YACHT.DE J/9 Daysailer Boat Test in Switzerland

Sailing pleasure reduced to the essentials

(Davos, Switzerland)- Michael Good, Yacht.de journalist and reviewer, provided this initial overview of their J/9 “boat test” in Switzerland.  Here is what he had to say:

“J/Boats in the USA has a new weekender on offer. The concept of the J/9 is very simple, the optics are attractive.

After the shipyard in Newport (Rhode Island) on the American east coast had pushed ahead with expanding the program in the performance cruiser segment for a long time, the Americans are now surprising again with the announcement of a real dayboat or weekender called the “J/9 Daysailer”. The new model is said to be a late successor to the legendary and widely sold J/100. With this boat, the brand last had a real daysailer in its brand portfolio (test in YACHT 24/2006). 

Now the J/9 takes over the successful concept. The features: large cockpit, a short and flat cabin structure, slim and pretty lines, little freeboard, and a layout that is as uncomplicated as possible with unrestricted one-handed suitability – a typical daysailer or weekender. J/Boats has reduced the concept to the essentials. “Keep it simple” is the slogan.

The boat comes with a simple aluminum rig with a spreader. Anyone who sails singlehanded a lot can also have a self-tacking track for the jib fitted (see above) as an alternative to the slightly overlapping 105% jib. For more sporty sailors, a permanently attached bowsprit made of carbon fiber for a gennaker or Code Zero is also possible. Customers also have to choose whether they want to equip the boat with a small built-in diesel or with an electric motor. However, both drive variants are only available as an option and for a corresponding surcharge. Equally unusual and interesting is the bathing platform at the stern, which is semi-separated from the long cockpit.

The interior below the deck is simple, in accordance with the concept. For use as a weekender, the boat offers a double berth in the bow. 

A small toilet is also integrated into the forepeak.

For the time being, the J/9 will only be manufactured in the USA. The first boat was delivered to their Swiss distributor- Dyna Sportboats- in autumn and was made available to the YACHT editorial team there for a test. 

On the day of the test, there was almost no wind at all. However, with just a whisper of wind, the J/9 still shows very good and surprisingly agile sailing characteristics. The detailed test is planned for YACHT issue no. 4/2023. The magazine will be published in early February.  Here is the YACHT.DE online summary on the J/9 boat test.  For more J/9 daysailer sailing information