The J/40 holds a significant place in nautical history as the model that proved J/Boats could translate its racing pedigree into a legitimate offshore cruising platform. Launched in the mid-1980s, it was designed by Rod Johnstone to be a boat that a couple could handle comfortably while maintaining the speed and agility the brand was known for. This effort was immediately validated when the J/40 was named "Boat of the Year" by Cruising World magazine in 1986, a distinction that helped pivot the company from a one-design racing specialist to a serious contender in the performance-cruising market. Built by TPI Composites using high-quality laminates of the era, the J/40 remains a sought-after vessel for sailors who refuse to sacrifice upwind performance for interior volume.
J-Boats J/40 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

- Make
- J-Boats
- Model
- J/40
- Builder
- J Boats Tillotson Pearson
- Designer
- Johnstone
- Number Built
- 85
- Production Year(s)
- 1984 - 1993
Below are the most recent J-Boats J/40 sailboat listings (up to 10).
Standard listing sites miss the technical details sailors need. Our database of 10,000+ models unlocks advanced filtering so you can search by keel type, rig configuration, and performance ratios—even when the seller forgot to include them.
Search across multiple sailboat listing websites at once, and get notified of new listings!
Example: Daily emails for "40 ft fin keel fractional sloops under $200k in Canada"Start Searching Now

| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2025 | 1 | $77,500 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | $699,000 |
| Jul 2025 | 2 | $68,500 |
| Aug 2025 | 2 | $81,250 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | $75,000 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | $75,000 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | $75,000 |
| Mar 2026 | 2 | $29,900 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
Price Reduction Insights
20.0% of listings have had price reductions
Average discount: 19.4% off original price
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Soleil 40 | $138,424 | 24 | 11 | |
| J-Boats J/80 | 26.25' | $29,452 | 23 | 7 |
| Performance 40 | 40.42' | $123,500 | 21 | 12 |
| Elan 40 | 39.04' | $94,163 | 19 | 5 |
| Palmer Johnson J/42 | 42' | $136,950 | 14 | 3 |
| Tartan 40 | 40.25' | $89,900 | 14 | 0 |
| J Boats J/46 | 46' | $279,000 | 13 | 1 |
| J Boats J/40 | $75,000 | 10 | 2 | |
| X-Yachts X-40 | 40' | $184,958 | 10 | 6 |
| J Boats J/44 | 44.92' | $99,900 | 7 | 0 |
| J Boats J/37 | 37.42' | $49,000 | 5 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $75,000 | 9 | 2 |
| New Caledonia | $87,500 | 1 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used J-Boats J/40 cost?
- The median asking price for a used J-Boats J/40 over the past 12 months is $75,000. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many J-Boats J/40 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 10 J-Boats J/40 listings over the past 12 months, with 2 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are J-Boats J/40 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the J-Boats J/40 has decreased by 60.13% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a J-Boats J/40?
- United States currently has the lowest median asking price at $75,000, while New Caledonia is the most expensive at $87,500 — a 17% difference.
- Do J-Boats J/40 listings get price reductions?
- About 20% of J-Boats J/40 listings have had their price reduced, with an average discount of 19.4% off the original asking price.
- What are similar sailboats to the J-Boats J/40?
- Comparable models include the Grand Soleil 40, J-Boats J/80, Performance 40. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.