except the J30 has a MUCH nicer interior

How so? The Express has a proper sea bearth, a teak and holly sole, an
oven, etc. and it's still faster than a J30. The interior of a J30 is
pushed out to the hull so you get more floor space. Big deal.

proper tiller for a racer

I guess a Farr 40 is not a proper racer.

,ability to race other J30s and so on.

There's a few areas up north where Express 30s race 1design. J30
owners can't find a fleet everywhere. In fact I have a friend who
bought one in your state for $14k because there are no fleets up there.


It also looks better and is a more versatile boat overall.

Looks better. This coming from someone who always buys boats with ugly
sterns. Versatile? You wouldn't know the meaning.