J/122 • The new J/122, built by J/ Europe in France, was introduced at the 2006 Paris Boat Show and then introduced in North America at the annual J/Boat Open House last spring. A long, lean and decidedly sleek 40 footer, the 122 may be one of the narrowest new racer-cruisers to be built in years, having a beam of 11 feet, 11 inches, and thus probably one of the most easily driven hulls around.
During initial sail trials in England last winter, the boat proved to be very quick out of the blocks and capable of high sustained speeds on all angles. Since then the new 122 has shone in regattas on both sides of the Atlantic. Since the Paris introduction, more than 45 boats have been ordered.
The boat has many unique und useful features on deck, including the carbon fiber sprit for flying an asymmetrical spinnaker, a carbon fiber Hall Spars mast, a “dock box” seat in the transom that can be removed when lightening ship for race days, and the extra-large destroyer wheel, which makes steering from both sides of the cockpit a breeze.
Down below, owners can have a two-cabin, two head arrangement or a three-cabin, one head plan. With either choice, the saloon remains the same with a large nav station and chart table, a very useful U-shaped galley and bench settees on either side of a large centerline table.
J/Boats has long set a standard for high quality, high performance, dual-purpose boats that really claim a lot of silver at the major racing events and provide warm, comfortable accommodations for the family cruises in between events. And their boats are blue-water capable, a point underscored by the recent victory in the Transpac by a J/125.
Specifications: LOA 40’0”; LWL 34’7”; Beam 11’11”; Draft 7’4”; Displacement 14,800 lbs.; Sail Area 865 sq. ft.
For more information log on to www.jboats.com.