J/24
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Class symbol | |
 | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Rod Johnstone |
| Year | 1977 |
| Design | One-Design |
| Name | J/24 |
| Boat | |
| Crew | 3 – 6 |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4 ft 0 in) |
| Hull | |
| Type | Monohull |
| Construction | GRP |
| Hull weight | 1,406 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 type | Fixed |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Fractional rig |
| Sails | |
| Mainsail area | 12.68 m2 (136.5 sq ft) |
| Jib/genoa area | 11.58 m2 (124.6 sq ft) |
| Spinnaker area | 41.7 m2 (449 sq ft) |
| Racing | |
| PHRF | 174 |
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.
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 licensed builders, all tightly controlled by the class association and J-Boats.
Both the deck and hull are fibreglass with an end-grain balsa core,[5] and a vinylester outer skin.[4]
