J/24

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J/24
J 24 blue.svg
Class symbol
J24 Sailboat Tequila 2594.jpg
Development
DesignerRod Johnstone
Year1977
Design One-Design
NameJ/24
Boat
Crew3 – 5
Draft 1.22 m (4 ft 0 in)
Hull
Type Monohull
Construction GRP
Hull weight1,406 kg (3,100 lb)
LOA 7.32 m (24.0 ft)
LWL 6.10 m (20.0 ft)
Beam 2.71 m (8 ft 11 in)
Hull appendages
Keel/board typeFixed
Rig
Rig type Fractional rig
Sails
Mainsail area12.68 m2 (136.5 sq ft)
Jib/genoa area11.58 m2 (124.6 sq ft)
Spinnaker area41.7 m2 (449 sq ft)
Racing
PHRF 174
[ edit on Wikidata]

The J/24 is a one-design racing keelboat and the first J/Boats product. It achieved global success, with more than 5,200 built, though it is now out of production. [1] It is recognised by World Sailing and supports active competitive fleets and championships worldwide, including the J/24 World Championship.

Contents

The first J/24 was built in 1976 by then amateur designer Rodney Johnstone. At a time when sailing was dominated by the International Offshore Rule, the boat was designed to compete under a variety of handicaps, including the MORC. [2] It was immediately successful in racing. Rodney partnered with his brother Bob (then a marketing vice-president at AMF) to form J/Boats. Tillotson-Pearson put the boat into production. With a low price, astute marketing, and heavy promotion, 1,200 were sold in the first two years. [3] [4]

Since then it has been produced by a number of licenced builders, all tightly controlled by the class association and J-Boats.

Construction

Both the deck and hull are fibreglass with an end-grain balsa core, [5] and a vinylester outer skin. [4]

Design

Race in the 2007 J/24 European Championship J-24 sailboats racing at Europameisterschaft 2007.jpg
Race in the 2007 J/24 European Championship

Rig

The rig is fractional with a backstay adjuster. The lower shrouds attach aft of the keel-stepped mast and are adjusted along with the backstay. [3] Running rigging includes a mainsheet traveller, outhaul, vang, cunningham, reefing lines, and topping lift. [6] It may be equipped with a spinnaker. [7] Tracks are provided for both the genoa and jib sheets. [8]

Hull

The rudder is hung on the plumb transom, and controlled by a tiller. It is equipped with a fixed outboard bracket. Class rules specify one outboard motor of at least 12 kg. [6] It displaces 3,100 lb (1,406 kg) and has a hull speed of 6.0 kn (11.1 km/h). [9] The fixed fin keel is bolted on and weighs 950 pounds [4] and gives the boat a 4.00 ft (1.22 m) draft. [7] It is usually launched by crane, hoisted from a lifting bar bolted to the keel. [9]

The high displacement to length ratio dates the design compared to today's standards, as does the water line length, being 4 ft shorter than the length overall. [2]

Interior

The simple and functional interior has very little headroom and is usually used only for sail storage, [3] although the two settees and "V"-berth provide berths for four. There is a sink but no fixed head. A portable icebox doubles as the companionway step.

Class authority

J/24 sailing downwind in San Francisco Bay J24 sailing downwind.jpg
J/24 sailing downwind in San Francisco Bay

The international authority for the class is World Sailing, which cooperates with the International J/24 Class Association on all matters regarding the rules. The International J24 Class Association (IJCA) has the sole authority worldwide for the conduct and management of the International J/24 Class. [10] IJCA is a "not-for-profit" organization. There are 136 active fleets in the US. [11]

References

  1. ↑ J/Boats. "Older J/Boats sailboat models no longer in production". J Boats. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "J/24". sailingmagazine.net. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Nicholson, Darrell (June 14, 2000). "J/24". Practical Sailor. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "J/Boats J/24: Oldie But Goodie - boats.com". www.boats.com. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  5. ↑ "J/24". sailingmagazine.net. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Class Rules Intrernational J/24 Class" (PDF). J/24 International Class Association. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  7. 1 2 J/Boats. "J/24 Technical Specifications". J Boats. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  8. ↑ "J/24 TUNING GUIDE". North Sails. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Henkel, Steve: The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, page 294. International Marine/McGraw-Hill, 2010. ISBN   978-0-07-163652-0
  10. ↑ "International J/24 Class Association Constitution" (PDF). j24class.org. October 20, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  11. ↑ "US Fleets". J/24 USA Class Association. Archived from the original on December 5, 2009.
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