weight of j36 sailboat

J/36 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of J/36. Built by J Boats and designed by Rod Johnstone, the boat was first built in 1981. It has a hull type of Fin w/spade rudder and LOA is 10.96. Its sail area/displacement ratio 22.07. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Yanmar, runs on Diesel.

J/36 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about J/36 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the j/36.

J/36 was designed by Rod Johnstone.

Who builds J/36?

J/36 is built by J Boats.

When was J/36 first built?

J/36 was first built in 1981.

How long is J/36?

J/36 is 9.3 m in length.

What is mast height on J/36?

J/36 has a mast height of 14.33 m.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

Review of J/36

Basic specs..

The boat is typically equipped with an inboard Yanmar diesel engine.

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 7.4 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for J/36 is about 224 kg/cm, alternatively 1256 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 224 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1256 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

Maintenance

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for J/36 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

j36 sailboat data

How Much Does A Sailboat Weigh?

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

While it may seem counterintuitive, there's more than one weight measurement for sailboats. In this article, we'll go over three ways of determining the weight of a sailboat.

Consumer sailboats usually weigh between 120 and 30,000 pounds, with the average sailboat weighing 8,845 pounds. This average sailboat weight is without taking into account additional gear, fuel, people, and more that are on a sailboat out on the water. To accurately weigh a boat isn't as simple as dropping it on a scale.  Besides the logistical problems you'd face, it wouldn't give you all the information you need to know.

That's why there are a few types of weight measurement for boats.  These are dry weight, displacement, and tonnage. Don't confuse these subtypes; while displacement and dry weight are closely related, tonnage is a different type of measurement.

Table of contents

Dry weight is closely related to displacement, and it’s the number you’d get if you hung an empty boat from a scale.  Dry weight isn’t always included on specification sheets, but it’s vital if you intend to tow or transport your boat.  

To give you a better idea of the dry weight of different vessels, we’ll use a short list of common boat sizes by LOA (length overall) in feet.  Keep in mind, the weight of a boat differs based on hull material , mast type, and many other factors.

• Dinghies (less than 12’): 100 to 200 pounds
• Small Sailboats (15’ to 20’): 400 to 2,500 pounds
• Medium Sailboats (21’ to 25’): 2,500 to 5,000 pounds
• Cruising Sailboats (27’ to 32’): 7,000 to 12,000 pounds
• Large Sailboats (35’ to 40’): 12,000 to 30,000 pounds

What factors contribute to the weight of a sailboat?  Hull material makes a huge difference in dry weight.  Older wooden cruising vessels with deep keels often weigh thousands of pounds more than an equivalent-sized fiberglass boat.  Also, sport and racing sailboats sometimes weigh a fraction of an average consumer cruiser.  

A sailboat’s mast and rigging contribute to the weight as well.  Solid hardwood masts sometimes weigh hundreds of pounds more than hollow masts, and heavy brass deck equipment adds up.  It doesn’t take long for equipment to increase the weight of a boat.

Displacement

How is displacement different than dry weight?  First of all, you can only calculate dry weight when a boat is empty and dry.  Displacement is equal to the weight of a boat, along with everything (and everyone) aboard at the time of measurement.  This includes water, fuel, deck equipment, interior cushions—you get the picture.

The most common measurement of weight for sailboats is displacement, and it reflects the weight of a loaded sailboat in the water.  We measure displacement by calculating the weight of the water volume a boat displaces.  This unit is vital in boat design.  A vessel will sink if it weighs more than the water it displaces.  

There’s a simple way of picturing the concept of displacement.  Imagine a cup of water filled to the very top.  Now drop in a coin and measure the amount of water that spills out.  The weight of the spilled liquid is the displacement of the coin.   

Oddly, the displacement value of a boat means slightly different things in salt and freshwater.  Saltwater weighs 64.1 pounds per cubic foot, while fresh water weighs 62.4 pounds per cubic foot.  That means a boat will displace more freshwater because saltwater essentially ‘pushes harder’ upward on the craft.

