J-Boats J/29 Buyer's Guide
The J/29 is a Rod Johnstone design built in meaningful numbers during the early to mid-1980s, which means used examples turn up with some regularity in the right regions. For a shopper, the appeal is a one-design racer that can still hold its own on the buoy course yet accommodate a weekend afloat, provided you know which layouts and upgrades to expect and what construction points to inspect.
Layouts on the Used Market
A used J/29 will show the same essential plan regardless of rig: two quarter berths aft and two settees in the main cabin, with a original galley limited to an Igloo cooler and sink. Headroom is about 5 feet 4 inches, so this is fundamentally a race boat with berths rather than a cruiser's accommodation. Most boats will be fractional rigged, though masthead-rigged examples exist and owners have long held that a masthead rig with outboard motor is the most competitive configuration. An inboard diesel was optional from new, so you will find both inboard and outboard auxiliary power among survivors; the outboard variant keeps the stern simple and the competitive edge the class favors.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, a spinnaker and autopilot are commonly fitted, reflecting the boat's one-design and short-course heritage. A chartplotter is often seen, while an asymmetric spinnaker, dodger, dinghy davits, cockpit shower, and radar fall into the sometimes-fitted or owner-upgrade category. For a buyer, the meaningful clusters are sail-handling and self-steering: a properly tuned spinnaker setup with autopilot support makes weekend racing manageable, and an asymmetric is a nice-to-have rather than a class-legal necessity. Navigation is usually anchored by a chartplotter; beyond that, judge each upgrade on condition, not novelty.
What to Inspect
The rudder pintles and gudgeons on the J/29 are a bit on the light side, so inspect the transom-mounted hardware closely anchor. If the gudgeons have been leaking, check the transom for delamination since water may have penetrated the balsa core anchor. Separately, J Boats had its share of blisters, so a hull survey should include attention to that history anchor.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the J/29 are the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For the shopper, the short list is: confirm rig type and whether it matches your racing ambitions; verify rudder hardware and transom core condition; assess whether inboard or outboard power suits your use; and check the original galley and headroom against your overnight tolerance. A well-sorted J/29 with class-legal sail inventory and clean structure remains one of the more rewarding used one-design purchases in its size range.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the J-Boats J/29. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | 1 | $12,000 | — |
| Jun 25 | 3 | $14,500 | +20.8% |
| Jul 25 | 2 | $6,241 | -57.0% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $9,000 | +44.2% |
| May 26 | 2 | $8,000 | -11.1% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $12,000 | +50.0% |
Where they're listed
J-Boats J/29 listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 3 (75.0%), followed by Canada.
Country view
4 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $8,000 | 3 | 1 | 75.0% |
| Canada | $9,000 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
3 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENETEAU First 29 | 29.67' | $ 21,998 | 34 | 4 |
| C&C 29 | 29.58' | $ 10,500 | 16 | 1 |
| J Boats J/29You are here | — | $ 8,500 | 4 | 1 |