New for 2009, the J/97 is the first J in over two decades under 32 to combine headroom and family cruising accommodations in a high performance, easily driven hull. With the handling ease of an asymmetric spinnaker and non-overlapping headsails, the J/97 promises to be J Boats most versatile design yet under 35 to fit the needs of todays sailing families, both young and old alike.
The key to creating a versatile sailboat is staying focused on the quality of the sailing experience, a trait shared by all J designs. Boats that are easily driven, easily handled, and genuinely fun to sail provide greater long-term sailing value to their owners than designs driven by the latest rating rule or designs that are over-compromised to meet the latest styling trends. Form usually follows function in good sailboat design, and the J/97 is no exception.
The cockpit features full length seats with back rests, tiller steering, and a unique, partially open transom that incorporates life-raft storage. All sailing controls are within reach of the helmsperson to make the boat very easy to manage. A retractable bow sprit with masthead asymmetric spinnaker allows great all-around performance without the need for numerous skilled crew. The low VCG keel provides exceptional upwind stability while being cruising friendly with swept back leading edge and moderate draft.
The interior layout is open and airy and is ideal for one couple cruising with room for more. It includes a spacious main cabin with two settees, galley, forward-facing navigation station; plus an enclosed aft head, V-berth, and aft owners cabin. Cruising stowage includes a large garage aft of the head (accessed through the cockpit seat locker).
Draft: 6 ft. 3 in.
Beam: 11 ft. 0 in.
Displacement: 8600
Standard features:
HULL AND DECK
Baltek Contourkore end grained balsa composite construction using biaxal and unidirectional glass with vinylester resin on the outer hull layer for 10 year warranty against hull blisters.
Patented SCRIMP resin infusion system molding process for optimum laminate strength with 65-70 % glass content in structural skins.
Bulb keel made from lead with S/S 316L structure
Off-white deck with a high traction non-skid
White hull (other colors optional) with grey single boot stripe
Foredeck molded toe rail
Large cockpit storage locker on starboard
Gas bottle storage locker
Structural bulkhead bonded to hull & deck with large access to the V-berth area.
All intermediate bulkheads glassed to hull and deck for stiffness.
Integral floor stringer grid
Balanced spade rudder construction using biaxial and unidirectional glass and stainless steel stock mounted in JP3 self-aligning bearings.
SPARS AND RIGGING
Tapered Sparcraft aluminum racing mast with double airfoil spreaders clear anodized.
Lateral Dyform rigging with rod headstay
Backstay with split bottom portion, adjustment tackle led to either side of cockpit.
Boom with internal outhaul purchase system, mainsail reef line sheaves, main sheet and boom vang tangs.
Carbon bowsprit controlled from cockpit, retracting into a watertight box.
Solid boom vang with cascade purchase system.
Harken Unit 1 headsail furler
Running rigging package of 1 Spectra main halyard; 1 Spectra jib halyard; 1 Spinnaker halyard with snap shackle; 2 Spinnaker sheets; 1 Tack line; 2 Jib sheets; 1 6:1 Main sheet with 4:1 fine tune for a total of 24:1; 2 Traveler control lines; 1 Bowsprit control line; 2 Reef lines.
DECK HARDWARE
2 Harken 44.2 STA (self-tailing) primary winches
2 Harken 40.2 STA (self-tailing) halyard winches
2 Aluminum lock-in winch handles,
2 PVC handle holders
Mainsheet and fine tune purchase
Harken adjustable mainsheet traveler with 4:1 purchase.
Harken jib tracks with 5:1 car controls led to cleats on coach roof.
Aluminum bullseye fairleads for jib sheets
Harken spinnaker sheet blocks on U-bolts
Harken tackline block on padeye at bowsprit end
5 Mast base halyard/reef turning blocks
Halyards lead aft through 2 organizers and to rope clutches on each side of companionway.
Tack line led aft to stopper on top of the coach roof
Bowsprit control line leading to a cam cleat on top of the coach roof.
4 SS mooring cleats (bow and stern)
Custom SS Stemplate with tack fitting, SS chainplates for shrouds and backstay.
Foredeck opening hatch (450 x 450)
2 opening ports on salon coach roof sides
2 opening ports for aft cabin and head compartment
1 opening port in cockpit (aft cabin)
4 rope bags
2 SS handrails on coach roof
SS bow and stern pulpits with double rails; double SS lifelines, 4 stainless stanchions with reinforcing leg and 2 single stanchions.
Laminated wood tiller with Spinlock tiller extension
Acrylic companionway washboard with lock and ventilation grid.
Transom swim ladder
Flag holder
INTERIOR
Interior built using wood, laminated or solid. All wooden parts are varnished or laminated with white laminate finish. Floors are in plywood laminated with wood effect. Vinyl lined hull sides and overhead throughout. Standard cushion fabric is Sitab Relax blue (similar to Ultra-Suede).
Forward Stateroom: large hanging locker on starboard side with side pocket/shelf; forward large double V-berth with storage underneath; access to salon.
Main Salon: Settee/berths to port and starboard; Drop leaf table with centerline bottle storage; Large storage areas behind backrests with shelves above; Stainless steel hand rails to port and starboard.
Galley: Gimballed gas stove with 2 burners, oven and storage under; Stainless steel sink; Pressurized cold water system; Large 60 liter molded icebox/fridge; Full length triple lockers outboard of
galley countertop; Storage under sink with shelf and space for trash bin.
Chart Table: Large chart table facing forward; Chart storage under table lid; Double lockers; Large hinged instrument panel outboard with electrical panel; Navigator's seat with storage below.
Aft Cabin: Access door to salon; Large hanging locker; Changing seat; Double berth; Access panel to engine; Aluminum fuel tank under berth.
Aft Head: Access door to salon; Integral 2nd molding for easy maintenance with integral shower tray; sink, access to valves and toilet support shelf; Pressurized cold water; Marine toilet with holding tank; Mirror, toilet roll holder; Vanity unit; Shower grating; Wet locker.
Companionway: White laminate finish for wear resistance; Steps with angled treads between bulkheads; Stainless steel grab rails fitted on bulkheads; Main engine access through lifting panel with gas spring.
PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL
Manual bilge pump in cockpit
Automatic/manual electric bilge pump with float switch.
Pressurized water system
1 water tank (total 26 gal.) under V-berth
Ice box drain
Marine toilet
1 AGM battery 150 AH and 1 engine AGM battery 60 AH with switches and double diode/circuit breakers.
12 V electric panel / 12 functions
Halogen lights on ceilings and swiveling tulip reading lights in cabins.
Ceiling light in head
LED navigation lights on pushpit and pulpit, and mooring light.
Rig grounded for protection against lightning
PROPULSION
Inboard diesel Volvo Model D1-20 18 HP Saildrive, 115 AH alternator, with double diode and fresh water-cooling with heat exchanger.
Engine panel recessed in the cockpit with acrylic protection including rev. counter, hour meter and alarms for oil pressure, low voltage and water temperature.
13 gal. fuel tank under aft cabin berth
Sound insulated engine compartment, air ventilation hoses to the transom.
2 blade Volvo folding propeller
Optional features:
OPTIONS
Awlgrip Boot stripe in lieu of std.
Two Tone Deck (grey)
System Package Battery Charger, 110VAC Shore Power, Hot Water System.
Cockpit Opening Ports on aft face of cabin (2)
Cushion color other than standard
Additional Battery
Thurston Dodger with side curtains
Removable bow roller
