Design and Construction
The hull form sets the J/97 apart from traditional J/Boats. Influenced by IRC and its encouragement of stiff, forgiving designs, it differs markedly from the traditionally narrow J/Boat shape. Testers noted that it is beamier and more flared than earlier models, with a maximum beam of just over 11 feet carried virtually all the way aft to the cockpit.
J/Europe in France has built J/Boats under license since the 1990s, using the well-known SCRIMP resin-infusion system. On the J/97, that means a balsa-core hull and Divinycell-core deck infused with polyester resins resin-infused core construction.
Outboard chainplates and unidirectional composites running across the deck around the mast eliminate the need for a main structural bulkhead at the mast. A stainless steel fabrication embedded in the lead keel is secured to the boat with 10 bolts. The construction materials, structural assembly, and finish appear to be of high quality, and the hull comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The sail plan combines a 105-percent jib with a powerful mainsail. The mainsail is easy to control from the helm using the adjustable backstay, boom vang, and mainsheet-system tackles. Alan Johnstone chose the 105-percent jib because it provides more power than a self-tacker while remaining quite easy to sheet, and the jib rolls up quickly and easily.
A refined carbon bowsprit carries a large asymmetric chute and retracts into a self-draining tube. With no pole to handle, setting and managing the spinnaker is quite simple. The boat won’t sail as deep as one flying a conventional chute, but it sails faster by tacking downwind anyway.
The aluminum Sparcraft double-spreader rig is supported by a pair of cockpit primary winches, cabin-top winches, a raised mainsheet traveler, adjustable jib-lead tracks, and an old-school-style split backstay system. Testers praised the low-friction sail controls.
On the water, the J/97 points high and maneuvers like a hummingbird while remaining simple to handle. It can clock close to wind speed in light to modest air, accelerates immediately, and can be pinched up without dying. The balanced high-lift rudder and smooth bearings keep the tiller fingertip light, and the boat powers easily at 6.5 knots or better.
Cockpit and Deck
The deck plan is clean and functional, with comfortable positions for winching, driving, or lounging. Full-length cockpit seats allow the traveler to sit flush, while inboard lips on the seat tops hold cushions in place and provide good footrests.
A 15-inch-high bridgedeck forms a barrier against possible downflooding. The wide-open transom drains shipped water instantly and also provides a large space for a life raft. A removable athwartships seat can close the opening. The standard boat has a racy, smooth sheer aft.
Together with the untwitchy handling brief, these features make the design forgiving for short-handed or inexperienced crews in coastal conditions.
Accommodations
Belowdecks, the J/97 has the volume, look, and feel of a 40-footer. Its interior is wide open because the forward bulkhead sits ahead of the mast. Moving the bulkhead 32 inches forward retained the V-berth while gaining saloon, head, and storage areas aft.
The European-style layout favors a casual gathering space rather than liveaboard density. It includes two large, plush settees sized for use as sea berths, an open V-berth, and a centerline table, plus an aft double berth and an enclosed head.
The galley has a two-burner gimballed stove with an oven and a single deep sink near the centerline. Several opening ports provide good ventilation throughout. Storage spaces aren’t huge but are adequate for short cruises, helped by hanging duffel-bag lockers that are easy to remove. The crown of the cabin top provides 5-foot-11-inch headroom below while allowing the boat to retain a low profile.
Known Issues
Boat of the Year judges felt that the high camber of the cabin top around the mast was less than ideal. On the test boat, bolts protruding from furling gear mounted on the cabin top weren’t capped and could cause head nicks. Alan Johnstone later said that any protruding bolts would be capped on all future boats.
The test boat also lacked rudder stops, allowing the blade to develop considerable leverage when backing under power. Rudder stops are standard, however, and that boat was retrofitted.
Some experts have questioned the longevity of the balsa core and the use of Plexus to fasten the deck to the hull without mechanical fasteners. There’s also no real keel sump, so bilge water can migrate up the hull sides when the boat heels. The keel’s near-vertical leading edge may not take too kindly to rock ledges.
The Verdict
The J/97 succeeds as a versatile family raceboat and coastal cruiser that punches well above its 31 feet 6 inches of length. It combines a forgiving, IRC-influenced hull with a simple, well-balanced rig and an open, high-volume interior. It’s an honest entry-level J/Boat that rewards inexperienced crews yet still shows real spark in club racing.
Pros
- Beam carried aft and a flared hull provide 40-foot volume in a 31-footer
- Retracting carbon bowsprit simplifies spinnaker handling, with no pole to manage
- High-lift rudder provides a balanced helm and fingertip-light tiller
- Bridgedeck and self-draining transom resist downflooding
Cons
- No real keel sump allows bilge water to climb the hull sides when heeled
- Near-vertical keel leading edge is unkind to rock ledges
- Some experts have questioned the balsa core and fastener-free Plexus hull-to-deck bond
- Early boats could have uncapped cabin-top furling bolts
