Overview
The J/160 is the largest of J/Boats’ Rod Johnstone performance cruisers of the 1990s, built from 1996 to 2000, with 35 built according to sailboatdata.com. Its place in this catalog rests on its ocean racing record: 3 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, 52.7 ft overall on a 47.5 ft waterline, with 14.5 ft of beam and 7 ft of draft. Displacement is about 31,200 lb with 12,000 lb of ballast, and the fractional sloop carries about 1,376 sq ft. Cruising World’s review says hull and deck are cored with Baltek end-grain balsa, with solid glass where the chainplates attach, and the hull-to-deck joint is an in-turned flange sealed with structural sealant and fastened mechanically every four inches. The designer gives the limit of positive stability as 140 degrees, and 125 degrees by IMS calculations. The standard Hall triple-spreader rig pairs a large, low-aspect-ratio mainsail with a comparatively small foretriangle, and the reviewer says almost all sail handling can be done from a safe position aft. The reviewer also notes that leaving the helm station to go forward is awkward in dicey conditions.
Ocean Racing Record
Julianna (Gould, Jr.) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2002). Capella VIII (Stanley) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2002). Pipe Dream IX (Piper III) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2002).
