J Boats J120 Spartan

Spartan is a well-maintained J/120 with a high-performance specification and a strong cruising setup. Featuring a carbon mast and boom, upgraded rigging, carefully maintained Volvo engine, and a versatile sail wardrobe, she represents an ideal balance of comfort and offshore capability with competitive sailing performance.

Type: J/120 Performance Cruiser-Racer
Year: 2001
Location: Beaulieu River
Builder: J/Boats (France)
Designer: Rod Johnstone
Asking Price: £99,500

Additional Information

Spartan offers exceptional value as a complete, upgraded, and lightly used offshore-capable performance cruiser-racer. With a carbon spar package, multiple sail options, dependable mechanics, and cruising comforts, she is ready to continue adventure, racing, or extended coastal cruising. She has benefitted from regular servicing and thoughtful upgrades during her life, including new engine.

Engine & Mechanical

• Volvo D2 50hp diesel (replacement installed approx. 7 years ago)
• Saildrive (replaced at the same time as the engine)
• Engine Hours: 361 (as of Nov 2024)
• Fully maintained annually by Volvo-approved service engineers
• Spring 2025: Saildrive serviced (oil reported crystal clear)
• Next full engine service scheduled for May 2025
• Additional engine battery
• Small inverter for 240V systems

• EPIRB installed

Navigation & Electronics

• Raytheon instruments: log, speed, depth, wind
• Raytheon autopilot
• Standalone GPS
• AIS system + additional new transmit/receive AIS (feeds to an iPad)
• SSB receiver
• VHF radio
• Navtex weather system
• Conventional radios
• EPIRB

• Small inverter for 240V electronics

Rigging & Deck Equipment

• Carbon mast & carbon boom
• Standing rod rigging (now on third replacement set — replaced approx. every 9 yrs)
  • All work carried out by Ocean Rigging, Lymington
• Hydraulic backstay adjuster
• Spectra halyards and sheets where beneficial
• Bolt-on self-tacking system for narrower sheeting angles
• Adjustable deck hardware setup including:
  • Genoa tracks
  • Blade jib reaching track
  • Spinnaker hardware and additional cleats
• Thin Vectran lazy jacks (removable with no trace)
• Harken furling system for Code Zero
• Mooring lines, fenders, wheel cover, sprayhood
• Anchor, chain and warp

• 4-man liferaft (service due check)

Sail Inventory

Primarily used with blade jib and mainsail — sail plan optimised for short-handed sailing. Most sails by Sanders except where noted.

• Sanders carbon laminate fully-battened mainsail (approx. 10 years old, still structurally sound and holds shape well)
• North Sails 95% blade jib — effectively unused
• Sanders Code Zero (approx. 10 years old, lightly used)
• Additional older Code Zero in heavier cloth
• Storm jib — original but unused
• Large and small asymmetric spinnakers (original)
• Symmetrical chute with squeezer (sock requires replacement)

• Harken furling system for Code Zero

Interior & Accommodation

Designed for comfortable cruising without compromising sailing performance.

• Sleeps 5–6
  • Double forecabin
  • Double aft cabin
  • Two saloon berths
• Bespoke upgrades:
  • Bookshelves and custom lockers in saloon (instead of pilot berths)
  • Full-size stand-up chart table
• Top-loading fridge
• Diesel-fired cabin heater
• Hot/cold pressurised water system
• 2 x stainless-steel sinks
• Larger upgraded oven and cooker
• Separate heads with shower, washbasin and marine toilet