The story begins in 1975. Rod, then an ad salesman for the sailing
trade magazine, Soundings, and an active one-design sailor decided to
build a sailboat he had been designing since completing a Westlawn
School of Yacht Design correspondence course in the 60's. With
$400-worth of fiberglass and wood, some rigging and hardware left over
from a Soling of Bob's, he built the 24' x 9' wide RAGTIME on weekends
in his 3 car garage at his home in Stonington, Connecticut. During the
summer of 1976, with an all family crew aboard, RAGTIME beat everything
in sight. Rod realized he had created something special.
Enter Everett Pearson, the owner of Tillotson Pearson, Inc, a highly
respected boat builder in Warren Rhode Island. He was quite taken with
Rod's design and agreed to produce the boat on spec in return for the
U.S. building rights. Display ads in Soundings got the word out. That
winter they set up a makeshift factory in an old textile mill in nearby
Fall River, Massachusetts, and began popping out J/24s.
Enter the
marketing experience of brother Bob, a vice president of marketing at AMF/Alcort (the makers of Sunfish sailboats at the time). He saw the
potential in the boat Rod had designed. From 1975 to 1977, Bob had
helped to take Alcort from the red into the black, and then began trying
to convince AMF to start producing a boat similar to the J/24. But, he
says, in spite of overwhelming market research results showing 50%
purchase intent in a boat like the J/24 , AMF really didn't care
anything about gaining share of market or investing any more in sailing.
So, in February of 1977, at age 43, Bob left AMF and threw in his lot
with J/Boats.
With Rod contributing the design and his prototype 'Ragtime' and Bob investing $20,000 to cover
start-up costs, office space, and advertising, their 50-50 partnership
was launched. Expecting to sell 250 J/24s that first year, they sold
750. Each successive year marks unique achievements in the sport and
industry.
The next generation of Johnstones has been at the helm since 1988, while founders
Rod and Bob continue to contribute in the areas of their strength,
design and marketing. Since 1992, Jeff (president) & Alan
(chief-designer) have managed company operations & sales from J/Boats
Headquarters in Newport, RI while a total of
four of Bob & Rod's sons (Jeff, Alan, Stu and Drake) serve
on J/Boats, Inc. Board of Directors.
2007 – A record year for J/Boat owners with major offshore
racing wins across the US and Europe. The introduction of the new J/122
built by J/Europe taking the IRC circuit in France, the UK, the
Netherlands and the USA by storm achieving several overall wins both
inshore and offshore. J/Boat owners are class and overall champions of
numerous offshore events including Ft. Lauderdale-Key West Race,
Pineapple Cup, Bayview Mac Race, Annapolis-Newport Race, Charleston
Bermuda Race, Transpac, Chicago Mac, and several RORC offshore races.
J/133 is awarded “Best Series Produced Yacht” and J/122 wins IRC 1 class
overall for the entire season in the 2007 RORC series. J/80 production
races by the 1,000 hull milestone with over 1050 boats built. A record
120 J/80s sail at the World Championships in La Trinite France. The
J/105 Class sets attendance records on both US coasts culminating in a
69 boat fleet at the North American Champs in Annapolis. J/105 also wins
RORC 2-handed season trophy. J/109 class activity thrives in the US and
UK. Clay Burkhalter successfully sails his Rod Johnstone designed Mini
6.5 ‘Acadia’ across the Atlantic from France to Brazil finishing 12th
overall out of 89 entries. The J/80 debuts at the Asian Sportboat
Championship placing 1st and 2nd overall. J/Europe increases factory
capacity by 40% thanks to increasing demand worldwide for new J/Boats.
Several J/Owners actively engaged cruising their boats through the
oceans of the world. Congratulations to J/Owners for an incredible year!
2006
The J/92S makes its USA debut. The J/100 reaches 100 boat milestone
and production begins in Europe. New 40’ J/122 development begins with
J/Europe. J/ owners win 12 trophies in the Centennial Newport to Bermuda
Race with the J/44 and J/42 classes the largest in the fleet. Glenn
Darden captures the J/80 World title in Galveston Bay, TX, while fellow
Texan Jon Halbert wins the inaugural J/109 North American Championships
at New York Yacht Club. J/109 and double-handed J/105 finish 1-2 in
Rolex Middle Sea Race. The York family completes a circumnavigation
aboard their J/46 Aragorn. The J/22 North Americans returns to Fleet #1
Lake Minnetonka, MN with Terry Flynn crowned champion. The J/80 reaches
900 boat milestone and new fleets are established in Spain & Italy. The
J/105 is awarded the Serendip Trophy for the Best Series-Produced Yacht
in IRC by RORC for 2006 and Shaun Murphy’s Slingshot is named RORC 2006
Yacht of the Year and wins the Somerset Memorial Trophy for outstanding
achievement of a 2-handed yacht. The J/122 is introduced and displayed
at the Paris Show to rave reviews with a December launch in Hamble, UK
and successful sea-trials.
