NEWPORT, RI (September 11, 2025) – Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s public sailing center, announced at the Newport International Boat Show today that the organization purchased a new fleet of fourteen J/7 sailboats for its public access sailing programs.
The J/7 is a newly designed 23′ daysailer with an extra-large and comfortable cockpit, an optimized deck layout for simplicity and efficiency, a roller-furling jib, and a bulb keel with lead ballast to ensure stability. The boat can comfortably accommodate six adults, making it perfect for family and group sailing experiences.
“This is a significant upgrade to our keelboat fleet. We loved the J/22, and it served as a wonderful teaching and club racing platform. The J/7 allows for more room for instructors and students as well as a five or even six-person group to sail in our rental or “Try Sailing” program,”says Brad Read, Sail Newport executive director.
Sail Newport will use the new boats in its wide variety of public access programs for sailors of all ages. The nonprofit organization provides youth keelboat programs, adult instructional programs, youth and adult racing programs, team building, sailboat rentals, regattas, and sailing programs for schools, community groups, and civic organizations.
Also, the new boats will be available for rent for residents and visitors who know how to sail. The Sail Newport rental program runs from early spring to the end of October each year.
The first to use the new boats in April of 2026 will be Newport Public School fourth-graders in the Sail Newport Pell Elementary School Science & Sailing Program. The unique program is in its ninth year and takes place during the school day. In collaboration with teachers, the program integrates shoreside standards-based science curriculum and STEM topics with the learn-to-sail activities on the water.
For those who participate in racing, the sizable cockpit allows for four crew to sit side-by-side, offering more weight balance options for upwind sailing. The boat will come equipped with a symmetrical spinnaker.
Sail Newport’s racing programs include summer weeknight series, group racing, youth training, and regatta participation.
Sail Newport’s collaboration with Newport-based J/Boats over the past season to test the boat and experience its handling, sail design, and comfort ensures that the new fleet of J/7 sailboats meets the highest standards of Sail Newport’s programs for the community.
“The Sail Newport keelboats sail nearly nonstop seven months a year with daily rentals, instruction, weeknight racing, regattas, and special events. It’s a lot to expect of just one boat, which is why we’re thrilled Sail Newport has selected the J/7 for their new fleet. It’s been great working with Brad Read, Kim Hapgood, and the Sail Newport team to develop an exceptional training boat that’s also great fun to sail,” says Jeff Johnstone, president of J/Boats.
Read recognized now as the opportune time to replace the fleet with a new, modern design that incorporates all the features Sail Newport wanted, and at the same time, sell Sail Newport’s current fleet of boats while they are in excellent condition. Fellow nonprofit sailing center Sail Maine has purchased the entire fleet of fourteen J/22s.
Sail Newport will be working with Rhode Island marine hardware and rigging companies and sail lofts to further customize the fleet for Sail Newport’s use.
“We are incredibly grateful to Jeff and Al Johnstone and the entire team at J/Boats for reaching out to Kim Hapgood and me to help offer ideas and insights for this new design. We certainly felt part of the development team,” Read adds.
Visit Sail Newport’s booth (Tent A 88) at the Newport International Boat Show in Newport, Rhode Island this weekend, or log onto sailnewport.org.
