J Boats was founded in 1977 by Rod Johnstone, an architect turned sailing enthusiast, and his brother Bob Johnstone, a former marketing executive at Quaker Oats. The idea for the company sparked when Rod designed and built his own 24-foot sailboat, the J/24, in his garage in Stonington, Connecticut. The boat’s impressive performance at local regattas garnered significant attention, leading the Johnstone brothers to establish J Boats and bring the J/24 into production.The success of the J/24 marked the beginning of J Boats' ascent in the sailing world. The company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-performance, yet user-friendly sailing yachts. Over the decades, J Boats expanded their offerings to include a wide range of cruising and racing yachts, all characterized by innovative design, quality craftsmanship, and competitive performance.Today, J Boats are based in Newport, Rhode Island, a hub for yachting and sailing activities. They continue to remain a family-run business with a strong commitment to innovation and quality, and their boats are popular worldwide among both amateur and professional sailors. The legacy of the J/24 lives on, with over 5,500 units built and an active global community of J Boat enthusiasts ensuring that the company’s reputation for excellence endures.