2024 J Boats 29' _{(8.84 m)} J/88

Sailing Comfort with Speed to Burn

J/88 truly hits the sweet spot in J Boats' new generation of performance sprit boats. This mid-sized 29' (8.8m) family speedster is fast, fun, and stable with the security and comfort of a sit-in cockpit, inboard diesel, overnighting interior, and onboard head.

J/88 is all about the joy of sailing - the exhilarating feel of a boat that responds instantly to slight changes in trim and course. The joy of sailing a well-balanced boat upwind in a breeze and then hoisting the masthead A-sail and flying over the waves downwind, with only a few fingers lightly holding the tiller. When the wind dies to a whisper, the J/88 with its high aspect, non-overlapping sailplan (no genoas), has the sail power and low hull resistance to ghost along while others have to motor.

Handling the J/88 is a Breeze

The mainsail and furling jib can be deployed in minutes. All halyards and sheets lead to the cockpit, and the primary winches are within reach of the driver - so solo tacking is an option without the need for a self-tacking system. When you're ready for turbo-mode, the asymmetric spinnaker, flown from a retractable carbon bowsprit, can be hoisted, jibed, and taken down by just a two-person crew (or one if with a snuffer).

Performance and sailing comfort result from stability, and the J/88 is optimized where it counts to provide a smooth ride: a two-spreader, carbon fiber, deck-stepped mast, and a 6.5' (1.98m) fixed L-shaped keel with low VCG (vertical center of gravity) lead bulb. This combined with a balanced, efficient hull form explains why the J/88 has such exceptional directional stability and control, even in challenging conditions.

Built to Last & Easy to Own

J/88 is the toughest J ever built under 30 feet. The structure and composite laminates are engineered to ISO 12215 structural standards. The all-composite hull, deck, and structural grid are infusion molded in a temperature-controlled environment. Biaxial and unidirectional fiberglass fabrics are laid dry into precision-crafted molds and then resin-infused under high vacuum to maximize the laminate's material properties while minimizing emissions. The result is an extremely strong structure that will take a pounding for years.

The Inside Story

J/88 features a simple but functional overnighting interior layout with two full-length settee berths, and a private head and sail storage forward of the main bulkhead. There's comfortable seating for four in the main cabin with a mini-galley and navigation area, and a large cooler near the companionway.

J/88 Class Association

Since J/88 's successful launch and with 100+ boats sailing around the world, the growing owner-run J/88 Class Association enjoys an active sailing schedule in the USA and UK, with friendly social gatherings for the owners. With a maximum crew of six and strict sail limitations, the class rules help to keep costs under control and attract sailors looking for a rewarding one design experience in a boat that also passes the all-important family sailing test.

There's nothing quite like sailing a boat that accelerates in the slightest of puffs, and yet stands strong when the breezes pipes up. A boat that's forgiving to trim and steer and responsive to fine-tuning. J/88 is all about bringing performance sailing to all ages and abilities, and delivering an incredible sailing experience - whether after work sailing with family and friends, soloing on a passage, or competing for silver in a J/88 fleet.