J/Boats J/105
Built 1992–? by Tillotson-Pearson (TPI)
About the J/Boats J/105
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1992–?
- Builder
- Tillotson-Pearson (TPI)
- Designer
- Rod Johnstone
- Length
- 34.5 ft
- Waterline
- 29.5 ft
- Beam
- 11 ft
- Draft
- 6.5 ft
- Displacement
- 7,750 lb
- Ballast
- 3,400 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass-cored
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Water
- 5 gal
- Stern thruster
- none
- Steering
- tiller
Sources disagree on fuel tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Straight shaft drive, not a saildrive (Sailing Magazine); class rules call for a Martec folding prop. Introduced 1992 (Practical Sailor, Sailing Magazine); sailboatdata lists 1995 as first built. Over 500 built by 2002. SCRIMP resin-infused hull and deck with Baltek balsa core and vinylester outer layer; hull-deck joint bonded with Plexus; lead bulb on a fiberglass keel stub; hull stringers molded in from hull 156. Engine hp differs: sailboatdata and PS say 20 hp Yanmar 2GM20F, Sailing Magazine says most have 18 hp Yanmars (French-built boats Volvo 2020). Fuel 12 gal (sailboatdata) vs 10 gal (Sailing Magazine); standard 5 gal portable water tank, 20 gal tank optional.
Known problems for this model
-
Rudder bearings corrode and bind steering
The aluminum upper and lower rudder bearings corrode, especially with copper bottom paint or lost zincs, and typically last only a few years before binding.practical-sailor.com · sailingmagazine.net
-
Chainplate bulkhead leaks rigging
Some boats have had leaks and bulkhead damage where the chainplates attach; check for delamination of the bulkhead.sailingmagazine.net
-
Cracked forward hatch frame deck
On early boats the stainless foredeck hatch could open past 180 degrees and crack its welded frame; a stop bumper and weld kit were offered.practical-sailor.com · sailingmagazine.net
-
Leaks at the retractable sprit tube deck
Water can enter the forward cabin through the sprit tube seal; inspect it.practical-sailor.com · sailingmagazine.net
-
Rotting plywood floorboards interior
The shallow bilge wets the original plywood floorboards, whose unsealed end grain rotted or delaminated; later boats got a synthetic sole.practical-sailor.com
2 more
-
Engine movement makes dripless seals leak running gear
The Yanmar moves a lot on its soft mounts, which has caused dripless shaft seals to leak on some boats.practical-sailor.com
-
Clogged fuel line power loss fuel
The class association issued a service note after several boats lost power or air-locked in heavy seas from a clogged fuel line.archive.j105.org
Engines & parts
Yanmar 2GM / 2GM20F parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Yanmar 2GM20F”
Well supported by Yanmar dealers and aftermarket; stainless mixing elbows that replace the OEM part numbers are widely sold.
Parts sources: Mack Boring & Parts (Yanmar distributor), HDI Marine (stainless exhaust elbows), Parts4Engines
Common problems (2)
-
Nearly blocked mixing elbow exhaust
Owners find the exhaust port of the mixing elbow almost completely blocked while the engine still runs; a failed U-elbow has also let water into a cylinder and cracked a piston.sailnet.com · practical-sailor.com
-
Noise and vibration from soft mounts engine
Worn soft engine mounts are a common cause of the vibration owners complain about; better aftermarket mounts are available.practical-sailor.com
Model sources (6)
sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · sailingmagazine.net · archive.j105.org · jboats.com · jboats.com
Other J/Boats models
- J/Boats J/24 1977–?
- J/Boats J/30 1979–1986
- J/Boats J/35 1983–1992
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.