Keelboat sailing champion Andreas Josenhans wrote a review of the design in "Sailing World Magazine", stating, "the J/35 has … become one of North America's most popular 35-footers … Not only is it one of the fastest boats in its size range, but a growing class organization has helped promote one design competition in the Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, and both the East and West coasts … The J/35 is a unique boat - it's half the price of a One Ton, but has the same speed in moderate conditions."