As the former director of vocal music at the Denver School of the Arts, Robert Styron taught grades six through 12 and managed resident musicians. Now living in Louisiana, Robert Styron is a crew member of the Footloose Two, a J/35 sailboat.
Around 330 J/35s are on the water today. These boats are part of the J/Boat line, whose parent company was started in 1975 by brothers Rod and Bob Johnstone with a $20,000 investment. Located in yachting hub Newport, Rhode Island, the company is now owned by the next generation of Johnstones, and offers nine models.
The J/35 is considered to be a forgiving vessel due to its favorable handicap. (In boating, handicapping refers to a combination of physical measurements and past performances in competitions.) The J/35 boasts a streamlined hull, a straightforward rigging system, and a logical deck plan. These and other features have made it popular for both racing and cruising.
Although the J/35 is a crowd-pleaser, it has also attracted some of the world’s top mariners. Around three dozen of the boats have made it into world-class championships, with a few placing in prestigious offshore events.
Robert Styron 