J/46 may be the only investment grade sailing yacht of its size not requiring professional crew to sail at designed performance levels - or to maintain. Two people can easily manage her upwind and down to achieve the same 8 knot passage-making speeds under sail that is possible when motoring with 76hp diesel auxiliary. To insure that good sailing days are spent sailing rather than scrubbing and varnishing, J/46 is designed to be virtually maintenance-free. Her exquisite joinerwork is protected from the sun - belowdecks where its beauty can be preserved. Helped by new materials and techniques, great boats evolve from the joint experiences of designer, builder and owners to become state-of-the-art. J/46 is such a vessel, inheriting the proven hull shape of the J/44, an offshore bluewater classic, having won the Fastnet, Sydney-Hobart, NYYC Queens Cup and Trans-Atlantic races. J/44 is the only Class of yacht ever to be given its own class start by the Cruising Club of America in the Newport-Bermuda Race. To create the J/46, a foot of sailing length is added for speed; a transom swim/boarding platform for convenience; a carbon fiber mast and low VCG 6.2-foot shoal draft keel for more stability; and a resin-infused, composite TPI SCRIMP hull and deck for greater strength. Belowdecks, the choice was clear. Use the same beautifully varnished cherry or teak joinerwork, entertainment center and styling so highly acclaimed in the J/160 flagship. J/46 is a `maxi-Ditch` yacht, the tallest yacht that can fit under the bridges of the Intra-Coastal Waterway. Yet she is non-intimidating. A high length-to-beam ratio on the waterline of this seakindly yacht significantly improves tracking offshore in large waves and makes sailplan balance less critical. J/46 sails with either main or jib only, always responding predictably to a light touch on the helm.