Need overall height of J/42 for trucking

[jeff thayer]

Looking for the great wisdom of this crowd to help me determine the overall height of a J/42 (standard keel) from the keel sole to the top of the pulpits or cabin top, whichever is higher.  Assume we will be removing radar mast, helm wheel, bimini and dodger frames.  

I estimate that the height is just under 13' from scaling the line drawings from J/boats website.   Would be great of somebody out there has actual experience.  

(Why don't I just measure the boat?....I"m 2000 miles away from the boat.)

Jeff Thayer

SV Allez,

J/42 #46

[WSC]

Jeff -  I had VIDA transported from Newport, RI to NH when I acquired her in the winter of '19.   Measurements the broker confirmed was 12' 2' from the bottom of keel to the top of stanchions.   But the steering pedestal was actually the highest point, so on our pedestal we were able to remove the top most portion - the ss gaurd itself, not the entire pedestal.   After that, everything was good to go for the transport regulations.   btw, we haul VIDA every year and she get's trucked from the harbor to a barn and we haven't had to lower the pedestal, so assume even the highest point is within the reg's here in NH/ME.

Sean C - VIDA J/42 #1

[jeff thayer]

Thanks Sean.  

Ok, another shipping question:  best way to transport the rod rigging?   I've heard leave it strapped to the mast (carbon BTW) or coil it.  If Coiled, does anybody know the min diameter?  

Any any other useful tips on preparing the boat for overland transport.   

My current thinking is to strip all extraneous items off the mast (masthead stuff, spin halyard blocks, standing rigging, spreaders) but leave the running rigging but secure it using padding and shrink wrap.  

Not sure about what to do w/ the roller furler.   

Use neoprene (or similar) padding for mast on trailer supports.

Strip all loose-ish items off the deck (blocks, lines, anchor, etc)  

Look for items in the interior that could vibrate and harm either themselves or the woodwork.  Pad or remove them.  

Any other thoughts or experience?  

Thanks.  
Jeff Thayer

SV Allez, J/42 #46.

Currently lying Buffalo, NY, headed for Yarmouth, Me.  

[David Jade]

We had our J/46 with a carbon mast transported. They just strapped all the rigging down to the mast (with protection where they tied it). Only things taken off were the light, the wind hawk, and wind instrument. It was a two-day truck transport. 

The one thing I was cautioned about was to NOT wrap up the mast. You don’t want moisture trapped against the carbon and then baked in the sun. So if you do wrap it has to be tyvek or something else that can be made into a moisture barrier. We chose to leave it bare for our short trip. 

David                      _/)

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Shadowfax, J/46 #19

On Apr 12, 2026, at 1:35 PM, jeff thayer <jeff.fo...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks Sean.  

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[jeff thayer]

Thanks David, what form of protection did you use between mast and rigging/supports?  I was thinking of Neoprene, but it does not breathe, maybe carpet would be better?  

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[David Jade]

I don’t quite remember everything but I know there was at least some carpet used. Also, the furler and foil were strapped to the mast as well with padding. The foil might have had foam and tape cover the whole thing. 

Photos I have show some plastic wrapping (despite my warning) but now I recall we had a zero rain transport window and we were there to unwrap it all when it arrived. 

We also had to remove the dorades, radar pole, and the wheel and parts of the helm to keep the overall height down. Dodger too of course. 

We left some deck hardware attached but wrapped them in bubble wrap and tape. Taped all the life line gates closed as well. 

And inside we did have some vibration damage from something that got set on the table. So watch out for that. Even a cushion against a finished wall left a small shiny polished spot.

David                      _/)

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On Apr 12, 2026, at 4:36 PM, jeff thayer <jeff.fo...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[jeff thayer]

David, all really helpful info.  Thanks a bunch.  

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[John Burnett]

Hi Jeff,

We lashed the furler to the mast and coiled the rest of the standing rigging.   Leave space between the furler and the mast for tie down straps.

J-boats provided a very good shipping dimensions jpeg or pdf  for a J46.  They probably have j42 dimensions also.

The anchor roll bar and the upper anchor roller (the one protecting the furler drum) ended up being the highest points for us after removing pulpit, dorades, binnacle guard, wheel, radar mast, outboards, liferaft, forward lifelines and fwd gate, etc.  

good luck,

John, Folie a Deux, J-46

[gale...@gmail.com]

You might want to review the thread " Tips on Mast Prep/storage?" form November 2024 for a few more ideas.

Galen

J42 Tango