While classic in profile and layout, the J/42 steps into the future when considering structural strength, performance, ease-of-handling, stability and sailing comfort. When a gust of wind hits the J/42 it's as though someone pushed forward the throttles on a jet plane. 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 rigour 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.
J42 - Principal Dimensions
US (ft)
Metric (m)
LOA
42.00 ft
12.80 m
LWL
35.10 ft
10.70 m
Beam
12.20 ft
3.72 m
Draft
6.60 ft
2.01 m
Optional Shoal Draft
5.50 ft
1.68 m
1/2 Load Displacement
19,700 lbs
8,936 kg
Engine
56 hp
56 hp
Fuel
31 gal
113 ltrs
Water
100 gal
364 ltrs
Lead Keel
7,000 lbs
3,175 kg
Headroom
6'3"
1.90 m
100% SA
790 sq.ft
73.4 m²
I
50.50 ft
15.39 m
ISP
52.00 ft
15.85 m
J
14.70 ft
4.48 m
P
46.50 ft
14.17 m
E
18.00 ft
5.49 m
SA/DSPL
17.3
17.3
Dspl/L
203
203
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 the J/42's centre of gravity (CG) is so much lower than other cruisers.
A low VCG means greater stability, which in turn 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 the J/42 is easy for one person, thanks to superb wheel response and a common-sense sailplan. The J/42-balances well and sails upwind faster under mainsail only (over 6 knots) 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 knots; 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.
