1978 J Boats J/24

The 1978 J/24 is a fiberglass keelboat built to the specifications that made this design one of the most successful one-design racers in sailing history. At 24 feet long with an 8.9-foot beam, it displaces 1,790 pounds and carries 840 pounds of ballast in a fixed fin keel with 4-foot draft. The fractional aluminum rig sets 260 square feet of working sail, delivering responsive performance both upwind and off the wind. The boat weighs approximately 4,000 pounds, making it trailerable behind most full-size SUVs.

The open cockpit accommodates five crew comfortably, while a small two-berth cuddy cabin below provides basic accommodation for overnight cruising. An optional head and a 3 to 6 horsepower outboard motor mounted in a well complete the layout. The design balances racing capability with practical day-sailing comfort, offering a cruising speed of 6 knots and the ability to plane downwind in stronger conditions.

This boat comes with a trailer and is ready for either competitive racing or casual weekend sailing. The J/24 has proven itself across four decades of production and remains a straightforward, durable platform requiring minimal maintenance while delivering performance that holds its own against far newer designs.