J/30 for Cruising

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

Sounds like you are having secodn thoughts on passing on the J30.

And FWIW, the J29 was the racer back then. The J30 the racer/cruiser. J29s are still popular in club racing.

I like the boat, but it would need too much to make it a boat for cruising.

I raced for 15 years on four different boats (beach cats) so have that pretty much out of my system.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Paul L

More interesting arguments. You claim your boat has many more options in a storm than a J, then go on to describe a 30kt blow where you had no options but to sail DDW.
If you think your Bristol is the boat for you, then keep it. Not sure why you bring up a J-boat. My wife and I, pretty much the same age as you have a lot of miles cruising on a J boat. We never considered 30kts a storm, even with 12ft seas.

I think you missed the point.

I'm not sure if caught in the same situation with most of the mainsail up, having to steer, and winds peaking at around 35 knots would I be able to control a J/30 single handed. The J/30 would be flying in those conditions

I believe you said you had a J/37 which is a 13,000 lbs. plus boat and you had crew.

I'm back at this thread because there is another J/30 for sale nearby like about 2 miles from where I work.

https://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/d...640193808.html

And as my back is healing I have been watching too many old Americas Cup Videos. I raced for years and miss the performance.

A J/30 isn't a beach cat, but I'm not 35-50 years old anymore either. Plus this location is right for beach cats with old men Skippering them as it can real rough real fast

[Boatguy30]

May have already been said, but I believe Rod Johnstone sailed from Newport to England in the spring of 1979 and then raced and finished the 79 Fastnet in a J/30.

He also sailed a J/99 with 4 to Bermuda in summer of 2020 as there were no flights and a mate wanted to get his 65 or so foot yacht home. The crew of 4 split up between the 2 boats back to Newport.

I believe they were all about 80.

[lifeofreilly57]

Personally I'd choose a smaller C&C from that era to cruise in. Still good sailing manners, good to wind and better protected at sea.
J did make the J28, which was a eat little pocket cruiser, but they're hard to find these days, most end up in long term ownership.