Comfortably Sailing the NEW J/9 Daysailer!
J/9 Review
It was a fun week on Narragansett Bay as the new J/9 daysailer completed her commissioning process and testing of the environmentally-friendly Torqeedo electric pod drive. After a quick, easy rig tune on the single-spreader rig, the sails were fitted and it was time for J/9’s first sail.
With the J/Design father-son team of Rodney and Alan Johnstone aboard, the J/9 took off on her initial test sail and delivery from Barrington down to Bristol, RI. The electric pod-drive with folding propeller worked beautifully, pushing the easily-driven hull up to 6.5 kts. 
J/9 Daysailer for sale today – Gulf Coast
Next was the double-checking how the sails fitted on the rig and trimmed out properly. In short, all the pieces seemed to fit perfectly into place, the main and jib trimming out nicely. In around 8 to 10 kts of wind the J/9 quickly reached 7.5 kts reaching speeds and she sailed upwind with beautiful balance on the helm. The J/9 is a very close-winded boat, tacking through 77 degrees with ease and fetching upwards of 6.5 knots boatspeed.
Upon reaching shore, it was all smiles from Al and Rod…both pleased with the latest creation from the J/Design drawing boards. Commented Al, “she’s just what we hoped for, quick and comfortable!” The cockpit is huge and about as comfortable as your living room sofa with the thick, soft cockpit cushions.
On Friday, the new J/9 had its first long-distance test and delivery sail from Bristol Harbor to Newport Harbor- a distance of 16.1 nm in 3.0 hours flat! Upwind in 10 to 20 kts south-southeast breeze sailing down Narragansett Bay and underneath the magnificent Newport Bridge. The VMG speed of 5.4 kts against a 0.5 to 1.0 kts flooding tide is pretty remarkable performance, tacking through about 77 degrees. Here is a link to the 3D track of that delivery on RaceQs.com.
Review: In around 8 to 10 kts of wind the J/9 quickly reached 7.5 kts reaching speeds and she sailed upwind with beautiful balance on the helm. The J/9 is a very close-winded boat, tacking through 77 degrees with ease and fetching upwards of 6.5 knots boatspeed.