I came across an article reporting on the ISA All-Ireland Helmsman’s Championship, a regatta raced in the J/80. What interested me about this article, aside from the colorful Irish turns of phrase, was the writer’s claim that “the J80 steps comfortably into the shoes of the J24, which we all got steamed up about in the 1970s.” Here is a description of sailing the J/80 from the JBoats site:

Be sailing in 3 minutes. Take off the boom cover and hoist the mainsail, attached to the mast with slides. Cast off. You’re now sailing faster than other boats with full canvas. Ready for more speed? Uncleat the furler line and pull in the jib sheet. Presto! Now you’re really flying! Time for the afterburners? Pull the sprit launch control line, hoist the asymmetric spinnaker and trim. Now you’re planing! To jibe, simply let off the old sheet and pull in the new. No one on the foredeck! You can even do it single-handed.

And it does 15 knots planing down wind! That’s intriguing.

The boat is often compared to the Melges 24, which it should not be. It’s much heavier for one thing, but that makes it much more stable. And while easier to trailer and setup than the J/24, it’s nowhere near as easy as the Melges with its retractable keel.  But it’s really a different boat, the difference between a dinghy and a keelboat. For instance, you’d be much less likely to bring your toddler sailing on the Melges:

Thanks to its 1400lb. Fixed lead keel (48% ballast ratio) J/80 has big-boat feel and requires less experienced crew. The boom is high for safety and good visibility. No one has to clamber over a cabin top because everyone sits in the 12 ft. long cockpit. Even toddlers are contained by playpen-high cockpit sides.

Now, I know many serious sailors would not consider toddler-ability a selling point, but with 2 kids under 5 I’m pretty interested in that aspect of it. And in a pinch you could take this boat on a short trip.  It’s a family cruiser/racer with offshore capabilities:

The J/80 is certified for Design Category B of the EU Recreational Craft Directive which states that qualifying boats are designed for waves up to 13 feet high with winds to 41 knots, or conditions which may be encountered on offshore voyages of sufficient length or on coasts where shelter may not always be immediately available.

The price tag of $42,000 will keep me out of the market for a while, but hopefully these will be showing up more often on the used market. With over 1000 hulls built it may truly be the next J/24.

J/24 - J/80 Comparison