1996 J Boats J/42

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.

A low VCG means greater stability, which means better sail carrying ability. The greater sail area dampens the motion of hull/deck/rig in waves. Pitch & roll create resistance to water flow around the hull and air flow past the sails. By reducing resistance, the J/42 sails faster and more comfortably. Seakindliness, how a boat handles the sea, also relates to how it handles the crew at sea and how the crew may subsequently enjoy interior amenities when arriving in port.

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

The Ideal Cruising Interior
The J/42 interior is designed to fulfill two goals: Privacy for each of two couples when cruising or ample space and convenience for one couple living aboard for an extended period of time.

From bow to stern: A self-draining deck anchor storage locker, behind the standard Lewmar electric windlass, is big enough for an anchor rode and cruising spinnaker, ready-to-fly in a ''snuffer" sock. A forepeak bulkhead separates this locker from a spacious owners stateroom with twin berths (convertible to an over-size double) and ample drawer, bin, cabinet & hanging locker space to store a permanent onboard wardrobe. The forward head /shower combination is private to the forward stateroom. The aft head serves multiple needs: it's ideally located for use at sea; as a wet hanging locker; as a private head for guests; and as a "separate shower" when there are no guests. Interior styling features bulkheads with exceptional joiner work in varnished cherry with cold-molded fiddles and door trim - a detail that's rarely seen, because of the tooling expense, in "one-off' custom construction. Hull lining slats, cabinets and drawers are also in varnished cherry.

Two 6' 6'' main settees double as sea-berths and are pitched outboard 5 degrees for secure sleeping at anchor. Stainless overhead grab rails are excellent handholds, drying racks and lee-cloth anchors. The cherry drop-leaf table is ruggedly built for security in a seaway. It's arranged away from the bulkhead, so guests aren't "trapped" during dinner. An optional bulkhead fold-down table is also available. The "J" galley is well ventilated next to the companionway and features a recessed, deep, double sink. Unique is the combination cutting board, serving tray and drop-in galley seat for easier meal preparation at sea. A Force 10 stainless LPG range has both broiler & oven. There is flip-panel access to a tall trash bin.

The navigation station features an over-sized table with chart storage, pencil/divider/reading glass rack, overhead panel for flush instrument mounting and a book/binocular/hat/cellular phone storage bin outboard. The aft double stateroom has four opening ports and hatches, a changing seat, hanging locker bureau with cabinet, three storage drawers and a bedding storage shelf. Five deck hatches over interior living spaces are mounted on the cabin trunk to permit use when sailing. Exceptional ventilation throughout is provided by 4 Dorade intakes, 10 opening ports and the dodger-protected companionway.

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.