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.

2017 Doyle Mainsail with Dutchman

2018 Doyle 100% Genoa

Various racing sails that are over 20 years old.