J-Class
boats are the largest class of model yachts recognized by the AMYA.
When
I saw a J-boat for the very first time, didn’t think much of it. I had seen A-Boats before and J-Boats seemed only
a little bigger at first glance. It
didn’t occur to me just how big they really are until I saw one being put into
the water. I watched two burly men carry
one to the water’s edge like they were carrying a couch. After they lowered it over the side of the
dock, the owner placed several 5-pound bags of lead shot in it for additional
ballast. As I watched it sail away, I
was thoroughly intimidated, but not by its speed. My concern was that if I got into a collision
with one of those, it just might sink my boat.
Later that day, one almost did.
My boat is 65 inches long and weighs 18 pounds. J-Boats are about eight
feet long and weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. Below is a picture of my 10 Rater
superimposed on a picture of a J-Boat.
