PassageBoats
offshore

J/44

J/Boats · 1989–1993 · Sloop rig

Compare this boat →
J/44 profile drawing
LOA44.92'
Beam13.58'
Draft8'
Displ.11.0t
Rigsloop
HullFiberglass

Bluewater Evidence · Ocean Proven

95% confidence
Doc.CapableProven

22 named J/44s have finished ocean races in the official results: Resolute (Newport Bermuda Race 2002, 2008), Vamp (Newport Bermuda Race 2002, 2006, 2008), Charlie V (Newport Bermuda Race 2002, 2006, 2008), Runaway (Newport Bermuda Race 2002, 2006, 2008), and 18 more. A named boat of this design has finished the 628-mile Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in the official results: Phoenix (1994 and 1997).

Overview

The J/44 is a Rod Johnstone offshore racer-cruiser that raced as a one-design class in the Newport Bermuda Race, built from 1989 to 1993, with 67 built according to sailboatdata.com. Its place in this catalog rests on its ocean racing record: 22 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 spade rudder, 44.92 ft overall on a 38.58 ft waterline, with 13.58 ft of beam and 8 ft of draft. Displacement is about 22,000 lb with 9,000 lb of ballast, and the masthead sloop carries about 1,040 sq ft.

Ocean Racing Record

Resolute (Fred Madeira) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2002, 2008). Vamp (Leonard J. Sitar) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2002, 2006, 2008). Charlie V (Norman H. Schulman, M.D.) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2002, 2006, 2008). Runaway (Lawrence R. Glenn) finished the Newport Bermuda Race (2002, 2006, 2008). Other finishers include Gold Digger, Stampede, Kaimiloa, Glory, Maxine, Challenge IV. Phoenix (R.Reynolds) finished the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 1994 and 1997.

Passage records

Resolute· Fred Madeira2008

Newport Bermuda Race (2002, 2008)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Newport Bermuda Race official results

Vamp· Leonard J. Sitar2008

Newport Bermuda Race (2002, 2006, 2008)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Newport Bermuda Race official results

Charlie V· Norman H. Schulman, M.D.2008

Newport Bermuda Race (2002, 2006, 2008)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Newport Bermuda Race official results

Runaway· Lawrence R. Glenn2008

Newport Bermuda Race (2002, 2006, 2008)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Newport Bermuda Race official results

Phoenix· R.Reynolds1997

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1994, 1997

Finished 2 times (line honours places 91, 31).

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 1997 results

Viajante2016

Pacific Cup, San Francisco to Kaneohe (2016)

Finished 3rd in the WEEMS & PLATH Division B division.

Source: Pacific Cup 2016 results (pacificcup.org)

Glory· US Coast Guard Academy2022

Newport Bermuda Race (2010, 2012, 2014, 2022)

Finished 4 times in the official results.

Source: 2022 Newport Bermuda Race results

Gold Digger· James D. Bishop2014

Newport Bermuda Race (2010, 2012, 2014)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: 2014 Newport-Bermuda Race final results (ORR)

Comet2022

Newport Bermuda Race (2022)

Finished, 3rd in Class 14 of the St. David's Lighthouse Division.

Source: 2022 Newport Bermuda Race results

Kenai2022

Newport Bermuda Race (2022)

Finished, 5th in Class 14 of the St. David's Lighthouse Division.

Source: 2022 Newport Bermuda Race results

T Spanwil IV2003

Rolex Fastnet Race (2003)

Finished.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Rolex Fastnet Race 2003 results

Cat's Paw2004

Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race (2000, 2002, 2004)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race 2004 results

T Spanwil IV2004

ARC (2004)

Finished.

Source: World Cruising Club: ARC 2004 results

Patriot2019

Transpac (2015, 2019)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Transpacific Yacht Club: Transpac 2019 official results (Yachtscoring)

Stolen Hour2009

Caribbean 1500 (2009)

Finished.

Source: Caribbean 1500 2009 results

Indigo2004

Caribbean 1500 (2004)

Finished.

