Yesterday I saw the new J/99 at Dusseldorf. The JPK 10.30 is still at the building stage but we can already say something regarding design and, assuming the 10.30 will have an interior of identical quality of the other sportive JPK, also about finish.
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| J/99 and the JPK 10.80 - Look at the very different transoms |
J boats were known to be narrow boats but things have changed and contrary to what it looks like the JPK, even if slightly bigger, has less beam (3.32 to 3.40m) but it has a larger transom, having all the beam pulled back while the J/99 continues to have a classical hull shape, in fact very similar to the one of older IRC designs.
The hull form stability that will be gained by bigger beam will be lost on the hull design. The chined hull of the JPK with a large transom will probably provide the same or less drag without losing in hull form stability making the boat also easier to be raced solo or with a short crew.
Probably the J has a slightly better performance in light winds and upwind but I would say the better overall performance will be the one of the JPK.
The JPK has twin rudders, the J/99 a deep single one, both have a single tiller set up and both offer different types of keels, for IRC or for maximizing performance. However the JPK offers standard more draft (2.05 to 1.99m) and even if the ballast of the J/99 is not given it would be very hard to beat the JPK 42% B/D. The JPK, although 37cm longer, is lighter ( 3500 to 3800kg).
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| Above J/99 below JPK 10.30 |
The JPK will be a faster boat and also an easier one to sail solo or in duo and even in IRC I doubt the new J/99 will be a match for the JPK since both boats have designs not very different from previous boats and the JPK has been beating the new J racers on all main IRC races, from the Fastnet to the Middle Sea race, passing by the Sydney Hobart and more recently on the Silver Rudder (solo).
The difference in speed will not be big but will be very important in what regards racing. In what regards cruising the easiness of the JPK will be far more important than any difference in speed, specially in what regards sailing downwind or in what regards being able to resist better to gusting conditions without need of constant sail trimming. Easier also for an autopilot.
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| J/99 |
We can see on the layout (10.30) and by the interior on the bigger JPK 10.80 that the JPK has not only a better cruising layout but also one much less spartan, looking even cozy if compared to the J/99.
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| JPK 10.80 |
The JPK has also the nice particularity of offering two lateral seating positions on opposite sides with a forward view that will make them perfect resting places to sail the boat from the interior, on long solo offshore passages.
Regarding prices, they are similar, if we take into consideration that the JPK is a bigger boat. They will be dependent on boat configuration. The J/99 costs about 103 000 euros without sails, electronics or taxes, the JPK 10.30 will cost on the same condition about 114 000 euros.
Ready to sail, with electronics, european VAT, transport and sails the J/99 should cost about 150 000 euros and the JPK 10 000 euros more.
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| JPK 10.30 |
Does the JPK have water ballast?
ReplyDeleteNo. On the J/99 they say that the boat can have water ballast as an option but the boat I saw did not have it. I doubt that would be very useful and it would increase the rating big way, making the boat less competitive in IRC, not to mention the price increase.
DeleteSpec sheet says water ballast is optional, with 2 tanks of 300 liters each.
ReplyDelete