“It’s always nice buying the president and designer’s own boat…
Allegro Malvagio, loosely translated, is, wicked fast.“
Allegro Malvagio, J Boat 42′
Interview with the Captain — Fred deNapoli
About the Boat
Why did you choose to buy a J Boat?
Since helping Rod Johnstone roll out his sophomore design, the J/30, in 1977/8, his wildly popular follow up to the J/24, I’ve been a devout follower of the marque.
How did you come to find/locate her before purchasing (and what’s the boat’s history if you know it)?
We originally became infatuated with the J/122, and Tom Mager was very gracious and took us out in his. After some sticker shock at the pricing of available boats, we rotated our search to J/124’s. Few and far between. I finally called Rod Johnstone to see if he knew of any, and, well, yes he did! He and his partner had one! Direct deal, no broker fees, etc. And it’s always nice buying the president and designer’s own boat!
What features/improvements have you added or do you plan to add?
Aside from a couple of new sails, and a jib in-hauler, not much. We updated the GPS and radar, and fitted an AIS (Automatic Identification System).
What are the features you like most about your boat?
The absolutely massive cockpit (easy seating for 8), wonderful how roomie and comfortable it is. We have a table that fits in either the cabin or the cockpit and have had some epic après-sail parties! We’re also very fond of the two hot showers, the well-appointed forward owner’s stateroom with lots of teak drawers and a hanging locker, as well as the very nice and private aft stateroom, also with lots of teak storage. It’s funny, most of the boats in our class don’t have any of these things, so we’re pretty lucky!
Who first introduced you to boating/sailing?
My father built our first boat, a National One Design, in our garage in Newton, circa 1957.
Do you belong to a yacht club or other boating/sailing organizations?
Yes, the Corinthian YC, Marblehead, and the Palm Beach Sailing Club.
What boats have you previously owned?
Jollyboat, Lightning, Ensign, Soling, Etchells, J/24, J/30, J/33, JY15, J/27, J/105, J/92 (FLA), Sonars (FLA).
How do you typically use your boat over the summer, and where do you go?
We’re on the boat several times a week. We typically day sail, but have done cruises to NY and Maine.
What is the biggest challenge you have in servicing your boat?
Chasing down a stinky head…I think we’ve finally figured it out!
Do you have any notable boating resources you use?
Chris Howes has been a close friend and our go-to sail maker for most of our needs, but also am a big fan of Chris Caldwell, Jack Slattery and his whole crew as well! We’ve very lucky to have so much talent here in town.
Do you have any advice for those looking to buy a J Boat like yours?
Pretty much can’t go wrong, learn the difference between the different lines, and be sure to do a good survey looking out for moisture in the hull and deck.
What’s the story behind the boat’s name?
My father named all of his racing boats, “allegro”…Italian for fast and lively. When he retired from racing he kicked back and bought a J/37, a super comfortable cruising boat, which he named “allegro vivace”, loosely translated into fast and lively, but more for the fun of it. As he began to get to an age where this was really too much boat for him in his mid 80’s, too big and too complex, we tried to move him into a nice day-sailor like an Alerion. We even had a name for it, “allegro simplicita”, fast and simple. He almost went for it, but pulled out of the deal at the last minute. Two years later he was in a nursing home and we sold the J/37. Shortly after that I bought a J/105 and in honor of my father, kept the name “allegro simplicita”, as a J/105 is very simple in many ways. The original owners of the J/124 we currently have was “Wicked”, after the Broadway musical of the same name. As we live in Salem where the term “wicked good” has been in use for at least 100 years or more (I have had female clients in their 90’s use this term frequently and told me they learned from their mothers!), it was a no brainer. “Allegro malvagio”, loosely translated is, “wicked fast”.
CHECK IT OUT
Click the gallery below for more photos and information about Allegre Malvagio!
