First impressions
Punchy and versatile, the J/99 is a potent offshore and inshore performer – and the first one has just arrived in Australia.
Written by Scott Alle
Photography by Sandy Peacock
03 June 2020
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The undeniable popularity of short-handed racing in Europe has seen the arrival of a bunch of new boats around 10 metres that can race competitively offshore while still offering reasonable comforts for weekend cruising. The J/99 enters this category – with a slightly beamier shape than we’re used to from J/Boat designer Alan Johnstone and a fixed carbon bowsprit (the first for a J). The cockpit is no-nonsense: uncluttered and set up for racing with two long bench seats and plenty of space to move around. The first J/99 in Australia was recently put through its paces by long-time J/Boat dealers Ray and Sandra Entwistle. According to Ray, the latest model has many of the highly desirable characteristics the brand is universally admired for. “Our first trial sea trials have been awesome – the J/99 is so very easy to sail, super responsive, light sheet loadings, lots of adjustment, and very stiff,” he added.
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The J/99 here with its crisp white hull has tiller steering and a single rudder that Ray confirms has “great grip with a light and balanced feel”. Twin rudders and wheel are available as an option. An array of finetuning controls stamp the boat’s racing credentials. There’s a floating jib lead system, 8:1 inhauler system, cockpit-led outhaul, cunningham, and double-ended boom vang plus an optional water-ballast system. Other features include the ability to lead all controls to the helm position including the jib/zero/spinnaker sheet. Ray rates the cockpit as “comfortable and ergonomic with all fittings in the right position, allowing for easy and quick adjustment.” Downstairs, there are two generous aft berths for a boat of this size. Forward is a well laid-out galley, forward-facing nav station, two saloon berths with a central table built around the keel-stepped mast. In racing mode, the bow is for sail storage but can easily and quickly convert to family cruising. The head is tucked in behind the port bulkhead. The alloy rig is a new custom extrusion from AG+. Specifically designed for the J/99 to have more stiffness than off-the-shelf extrusions, it is very responsive to backstay adjustment and is supported by Dyform rigging. Ray points to neat details such as a combination mainsail luff track that will handle either a bolt rope or Antal 40 slides. Mast cables exit above deck, which allows for a fully waterproof internal dam to be installed.
The sail package is the owner’s choice, same with instruments, and there are no hard and fast rules. J/Boats Australia cater for whatever the customer wants.
The J/99 already has notched some notable short-handed race results. Held in January, just before COVID-19 forced the shutdown of competitive fleet racing, two J/99s placed second and fifth out of 50 teams in the Duo Cat-Amania, France’s premier double-handed offshore regatta. The J/99 is Cat A and World Sailing OSR Plan Review Approved straight out of the box and has won three major awards including the British Yachting Award, SAIL Best Boats and Sailing World Boat of the Year. Landed price is A$257,000 inc GST. Ex-factory France EUR 114,900. jboats.com.au
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