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Key Yachting Ltd.

Key Yachting Ltd. Firefly Road, Hamble Point Marina, Hamble, Hampshire, UK. SO31 4NB

+44 (0)23 8045 5669

Key Yachting

Sole UK and Ireland distributor for 4 of the world’s leading boat brands.

As well as being the exclusive agent & distributor for new J Boats, Grand Soleil, Tofinou, and Nautitech in the UK & Ireland, the Key Yachting team also manage an extremely active brokerage business, selling pre-loved yachts built by brands focused on premium and performance.

Our UK office is at Hamble Point Marina, perfectly located in one of the busiest areas for sailing & racing in the country. Additionally we offer a variety of boat repair and maintenance services, and stock a large range of brand specific spares and parts. You are welcome to visit us to view our range of new or pre-owned yachts for sale in Hamble.

Pre-loved Boats

As an established yacht broker in Hamble, our 25 years of experience provides us with an extensive network of sailors; enabling us to successfully sell used boats built by the brands we represent.

To compliment our primary business of the sale of new and used performance sailing yachts, we have expanded our operation to encompass the needs of our owners to include:

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• Boats for Sale

New and used J/Boats for sale

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Find your dream J/Boats on TheYachtMarket today. We have J/Boats brokers and sellers from around the world at great prices.

Which models do J/Boats produce?

J/Boats produce a range of boats including the J/Boats J/99 , J/Boats J105 , J/Boats J109 , J/Boats J110 and J/Boats J22 . For the full list of J/Boats models currently listed on TheYachtMarket.com, see the model list in the search options on this page.

What types of boats do J/Boats build?

J/Boats manufactures a range of different types of boats. The ones listed on TheYachtMarket include Sloop , Racing boat , Keelboat , Racing yacht and Cruiser/racer .

How much does a boat from J/Boats cost?

Used boats from J/Boats on TheYachtMarket.com range in price from £8,700 GBP to £12,400,000 GBP with an average price of £680,000 GBP . A wide range of factors can affect the price of used boats from J/Boats, for example the model, age and condition.

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BOAT TEST: J/YACHTS J/99 (WITH GALLERY)

99 problems (but the boat ain’t one).

The J/99 performance cruiser has already become J/Boats’ most successful model of its size for a long time. Rupert Holmes put it through its paces

There are many attractions to choosing a boat with good performance potential for cruising, especially on that’s configured for short-handed sailing. For a start, the slippery hull shape and generous sail area boosts light airs performance, which translates to more time having fun and less tedious time spent motoring.

Equally, you can expect the boat to be more responsive to sail controls and trimming, adding to the fun factor and making the boat more rewarding to sail. At the same time, decent deck gear, in a carefully thought out layout can make sail handling a breeze, even when working alone, which helps to tame the powerful rig.

However, one of the biggest advantages of a performance design is fast passage making. In effect this makes weather windows bigger – you can get further before the following bout of bad weather – and helps to extend cruising areas.

First impressions are of a quick, easily handled design with a well fitted and comfortable interior, albeit with less space than a pure cruiser. The relatively broad transom is by no means radical by today’s standards, the boats aft sections are optimised for a single rudder and there are no chines. The rudder is positioned reasonably well forward where it operates clear of the most turbulent water – whereas twin rudders tend to be placed right aft so that they can be reached to clear weed.

J/99 accommodation

Many high volume cruising yachts give the impression they were designed around a requirement to fit a certain amount of accommodation in a hull of a given length. However, the J/99 follows a much more traditional approach – draw a hull shape that’s optimised for efficient sailing and then craft the interior to fit that space.

The result is both pleasant in harbour and very workable at sea, even though there’s less space overall than a pure cruising boat of this size. There are two mirror image double aft cabins, forward of which is a galley to port and proper chart table with its own seat to starboard. The galley is of a reasonable size but in standard spec is relatively sparsely equipped.

There’s a good standard of finish, but without an abundance of timber. This is exactly in keeping with the ethos of this style of boat, while white moulded surfaces help to provide a bright appearance and are easy to maintain. There are also excellent hand holds and fiddles – factors that are all too often missing.

