2021 J Boats J/88

Slip behind the helm and you feel right away how light and responsive this 29-footer is. The cockpit is laid out so your trimmers, driver, and bow all have their own space, with clean side decks and hardware exactly where you reach for it in the heat of a mark rounding. Below, it’s simple and weight-conscious, but not spartan: enough room to stash crew bags, stretch out between races, and get organized for a weekend overnight. The carbon sprit makes hoists and douses drama-free, and the balanced rudder lets you push hard downwind without that “on the edge” feeling. It’s a boat that rewards good sailors and makes decent sailors better.

This J/88 is particularly well suited to the mixed conditions you see on the local racecourses and nearby open water. The boat has the horsepower to keep moving in light summer breezes, yet enough stability and control to stay on its feet when the afternoon sea breeze or a frontal passage pipes up. Draft and displacement are friendly to typical harbor entrances and tidal channels, so you can day sail, weeknight race, and still sneak into shallower anchorages. With its efficient sail plan and easy handling, it’s ideal for small crews who want one design–level performance without giving up the ability to enjoy relaxed daysailing with family and friends.