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Introduction
J/46 may be the only investment grade sailing yacht
of its size not requiring professional crew to sail at designed
performance levels…..or to maintain. Two people can easily manage her
upwind and down to achieve the same 8 knot passage-making speeds under
sail that is possible when motoring with 76hp diesel auxiliary. The joy of
sailing the perfect boat is, after all, a goal we believe every owner
ultimately seeks. To insure that good sailing days are spent sailing
rather than scrubbing and varnishing, J/46 is designed to be virtually
maintenance-free. Her exquisite joinerwork is protected from the
sun……belowdecks where it’s beauty can be preserved.
Great boats don’t happen overnight. Helped by new materials and
techniques, they evolve from the joint experiences of designer, builder
and owners to become state-of-the-art. J/46 is such a vessel, inheriting
the proven hull shape of the J/44, an offshore blue water classic,
having won the Fastnet, Sydney-Hobart, NYYC Queen’s Cup and Trans-Atlantic
races. J/44 is the only Class of yacht ever to be given its own class
start by the Cruising Club of America in the Newport-Bermuda Race. To
create the J/46, a foot of sailing length is added for speed; a transom
swim/boarding platform for convenience; a carbon fiber mast and low VCG
6.2’ shoal draft keel for more stability; and a resin-infused, composite hull and deck for greater strength. Belowdecks, the choice was
clear, use the same beautifully varnished cherry or teak joinerwork,
entertainment center and styling so highly acclaimed in our deluxe
J/160.
J/46 is a "maxi-Ditch" yacht, the tallest yacht that can fit
under the bridges of the Intra-Coastal Waterway. Yet she is
non-intimidating. A high length-to-beam ratio on the waterline of this
seakindly yacht significantly improves tracking offshore in large waves
and makes sailplan balance less critical. J/46 sails with either main or
jib only, always responding predictably to a light touch on the helm. Sail
power with good stability allows cruising with working jib rather than
large genoa. That’s less work for the crew and improved visibility for the
person on the helm. J Boats’ unique spinnaker system makes downwind
sailing possible for two. A modern asymmetric spinnaker attaches to the
top of the anchor roller, is contained within a cockpit-controlled
snuffer, and is stored, ready-to-use, in the bow locker. The spinnaker is
hoisted to the masthead, 2’ above the headstay intersect, leaving space
for the snuffer to shift on a jibe. Jibing is then easy. One simply lets
off one spinnaker sheet and pulls in the other.
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