THE NEW SPORTY 40

I have long held that bluewater cruising yachts, especially those under 40ft, have much to gain from the way today’s smaller short-handed offshore raceboats are designed and set up. Many of these are pushed hard in conditions that keep most cruisers in harbour, yet easy handling and utter reliability, even in properly testing conditions, are essential attributes.

But can a lightweight, powerful design really work as a serious cruising yacht? Traditionally key features for such boats include good directional stability and the ability to stand up to canvas in an increasing wind.

Dark squall clouds to the south-west of La Rochelle promised the perfect opportunity to test the JPK 39’s ability to stand up to full sail when close-hauled in a rising breeze. Progressively flattening the mainsail was easy as the wind built ahead of the rain. The JPK 39 is a world away from those boats with imprecise sail controls and sails that stretch dramatically in gusts, producing more drive and heel at the very moment you need to depower.

With the JPK it takes only seconds, and very little effort, to wind on extra halyard or Cunningham tension, apply maximum outhaul and whack on more backstay, via the 48:1 purchase. Equally, the headsail is easily depowered by tweaking the floating jib sheet fairlead inboard and easing the sheet a fraction to twist off the top of the sail. This boat engages you, encourages you