Produced by Rhode Island's J/Boats, the J/30 is an enlarged follow-up to the J/24, both boats designed by Rod Johnstone. The J/30 appeared in 1979, two years after the J/24 had initiated the family's building business. With a broad beam, balsa-cored hull, and lead fin keel, the boat displays good performance in moderate to heavy winds and features strong construction and generous accommodations for cruising. It takes seven people to race competitively with the large spinnaker and jib, although two can sail it for pleasure with the stock rig. Nearly 550 J/30s were built, and the class association is strong and active, with strict class rules. There is racing in the U.S. on the East Coast, the Gulf Coast, and the Great Lakes, although some more geographically isolated boats sail in handicapped races, and many J/30s are used exclusively, or nearly so, for cruising rather than racing.