What sports boat?

However the topic is "what sports boat" and the J24, whatever its virtues, is not a sports boat. The Australians claim to have invented the word (and probably did). There, it is roughly equivalent to "fast trailerable boat". The J24 isn't "trailerable" in their terminology because you need a crane for the keel-stepped mast. They would probably argue that "fast" does not apply either. If you would like a more robust version of this argument, try posting about J24s on http://www.sailinganarchy.com/forums/index.php?showforum=14

I sailed a J24 for a season, including trailering to events, and we craned the mast in. As far as I remember (and it was a few years ago), so did everyone else. Whether keel- or deck-stepped is more robust is not the subject of debate. J24 is a good choice if you have local class racing but the title of the thread is "which sports boat" and it is not a sports boat. Not really ideal for an average-sized crew of 4 either, come to that.

If you're looking for second hand J/24s take a look on the UK J/24 class website. A good range available in the UK from between £3250 and £15000. Running costs are extremely low for a 24' yacht. Competitive livespan for a good boat (such as a Rogers) is very long.

You need to crane the boat into the water (most have a single-point lifting strop) but most masts are raised with a gin pole (can't remember when we last did this with a crane).

Performance is very good in the light winds. Not as fast as a modern sports boat in the strong winds but still great fun.

Edited by Mark Jardine

If you want to see J/24s in action

NATIONS CUP J/24s ON TV

Sky Sports 2 lists ‘Yachting: The Nations Cup grand final’ for 09.30 on Thursday 7 December and again at 10.00 on Sunday morning

Watch a half hour of superb match racing on Cork Harbour at the ISAF Nations Cup world final, hosted by Royal Cork YC and sailed in International J/24 keelboats loaned via ISA to RCYC by Irish owners from eight other clubs in Ireland.

This ISAF Grade One event was the most important international sailing event in Ireland’s 2006 season. A major Irish contribution to international sailing, it won great praise at November’s annual conference of the International Sailing Federation.

More at

www.royalcork.com

www.matchrace.ie

www.j24ireland.com

 

Haven't sailed a sonar, but-

 

the platou is a cool bit of kit, not as fast as a melges but planes at about 8- 9 knts boat speed and surfs very readily.

 

very nice in light airs, but in f5 you will need a good main trimmer and foredack/kite trimmer on the down hill leg.

 

It also sleeps two, could be converted to sleep 3 or 4, and has a nice outboard well and locker easier to use than the 707s.

 

The sails are strict OD and quite reasonable for Norths. Very nice shape L1, H1s, plus you get a jib cunningham which works great. In fact everything is geared nearly perfecfly and it has a big, fast boat feel for a well ballasted SB.

There are two sail on the clyde regularily now and maybe three or four going to scottish series if you were prepared to trail and be no.4!  The guys with ELF on the clyde are worth talking to.

 

Despite being a huge fann of the wee farr, I'd still say look at a 707- they lack the finesse and feel but you could get easier OD racing. A more stable planing platform as well!

 

But if you are a former quarter ton owner (?) then go for the platou for really enjoying your sailing

Edited by damp_freddie