INTRODUCING

The spectacular new Johnson 18

elevates small boat sailing to a new level of perfection. It is
the unprecedented matching of performance, simplicity, and
stability, based on over 100 years of sailing experience on
the part of builder and desigener. This design uses space
age composite materials as they best distribute loads. It is
possibly the first fully computer-optimized small boat
design utilizing a full size prototype. While specifically
designed to be enjoyed by a couple (of any age), the simple
controls make it a boat to work with, rather than against. It
is lightweight, easy to rig, plus easy to trailer. The Johnson
18 is a strict one-design Class ensuring uniformity,
competitiveness, and excellent resale value whether at the
regional, national or international level.

The Johnson 18 hull design is low to the water and marginally wide for its length. The transom is open making the cockpit self bailing. Cockpit edges are rounded and comfortable to hike on in conjunction with hiking straps for each crew member. The bowsprit is a retractable carbon fiber pole for the asymmetrical spinnaker, which is launched from an attached bag on the port side.

The centerboard boasts an impressive 4-foot (1.2 m) draft when down and retracts by swinging aft on a pivot. The rig is supported by one set of upper side stays and one set of lower side stays, along with a forestay integrated into the roller furling jib.
There is no backstay, and as a result the stern remains quite clear most of the time. Controls for the cunningham and boomvang are led back to the skipper under a removable spine that keeps them from becoming tangled in Jib Spinnaker sheets.
The Johnson 18 is a blast to sail. In as little as 5 knots of breeze the boat is manuverable and quick though some leward weight can be required to keep wind adhesion in the sails
In just 10-15 knots of wind these little boats really shine. Their upwind tuning is as dynamic as the main and cunningham controls, allowing rig tension to vary with conditions. And with the asymmetric spinnaker downwind, or on hot reaches, planing is easy and rewarding.

Information History Documents Class Rules Class Consitution

Johnson 18 Information

Jn18 Info

Sailing the Johnson 18 is fairly easy, because of its wide, stable design. It will plane in under 10 knots of wind, however it will do so much more easily above that threshold.

The asymmetrical spinnaker makes reaching and broad reaching very fast, however heading straight downwind tends to be much slower. This is a normal result of flying an asymmetrical spinnaker without an articulating pole.

INTRODUCING

The spectacular new Johnson 18