J Boats J/122 - Cruising Sailboat

2009 J Boats J/122 Description

J/122 is a new versatile 40 foot performance sprit boat with comfortable live-aboard accommodations, a refined deck layout, low VCG keel with a moderate 7.2' draft. The hull & deck are built using superior SCRIMP infusion molding to maximize durability and long term value. J/122 is a new 40’ sloop conceived as a versatile, stable and simple-to-sail modern cruiser & racer. Achieving this elusive and sometimes conflicting design goal requires a combination of simple and efficient sail handling systems, balanced rig plan, high quality hardware, light but durable construction materials, a low VCG keel, versatile deck layout and a refined performance hull with enough volume for a comfortable interior arrangement. J/122 is a light to moderate displacement yacht weighing in at 14,900 lbs with a displacement-length ratio of 161. The hull shape is fair without distortions and optimized to reduce wetted surface without sacrificing good directional stability that J/Boat owners appreciate. This hull shape, with relatively short overhangs, will provide for good performance upwind and minimized drag downwind. The J/122 hull is not extreme in any particular dimension and will have a forgiving and predictable motion in a wide variety of wind and seas conditions. Construction: J/122 is built by J/Europe of Les Sables d’Olonne in France, an area rich with sailing history and experienced boat builders. She is CE certified category A, and hull & deck are SCRIMP molded with e-glass and vinylester resin with balsa and foam core materials respectively. An extensive SCRIMP molded structural grid supports the keel and mast loads as well as the interior components. This infusion molding process insures the lightest and strongest molded parts and is far superior to hand lay-up or chopper gun construction. All J/122 interior components are of high grade cold molded veneers and marine grade veneered plywood with varnished finish. Each new J/122 is delivered with a 5 year factory structural warranty and 10 year warranty against osmotic gelcoat blistering. Interior Design: Priority in the interior design is given to creating adequate headroom, cabin functionality, storage, ventilation, as well as a large salon area, an efficient galley and a proper forward facing navigation station. The heaviest interior system components, like the engine, batteries, galley icebox, engine, fuel & water tanks, etc… are all centralized as much as possible in the boat in an effort to reduce pitching. The interior layout for the J/122 comes in two configurations. Standard is a three cabin single head layout and as an option there is a two cabin two head layout. In both cases the main salon, navigation, and galley areas remain unchanged. For finish, mahogany woodwork and bulkheads are varnished and complimented by molded countertop patterns in both the galley and head(s). A molded headliner is the finishing touch in the cabins and molded white slat effect panels finish the hull surfaces. A synthetic cabin floor is chosen for durability, low maintenance and non-skid texture and is divided into several sections with flush fasteners. Cushions are custom fit for each boat and come in a variety of fabrics and patterns. Rig & Stability: It is important that a “non-overlapping” rig configuration like the J/122 is designed with enough power and acceleration for decent performance in light conditions while not having so much power (or rig height) that the boat becomes easily overpowered in heavy conditions. It is a tight rope of compromises requiring a match of rig height, sail area, ballast, draft, form stability and overall vertical center of gravity (VCG). J/122 combines modest 7.2’ draft with a low VCG keel and 61.5’ tall Hall Spars carbon mast. The balanced fractional rig configuration has a pair of swept spreaders with discontinuous shrouds terminating at the deck edge. This allows for a maximum 110% LP racing jib or 100% LP jib for all-purpose cruising and negates the need for running backstays or checkstays. The jib is set on a standard headsail furling system for easy handling with furling drum located below deck to allow maximum jib luff length. Each of these features help to simplify life for the crew and clean up the deck layout while maximizing performance. Bow Sprit & Asymmetrics: The simplicity of sailing the J/122 is complimented by the standard asymmetrical spinnaker system and includes a retracting carbon fiber bowsprit contained in a watertight interior compartment draining overboard. The largest A-sail size recommended for the boat is 155 sqm or 1,668 sqft and is flown from the masthead mounted spinnaker halyard sheave. Two adults can easily jibe the full size spinnaker without leaving the cockpit and an added snuffer can help simplify and contain the douse when it becomes necessary. Set up the boat with a smaller cruising A-sail and it’s nearly as effective and even easier to manage. Deck Design: Priority is given on deck to a helm position that allows visibility of the headsail and forward beyond the bow in a comfortable as well as secure offshore cockpit. Highlights of the design include an open transom cockpit with two long cockpit seats each with a storage compartment and tall backrest. The