Posted on 12/15/2015
In the 1960s and ’70s, when boatbuilders scrambled to satiate a burgeoning demand for new models, a production run of 500 units wasn’t unusual. Among builders of keel sailboats, Pearson, Cal, Columbia, and other leaders each had models that exceeded that number. But that was a long time ago in boatbuilding years
Throw in a couple of recessions and you’d be hard pressed to name the last keelboat that sold anywhere near 500.
Well, the J/70 (22.75′/6.9m) from Rhode Island–based J Boats ran over that signpost in just over two years and is still racing. And races are the reason why. As explained in “J Is for Johnstone” in PBB No. 98, the family of Bob, Rod, Jeff, and Alan, plus St...