When you cast off with a sailboat to go cruising, the number one objective is to have fun. Therefore, we will not try to sail in a steady wind of 30 knots! On the contrary, we prefer to go out when the wind is established between 5 and 15 knots and a nice sea. Above that, the conditions become hard, the boat gets wet and the crew is more solicited. This is why 95% of cruising sailings are done with a wind between 5 and 15 knots.
A market that is out of sync with usage
Often heavy, regularly with little canvas, cruising yachts do not necessarily like light weather. The shipyards choose a large living space and a plethora of equipment necessary to offer comfort on board. These yachts often require more than 12 knots of wind before taking off. Below that, it is the mechanics that take over despite the efforts to rig a gennaker or other light air sails. That's why we see a lot of sailboats sailing under motor during the summer season.
Rigidity, lightness and precision
With the J/45, a comfortable cruising yacht, the J-Composites shipyard has succeeded in offering the pleasure of sailing, even in light winds. So in 95% of the uses. However, the optimized and deep center of gravity (keel of 2.30 m draft with bulb) brings a very healthy behavior when the wind and the sea get up. On this boat, performance becomes pleasure. Pleasure of the helm touch with a unique rudder that "returns" information to the helmsman. With quality fittings and ropes, the crew keeps in touch with the boat.
These performances are due to a coherent whole: a rigorous infusion construction (hull, deck, structure and main bulkhead) which offers lightness and rigidity. The design of the boat does not listen to the sirens of the bilge, an artifice to increase the habitable volume. And also, the choice of quality fittings
Whether upwind or downwind, the J/45 likes light airs and sails at wind speed from 6 knots. Gliding along without a sound becomes a real pleasure accessible to all sailors.