So, how does displacement translate to weight?  You can get a general idea of how ‘heavy’ a boat is using a simple calculation, shown below.

‍ (Displacement/2,240) / (LWL x 0.02)^3

1)    First, you’ll need to convert the displacement (in pounds) to long tons .  Simply divide the displacement by 2,240 to get your answer.  Put this number aside for a moment.

2)    Next, find the length at waterline ( LWL ) of your boat, and multiply it by 0.01 .  Take this value and raise it to the power of 3 .  It should look something like this: (LWL x 0.01) ^3

3)    Finally, divide your first number (in long tons) by the result of the previous calculation to get your displacement to length ratio .

The displacement to length ratio is useful for a number of reasons.  Using this simple number allows you to determine the weight class of a boat, so you’ll know what it’s suitable for.  Below, we put together a list to help you understand the differences using a D/L ratio of 40 to 400.

• Ultra-light (race boats): 40 to 89
• Light (race or trailer-sailboat): 90-179
• Medium (day boat/light cruiser): 180-269
• Heavy ( cruising sailboat /offshore cruiser): 270-359
• Very Heavy (heavy offshore cruiser): 360-400+

Generally speaking, sailboats built before 1950 typically have a heavy D/L ratio.  A boat with a ratio over 300 handles much differently than a light vessel, and many consider heavier boats to be more ‘seaworthy.’  Of course, it’s not always that simple, but the general rule still applies.  Using what we know about displacement, it’s time to go over our final weight measurement.

Tonnage represents the volume of the enclosed space on a boat, using the same concept as displacement.  Salt and freshwater tonnage differ for the same reasons as well.  Tonnage and size are directly related, and this unit gives you an idea of how much cargo you can carry before overloading.  Cargo tonnage is measured in long tons, similar to displacement.  Simply divide the tonnage (in pounds) by 2,240 to get your cargo tonnage value.

Why Weight Matters

While we haven’t mentioned every way of weighing a sailboat, you can gain a lot from understanding dry weight, displacement, and tonnage.  For example, you’ll need to know the dry weight of a boat to determine if your vehicle can actually tow it.  If a vessel weighs 15,000 pounds, you’ll probably want to avoid it unless you have a permanent mooring or a heavy-duty pickup truck.  

Displacement and dry weight are closely related.  Displacement is equally crucial for determining a boat’s capabilities.  Heavy, deep-keel sailboats generally handle well in rough seas, but you probably won’t be racing with a high D/L ratio.  If you understand what your intentions for a boat, it’s imperative to comprehend displacement and D/L ratio.  

Tonnage is essential to understand, especially for offshore cruising.  Using this value, you can calculate how much food, water, supplies, and how many people you can take aboard.  Ignoring any of these values can spell disaster for any captain but understanding sailboat weight ahead of time ensures you’ll know what you’re doing.

Now that you have a grasp of sailboat weight measurements, it’s time for some real-world examples.  We found the specifications of three common sailboats so you can get an idea of what to expect.

How Much Does A Catalina 30 Weigh?

This 30-foot sloop is one of the most successful production fiberglass sailboats in history.  It was built by Catalina Yachts between 1972 and 2008, with over 6,000 units.  We chose the Catalina 30 because it’s an ideal example of a medium-sized all-purpose cruising sailboat .  This versatile sloop is well suited for coastal cruising and some offshore passages.

Dry weight clocks in at 10,200 pounds, with a D/L ratio of 291.43.  This sailboat is an ideal general-purpose cruising vessel.

How Much Does An O’Day 25 Weigh?

Despite being only a few feet shorter than the Catalina 30, the O’Day 25 is a much different boat.  This popular day cruiser has a displacement of only 4,007 pounds, which is less than half of the Catalina 30.  The O’Day 25 falls into the medium weight category with a D/L ratio of only 193.16.  Comparatively, you can immediately see how these two common fiberglass boats differ.  The O’Day 25 will be much easier to tow, yet less suitable for long offshore passages.

