J/42L: The L Stands for Liveaboard

The J/42 has become legendary for the ease of operation and great stability which make it an exceptionally seaworthy and fast boat. On top of numerous trans-oceanic passages, J/42s have won nearly every major cruising canvas race in the Caribbean as well as the Annapolis-Newport Race. The popular J/42 with its classic good-looks has been refined further to include features of great appeal to the cruising sailor who plans to make the boat a home. The interior is elegantly finished in varnished cherry with paneled doors. Interior hull surfaces in staterooms are lined with cherry battens. An "L" shaped settee with pullout double-berth to port, fold-up main cabin table with storage rack and redesigned settees create an entirely new and more spacious main cabin. Overhead halogen lights with dimmer switches set the right mood at dinnertime. The forepeak cabin is changed to include a fixed double-V berth with drawers and lockers underneath plus full-length shelves with higher fiddles and a centerline cabinet above the berths. Similar changes are made in the aft double-cabin.

Of particular interest to the sailor who plans extended cruising away from good marina services are three new packaged options:

Combination Stainless Bimini-Arch - Rather than have GPS, Radar, TV towers on separate mounts off the stern rail with a floppy canvas bimini, Thurston Towers of Wickford RI has custom designed for J Boats a rigid stainless bimini with lightweight fiberglass top upon which is mounted a solar panel array and all antennas, providing better protection and a more elegant solution to the jungle of accessories normally found on cruising boats.

Tradewinds Refrigeration Package - This state-of-the-art system developed in conjunction with Seafrost and offered for the first time on any production boat, combines mechanical refrigeration and a 12-volt system with separate refrigerator and freezer units. This provides greater flexibility than the prior 110v option and is particularly well suited for use when alternative sources of energy, such as solar panels, can be used in lieu of precious diesel fuel. This optional freezer unit, with 50R equivalent vacuum panel insulation, is located under the L-shaped settee.

Jack Rabbit Solar Compatible Power Package - This is considered to be the finest electrical system that can be installed in a cruising sailboat, providing 420 AH in the house bank using 1 4D (a 2nd 4D is available for 620 AH) and 2 Lifeline 31s. The alternator is a 3 phase 125 Amp unit. Included is a BattMax, Freedom 20 Charger/Inverter, Link 2000 & 10 plus Zap Stop.

Standard 'L' Upgrades vs. J/42

• L Shaped Port Settee, Pull Out Double & Settee Backs in at aft end by 4" to Increase Outboard Storage


• Fold-Up Main Cabin Table With Integral Magazine/Book Rack.


• V-Berth Design Modification to delete step and arrange large storage drawers on aft face.


• V-Berth Full Length Shelves With Raised Fiddle Rails (3.5") and Cabinet @ Foot of Berth.


• Aft Cabin Full Length Shelf With Raised Fiddle Rails (3.5") and Cabinet @ Foot of Berth.


• Varnished Cherry Stateroom Ceilings Forward and Aft


• Raised Panel Varnished Cherry Doors


• Dual 160 Type Racor Filter System in Cockpit Locker


• Upgraded Engine Insulation


• Halogen Lights with Dimmer Switches over Main Cabin Table & Galley (3 Total)


• 30Amp 110 Volt Shorepower System with 50? Cord


• Promar Battery Charger


• Seafrost 12V System for Standard Ice Box


• All Electric Wires Labeled


• 2 Blade Max Prop in lieu of Martec


• Manual Override Upgrade on Ocean Series Windlass (Lewmar)

New Single Options

• Pressure Salt Water Washdown Forward with Rinse Spray in Galley


• Inner Forestay Tang on Deck


• Rubrail? PVC w/ S.S. half round in lieu of cove stripe


• Cherry Interior Handrails in lieu of standard


• 30 Gallon Flexible Fuel Tank gravity feeds to main tank Aft on center line.


• Seafrost Mechanical Refrigeration (for standard icebox only)


• Cedar Lined Hanging Locker FWD and AFT


• Recessed Cabin Doors w/Mobella Locksets (4 Total)

Specifications