Overview
The J/120 is a Rod Johnstone racer-cruiser from J/Boats, built from 1994 to 2006, with 230 built according to sailboatdata.com. Its place in this catalog rests on its ocean racing record: 19 different boats of the design have finished the Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Hawaii or the Newport Bermuda Race in the official results.
Design and Construction
sailboatdata.com lists the underbody as fin with bulb and spade rudder, 40 ft overall on a 34.5 ft waterline, with 12 ft of beam and 7 ft of draft. Displacement is about 13,900 lb with 6,000 lb of ballast, and the fractional sloop carries about 780 sq ft. Cruising World’s Sheila McCurdy reports the hull and deck are fiberglass with a balsa core, laminated by resin infusion, with a 4.5 inch hull-to-deck flange glued with a urethane elastomer adhesive. The mast is stepped through the deck. A 5 ft 9 in shoal-draft keel was an option to the standard seven-foot lead keel.
Ocean Racing Record
Mireille (E. Hewitt Gaynor) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008). Jamani (Sean Mulvhill) finished the Pacific Cup (2008, 2010, 2012). Antares (Sharpe) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2000, 2002, 2004). Windborn (Richard W. Born) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2004, 2008). Other finishers include Blue Mingo, Alibi, Puff, Gingerbread Man, J World, Avra.
McCurdy found the big wheel and semi-balanced rudder gave a fingertip helm: a nudge of less than a half turn to leeward made the boat fall off instantly while beating, which also puts a small load on an autopilot. In light air the boat moves fast enough to bring the apparent breeze well forward, so with the asymmetrical spinnaker one has to tack downwind like a catamaran sailor. She found the boat as delivered lacks the homeyness of many 40-foot cruisers and does not lend itself immediately to long-term liveaboard use, though there is enough space and stowage for two couples to cruise for a fortnight or more.
