Design and Construction
Jackett's hull concept was a moderate, wedge-shaped canoe body with a long 35-foot waterline and a plumb bow, carrying enough dead rise forward to take the edge off the motion in a seaway. The build itself leans on one-part molds for both hull and deck, which removed secondary bonds from the structure, while the Divinycell foam core was tapered to solid fiberglass wherever hardware attached or keel loads concentrated. Stiffness comes not only from that core strategy but from hull-bonded liners, carefully set bulkheads, and interior molded parts working together. Keel attachment uses J-shaped stainless-steel bolts cast into the lead and fastened to an internal grid bonded to the hull, and the boat carries a CE Stability Index of 40 — well inside the A category that begins at 32.
Rig and Handling
The rig is a fractional sloop with a 62-foot tapered Sparcraft alloy spar and a double-headsail solent arrangement, the working jib roller-furling to a self-tacking carbon-fiber Hoyt boom that survived the design overhaul. A stainless bowsprit doubles as tack point for both headsails and anchor roller. Under sail the full-battened mainsail runs on a Harken Battcar track with lazy jacks, and mid-boom sheeting with a small traveler keeps the cockpit clear of mainsheet gear. The furlable reacher is a powerhouse in light close-reaching, though it is not meant for close reaches once breezes hit double digits. Under power, test sailors found the 40-horsepower three-cylinder Yanmar and Max prop produced 7.2 knots on flat water, and the semi-balanced spade rudder steered smoothly without flutter.
Accommodations
Below, the starboard galley dominates with a centerline sink, ample acrylic counter, a two-burner Force 10 stove, microwave, and drawer-style fridge-freezer under a hatch, with a nonskid sole suited to cooking underway. The saloon table folds against the bulkhead to open the space and drops to seat diners both sides. A nav station sits portside by the companionway, and engine access beneath the ladder is adequate rather than roomy. Forward lies a head with shower and a sizable V-berth; aft buyers chose either side-by-side doubles or a port cabin with a large starboard locker. Testers liked the many smaller opening cabinhouse ports over one large fixed pane, but noted the boat has no Dorade vents, and that tankage and storage run minimal but adequate for the mission.
Known Issues
The rigid vang swings over the main saloon hatch, so the lid cannot be fully opened underway. The powerful spade rudder may drive itself to a hard-over angle if reversed above a couple of knots, demanding care in reverse. The reacher's close-reach limit in stronger winds is a handling caveat rather than a defect.
The Verdict
The Blue Jacket 40 is a thoughtfully engineered break from Island Packet tradition, trading ballast-heavy conservatism for a lighter, stiffer, ocean-capable platform with a clever self-tacking solent rig. Minor ergonomic and handling quirks do not undermine a capable performance cruiser.
Pros
- Resin-infused foam-core hull with one-part molds and solid high-load areas
- CE Category A with STIX 40 and ocean-going capability
- Self-tacking Hoyt boom and solent rig ease short-handed sailing
- Smooth, positive steering and strong light-air reacher
Cons
- Vang blocks full saloon hatch opening underway
- Rudder can slam hard over when backing above two knots
- No Dorade vents; tankage minimal for long independent cruising
