Light for her length, the J/160 displaces 31,200 pounds and carries 12,000 pounds of lead ballast on a 7-foot bulb keel. Her fractional sloop rig produces a sailing-trim SA/D of around 25. This is a longer, lighter cruising boat that asks to be sailed, not merely motored.
Design and Construction
The hull is a deliberate departure from traditional cruising proportions. Beam is held to 14 feet 6 inches, while clipped overhangs maximize the design waterline. Moderately low freeboard gives the boat a strong sheerline and a modern, elegant appearance, as described by Cruising World.
Below the waterline, the hull combines a fine entry, short overhangs, moderate topside flare, and a low-wetted-surface underbody that supports its speed potential. Reduced canoe-body rocker also contributes to performance, though it has consequences in a seaway.
TPI used its signature SCRIMP resin-infusion process to keep weight down. The hull and deck are cored with Baltek end-grain balsa, with solid glass at critical structural junctures such as the chainplate attachments. All bulkheads are tabbed on both sides. The hull-to-deck joint has an in-turned flange sealed with structural sealant and mechanically fastened every four inches.
The keel is externally mounted. The rudder is a balanced, high-aspect spade set as far aft as possible without moving outboard. Its stock sits clear of the cockpit sole, allowing the bearings to be spread farther apart for strength.
Perry’s review noted very wide side decks and a large cockpit with coamings cut away aft, opening the whole deck to the helmsman. The builder claimed a 10-year hull warranty against blistering and said the yacht was built to exceed the Offshore Yacht Service standards of ABS.
Rig, Deck Layout, and Handling
The standard rig is a Hall triple-spreader aluminum mast, stepped well forward and paired with a large, low-aspect-ratio mainsail and a comparatively small, high-aspect-ratio foretriangle. A Hall carbon-fiber rig was offered as a tempting but expensive option.
A small amount of spreader sweep helps stiffen the mast, and runners are shown along with the swept spreaders. The deck carries toe rails forward, changing to flat tracks past the second stanchion. Halyards lead aft to winches beside the companionway.
A 6:1 Lewmar Ocean Racing mainsheet traveler system allows unconstrained mainsail trimming. The wheel and traveler are far enough aft for a reasonably sized dodger to extend over the forward part of the cockpit.
A dropped headstay provides room for the spinnaker sock. The spinnaker hoists to the masthead and is managed through a cockpit-operated snuffer, while a retractable pole disguised as a bowsprit carries an asymmetrical spinnaker.
The large 66-inch wheel sits outboard. A scoop transom makes it convenient to board from the water, a dinghy, or the dock.
Accommodations and Stowage
The J/160’s overall length allows for three staterooms with more than adequate privacy. Two cabins aft of the companionway have 48-inch-wide berths, and one has access to an aft head with a sink and shower. The owner’s cabin forward has its own private head and shower.
The interior was offered in either all-teak or all-cherry wood, paired with off-white laminate to create a more open feeling. Just forward of the companionway to port is a roomy J-shaped galley. It has a double sink close to the centerline, a gimbaled three-burner Force 10 stove outboard, and 12.5 cubic feet of icebox capacity. A forward-facing navigation station sits opposite.
In the main saloon, there’s a settee berth to starboard. To port, a full-size pilot berth lies outboard of the oval dining settee. A large bow storage locker, reached through an overhead deck hatch, holds sails, ground tackle, and other gear.
Under Sail and Power
The J/160’s light displacement, long waterline, low wetted surface, and sailing-trim SA/D of around 25 give her substantial performance potential. Stability is another strength: the designer gave the boat a limit of positive stability of 140 degrees, while IMS calculations produced a still-respectable 125 degrees.
Perry cautioned that the boat may pound from time to time because of its speed potential and reduced canoe-body rocker. This is a consequence of the hull form rather than a construction fault.
Under power, a turbocharged 88-horsepower Yanmar turns a 22-inch Martec folding propeller. The combination delivers a comfortable, quiet cruising speed of more than 8 knots.
Known Issues and Maintenance
The reduced canoe-body rocker that contributes to the J/160’s speed may also cause pounding in a seaway. Buyers looking for a softer-riding traditional cruising hull should recognize that this is part of the design trade-off.
The balsa-cored hull and deck place ordinary demands on bedding and sealant around through-hulls and deck penetrations. The builder addressed below-waterline plumbing with tagged seacocks and double-clamped hoses, but balsa core remains vulnerable if water gets into it. The 10-year blister warranty reflected the intended durability of the infused solid-glass outer skin.
The Verdict
The J/160 is a focused performance cruiser that trades some traditional cruising volume for lightness, speed, and stiff, predictable offshore behavior. She suits a sailor who wants to cover ground without giving up three private cabins and who accepts occasional pounding as the price of a long waterline, reduced rocker, and low wetted surface.
Pros
- High limit of positive stability: 140° by the designer’s figure and 125° by IMS calculations
- Light, strong SCRIMP-infused, balsa-cored construction with a structurally sealed hull-to-deck joint
- Three private staterooms, including wide aft berths and a forward owner’s suite
- Quiet cruising at more than 8 knots under an 88-horsepower Yanmar with a folding propeller
Cons
- May pound in a seaway because of reduced rocker and speed potential
- Balsa core requires vigilant maintenance around through-hulls and deck penetrations
- Only 35 were built, limiting familiarity with spares and systems
