J/100 is seriously different from many other (primarily European) 30-footers. While in Europe a 30-footer is a full-fledged cruising yacht, the J/100 is more of a dassailer. It lacks many usual elements of comfort - for example, a full-fledged galley or a refrigerator, but has a lot of other advantages that are understandable to any sailing yacht.
It is a light sports boat which looks more like dinghies in the sense of the helmsman. She is able to turn around literally on a patch and instantly react to any wind and its gusts. Practice shows that in many J/100 regattas, J/100s arrive at the finish earlier than larger yachts with larger sail areas. The result is an honorary title of Yacht of the Year in the USA in 2005.
