Shipyards Directory

J Composites

yacht builder Les Sables-d'Olonne, France

J Composites is a French boatyard that designs, builds and markets J/Boats sailing yachts under licence from the American J/Boats company, a partnership begun in 1994. Based in the Vendée region of France, the yard specialises in sandwich and resin-infusion composite construction, a technology it has applied to French-built J boats since the 1990s, and it operates in-house joinery workshops and an integrated design office. Its current range spans the Elegance performance cruisers (J/36, J/40, J/45), the Sport one-design and offshore racers (J/70, J/99) and the J/7 daysailer. Boats are sold and supported through a network of appointed J experts across France, Europe, the Americas and Asia.

J Composites

J Composites builds sailing yachts under licence from J/Boats of the United States, a relationship established in December 1994 following the founder's meeting with Jeff Johnstone. The yard works from Johnstone family designs but takes an active role in product development, market positioning and sales, and originated the Elegance range concept itself. It is recognised for sandwich and infusion composite construction, used on French-built J boats since 1993, and states 30 years of experience since filing the Scrimp patent. The company offers a five-year structural guarantee on its boats regardless of use.

Services

  • Design, construction and marketing of J/Boats models for the European and international market
  • Integrated design office for optimisation of assembled parts and custom parts for grand prix use
  • In-house joinery workshops using solid wood and veneers (oak, walnut, teak options)
  • Interior design collaboration, including work with Isabelle Racoupeau on the J/45 and J/40
  • Customisation of layouts, wood finishes and upholstery
  • Client factory visits and production monitoring
  • Owner support through an international network of J experts

Facilities

  • Shipyard in the Vendée region of France
  • Resin infusion and sandwich composite moulding, including fully infused hull, deck, structural grid and main bulkhead on the J/40
  • Autoclave-produced carbon components (J/70)
  • Joinery workshops and integrated design office

Vessel Types

  • Elegance performance cruisers: J/36 (10.99 m hull), J/40 (12.47 m hull, European Yacht of the Year 2025), J/45 (13.85 m hull) — CE Category A
  • Sport range: J/70 one-design sportsboat (6.93 m, CE Category C) and J/99 offshore racer (9.94 m)
  • Daysailers: J/7, a 7.04 m family daysailer with fixed lead keel and trailerable configuration
  • Historic models referenced include the J/24, J/80, J/92, J/109, J/110, J/112E and J/122

Location

  • Shipyard in the Vendée, France
  • Dealer and expert network covering France, Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Chile, Mexico, Martinique, the USA, India and Japan