floor mounted main traveler is intended to make traversing this cockpit easy while maintaining the essential mainsail controls near to the helm. All halyards lead from the mast to the cockpit as do the adjustable jib lead controls, furler and bowsprit controls etc... An efficient Harken hardware layout is an essential ingredient and has been carefully thought-out by many experienced sailors on the J/122. A hydraulic backstay adjuster panel is centrally mounted on the forward face of the steering pedestal for easy control of mast bend and mainsail shape. For cruising, the J/122 deck also offers some unique features. The removable “dock box” option is designed to fit securely in place behind the helm to effectively close off the cockpit aft to the sea. This feature has proven very popular with the J/109 and provides extra security and cockpit storage for cruising trips and more casual outings with family and friends. For race mode, two can lift it out and leave it on the dock storing the heavy cruising gear inside. Other J/122 cruising features include a standard anchor and rode locker forward on deck, an optional windlass with bow roller combination, several standard opening ports and hatches for important below-decks ventilation, a swim ladder and a clean cockpit dodger solution. Auxiliary Power: The Volvo D2 40hp fresh water cooled diesel engine with saildrive is standard with a folding geared propeller. This motor powers the J/122 between 7.0 – 7.5 knots and features a keyless start switch, 70amp AGM glass mat start battery, and a 115 amp alternator. A 35 gallon fuel tank is standard. Two additional 80amp house batteries are AGM Glass Mat type and divided through the DC electrical system. Estimated Ratings: IRC rates the J/122 with a 110% LP jib and 155 sqm spinnaker between 1.096 - 1.010. Estimated PHRF rating will likely put the J/122 somewhere in the mid to upper 30s. J/122s are completing at a rate of one boat per week in France and a total of 45 boats have already been committed for with half of these destined for the USA. Launched in December of 2006, the J/122 has quickly established her 2007 winning race record in France at the Obelix Trophy regatta, in the UK at the RORC Cervantes Trophy Race and in the USA at the American Spring Regatta & Greenwich Cup. An IRC-friendly cruiser/racer, J/122 offers a completely furnished interior, a simple to manage balanced sail plan, head turning performance and great looks. The first J/122s have quickly set the new performance standard for dual purpose 40 foot yachts both inshore and offshore. Racing against the latest 40' competition, J/122 is winning both in Europe and the USA. Victories include class trophies at the Obelix Regatta, American Spring Regatta, Cervantes Trophy Race, Greenwich Cup Regatta, Myth of Malham Race, and Cowes to Deauville Race. Other notable finishes this spring include 3rd and 4th at Spi Ouest in a class of 45 boats (the J/122 debut regatta) and a 2nd place in the Block Island Race. Developed with and built by J/Europe in France, J/122 is distinguished by a well executed high quality interior, a non-overlapping sailplan configuration that helps simplify the deck layout and sail selection. A setback headstay with furler are recessed into the deck to maximize the jib luff length while retaining the convenience of jib furling from the cockpit. Plus, the simplicity of an asymmetric spinnaker flown from a retractable carbon bow sprit, that makes it easy to achieve near peak performance with minimal crew effort. The J/122 cockpit is ergonomically optimized with a floor mounted traveler, below decks mainsheet system, offshore seatbacks, remote backstay adjuster and an available removable transom storage dock box that allows one to increase cockpit storage for cruising or convert back to a lighter race mode in a matter of minutes. Several key features of the US Model include: Standard Hall Spars carbon fiber mast with swept spreaders, rod rigging and below deck jib furling system. Standard Sparcraft Grand-Prix aluminum boom with internal mainsheet system Standard Carbon fiber bow sprit and Asymmetric spinnaker system for short-handed performance and ease of handling. Low VCG 7.2’ (2.2m) keel for short-handed stability. Low maintenance deck configuration with molded foredeck toe rails, hi-traction non-skid and minimum use of wood for low maintenance. Included is a large protected cockpit with long seats and high backrests combined with a floor mounted mainsail traveler, below-deck mainsheet system, and a large diameter leather covered wheel mounted to a steering pedestal with integrally molded foot rests for a very comfortable helm ergonomic. Choice of three cabin/single head or two cabin/two head interior layout with full headroom for live-aboard cruising, complete galley, proper navigation station, opening ports for ventilation and plenty of storage. Removable dock box option at transom for easy race/cruise conversion. Two interior plans are available: a three cabin/forward head layout and the more traditional two cabin/two head cruising layout; both layouts finished in varnished light mahogany. Several option packages, tailored to specific cruising and racing needs are available. Contact your J/Dealer for the most up to date information and availability.