J-39 Opinions

[avazquez]

Just found a 1990 J-39 for sale in my area here in Puerto Rico. I would like to have the boat as a cruiser and race it once in a while. Most of my sailing will be between Puerto Rico and the BVI's.

Any comments about this boat would be appreciated. It seems to be in great shape...

[Faster]

That's a pretty big leap from a Newport 41 to a J-39. The J is a performance design, certainly quicker than a N41 but likely to be harder to handle, and are probably best with a largish crew. The J 39 was one of Jboat's last semi "IOR" designs. Not what I'd call a cruising boat per se. If I remember correctly the rig relies to some extent on checkstays and runners, which are problematic for short handed cruising.
That said, they are attractive boats from a reputable builder and could represent good value.

[avazquez]

Yes I know it is a big leap, having such a hard time finding the right Newport 41 has led me to other possibilities. This boat happens to be a two owner boat in superb conditions. The price is a bit more than what I was willing to pay for but I'll see if the owner is willing to go down a little bit. Also after looking at the available Newports and the asking prices it seems like I can get the J 39 for almost the same price due to the fact that it is here in the island. Between airfares to go see candidate Newports, preparations for a delivery from the east coast to the caribbean, insurance and captain delivery fees it all adds up to almost the same amount.

After all, all I want to do is go from PR to the BVI's safely. The Newport is still my favorite but I guess if it makes sense I will at least give the J a try. We are going out for a test sail next weekend. I'll have a more informed opinion next week.

[Jeff_H]

I think that Faster is mistaking the J-39 for the J-41. The J-39 was J-boats early attempt at an IMS oriented design. They were pretty stripped out but pretty nice boats. They came in a variety of rig options and the only one that I knew of was a masthead rig without runners or checkstays. Faster may be right that the boat that you are looking at does have parrellel spreaders and checkstays, which is not the best set up for cruising.

Also as Faster notes these were really designed as offshore cruising boats. J-boats had quite a few designs that would make great offshore performance cruisers with a little bit of work, in my mind better than a Newport 41 all around, but this design was not one of them.

Respectfully,
Jeff

[Faster]

As usual, Jeff is correct, and I stand humbly corrected. The J39 is a masthead IMS design. I did a little more research and as far as I can tell it has checkstays, but they are not crucial to the integrity of the rig.

One other drawback to the idea of cruising this boat, though is the "pit" style cockpit - no real seats, no coaming or backrests so this would not be a comfortable or dry cruising cockpit. Probably sails quite nicely, though.

[avazquez]

Faster,

Yes, this boat is sort of a mix of cruising and racing, actually more racing than cruising. My wifes concern is the same, there is no confortable sitting area in the cockpit......and it looks like it will get wet......

Anyway, where did you find the info?...there is not much info in the J-boats site about this particular vessel.

I think this 1990 boat will cost me the same amount that a 1980 Newport 41....what do you guys think? Should I just go for it and forget about the hassle of purchasing a boat in the states and then get it delivered to the caribbean?

One other advantage is that it was hauled, anti fouled, polished and appraised last week. So it is ready to go.....with 2003 sails and an extensive inventory of race sails, it has two air conditioning units, great stereo system, alcohol stove.............

[Faster]

She sounds in good shape, if you can convince your better half, maybe she'll do!(the boat, I mean) I do still think that with a crew of 2 she'll be a handful in a blow.

I got my info from my son, who races on one a couple of times a year.

Good Luck
btw - found "your" boat on yachtworld - looks pretty nice!

[cardiacpaul]

I'm going to second the thought about it not being a "cruiser"...
While it will most likely be a lively sail, think about the "comfort level" .

I'd get pretty tired standing 4-5 hours at a time while at the helm. (or sitting in a cramped position)

Try out the berths. make sure you can both fit comfortably and are able to extricate yourselves without having to do a porn star move evey time.

If you're planing on staying out for more that a couple of days, check for ample storage compartments for food and libations.

[avazquez]

In terms of interior space, I find it to be pretty well laid out, the berths are actually very confortable and spacious.

Storage.....there seems to be enough space

Sailing confort......Not to many options,, the cockpit is definitely not intended for cruising and there is not much to be done to it.

The longest sail that I would probably do is 10 - 12 hours a couple of times a year from Puerto Rico to the BVI's.

I guess it will all depend on how much of a compromise we want to get into...but I agree with the cockpit issue...

[LyleRussell]

For what it's worth to you I have recently looked in detail at a J-37 and a J-40. Also sailed J-80, 105, 110 and crewed a 44). Both the 37 & 40 have running backstays that look like they can be rigged in a fashion that is not a problem for single handers. I wonder if the backstays are really necessary in light to moderate air anyway. The bathtub cockpit doesn't have backrests but you can put some foam tubing on the lifelines and be very comfortable. How often do we sit down into a cockpit anyway. I am always sitting up on the coaming where I can see and feel the wind. The boats are well built by the pro's in the composite business, TPI. I have toured their impressive factory in Warren RI. The Johnstones design a lot of hidden quality and good thought into all their boats. Practical Sailor once said, "If sailing is what sailing is all about then a J-Boat is a good choice. (Note they were referring to a J-35, but it appears to hold true all through the line.)

That said, be careful to have the hull and deck carefully moisture metered. If the deck hasn't been rebed in 16 years there may be wet spots. In J-Boats defense all cored boats have this compromise. Other known issues are rudder bearings, engine mounts and the engines themselves. The Volvo and Yanmar engines are strong enough and if properly lubricated don't wear out. J's rarely get enough engine running time to wear anything. What happens over 16 years is that the oil seals dry up and leak. From what I hear a rebuild of the seals costs nearly as much as a new engine.

You can rarely go wrong buying a J-Boat. My 2cents.