How Much Does An Atkin ‘Eric’ 32 Weigh?

This 32-foot wooden sailboat was designed decades ago for offshore sailing.  While dimensionally similar to the Catalina 30, this boat is significantly heftier with a displacement of 19,500 pounds.  Despite only being 2-feet longer than our Catalina at the waterline, the Atkin Eric has a D/L ratio of 418.81 making it an extremely heavy boat!

From a distance, all three of our examples would look similar in size and above-water characteristics.  Below the surface, we find something very different.  Each of these vessels is suitable for different things, and how much they weigh plays a vital role in their uses.  Now that you know how to interpret the weight of a sailboat, you’ll be prepared to choose one that best fits your needs.

Related Articles

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

by this author

Learn About Sailboats

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Similar Posts

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

September 13, 2023

Best Small Sailboat Ornaments

September 12, 2023

Discover the Magic of Hydrofoil Sailboats

December 11, 2023

Popular Posts

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

December 28, 2023

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (866) 342-SAIL

© 2024 Life of Sailing Email: [email protected] Address: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244 Disclaimer Privacy Policy

The J30 is a 29.83ft fractional sloop designed by Johnstone and built in fiberglass by J Boats between 1979 and 1986.

554 units have been built..

The J30 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a good performer. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat.

J30 for sale elsewhere on the web:

Main features

Login or register to personnalize this screen.

You will be able to pin external links of your choice.

See how Sailboatlab works in video

We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt

Accommodations

Builder data, other photos.

Modal Title

The content of your modal.

Personalize your sailboat data sheet

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

• Sailboat Guide

1981 J36 Racer/Cruiser

• Description

Seller's Description

1981-J36, Quest, located in Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham, WA. Newer 3GM Yanmar water cooled motor, professional racing bottom and foils (2018), rigging, turn buckles and solid wire stays (2017), full length mainsail track (2017), Ray Marine Instruments (2021), masthead wand (2021), bilge pump (2022). Sail inventory includes: Quantum main and #1 jib (2021/excellent condition), Quantum main (2020), North 3DL #1 jib (2018), North spinnaker .5 oz., North heavy air spinnaker 1.5 oz., plus more. Contact for complete details on sails and gear (please leave your email so we can respond back to you.)

This listing is presented by SailingAnarchy.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller.

View on SailingAnarchy.com

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

• About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Sail area calculations

Mainsail Area = P x E / 2 Headsail Area = (Luff x LP) / 2 (LP = shortest distance between clew and Luff) Genoa Area 150% = ( 1.5 x J x I ) / 2 Genoa Area 135% = ( 1.35 x J x I ) / 2 Fore-triangle 100% = ( I x J ) / 2 Spinnaker Area = 1.8 x J x I

Copyright � 2008 Sailboat Rig Dimensions All Rights Reserved.

[{{{type}}}] {{{reason}}}

{{texts.summary}} {{#options.result.rssIcon}} RSS {{/options.result.rssIcon}}

{{{_source.title}}} {{#_source.showPrice}} {{{_source.displayPrice}}} {{/_source.showPrice}}

{{{_source.displayUrl}}}

{{{_source.displayDate}}}

{{{_source.description}}}

{{#_source.additionalFields}} {{#title}} {{{label}}}: {{{title}}} {{/title}} {{/_source.additionalFields}}

• J/70 (22.8')
• J/80 (26.3')
• J/88 (29.2')
• J/9 (28.0')
• J/99 (32.6')
• J/111 (36.5')
• J/112E (36.0')
• J/121 (40.0')
• J/45 (45.6')
• Other J/Models
• J/Newsletter
• Sailing Calendar
• J/Classes & Owners
• J/Gear Store
• J/Owner Resources
• J/World Annapolis
• J/World San Diego
• Request New Boat Info
• Find My Dealer
• Contact J/Boats
• Contact J/Composites
• Licensed Builders
• Performance