The saloon has a substantial table, plus two settees that also make good sea berths, while the heads is beyond the main bulkhead and sail storage area right forward.

Each of the aft cabins is a comfortable double and has well planned stowage, including deep fiddled shelves and bins in which items that need to be accessed easily can be kept. Both are well ventilated in port, with opening ports outboard and in the aft bulkhead to the cockpit.

J/99 o n deck

The T-shape of the cockpit is configured to work with either tiller or wheel steering, though it’s hard to see how the extra complication and weight of a wheel could be justified on a boat of this size. Loads on the tiller are low, unless the boat is pushed far harder on a spinnaker reach than any cruiser would sail.

Sail controls include a cockpit mounted mainsheet traveller, powerful backstay, vang and mainsheet purchases, plus spinnaker gear. Deck gear is from a variety of manufacturers, with each item optimised to its purpose, including Antal clutches and Harken winches, while the test boat’s electronics were by B&G.

The keel stepped twin spreader aluminium mast from AG+ has a custom section created specifically for the J/99. This incorporates a track to accommodate either standard luff car sliders or a mainsail with a bolt rope . An extended masthead crane allows for a semi square top sail, while avoiding the need for running backstays.

A wide range of options include twin rudders, water ballast, wheel steering and a symmetric spinnaker. For our test the boat was equipped with main and jib from Incidences, plus a large North Sails asymmetric spinnaker and a latest generation furling North Helix Code 0. The latter makes for easy handling, even in boisterous conditions, as well as giving better sail shape in light airs.

J/99 u nder sail

Our test took place on a bright and crisp day with a north to north-westerly breeze in the upper teens, with occasional puffs well beyond 20 knots. We sailed the first boat out of the mould, configured with a single rudder and tiller steering.

The helm position is excellent, with the mainsail controls, including mainsheet fine tune, traveller and backstay all falling easily to hand. There are also reassuringly chunky foot chocks. If cross winched to the windward side the jib sheet winch could also easily be reached from the helm. Combined with pilot controls on both sides, as well as by the companionway, this arrangement makes for easy, yet efficient, sailing even if there’s only one person on deck.

Sailing upwind with full main and a general purpose jib the boat settled easily into a groove with minimal weather helm. The boat proved to be stiff and needed only the traveller to be eased to stay on its feet, even in the stronger gusts.

Downwind with the 100m2 kite in flat water we were nudging an indicated nine knots of boat speed, at true wind angles of 160-165 degrees. The boat felt very docile, even though the wind was building at this stage. When we luffed up to a true wind angle of 140 degrees, as the wind touched 24 knots, the boat speed leapt into the lower teens and had there been more of a sea state it’s clear we would have enjoyed some exhilarating sustained surfs at higher speeds.

For those preferring a very docile ride, reaching at this angle with just mainsail and jib would give speeds of 8 knots or more – perfect for fast yet easy passage making. For more power that’s easy to handle the North Helix furling Code 0 proved to be a very versatile sail.

J/99 u nder power

A combination of low freeboard, an efficient keel shape and big rudder make this a very predictable boat to handle in tight spaces. There’s minimal prop kick in reverse and manoeuvring astern holds no particular surprises or challenges.

J/99 v erdict

The J/99 enters an increasingly crowded market place and stands out among many for being optimised for a single rudder. In many respects it’s a Contessa 32 for the 21st century – a thoroughbred design that offers more space, a drier ride and more performance that reflects the ongoing advances in yacht design. Yet it still offers the ability to ride out a proper gale at sea.

This is not a bargain basement boat – there are many craft with larger interiors that can be bought for the same money, but they’re nothing like as much fun, or as rewarding to sail. It’s easy to see where the extra money goes to create a boat like this – it’s akin to making the difference between a carefully engineered sports saloon and a lumbering people carrier.

