Today, Portsmouth, Rhode Island is the center of manufacture. Johnstone’s pioneering J-24 model has an LOA of 7.32 m, an LWL of 6.10 m, a beam of 2.71 m, a hull weight of 1,600 kg and a 261 sq ft sail area with a 100% headsail.

The very first regatta to feature J boat racing was Key West in 1978. 20 boats competed. Other J boats include the International J-22, which usually involves a crew of 3-4 and is of a fixed keel design which means that older boats can compete on equal terms with newer versions. Its “class jib” means that it possess a big spinnaker, a mainsail and a non-overlapping jib. The International J-22 can plane on runs and reaches. Since it was created in 1983, more than 1,600 J-22s have been built and sail in 65 fleets in 18 countries. The 2004 World Championship race was graced with the presence of a staggering 130 boats.

Rod Johnstone perfected his design for J boat racing with the J-27, manufactured between 1983 and 1992. Its overall length is 8.38 m, beam 2.6 m, displacement 3,800 lb, draft 1.5 m and length at the waterline 7 m. Its belowdecks headroom is 1.4 m, standard water capacity 5 gallons and lead keel of 1,530 lbs. The J-27 is still raced under the auspices of various regional fleet authorities covering parts of the USA, Canada and South Africa. The current class president is Louis Johnson and the treasurer is Doug Davies.

The current situation of J boat racing is very positive. Regatta management and racing regulations have been improved resulting in bigger and better events, such as those organised by Midwinters XX. Championship organisers have been returning to the old sailing venues that made the J boat great. San Francisco hosted the 1997 North American and 1998 World Championships. Corpus Christi in Texas and Newport, Rhode Island have both been awarded major competitions in recent years.

Older J boats, some them now over 30 years old, are being improved and fixed up so as to continue conforming to class specs. The comparatively low price of second hand boats has meant that less well-to-do people can get into the arena of competitive racing. Once upon a time, such a hobby was the strict demesne of the rich.

The J brand has expanded into many other areas, such as official merchandise, photography and art which capture beautifully the thrill of sailing the boats either for racing purposes or just for relaxation.

Yamaha has been building snowmobiles for a while now, and these snowmobiles are favorites in the racing circles. The Apex GT Yamaha snowmobile has a raised seat which increases comfort for the rider. Other advantages if having this model include good gas consumption, precision control suspension, electronic fuel injection and a hooked end handlebar.

The Yamaha Phazer FX is great for freestyling. Its safety features and high speed performance make it a favorite for freestyle snowmobiling. The venture snowmobile has both front and rear seating. This is great for families who just like to drive around, touring and enjoying the countryside. This snowmobile has bars for the passengers to hold on to, as well as a cargo hold area for the passengers to store anything they might have.

Whether looking for high performance or family friendly snowmobiles, Yamaha snowmobiles might just offer you a solution to your dilemma. They are highly rated, and are highly recommended. Their safety features and track record for sure helps them win more people over. Make sure you get your used parts from a reputable dealer. You don’t want your new snowmobile falling apart on you.