J/42 - The Cruiser's Choice

Overview Specifications
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  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat
  • J/42 Sailboat

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While classic in profile and layout, J/42 steps into the future when considering structural strength performance, ease-of-handling, stability and sailing comfort. This progress is now available to the cruising sailor in a boat that handles like a 35 footer with the solid feel and motion of a 50 footer. When a gust of wind hits the J/42 it's as though someone pushed forward the throttles on a Concorde jet. Slicing though waves, there's little fuss. A slight lift of the bow over a wave is rapidly dampened. There is none of the three-dimensional pitch and roll often accepted as a rigor of cruising.

The patented SCRIMP process pulls triple the normal vacuum-bagging levels to draw all the air out of cored hull & deck laminates and to draw a slow-curing resin into every void in a single step. It's a better and healthier way to build boats because toxic styrene emissions are eliminated. It offers higher strength (65% vs. typical 40% glass content) and a void-free laminate far superior to hand lay-up or chopper gun construction. The savings in weight is added to the bottom of the keel in the form of a lead bulb, shaped as an inverted wedge with a tapered tail aft. This is why J/42's center of gravity (CG) is so much lower than other cruisers.

Sailing J/42 is easy for one person, thanks to superb wheel response and a common-sense sailplan. J/42-balances well and sails upwind faster under mainsail only (over 6 kts) than some cruisers using both main and large genoa. Since a mainsail is the easiest of any sail to operate: there's less need for expert crews no need to reef when it blows 25 kts; and, visibility is greatly improved. A 100% jib is all one needs for cruising upwind at 7.2 knots. You get an added bonus of better visibility and there's little need for grinding of winches. When you sail a J/42 you soon learn that progress in yacht design and construction makes a big difference in your sailing enjoyment.