Specifications LOA 9.94m LWL 8.72m Beam 3.40m Draught 1.99m Displacement 3,800kg Upwind sail area 53m2 Asymmetric spinnaker 101m2 Symmetric spinnaker 90m2

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J/45 tested: Fast cruiser with timeless appeal

• Rupert Holmes
• April 20, 2022

The J/45 is a fast, but civilised, cruiser with a timeless appeal that will resonate with J/Boats’ many long standing devotees

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

We’re close-hauled, sailing the new J/45 at 7.5 knots and catching up with a modern 55-footer, but slowly falling into her lee. Winding on a little mainsheet tightens the leech, putting us in a high mode almost 5° closer to the wind, and we climb above and ahead of the bigger boat. It’s classic J/Boat sailing that’s familiar to thousands of sailors, yet this is a comfortable 45ft cruiser with a host of luxuries including air conditioning.

The J/45 has heaps of appeal to anyone who’s sailed a J in the past. Yet, although the company is responsible for numerous cutting edge designs that changed the way we sail, this boat is more conservative in its nature – it’s an evolution rather than a revolution.

Low freeboard, moderate beam and fine ends by today’s standards, plus a single rudder, put it in classic J/Boat territory. The J/45’s development was also strongly influenced by a desire to produce a boat that’s a joy to sail in light airs, as well as being able to take heavy weather in its stride when necessary.

The J/45 is just as responsive to sail trim as the smaller and racier models in the range and is well powered up in only 8 knots of true wind, when we made 7.5 knots upwind.

Classic J/Boat hull shape gives good performance and handling. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

As the wind progressively built above 10 knots we gradually depowered by pumping on more backstay tension as the boat accelerated further. In 13 knots of true wind we were making 8.4 knots of boat speed, at a true wind angle of only 42°. In stronger breezes the polars show optimal tacking angles of little more than 70°.

A German mainsheet system, led to winches just ahead of the helm stations, plus a 6:1 traveller, makes for easy trimming upwind. The rig is also easy to depower as the breeze builds – increased backstay tension is effective in changing the mainsail to a completely different shape, markedly reducing its drive.

Collaboration

The initial concept for this new flagship was developed and refined over three years of conversation between the American J/Boats team and J/Composites, based in Les Sables d’Olonne, with further input from Berret-Racoupeau for interior design, layout and ergonomics.

From the outset the key vision for the J/45 was for a comfortable cruiser that’s lots of fun to sail, even in light airs. It’s primarily intended for a family or two couples to spend up to 10 days or so on board, though of course the boat is capable of far more than this.

J/Boats has long favoured wheels over tillers, even on boats as small as the J/105 where tiller steering would create a more open cockpit and facilitate sail trimming when helming and alone in the cockpit. This philosophy is carried over to the J/45, where the narrow transom means the two wheels are of a small diameter.

The instrument pods at the helm stations are small, but both have enough space for a steering compass, pilot controls and a small MFD. Our test boat also has B&G Nemesis displays above the companionway hatch garage, but these were partially obscured by the coachroof winches, so I’d be likely to also opt for 20/20 or larger displays at the mast.

J/45 provides performance and pleasure

Throughout the test the helm was super light but responsive, with good feel that built reassuringly as the rudder loaded up when the J/45 was powered up and well heeled. My notes sum it up as: “a brilliant blend of performance and pleasure, with a lovely feel in the helm at all times.”

Tacking into an uncomfortable swell using the optional heavy weather staysail. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

On the downside, it’s impossible to adjust the vang and backstay from the port helm station, although the mainsheet winches and traveller are within reach when sitting on the side deck astride the wheel.

Bearing away to a true wind angle of 135° and unfurling the Code 0 in 12 knots of true wind gave 8 knots of boat speed and beautifully easy, yet fast, sailing. Our highest speeds of the test were also achieved under Code 0, with 16 knots of true wind just abaft the beam. The boat powered up well, still feeling relaxed with speeds nudging into double figures, although weight built noticeably in the helm in the strongest gusts.

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Running at a true wind angle of 150° – marginally deeper than the polars show as the optimal angle for downwind VMG – with the 180m2 A2 spinnaker in 9 knots of breeze we made a respectable 6.1 knots. Luffing up 25° resulted in a jump to 8.5 knots.