Source: Caribbean 1500 2004 results

Kenai· Chris Lewis2017

Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race (2017)

Finished.

Source: Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race 2017 results

Digger· James Phyfe2023

Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race (2023)

Finished.

Source: Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race 2023 results

Kings Point – Comet· Kenneth Luczynski2023

Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race (2023)

Finished.

Source: Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race 2023 results

The Secretary· George Shaw2008

Melbourne to Launceston (2008)

Finished.

Source: ORCV Melbourne to Launceston 2008 results

Vamp2001

Annapolis to Newport Race (2001)

Finished.

Source: Annapolis Yacht Club Annapolis to Newport Race 2001 results

Runaway2007

Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race (2007)

Finished.

Source: Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race 2007 results

Glory2007

Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race (2007)

Finished.

Source: Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race 2007 results

J-Hawk· H. Thornton1994

China Sea Race (1994)

Finished.

Source: RHKYC China Sea Race 1994 results

Adria· Chris Gorman1999

Sydney Gold Coast (1999)

Finished.

Source: CYCA Sydney Gold Coast 1999 results

What sailing channels say about the J/44, quoted from video transcripts with a link to the exact moment. Opinions belong to the speakers; the written review above stays independent of them.

discusses

The broker, Charlotte Kinkade of East Coast Yacht Sales, previews a 1989 J/44 on the hard in Portland, Maine for a potential buyer. At five foot eight she says there is well over six feet of headroom, and she likes the U-shaped galley as a secure place to cook underway.

Charlotte Kinkade

J44 Walk-Thru Tour / Virtual Yacht Showing - SOLD Sailboat from Jboats - with Charlotte Kinkade

▶ watch at 1:43
discusses

The broker notes winning trophies on the saloon bulkhead, including a Newport Bermuda race placing, and says that with a boat like this you really do get part of the history. She suggests it could suit a racer-cruiser or live-aboard extended cruising role.

Charlotte Kinkade

J44 Walk-Thru Tour / Virtual Yacht Showing - SOLD Sailboat from Jboats - with Charlotte Kinkade

▶ watch at 4:34
discusses

With the companionway steps off, the broker sees pretty dirty engine oil, which she says could just be decommissioning fluid, but everything else below the engine looks clean. She describes access to belts, alternator and fuel filters as good, with side panels on both sides giving almost 360 degree access to the propulsion.

Charlotte Kinkade

J44 Walk-Thru Tour / Virtual Yacht Showing - SOLD Sailboat from Jboats - with Charlotte Kinkade

▶ watch at 10:05
warns⚙ gelcoat⚙ deck

On deck the broker says one big hurdle on J-boats that scares people is deck crazing in the gel coat. She shows it on the rounded edges that get the most UV, notes the boat is 32 years old, and calls it a cosmetic issue whose importance depends on the next owner. She says her own J boat had crazing and got a major deck replacement and refinish.

Charlotte Kinkade

J44 Walk-Thru Tour / Virtual Yacht Showing - SOLD Sailboat from Jboats - with Charlotte Kinkade

▶ watch at 12:36
  1. [1]SpecificationsJ/44 - SailboatData.com- Dimensions, displacement, ballast, sail area, keel, rig, designer and production.
  2. [2]EditorialNewport Bermuda Race official results- Official results; J/44 finishes.
See something wrong? Suggest a correction

Corrections need evidence: a link or citation we can check. Sourced suggestions get reviewed and credited in the entry's change notes if applied.

Owner knowledge counts: name the boat and year so we can attribute it.

Similar Boats

Trintella 45 sailboat

Trintella 45

1983–1986 · 44.95'

Beneteau First 44.7 sailboat

Beneteau First 44.7

2004–2007 · 44.83'

Sabre 452 sailboat

Sabre 452

1997–2006 · 45.17'

Beneteau Oceanis 44 CC sailboat

Beneteau Oceanis 44 CC

1994 · 44.58'

Catalina 445 sailboat

Catalina 445

2009 · 44.42'

Heyman 42 sailboat

Heyman 42

2023 · 44.36'