Passage-making downwind under spinnaker - with only 2
people on a 40 footer - is now so easy, you'll have fun
doing it every time you go sailing. J/120's numbers upwind
are amazing too. Exceptional performance and construction
earned J/120 the distinction of being CRUISING WORLD magazine's
OVERALL BOAT OF THE YEAR and the BEST VALUE in a full-sized
cruising boat.
Downwind, it's a Whole
New World. With an asymmetric
spinnaker she'll do 7.2 knots at 150 degrees true wind
angle in 10 knots of wind with a VMG of 6.3. Other cruisers
might keep up if they used an engine. Flying one of an
asymmetrical is a one person job. Snuffer controls lead
back to the cockpit. No one goes on deck when deploying,
jibing, or dousing the spinnaker. To jibe, simply let off
one sheet and pull in the other. It's safer. One comer
of the spinnaker (the "tack") is always secure
to t e bowsprit, eliminating wild oscillations. The center-of-effort
is located further forward and lower. Meaning balanced, "finger-tip" control
rather than "white knuckled" round-up broaches.
The asymmetric's greater power drives the apparent wind
30-50 degrees forward of the true wind angle. In light
air and lumpy seas, the sail's greater area acts as a stabilizer.
Deep sailing angles (165 degrees True Wind Angle) can be
achieved by easing the sheet to project the u to windward
- as if it were pulled ac by a spinnaker pole.
Joy of Sailing. J/120 sails the same speed, with less
effort than boats nearly 20 feet longer. Isn't it time
you sailed the J/120 or another of the award-winning J/Sprit
designs from 26 to 53 feet?
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