The New J/40 - Offshore Speed, Comfort and Ease
by Frederic Bouvier 23 Jul 2024 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, high
performance cruising yacht capable of double-digit speeds with exceptional comfort, both in
port 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 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 performing
sailboat, are part of the J/Boats DNA. The New J/40 doesn't fit into a specific category or
rule, 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 the
crew.
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 any
combination of sail (mainsail only, jib only, reefed main with inner jib, etc) for comfortable
cruising, 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 offshore
rallies 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 of
J'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 in
1976. The easier a boat is to sail, the more time one sails. On the New J/40, all sail controls
lead to the large cockpit, with six winches optimally placed for quick access to hoisting and
trimming. 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-overlapping
small jib makes tacking a breeze with much better visibility, and much less jib sheet to trim
than with an overlapping genoa. For added downwind performance, the New J/40 is
equipped with a fixed carbon bowsprit for flying an asymmetric spinnaker or a furling Code
sail.
More Sailing, Less Motoring
The New J/40 is designed to sail in conditions where most boats resort to motoring. In under
8 knots with a mainsail and Code sail, the J/40 will sail nearly at the wind speed. When
motoring, the sleek hull with faired appendages (keel and rudder) produces minimal
resistance, resulting in highly efficient fuel consumption. Better efficiency means less fuel
used, and less tankage required to achieve the same range.
Spacious Comfortable Cockpit
Sailors spend more time in the cockpit than anywhere else on the boat. Getting the details
right is crucial. The cockpit is both the operations hub AND the primary entertainment
space. Focusing too much on one at the expense of the other can produce undesired
consequences - the most noticeable being the lack of visibility from the helm on many
modern sailboats.
On the New J/40, drivers of all sizes have 360-degree visibility from the
helm (including over the cabintop) - essential for proper sailing and easier docking. The
angled, 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 cockpit living/playing space. In race mode, the twin wheels allow the driver to sit
further outboard, and the crew to smoothly pass between the aft and forward cockpits for
easier sail handling and navigating.
Light-filled Living Space
With inspiration drawn from the J/45, the interior design and styling is by Isabelle Racoupeau
in collaboration with J/Composites. Beautifully varnished, handcrafted, natural wood (solid
and veneer) is featured throughout, with a design priority placed on natural light, attractive
sightlines, and the overall feeling of space.
The standard 3-cabin, 1-head layout maximizes
sleeping accommodation and is ideal for owners sailing with a larger family or crew, and for
high-side sleeping while offshore racing or rallying. The 2-cabin, 2-head layout maximizes
cruising storage and is perfect for all-around family sailing, and extended cruising with one or
two couples.
Built Strong to Last Long
The J/Composites Shipyard (in the Vendée region of France) is a world leader for high
quality, sandwich/infusion construction - the first European builder to adopt resin infusion
moulding technology in the mid 90's. The J/Composites commitment to precise weight
control 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 fully
infused hull, deck, structural grid, and main bulkhead. The custom-engineered structure
provides exceptional hull stiffness and optimal strength-to-weight, without sacrificing the
comfort of the living spaces.
The New J/40 launches this summer!
www.jcomposites.eu