The New J/40 – Speed, Comfort and Ease of Use Offshore
Frederick Bouvier July 23, 2017 11:00 AM PDT
The new J/40 © J Composites
J/Boats and J/Composites are pleased to introduce the new J/40, an offshore-ready, high-performance cruising yacht capable of double-digit speeds with exceptional comfort both in harbour and at sea.
From the same team that launched the award-winning J/112E, J/122 and J/45 comes an exciting new 40-footer that boldly pushes the boundaries of performance, versatile versatility and cruising comfort.
Design that defies classification
The pure joy of sailing and the thrill of piloting a well-balanced, stable, high-performance yacht are part of J/Boats’ DNA. The new J/40 doesn’t fit into any particular category or rules, except for the rules of the sea – the ultimate rules that reward boats with predictable, smooth-moving moves that can quickly adapt to changing conditions with minimal effort from the crew.
Like all J-Series boats, the new J/40 is designed to glide smoothly through the waves and be almost self-piloting. Its simple yet versatile, high aspect ratio sailplan allows for almost any sail combination (mainsail only, jib only, reefed mainsail and inner jib, etc.) for comfortable cruising, and can be optimized for signature events such as 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 strong wind conditions,” says J/Boats designer Al Johnston. “This boat will excel in coastal and offshore rallies and races, and more importantly, it will pass the family cruising test.”
Didier LeMoal, president of J/Composites, added: “The J/40 is the quintessence of our expertise, which allows us to bring to market successive new generations of J models that offer owners the best of both racing and cruising.”
Easier navigation means more time spent sailing
Family sailing has been at the core of the J/ philosophy since the first J/24 was launched in 1976. The easier a boat is to sail, the more time you can spend sailing. In the new J/40, all sail controls are linked to a large cockpit, with six winches optimally positioned for quick access to hoisting and adjustments. The mainsail is the primary driving force in the sailplan, and all controls (mainsheet, backstay, traveler) are within reach of the driver.
The small non-overlapping jib allows for much better visibility, requires much less jib sheet adjustment and is easier to tack than an overlapping genoa. For improved downwind performance, the New J/40 is fitted with a fixed carbon bowsprit for hoisting an asymmetric spinnaker or furled cordsail.
More sailing, less motorboats
The new J/40 is designed to sail in conditions where most boats would rely on a motor. At speeds below 8 knots with mainsail and codesail, the J/40 sails nearly at the wind’s speed. When motoring, the sleek hull with trim appendages (keel and rudder) minimizes resistance and results in very efficient fuel consumption. Increased efficiency means less fuel is used to achieve the same range, and less tank volume is required.
A spacious and comfortable cockpit
Sailors spend more time in the cockpit than anywhere else on board, so it’s important that every detail is precise. The cockpit is both the centre of operation and the main entertainment space. Too much emphasis on one at the expense of the other can have undesirable consequences, most notably the lack of visibility from the wheelhouse on many modern yachts.
The new J/40 gives drivers of all sizes 360-degree visibility from the wheelhouse (including the cabin top), which is essential for proper sailing and easy docking. The angled, rounded backrests are very comfortable for socializing with friends, and the angled, wide winch coamings invite high-side seating, allowing for easy lateral movement during maneuvers underway.
The twin wheel configuration allows for easy transom boarding, swimming and access to living/play spaces throughout the cockpit. In race mode the twin wheels allow the driver to sit further outboard and the crew to move smoothly between the aft and forward cockpits for easier sail handling and navigation.
Light-filled living space
Taking inspiration from the J/45, the interior design and styling was done by Isabelle Racoupeau in collaboration with J/Composites. Beautifully varnished, handcrafted natural wood (solid wood and veneer) is used throughout, and the design emphasises natural light, captivating sight lines and an overall sense of space.
The standard three cabin, one head layout maximises sleeping space and is ideal for owners sailing with large families or large crew, or for sleeping on the high side during offshore races and rallies, while the two cabin, two head layout maximises storage space when cruising and is ideal for all-round family sailing or extended cruising with one or two couples.
Ruggedly built to last
J/Composites shipyard (Vendée, France) is a world leader in high-quality sandwich/infusion construction and was the first European shipyard to adopt resin infusion molding technology in the mid-90s. J/Composites’ commitment to precise weight control of large composite parts is essential to achieving key design goals for stability, durability and performance.
The new J/40 is the only 40-footer on the market with a fully integrated hull, deck, structural grid and main bulkhead. The custom-designed construction provides superior hull rigidity and an optimal strength-to-weight ratio without sacrificing any living space comfort.
The new J/40 will be released this summer!
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