2005
The new J/65 launches in San Diego. Scotsman Ruairidh Scott wins the
Silva J/80 Worlds in Falmouth, UK. The J/105 class sets new milestones
with a 40 boat fleet at Key West and the first Canadian hosting of a
North American Championship. The J/100 rolls out of the factory at
nearly 2 boats per week to meet the high demand. The J/133 notches
impressive IRC class wins at Spi Ouest and Block Island Race Week. The
rapidly growing J/109 class sees one-design starts at Spi Ouest, Block
Island and Cowes Week. Anthony Kotoun of Newport, RI wins the J/24
Worlds in Weymouth, England and the J/24 North Americans in Marblehead,
MA. The new J/92S, a family-friendly sprit boat with large cockpit and
non-overlapping headsail launches in Europe. J/125 'Rienrag' takes class
honors again in the Transpac. Sally Barkow wins the Rolex Int’l Women’s
Keelboat Champs in J/22s in Annapolis, and the Women's Match Racing
Worlds in J/24's in Bermuda. Henry Morgan, sailing his J/42 'Dolphin',
wins the Annapolis-Bermuda Race fleet. Short-handed J-sailors celebrate
as Pascal Loison wins the 2-Handed Rolex Fastnet Race in his J/105 and
Sam and Gordon Vineyard win Marion- to Bermuda Race in their J/46. The
new J/124, a 41’ follow-up sensation to the J/100, launches in Rhode
Island.
2004
The J/133 Raincloud wins its debut regatta at Key West and
production begins in both the US and France. J109s sweep IRC 4 at Spi
Ouest, the UK J/109 Jeronimo is on the winning team of the Rolex
Commodore’s Cup, and the J/109 class gets underway with 11 fleets
formed, a class website and several class events held. Alec Cutler wins
the J/22 Worlds in Annapolis over a fleet of 130 boats, an all-time J
attendance record! Three J’s (J/35, J/46 and J/160) set sail in the 2004
Blue Water World Rally. The new J/100 (33’) is launched in Newport to
rave reviews, is named Sailing World Magazine’s Overall Boat of the
Year, and quickly reaches a six month backlog. J/145s enjoy class wins
in the Newport to Bermuda and Port Huron-Mackinac races. Dave McConaughy
wins the 25th Anniversary J/30 North Americans in Barrington, RI. Glen
Darden of TX wins both the J/80 North Americans in Sag Harbor, NY and
the 52 boat J/105 North Americans in Marion, MA. Wow! Jens Hookanson
outduels Jeff Johnstone on the last leg of the final race to win the
J/24 Worlds in Noroton, CT. The new J/65 (65‘) is announced as J Boats’
entry into the luxury performance sailing market with a custom bay set
up at Pearson Composites and a highly anticipated 05 launching.
2003
The J/24 class celebrates its Silver 25th Anniversary in Newport, while
the J/35 class has its 20th in Toronto with 27 boats racing for the
North American Championship. The J/105 class continues to set attendance
records and is the only class present at all 9 NOOD Regattas. Dr. Mike
Finn’s J/160 ‘Kativa’ wins the Charleston to Bermuda Race; J/125 'Rienrag'
that takes line and class honors for Division 3 in the Tranpac. J/42
owners create a new owner association. J/Boats continue to thrive under
IRC with J/145 winning the Overall IRC Season Championship in UK (1-2 in
class at Fastnet), and the J/109 winning its class at Fastnet as well as
at Cowes and Spi Ouest. J/Europe is formed as new European builder
(France). Jay Lutz wins J/80 Worlds in Fort Worth Texas as class breaks
the hull #600 barrier. Sally Barkow wins the Rolex Women’s Keelboat
Champs in J/22s in Annapolis. J/133 is awarded the Overall Boat of the
Year award by Sailing World Magazine and Best Performance Cruiser by
Cruising World.
2002
J/109 results roll in all year with wins at Spi-Ouest, Cowes Week,
Breskens Race Week, Double-handed Round Britain Race and the prestigious
Atlantic Trophy. J/109 plugs are shipped to the US and TPI begins
production. ISAF selects the J/22 (women’s keelboat division) and J/80
(men’s keelboat division) for the World Sailing Games in Marseilles.
