by Frederic Bouvier 23 Jul 11:00 PDT
The new J/40 © J Composites
J/Boats and J/Composites are pleased to announce the New J/40, an offshore-capable, highperformance cruising yacht capable of double-digit speeds with exceptional comfort, both inport and at sea.
From the same team that launched the award-winning J/112E, J/122 andJ/45, comes an exciting new 40-footer that boldly pushes the envelope on performance,versatility of use, and cruising comfort.
A Design that Defies Categorisation
The pure joy of sailing and the thrill of steering a well-balanced, stable, high performingsailboat, are part of the J/Boats DNA. The New J/40 doesn't fit into a specific category orrule, except the rule of the sea, the ultimate rule that rewards boats with predictable,smooth motion that can quickly adapt to changing conditions with minimal effort by thecrew.
Like other J's before it, the New J/40 is designed to track smoothly through waves,nearly steering itself. The simple but versatile, high-aspect sailplan allows almost anycombination of sail (mainsail only, jib only, reefed main with inner jib, etc) for comfortablecruising, while also able to be optimised for signature events such as the Rolex Fastnet, Newport-Bermuda, Transpac and Chicago-Mac.
"The New J/40 has the sail power and stability to sail well in both light and windy conditions,"said designer Al Johnstone of J/Boats. "This boat will excel in both coastal and offshorerallies and races, and more importantly pass the family cruising test."
Didier LeMoal, President of J/Composites added: "The J/40 is the essence of our expertise.This expertise is what allows us to bring to market, model after model, a new generation ofJ's that provide owners with the best of both the racing and cruising worlds."
Easier Sailing means More Sailing Time
Family-friendly sailing has been core to the J/ philosophy since the first J/24 was launched in1976. The easier a boat is to sail, the more time one sails. On the New J/40, all sail controlslead to the large co*ckpit, with six winches optimally placed for quick access to hoisting andtrimming. The mainsail is the primary driving force of the sail plan and all controls(mainsheet, backstay and traveler) are within easy reach of the driver.
The non-overlappingsmall jib makes tacking a breeze with much better visibility, and much less jib sheet to trimthan with an overlapping genoa. For added downwind performance, the New J/40 isequipped with a fixed carbon bowsprit for flying an asymmetric spinnaker or a furling Codesail.
More Sailing, Less Motoring
The New J/40 is designed to sail in conditions where most boats resort to motoring. In under8 knots with a mainsail and Code sail, the J/40 will sail nearly at the wind speed. Whenmotoring, the sleek hull with faired appendages (keel and rudder) produces minimalresistance, resulting in highly efficient fuel consumption. Better efficiency means less fuelused, and less tankage required to achieve the same range.
Spacious Comfortable co*ckpit
Sailors spend more time in the co*ckpit than anywhere else on the boat. Getting the detailsright is crucial. The co*ckpit is both the operations hub AND the primary entertainmentspace. Focusing too much on one at the expense of the other can produce undesiredconsequences - the most noticeable being the lack of visibility from the helm on manymodern sailboats.
On the New J/40, drivers of all sizes have 360-degree visibility from thehelm (including over the cabintop) - essential for proper sailing and easier docking. Theangled, radiused backrests are super comfortable for socializing with friends, and the wide,angled winch coamings invite high-side seating and easy traversing during sailing manoeuvrers.
The twin-wheel configuration offers great access for transom boarding, swimming, and all-around co*ckpit living/playing space. In race mode, the twin wheels allow the driver to sitfurther outboard, and the crew to smoothly pass between the aft and forward co*ckpits foreasier sail handling and navigating.
Light-filled Living Space
With inspiration drawn from the J/45, the interior design and styling is by Isabelle Racoupeauin collaboration with J/Composites. Beautifully varnished, handcrafted, natural wood (solidand veneer) is featured throughout, with a design priority placed on natural light, attractivesightlines, and the overall feeling of space.
The standard 3-cabin, 1-head layout maximizessleeping accommodation and is ideal for owners sailing with a larger family or crew, and forhigh-side sleeping while offshore racing or rallying. The 2-cabin, 2-head layout maximizescruising storage and is perfect for all-around family sailing, and extended cruising with one ortwo couples.
The new J/40 layout options - photo © J Composites
Built Strong to Last Long
The J/Composites Shipyard (in the Vendée region of France) is a world leader for highquality, sandwich/infusion construction - the first European builder to adopt resin infusionmoulding technology in the mid 90's. The J/Composites commitment to precise weightcontrol on large composite parts is critical to meet important design objectives for stability,durability and performance.
The New J/40 is the only 40-footer on the market with a fullyinfused hull, deck, structural grid, and main bulkhead. The custom-engineered structureprovides exceptional hull stiffness and optimal strength-to-weight, without sacrificing thecomfort of the living spaces.
The New J/40 launches this summer!
