How "trailerable" is a J/24? I'm looking at one around here, and it doesnt seem like it could ever ramp-launch, but then again it sounds like some of you have been trailering 27' catalinas etc!?!? How does a J/24 match up to our trailer sailors performance wise, anyway? It's the same general size. Does it sail that much better!?! Just looking at specs, my H23 has aboutt he same waterline, B/disp ratio, draft (with swing down), though my ballast is much closer to my bottom. I have a feeling the "regular" trailerables are nicer inside...
J/24
- Thread starter Brian M H23
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J 24 is a great performer in the water
It is a fast, responsive boat that will probably outsail most similar sized and larger boats if handled correctly. These boats are designed for racing and it shows. I do not think the cabin is very spacious for overnighting. While I have never trailered this boat I gather that the 4' draft makes it a little difficult to launch and retrieve at most ramps. People sometimes get tongue extenders for their trailers to aid the process. Check this link at the J-24 class website http://www.j24class.org/usa/forumarchives/j24howtodo/trailerfloat.html
It is a fast, responsive boat that will probably outsail most similar sized and larger boats if handled correctly. These boats are designed for racing and it shows. I do not think the cabin is very spacious for overnighting. While I have never trailered this boat I gather that the 4' draft makes it a little difficult to launch and retrieve at most ramps. People sometimes get tongue extenders for their trailers to aid the process. Check this link at the J-24 class website http://www.j24class.org/usa/forumarchives/j24howtodo/trailerfloat.html
The J/24 will sail circles around a Hunter 23
Brian- The J/24 is a far superior boat than the Hunter 23 from a performance perspective. I have actually owned both of them. I found that the Hunter 23 was difficult enough to trailer and ramp launch. Most of the ramps in my area were designed for power boats and did not have the depth needed to get the boat off the trailer without a lot of effort. I also had the tongue extension on the trailer for the 23. I, therefore, kept my 23 in a slip to avoid that hassle. When I got the J/24, I used a mechanical hoist at my club to launch it - but it came with a trailer specially designed for ramp launching the boat. Apparently in some areas of the country they connect to trailer to some sort of winch and release the trailer from the vehicle into the water. The trailer had specially designed bunk boards to guide the keel into the right spot before hauling the trailer, which was completely submerged, out of the water with the boat on it. I have never done it or seen it done - and to be honest it doesn't sound easy to me. But this is how it was explained to me by the previous owner of the boat. While the interior space of the J/24 obviously falls short of what the Hunter 23 gives you, another huge negative, if you are looking at the cruising pros and cons of the J/24, is the cockpit and deck. The boat is primarily designed for racing, has a traveler in a location that will not allow for any kind of bimini, has no comings around the cockpit for protection from water or to rest your back on, and has sloped decks which become difficult to navigate when the boat is healed. On the performance side though, the PHRF system has rated the J/24 at 174 and the H23 at 234. That is a 60 second per mile difference in speed, which in sailboat terms is pretty significant. I know that this is a pretty crude way of analyzing it but it gives you some idea as to what to expect. Other than that I can tell you that the J/24 is just about bullet proof. A solidly built boat with good performance and will make a great daysailer. On that note there are some pretty important things to look for when buying one and they are all listed on the J/24 website - but to name a few the good boats will have the following repairs already made: Removal of vermiculite in the keel sump which had the tendency to absorb and hold water, keel re-faired to the max forward position to eliminate the bad lee helm problem in the initial design, and structural repairs to the bulkhead at the chainplates as boats that were not maintained would have failures due to rot in the bulkhead. Hope this helps and best of luck with your decision.
Brian- The J/24 is a far superior boat than the Hunter 23 from a performance perspective. I have actually owned both of them. I found that the Hunter 23 was difficult enough to trailer and ramp launch. Most of the ramps in my area were designed for power boats and did not have the depth needed to get the boat off the trailer without a lot of effort. I also had the tongue extension on the trailer for the 23. I, therefore, kept my 23 in a slip to avoid that hassle. When I got the J/24, I used a mechanical hoist at my club to launch it - but it came with a trailer specially designed for ramp launching the boat. Apparently in some areas of the country they connect to trailer to some sort of winch and release the trailer from the vehicle into the water. The trailer had specially designed bunk boards to guide the keel into the right spot before hauling the trailer, which was completely submerged, out of the water with the boat on it. I have never done it or seen it done - and to be honest it doesn't sound easy to me. But this is how it was explained to me by the previous owner of the boat. While the interior space of the J/24 obviously falls short of what the Hunter 23 gives you, another huge negative, if you are looking at the cruising pros and cons of the J/24, is the cockpit and deck. The boat is primarily designed for racing, has a traveler in a location that will not allow for any kind of bimini, has no comings around the cockpit for protection from water or to rest your back on, and has sloped decks which become difficult to navigate when the boat is healed. On the performance side though, the PHRF system has rated the J/24 at 174 and the H23 at 234. That is a 60 second per mile difference in speed, which in sailboat terms is pretty significant. I know that this is a pretty crude way of analyzing it but it gives you some idea as to what to expect. Other than that I can tell you that the J/24 is just about bullet proof. A solidly built boat with good performance and will make a great daysailer. On that note there are some pretty important things to look for when buying one and they are all listed on the J/24 website - but to name a few the good boats will have the following repairs already made: Removal of vermiculite in the keel sump which had the tendency to absorb and hold water, keel re-faired to the max forward position to eliminate the bad lee helm problem in the initial design, and structural repairs to the bulkhead at the chainplates as boats that were not maintained would have failures due to rot in the bulkhead. Hope this helps and best of luck with your decision.
Down here on the chesapeake around
Havre de Grace the J24's are kept in the marina yards and dry sailed. That way it is easier to keep the bottom clean and waxed. Very rarely do I see one on a trailer on the highway. You could probably launch at high tide but only with a tongue extender or the travel lift.
Havre de Grace the J24's are kept in the marina yards and dry sailed. That way it is easier to keep the bottom clean and waxed. Very rarely do I see one on a trailer on the highway. You could probably launch at high tide but only with a tongue extender or the travel lift.
I think
It's a little too much boat for me to handle at the moment, plus I do a lot of non-racing daysails with a couple people on board. It's not a good boat right now..Thanks for your input!
It's a little too much boat for me to handle at the moment, plus I do a lot of non-racing daysails with a couple people on board. It's not a good boat right now..Thanks for your input!
Had one
Had a J24 which I raced for several years. It would out sail much larger boats, however, for overnighting, my wife called it the camper. We now have a O'Day 28-no racing, but much more comfortable!
Had a J24 which I raced for several years. It would out sail much larger boats, however, for overnighting, my wife called it the camper. We now have a O'Day 28-no racing, but much more comfortable!
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