J-30

shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,468
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I'm looking for info re this boat. I've done the sailboatdata.com, and google and the class association. I'm looking for tips for survey, performance info from anyone who has owned one or raced one - either on board or against one. Basically, I considering this for a Wed. Pm and club level PHRF racing for limited crew. Our regular Wed Pm breeze is 15- 18 knots. I would keep the jib on a furler and am considering using just the 105% as a working sail. Most of the sailing would be the admiral and I. No apes on the rail. We also would like to do overnights at a local anchorage. Nothing long distance. I know J 24's, 22's, 27's and 29's but I don't know much about the 30. What does anyone think?
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
It's hard not to look at the 30 and see a big J24. Indeed it was designed right after the 24. Its a very decent boat; quick for sure. Will absolutely CRUSH any of its contemporaries in the 29-31 foot range that were coming out at the same time. (C&C, Bristol, Cal, etc) you name it. Only the Olson 30 is close. The boat is a bit tender but OK with a jib. Two can handle it easily that way. Fractional rig helps the 2-up part as well. Just play the main and all is golden. Hopefully your PHRF board will give you some credit for the jib and the furler. Racing? Limited (spin) crew means 5.

Cruising fine. I think it has a 1-cyl diesel and is LOUD downstairs. No anchor locker on deck IIRC. Headroom is low, and tankage is small for a cruiser. But thats fixable.

The whole thing is cored so look hard for wetness. Look for signs of strain from the rigging. Most have been sailed HARD.
 
Ted

Ted

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Jan 26, 2005
1,271
C&C 110 Bay Shore, Long Island, NY
The J30 is a very nice boat. It was on my short list when I was looking to purchase a boat in the 30 foot size range. I crewed on one years ago and am pretty familiar with it. Ultimately I decided against buying one because it had to be sailed very flat to be competitive and I knew that I wouldn't have the crew weight to do that. My sailing area typically has wind speeds in the 15 knot range. The boat also developed a lot of weather helm as she heeled, primarily because of the wide beam. They are very fast down wind in a blow but struggle in light air and chop. Specific areas to check on the J30 are the structural supports for the engine mounts and the fiberglass floor around the mast step. The hull and deck are balsa cored so a moisture check should be done. I'd be surprised if they come up dry as almost all boats with this type of construction have some issues. It's just a matter of how widespread it is. There were two cockpit disigns over the years. The earlier models had cockpits which were similar to the J24 with almost no coaming. The later models had coamings which helped keep water out of the cockpit.
 
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Ted

Ted

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Jan 26, 2005
1,271
C&C 110 Bay Shore, Long Island, NY
Jackdaw, They came with a Yanmar 2GM 2 cylinder diesel. The anchor locker is on the starboard side near the chain plate. A Danforth type anchor can be stored vertically. It's easy to miss because the locker lid is narrow and doesn't look like a typical anchor locker especially because of its location.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Ted said:
The anchor locker is on the starboard side near the chain plate. A Danforth type anchor can be stored vertically. It's easy to miss because the locker lid is narrow and doesn't look like a typical anchor locker especially because of its location.
Click to expand
Awesome that explains that! I always wondered.... know a couple of them that race, and one of the owners talked about a locker, but I've been on the foredeck of a 30 and for sure didn't see it. Mystery solved! Chain must had still be a problem.
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,468
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I appreciate the responses. I'll probably take a look at it. I'm a little concerned about the draft which is a bit over what's considered max around here. I'll see if the condition is good enough to worry about that.
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,704
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
The J30 has been popular in my club for the past 20 or more years. There are 2 deck versions, the older version does not have backrests in the cockpit the newer version does. They do like to be sailed flat. The transom hung rudder can develop some weather helm and in heavier conditions it is not well balanced so it takes more effort to steer.

As others have noted, the entire boat is balsa cored, so watch out for wet core or the price should reflect the wet coring. Head room is just under 6'. The interior is comfortable for short term cruising, a week or two, not a boat that I would want to live aboard.

The One Design J30 has a longer spin pole than PHRF allows, so you pay a rating penalty. Some boats have had problems with wet transoms.

Here's a link to the J30 Class Association: http://j30.us/blog/
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,468
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
DL,
Maybe you can confirm for me that the 163 is the class jib? I was looking on the Class Association site and that seems to be the case. I didn't find the class rules or a link to such.
 
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