J/42 Trans-Atlantic Sailing Report

(Plymouth, England)-  “We’re here in the U.K. packing the boat up after the Transatlantic Race and want to report the boat was super!  We averaged 7.45 knots for 3,225 nautical miles— a simply amazing performance for this wonderful cruising boat! I had could have pushed the boat harder in the heavy weather, which there was a lot of, but recognized that some of the crew were a bit nervous surfing above 14 knots. We hove to for seven hours during one gale of 40-50 knots with 15-20 foot steep waves. This move was, while comfortable, costly in the overall as 7 hours separated places 6 through 8 in the class.

Of note, the boat was exceedingly dry in large seas, and we only filled the cockpit up a couple of times as compared to other boats that were getting pooped excessively. We ran under double reefed main, alone, at hull speed in high winds with exceptional directional stability. Wing and wing with a number 4 poled out, and two reefs in, produced great boat speed and control as well.

Running in large seas, the rudder on the J/42 is magical. You are always at risk of overdriving the boat because it reacts so positively to input, given its size. I told the guys to drive the boat like you were holding eggs in your hands, as you simply do not need much muscle to drive the boat. If you do, you are typically over correcting for too much steering input.

We were the smallest boat in the race along with a Hinckley Southwester 42. I can't imagine a better ride for our crew of four. The Bermuda race, with one day in the Gulf Stream, does not give you the proper perspective on what this small boat can take and can deliver. We were in the Gulf Stream for five days with the ice gate set so far south of Newfoundland this year. We had a full-on North Atlantic Gale, and strong winds the entire race. Many boats suffered all kinds of problems and lucky for us, we had few if any. Not bad for a J/42 with 26,000nm on it!!

While it is surely outfitted as a cruising boat with a luxurious interior, it now has six Bermuda races, two Marblehead to Halifax Races, and one Trans-Atlantic race under its keel! It may be a ‘cruiser’, but it’s a helluva ocean racer!! Cheers, Steve”