Design and Construction
Alan Johnstone's hull carries a plumb or nearly plumb stem and stern, minimal sheer, and a truncated but purposeful cabintrunk that gives the boat a contemporary, no-nonsense profile. Beneath that skin, both hull and deck are cored for lightness and rigidity, and the two are joined with adhesive on an inward-turning hull flange rather than through-bolted on an outward lip. A deep fin keel and a deep, powerful transom-hung rudder give the 29-footer a sure-footed backbone; the rudder in particular delivers dinghy-like control that rewards an active helm. With a 9-foot 6-inch beam and 6-foot 6-inch draft, the J/88 is small enough to be single-point lifted for easy storage and trailering, yet substantial enough to feel composed when the wind builds.
Rig and Handling
The J/88 is built around a high-aspect, double-spreader carbon rig that is deck-stepped for easy stepping and tuning, paired with an aluminum boom set high enough that crew can cross the cabin without bashing their heads. A trademark J/Boats retractable carbon-fiber sprit makes spinnaker launching simple, and the nonoverlapping sailplan means no genoas are needed. All sail controls are led aft to clutches and winches on either side of the companionway, with the Harken traveler mounted on the cockpit sole within easy reach of the helmsman. The mainsheet carries both gross and fine controls and is placed so the driver can trim it without leaving the tiller, while the primary winches sit close enough to allow the boat to be singlehanded. In-hauler rings on the cabintrunk pull the headsail in for close sheeting angles, and a vang that sheets to both port and starboard keeps the leech controlled. Test sailors found her easily hitting 5-plus knots at apparent wind angles in the high 30s and 7-plus knots on a reach, confirming the verdict that she is fast and fun across a variety of conditions.
Accommodations
For a 29-footer, the interior is surprisingly comfortable, with enough elbowroom to extend sailing through the weekend. The saloon holds 6-foot 4-inch settees, and a fixed head sits forward of the main cabin. A compact navigation nook to starboard just behind the forepeak gives a small but dedicated spot for instruments, while the T-shaped, open-transom cockpit provides plenty of room for a crew of three to handle the boat with ease. The open transom also simplifies boarding and spinnaker work, reinforcing the boat's dual identity as daysailer and racer.
Equipment and Power
A 14-horsepower inboard Yanmar diesel provides auxiliary power and was noted as silenced in period testing, and a Harken below-deck jib furler keeps the foredeck clean. Steering is by tiller only — there is no wheel option — which suits the boat's responsive, dinghy-like feel and keeps the cockpit uncluttered. The deep fin and transom-hung rudder combination, together with the led-aft control layout, means one person can manage sail changes and trimming without scrambling forward.
The Verdict
The J/88 succeeds as a versatile, fun, and seaworthy little sloop that echoes the spirit of the J/29 which preceded it. Its cored hull and deck, inward-flange adhesive join, and trailering-friendly deck-stepped carbon rig make it both light and practical to own, while the led-aft controls and tiller steering keep it engaging to sail short-handed or with a small crew.
Pros
- Fast and fun across conditions, with documented 2014 Chicago-Mackinac class placement
- Cored hull and deck with adhesive inward-flange join for rigidity and light weight
- Deck-stepped carbon rig and retractable sprit simplify trailering and spinnaker work
- All controls led aft; tiller steering and reachable winches allow singlehanding
- Surprising weekend comfort with 6ft 4in settees and a fixed head
Cons
- 6ft 6in draft limits shallow-water access
- Tiller-only steering excludes buyers wanting a wheel
