J-Boats J/88 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used J/88 means looking at a 29-foot Alan Johnstone design built by CCF Composites, a boat that has proven versatile as both a family daysailer and a racer since its 2013 introduction. The cored hull and deck, deep fin keel, and transom-hung rudder define the structure, while the deck-stepped carbon rig and retractable sprit speak to a trailering-friendly, practical character.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every J/88 carries the same core arrangement: a truncated cabintrunk over a saloon with 6-foot 4-inch settees, a fixed head, and a small nav station to starboard just aft of the bow compartment. The cockpit is a large T-shaped, open-transom layout with the Harken traveler on the sole and all sail controls led aft to winches either side of the companionway. Till steering only — no wheel was ever offered — so buyers should confirm they are comfortable with that helm style before committing.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, a chartplotter and spinnaker are commonly fitted, which matches the boat's racer-daysailer brief. Often-seen additions include a code zero, electric winches, and autopilot, the latter two easing short-handed sailing given the all-controls-aft setup. Less common owner upgrades run to an asymmetric spinnaker, bimini, and AIS. The 14-horsepower inboard Yanmar and Harken below-deck jib furler are standard; a buyer should focus on whether the sail-handling electronics and offwind inventory suit their intended use rather than chasing cosmetic add-ons.
What to Inspect
The structural join between hull and deck is made with adhesive on an inward-turning flange rather than mechanical fasteners, so examine that seam carefully for any separation or weeping that would indicate bond failure. Because both hull and deck are cored, probe for soft spots or discoloration that would reveal moisture intrusion in the core. The transom-hung rudder and deep fin keel should be checked for impact damage or delamination, and the retractable carbon sprit must be cycled to confirm it extends and retracts smoothly without binding.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats turn up in the United States, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Before you buy, run through this short list:
- Inspect the hull-deck adhesive flange for gaps or moisture.
- Probe cored hull and deck for softness.
- Cycle the retractable sprit for smooth travel.
- Check rudder and fin keel for impact damage.
- Confirm tiller steering and led-aft controls suit your crew.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the J-Boats J/88. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 10 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 1 | $89,000 | — |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $95,090 | +6.8% |
| Oct 25 | 2 | $122,000 | +28.3% |
| Dec 25 | 3 | $85,000 | -30.3% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $122,000 | +43.5% |
| Apr 26 | 3 | $135,000 | +10.7% |
| May 26 | 1 | $85,682 | -36.5% |
| Jun 26 | 2 | $142,500 | +66.3% |
| Jul 26 | 2 | $142,000 | -0.4% |
| Aug 26 | 2 | $144,000 | +1.4% |
Where they're listed
J-Boats J/88 listings appear across 3 countries. United States has the most listings with 14 (82.4%), followed by Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Country view
17 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $135,000 | 14 | 6 | 82.4% |
| Switzerland | $93,587 | 2 | 0 | 11.8% |
| United Kingdom | $95,090 | 1 | 0 | 5.9% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
11 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J-Boats J/105 | 34.5' | $ 59,750 | 56 | 24 |
| J-Boats J/109 | 35.25' | $ 115,000 | 35 | 6 |
| J-Boats J/80 | 26.25' | $ 30,000 | 26 | 7 |
| J-Boats J/32 | 32.6' | $ 65,000 | 25 | 12 |
| J-Boats J/35 | 35.5' | $ 25,148 | 22 | 5 |
| J-Boats J/99 | 32.61' | $ 223,070 | 22 | 7 |
| J-Boats J/111 | 36.42' | $ 199,000 | 21 | 1 |
| J-Boats J/88You are here | — | $ 135,000 | 17 | 6 |
| J Boats J/92 | 30' | $ 39,405 | 14 | 7 |
| J-Boats J/97 | 31.53' | $ 138,852 | 14 | 8 |
| Young 88 | 29.33' | $ 20,415 | 8 | 2 |