J/105: World’s coolest yachts

Yachting World has been asking top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest and most innovative yachts of our times, and Bob Johnstone nominated the J/105. Here’s the report:

“The J/105 revolutionized downwind sailing in the sport as the first boat over 20ft with a retractable bowsprit and asymmetric spinnaker,” explains J/Boats co-founder Bob Johnstone. “The system was pioneered on my son Peter’s One-Design 14.”

Peter’s college housemate was then Jonathan Pudney, son of famed International 14 sailor Jeremy. When Peter was looking for ideas for a more exciting boat, Jonathan suggested the system being used on a Cross-3 Int 14. “The rest is history,” adds Johnstone.

“The J/105 became the most popular offshore one-design over 30ft worldwide with over 700 boats racing from Chile to the UK. A J/105 has been RORC Boat of the Year, won the Rolex Middle Sea Race, and also won many double-handed races.”

J/Boats went on to develop the sprit concept on many cruiser/racer designs. He adds: “The earliest use of the system with a retractable sprit that I could find was on fishing boats in south-west England called ‘Sprit Boomers’ in the 16th or 17th century.”

J/105 stats rating:
Top speed: 15 knots
LOA: 10.51m/34.5ft
Launched: 1991
Berths: 4
Price: $50,000 (used)
Adrenalin factor: 60%

For Yachting World’s list of cool boats, click here.