J/105 explosion continues with 50 boats at the North Americans in
Chicago, hull #600 built, and selected for UBS Challenge Pro
Match-Racing. J/80 earns class start at Kiel Week and J/80 Worlds are
held in La Rochelle, France. The J/Fest Regatta Series goes national
with sponsors and five great events. Brad Read wins J/24 Worlds on its
return to Newport. J/109 and J/105 are 1st and 2nd overall in Rolex
Middle Sea Race. Terry Flynn wins 60-boat J/22 Worlds in Texas.
2001
J/145 is selected as a Sail Magazine Top 10 winner and wins class at Key
West. J/80 class hosts its first World Championships in Newport. J Boats
introduces the 35’ J/109 in Europe. US Watercraft begins building J/22s,
helping to revitalize J/22 class growth. J/130 BONKERS is overall winner
in the Pineapple Cup race to Jamaica. J/160s win in Newport-Ensenada,
Puerto-Vallarta, Marblehead-Halifax and Swiftsure races. J/125 wins
overall at Middle Sea Race in Malta. The Rolex Int’l Women’s Keelboat
Champs is held in J22s in Annapolis, with Cory Sertl’s team crowned
champion.
2000
J/46 earns double honors, first as a Sail Magazine Top 10
winner; and as a category winner in Sailing World Magazine's Boat of the
Year Awards. New carbon fiber J/145 (48') is launched. 92 boats attend
the J/22 Worlds in Holland. J/105 production accelerates with hull #400
launched and European production underway. US Watercraft becomes new US
builder for J/24 and the World Championship returns to Newport for its
22nd running. New "L" version (L for liveaboard) is introduced
for the popular J/42.
1999
J/35 inducted into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame ceremonies in
Atlantic City. J/125 wins "Sportboat of the Year" from Sailing
World. J/120 J BIRD clean sweeps the Puerta-Vallarta race with 1st to
finish, 1st in class and 1st overall- only the 3rd boat in history to do
so (other two were 70' sleds). J/46 performance-cruising yacht is
launched. J/22 featured in Santa-Maria Cup (women's match racing) and
for the ISAF Women's Match Racing Worlds. J/30 and J/35 classes combine
efforts to run their 20th and 15th North American Championships in
Annapolis. 25 J/105s sail one design at Block Island. Over 275 J/105s
now sailing in 15 fleets worldwide. The Rolex Int'l Women's Keelboat
Champs return to Newport in J/24s.
1998
J/160 PIPEDREAM wins Round-the-World Rally (American division) with a
crew of five. Owner Scott Piper departs on cruise around the world in
opposite direction! High tech built J/90 and J/125 usher in new wave of
technology - carbon composite construction with 50% ballast/displacement
ratios. J/90 wins "Sportboat of the Year" from Sailing World.
J/125 wins at Block Island Race Week and St. Francis Big Boat Series.
J/120s sweep top 3 spots in Newport to Ensenada Race. J/22 featured in
ISAF World Championship in Dubai for women's match-racing and fleet
disciplines. US Master's Championship held in J/105s in San Francisco.
J/80 becomes fastest growing one-design in Sweden with 20 boats sailing.
J/120 reaches hull #100, with 28 boats sailing in Southern California.
1997
100 J/24s attend the 20th anniversary J/24 Midwinters in Key West,
Florida. Johnstone Family receives The Industry
Leadership Award from SAIL Magazine. Harry Smith wins 1100nm Marina
Del Rey to Puerto-Vallarta Race on his J/160 'Bushwacker' and J/160 Hull
#3 PIPEDREAM begins the 'Round the World Rally'. The Moorings Company
purchases a fleet of J/120s for an innovative "race weeks"
charter program in Tortola.
1996
The first two of six J/160s are launched in early May. These deluxe
flagships go on to win several offshore point-to-point races including a
course record from Annapolis to Bermuda! J/44 Class returns for the 1996
Bermuda Race in force with 11 starters. J/105 reaches critical mass for
class racing throughout the US with over 165 boats numerous regional
events and a successful North American Championship. The new production
J/32 Cruiser, designed by Alan Johnstone, is launched in July with over
20 sold in the first six months. J/Boats web site is expanded with a
growing on-line class association presence, owner forums and monthly
updates.
