Cruising a J/30

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MarkDB

MarkDB

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Jun 10, 2005
65
NULL NULL Springfield, VA
A couple of weeks ago, we race PHRF with a bunch of J/30s from JBoats. They were very fast and handled well. After looking at the Class website, it appears that J/30s are ok for cruising also. Has anyone had any experience cruising these little sleds? Any tips for making them comfortable for the family? Mark
 
J

JC on Bainbridge

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Jul 17, 2005
586
Hunter 37.5 Bainbridge Island - West of Seattle
What kind of cruising?

Are you talking about gunkholing, coastal, or blue water? And, for how many people? 2? Also, what is your experience level? All makes a big difference. More details please.
 
MarkDB

MarkDB

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Jun 10, 2005
65
NULL NULL Springfield, VA
Lots of experience, Joe

I've been sailing for about 9 years. Most of that's been racing other people's 27-33 footers. But I want to get my family onboard. Family of 4 (wife and 2 kids 3&7) Cruising is coastal and gunkholing (6 foot deep gunkholes of course) Again, have you taken one out for a weekend, week, longer? What do you do to make the boat comfortable for the family versus the racing crew? (cooking, ventilation,shade, swimming, activities, get it?) Mark
 
C

Cliff

Crusing a J 30 and owing a J 29

After owning a H 28.5 for 5 years I wanted something faster. I bought a J 29. We fully intend to not change the way we sail. We weekend on the boat all summer and will be doing a 1-2 week vaction on the boat. The J 29 has ALLOT less stand up head room then the J 30, but it all depends on how tall a person is for stand up head room. If I was 5 foot then I would have stand up head room. What the J 29 offer's over the Hunter 28.5 is sure sailing pleasure. Kinda like going from a Mini van to a Porsche. The J 30 is a great boat and are much loved by ther owner's. If they are kept nice they tend to hold ther value really well. Cliff
 
B

bill

another question/same boats

are J-29s and J-30s practical to single hand (not in a race, just for fun)?
 
C

Cliff

Yes

Most any boat can be single handed if set up right. With my J 29 the traveler and primary winches are right where you want them close by in the cockpit. Having the main traveler up on the cabin roof while out of the way seems like a mile away when getting hit with a puff and needing to drop the traveler down as the wife is screaming from down below while making lunch. J boats built from Balsa Core and built by TPI which is still in business are some of the strongest boats made. While my J 29 does not have the furniture comforts of my H 28.5 it offer's allot bigger berths for sleeping and is very comfortable for hanging out down down below while you are sitting. The J 30 and the J 29 are from the same hull mold and are 11 feet wide. The J 29 will out sail most all the crusing boats boat for boat and with some sail better with just the main up. I think a J 29 or a J 30 with Roller furling and a few other single hand things like self stearing would be a great single hand boat. Cliff Cliff
 
R

ricky

sure why not

Why not cruise a Jboat? They are some of the best built boats out there. Might be small, but hey... Robin Lee Graham sailed a Lapworth 24 almost around the world. If you are comfortable with size, go for it.
 
V

Vic

Mark ... biggest cruise problem with the J30 ...

is the tiny head storage tank. But if you are hopping from marina to marina there is no real problem. Long hauls with the tiller can be exhausting. But with an autohelm and detuned a bit the 30 sails well.
 
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PaulK

How far?

My brother cruises extensively in his J/30. To start, he took it from Seattle WA to Juneau AK -- about 1800 miles up the Inside Passage. Now there, he bops down to Tracy Arm on weekends, circumnavigates Douglas Island, and I believe has gotten to Sitka on occasion. He has not installed a lot of creature comforts, since he also enjoys racing, but I do think he has a heater. A few other things (not in any particular order, and without regard to cost) might help make a J/30 or just about any boat more comfy: 1/ foam covering for the lifelines near the cockpit make leaning against them more comfortable 2/ roller-furling jib 3/ airscoop(s) to deploy in hatch(es) at anchor 4/dodger 5/sun awning 6/bimini ( Look up the good article on biminis and awnings in a recent Cruising World ) Another sure way to make cruising more enjoyable is to not have too many people aboard, and to make sure the people you have are the right ones.
 
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