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Rod Johnstone, the designer of the venerable J/24, knows a thing or two about designing small performance keelboats that are fun to sail. But when he sat down to design the J/95, the result was much more than just another sportboat.

So after dockside inspections and on-the-water tests were complete, such judges' comments as "honest, well-executed design" and "really hit the mark" were in abundance. And when it came time to cast their category votes,  the judges concluded that this solidly built, capable coastal cruiser would excel at meeting the needs of many a sailing family who choose to do their voyaging closer to home. Because of this, they named the J/95 the Best Weekender and followed up by also naming it the Domestic Boat of the Year.

Johnstone stated that he designed the boat as an easy-to-sail thin-water cruiser that will keep older people (well, anyone, really) sailing (rather than turning to powerboats). The J/95 does that in spades. The key is its elegantly functional keel/centerboard and dual rudders, which reside just beneath the waterline. The 2,200-pound lead keel, with 3 feet of draft, provides excellent stability on all points of sail, but when you're really looking for tight tacking angles and minimal leeway upwind, the boat's bronze centerboard drops down to increase draft and lift. A centerboard isn't a revolutionary idea, but the judges agreed that the execution was excellent.

And, the judges noted, the helm was smooth, balanced, and responsive because of the dual rudders. Since there are two of them, they can be smaller and no deeper than the keel, and since they hang from both sides of the stern, one always bites at any angle of heel. Put these two underwater details together, with the fact that they helped the J/95 to log 5.5 knots upwind and 6.9 knots reaching in 10 knots of breeze, and you get the sort of performance that the judges found impressive.

The praise didn't stop at the waterline. The judges gave the cockpit and sail controls—especially the mainsheet, which is led right to the helm and comes equipped for both coarse and fine trim—top marks.

Like all the weekenders we tested, the interior is functional rather than overly flashy, but the J/95's accommodations impressed the judges by accomplishing the difficult task of being small without feeling cramped on a cruise. B.S.

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