Heading up further to 110° true and the apparent well forward of the beam, we were fully powered up and well heeled, although with only a small increase in speed. However, this gave the opportunity for an interesting test of the grip provided by the single rudder. When I first sailed twin rudder boats in the late 1990s I was absolutely hooked on the concept – the extra control they offered was a big revelation at the time. However, single rudder designs have been continuously developed and refined since then and the best have improved enormously.

The J/70 sportsboat, for instance, is an example of a modern design that offers precise handling and control through a single rudder, even though it’s transom hung and therefore operates in an area with a lot of turbulence.

As with TP52 s, the J/45’s rudder is well forward under the hull, clear of such turbulence, which helps maintain laminar water flow across the blade even at high angles of incidence and heel.

It’s just possible to reach the mainsheet winch from the helm. Photo: Rupert Holmes

When fully powered up close reaching with the big kite I tried bearing away sharply without easing the sheets. The J/45 answered the helm instantly with a dramatic course change and no hint of the rudder being anywhere close to stalling.

On the other hand, one downside of the moderate beam and finer ends is that the J/45 tends to sail at greater angles of heel than wide bodied twin-rudder yachts, where the angle rarely exceeds 20°.

Two choices are offered for handling the luff of the mainsail when reefing: either a strop with a dogbone that’s made fast near the gooseneck, or a downhaul led aft to the coachroof winches. The headsail of our test boat sets from an optional low-profile Facnor FD furler, while for stronger winds there’s a furling staysail that’s set on a halyard lock. This can be configured for use with the optional self-tacking jib sheet track and offers an excellent set up for winds over 20 knots.

The keel-stepped mast is unusual among performance cruisers today, but makes sense in this case as the extra support at the partners means the section is one size smaller than would be needed for a deck-stepped spar. This reduces weight aloft and makes the rig more responsive to backstay tension when depowering the mainsail.

Glorious sailing with the big A2 spinnaker. Photo: Rupert Holmes

Effort has been made to keep displacement low, although it’s still significantly heavier than some performance cruisers of this size. But at the same time performance is optimised for the fully loaded displacement, which minimises the effect loading the boat has on both speed and handling.

Construction is of infused vinylester resin and hull laminates are over-specified to give excellent stiffness and improved impact resistance.

Well specified

Nothing is skimped on in the deck layout and equipment on the J/45, while the standard specification is generally of a very high level. It includes many items that other yards list as expensive options, such as Nitronic 50 rod rigging, hydraulic backstay and vang, white painted aluminium spars, and a 60hp engine with three-blade folding prop.

Systems work flawlessly and the six winches are generously sized. At the same time, the deck has a very uncluttered appearance, with lines including halyards and the mainsheet system led aft beneath conduits. The hydraulic backstay and vang markedly reduce the amount of string in the cockpit, as do the standard headsail sheet cars that run on a track with pins, although towed cars are offered as an option.

Our test boat has the electric option for the port coachroof winch, which makes for easy spinnaker hoists and trimming. The pit area is also provided with self-stowing washboards and a commendably large rope bin. Other neat touches include the lazybag arrangement, which makes it easy to roll away excess fabric while sailing.

Slimline helm station pods have enough space for a plotter display. Photo: Rupert Holmes

The J/45 cockpit layout will be immediately familiar to any keen sailor, although unlike many yachts of this size, there’s no separate guest cockpit for those who want to stay well clear of the action. The cockpit is narrow by today’s standards, especially towards the transom, but the lack of wide open spaces here is not detrimental for a serious sailing yacht. Deep moulded bulwarks, plus stainless steel coachroof grab rails, give security when going forward, while the non-slip deck surface of our test boat proved effective, as did the Flexiteek fitted to the cockpit benches and sole.

Cruising stores on the J/45

Two-cabin versions of the J/45 have a large cockpit locker under the starboard bench, which is open to the lazarette and can also be accessed from the interior. There’s a lot of stowage space here, with the main area easily able to swallow a dinghy, several sails, paddleboards and more, although the access from deck is relatively narrow.

