanging locker, and double doors opening to the saloon. A pair of straight-line settees flank a folding dining table and are long enough to serve as proper sea berths for a six-footer. The L-shaped galley sits to starboard close against the companionway; the head and shower are to port and can double as a wet locker. A double quarterberth to starboard and robust grab rails overhead complete a layout with two private cabins.

Cockpit and Deck Gear

The cockpit benches end just forward of the recessed single 59-inch wheel, leaving wide unobstructed sidedecks and an integral bulwark-style toerail along the deck. A standard removable stainless swim step, a starboard liferaft locker, and a port storage locker add utility. The mainsheet ends run into watertight boxes in the cockpit sidewalls before reaching their winches, reducing clutter. Tankage is 53 gallons of water and 22 gallons of fuel, the latter deliberately modest as a testament to a boat that need only motor in the truly light stuff.

The Verdict

The J/112e is a thoughtfully evolved 36-footer that bridges racer and cruiser without compromise to either. Its infused structure, light-air pace, and sea-kindly helm are matched by a warm, practical interior.

Pros