J/125 "A Spectacular Sailing Machine"

The 41 foot J/125 is as close to high performance big-boat sailing one can find in a boat that’s manageable (yes, even with spinnaker) by two or three people. J/125 is like a street-legal Indy 500 car that’s easier to drive than the family sedan.  Joy in ownership (and investment) is a function of time spent sailing. Time sailing depends on how easy it is to be off “on the spur of the moment” inspired by a beautiful day without having to organize 8-10 crew.

Easy to Go Sailing - How easy? Throw off the cover and hoist the mainsail on slides from the cockpit using a 2:1 halyard purchase. Cast off and sail faster under mainsail alone than most boats under full canvas. Unroll the jib and fly upwind. Ready to really take off? Pull out the retractable carbon bowsprit. Hoist the spinnaker in its sock. Then from the cockpit, slide the sock up the sail to deploy the spinnaker. Trim the sheet. Hold on to your hats! To jibe, cast off one sheet and pull in the other.  No need for anyone on the foredeck. To douse the spinnaker, cast off the sheet and pull the sock down over the sail from the cockpit.  Stow when ready. Can you imagine the surprise of other sailors as you fly by them in 15 knots of breeze doing 10-12 knots?        

Getting the Gun - One of the thrills J/125 owners experience frequently is being first-to-finish and getting the gun. The local crowd ashore assumes, as in other types of races, being first across the line determines the winner. J/125 upwind target speed is 7.8 - 8.0 knots. 10+ knots downwind is a daily occurrence. In fact we know of no other boat of its type and length that’s faster. Finding crew for weeknight and Saturday races is hardly a problem when you’re first to the party.