It also gives safe access to the quadrant and the pilot ram. In addition, there’s a dedicated liferaft locker, access to the lazarette from the cockpit sole and a large sail locker forward.

Given that most cruising stores and equipment tend to be stowed in the back half of a yacht, the 350lt water tank is under the double berth in the forward cabin, while the chain locker is right forward. This is deliberate to balance the weight of movable equipment and stores, but means weight is not concentrated centrally and it feels wrong to place so much in the ends of the boat. It’s a testament to the boat’s underlying design that this weight in the bow didn’t appear to mar handling, or detract from the lovely feel under sail during our test.

Access to quadrant and pilot in the lazarette. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

No one buys a J/Boat solely on the basis of the interior and it’s no surprise the combination of low freeboard and moderate beam limit volume below deck. However, headroom is generous in the saloon and this a sufficiently large yacht to offer a considerable level of comfort.

While the overall style is instantly recognisable as that of a J/Boat, it’s at least a couple of notches above previous models in terms of quality and feel. J Composites has worked hard to achieve this and there’s a wide range of upholstery options.

Two-cabin versions have excellent stowage aft of the heads compartment, which is also accessible from on deck

The main living, galley and navigation station areas on the J/45 occupy a good length of the boat near the point of maximum beam and are therefore relatively spacious. There are good handholds both at the easy companionway steps and as you move forward into the saloon.

This is wide, with a settee/sea berth to starboard and generous U-shaped seating around the table opposite. On our test boat the aft transverse saloon seat houses an air-conditioning unit with outlets to the saloon and cabins.

At the foot of the companionway the semi U-shape galley has a large single sink and lots of worktop space, along with generally good stowage. Our test boat has a big top loading fridge, plus a second refrigeration unit with drawers, and a three-burner hob with oven. There’s no provision for a dishwasher or a washer-dryer.

The forward owner’s cabin. The fresh water tank is under the berth.

Opposite the galley, the chart table has a conventional forward-facing seat. It’s a good size, with reasonable stowage but no dedicated bookshelves, although some of the six large eye-level lockers lining each side of the saloon could be used for this purpose.

The owner’s cabin is forward, with a peninsula bed, plus a useful separate seat, good floor space and a decent size heads. However, the freshwater tank under the bed limits stowage volumes. This is mostly in one locker to starboard, with hanging space, plus three shelves and two smaller lockers underneath. While there’s ample space for shorter trips, those who envisage spending extended periods on board in cooler climes may need to also use some of the generous saloon stowage.

Aft cabins are smaller than average for a new 45-footer

The port aft cabin is a decent size, with reasonable stowage, although it lacks the palatial proportions of those on boats this of length with more freeboard and where maximum beam is carried right aft. On three-cabin boats the starboard cabin is almost a mirror image of this, but has a little less floor area and stowage.

The second heads compartment, to starboard at the base of the companionway steps, is well appointed and benefits from a big shower area in two-cabin boats. Three-cabin versions, however, lose the shower stall.

If you enjoyed this….

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J/Boats has never been afraid to carve its own path. That’s also true for this boat, even though the concept doesn’t obviously push new boundaries. It will certainly appeal to J aficionados. They will appreciate the responsive, precise handling and performance across a wide range of wind speeds and angles. Equally, anyone who’s endured long periods under power while cruising will appreciate the boat’s ability in light airs. It’s really positive to see J/Boats building at this size again. Overall the execution is good and the standard specification impressive, as is attention to detail. For example, this is the only boat of the 10 I tested last winter with cabin sole boards fastened down as per World Sailing’s Offshore Special Regulations, which apply to offshore races and cruising rallies such as the ARC. Add in good resale value and a worldwide dealer/support network and it’s not surprising that this model is already proving popular.

In total nine J Class yachts are currently active, including three original surviving Js - Velsheda, Shamrock and Endeavour - and six replicas that have been built since 2003; Ranger, Rainbow, Hanuman, Lionheart, Topaz and Svea.

Endeavour, JK4

Velsheda, JK7

Rainbow, JKZ1

Shamrock V, JK3

Hanuman JK6

Lionheart, JH1

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