1995
J/120 named Cruising World Magazine's Overall Boat-of-the-Year and Best
Value in a Full-Size Cruiser. J/24 is first of five inductees into the
American Sailboat Hall of Fame. J/130 STARLIGHT EXPRESS takes line
honors in Newport-Ensenada Race. New J/42 Cruiser is introduced. Hull #1
GANNET wins two New York Yacht Club events and Class A Downeast Racing
Circuit with a cruising asymmetric spinnaker and short-handed crew. J/35
class rebounds in participation with 35 entries at its North American
Championship. J/105s are featured on ESPN in the Brut Cup professional
match-racing circuit. J Composite of France begins European production
of the J/80 and J/92.
1994
J/130 named Sailing World's Boat-of-the-Year among Racer-Cruisers. J/22
& J/24 selected for inaugural IYRU World Sailing Championships, J/44
is first one-design class ever given start in Bermuda Race. J/120
introduced at SAIL EXPO with carbon mast and wins New England Solo-Twin.
J/110 introduced at Annapolis Boat Show.
1993
J/92 is Sailing World's Overall Boat-of-the-Year. J/80 One-Design is
launched- the first J model to be built with TPI's patented SCRIMP
molding technology. J/22 celebrates its 10th anniversary by becoming an
IYRU International Class with 1200 boats. J/33 DAYBREAK overall winner
of Chicago-Mackinac. Newly launched J/130 and J92 sweep Andaman Sea Race
in Asia.
1992
J/105 becomes Sailing World's Boat-of-the-Year among racer-cruisers, and
ushers in the sport boat revolution. J/92 is introduced and destined for
the 1992 Readers Choice Award from Sailing World. J/24 #5000 and J/35
#300 are launched. Rod Johnstone is inducted into the Sailing World Hall
of Fame.
1991
Nick Brown's J/44 IONA wins Fastnet in IMS. Fortune Magazine names J
Boats as one of the world's 100 best American made products. J/39s and
J/35s sweep top 4 positions in CHS at Cowes Week. J Boats pioneers
carbon-fiber retractable bowsprits and asymmetric spinnakers on offshore
boats, introducing the first of its new "sprit" series, the
J/105.
1990
J/35c named Sailing World's Boat-of-the-Year among 30-35 footers. J/44
wins NYYC Cruise. Motor Boating & Sailing names J/24 as 1 of 2 best
sailboats of all time. New J/39 wins MBYC Fall Series. J/35 wins class
in Sydney-Hobart Race. J/44 J-HAWK wins CHS class at Cowes Week.
1989
New J/44 wins New York Yacht Club Queen's Cup and Cowes Week on way to
becoming Sailing World's Overall Boat-of-the-Year.
1988
J/34c named Sailing World's Boat-of-the-Year. New J/33 wins Class at
Block Island Race Week. Jeff, Stuart, Drake, & Alan Johnstone
commence management of company operations at J/Boat office in Newport,
RI. TPI (J Builder) introduces industry-leading 10 year blister
warranty.
1987
J/35 becomes America's fastest growing big-boat one-design with 24
sailing in Class at Block Island. J/37s win Class in 3 major race weeks.
1986
J/40 named Sailing World's Boat-of-the-Year among US designs. J/35 is
lst Overall in Miami-Montego Bay and New England Solo-Twin. J/28 and
J/37 Cruisers introduced.
1985
Charley Scott's J/41 SMILES wins SORC Overall. J boats introduces it's
first purpose built cruising boat, the J/40, that then goes on to win
Class in Chicago -Mackinac. J/34 becomes best selling IOR design in
America.
1984
New J/27 is overall winner of MORC Internationals with J/29 winning
Class A. J/35 is 1st Overall MHS in Chicago - Mackinac. J/41 has 1-2-3
sweep of One Ton North Americans and Bermuda Race class.
1983
J/22 and J/35 introduced. J/22 wins Class at MORC Internationals.
1982
New J/29s finish 1-2-3 to sweep Class in Block Island Race Week
1981
Stu, Drake & Jeff Johnstone start J/World Performance Sailing
School. J/36 Wins Class A in Antigua.
1980
Nissan Motors becomes Japanese builder. J/24 wins Caribbean Ocean Racing
Circuit, becomes IYRU International Class and named by SAIL (10th
Anniversary) as "best keelboat in 30 years."
1979
J/30 #1 WARHOOP finishes 3rd in SORC Class. First J/24 Worlds in Newport
with 78 boats.
1978
20 boats attend first J/24 one-design event at Key West. 68 boats attend
North Americans in Newport. 1000 boats are sold with builders set up in
UK, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and US West Coast where Trask family
joins Johnstones to build J/24's.
1977
Brothers Bob and Rod Johnstone finish 1-2 in J/24s in MORC Division at
Block Island Week. J/24s go on to dominate the MORC Internationals in
Annapolis.
