J-class yacht

During the 1930s J-class yachts were built to race in the America's Cup. Only 10 were ever built as they were extremely expensive to build and maintain, especially in the post war years after the Cup resumed in 1958. They were replaced by the 12-metre class yachts.

The "J" designation refers to the class of yacht defined by its sail area, displacement, length, and mast height, formally defined in the Universal Rule. When designing a J-class yacht builders would have to decide which characteristics to maximize to build the ideal yacht.

America's Cup

All three America's Cup races featuring J-class boats were won by the United States. In 1930 "Enterprise" defeated "Shamrock V" of Britain. In 1934 "Rainbow" defeated "Endeavour" of Britain. In 1937, at the peak of J-class racing, the "Super J," "Ranger" defeated Britain's "Endeavour II".

Revival

Only three of the original yachts are still sailing today; "Shamrock V", "Velsheda" and "Endeavour". They have all undergone extensive restoration and rebuilding.

A replica of "Ranger" was launched in 2004. As of April 2008 another three yachts are being built or planned. These are "Endeavour II", "Lionheart" and "Svea". According to J-class regulations, any new yacht built must use existing designs from the 1930s.

Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects from Amsterdam, Holland, have gained over 20 years of J-Class experience and where responsible for the rebuilds of the J-Class yachts: Shamrock V, Velsheda, Endeavour, refit of Ranger and the new build Endeavour II and Rainbow. [http://www.gdnp.nl Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects] .Endeavour II will be built in Alustar with a Carbon mast at Royal Huisman Shipyard, not a stranger to the J-Class yachts. In 1989 J-K4 Endeavour was re-built at the yard in Vollenhove, Holland. Dykstra & Partners were also responsible for the design work of this re-built.

pecifications

Only 10 J Class yachts were ever built

* Disp: Displacement
* LOA: Length overall
* LWL: Length on waterline

Other yachts that were converted to J Class specifications included "Astra", "Britannia", "Candida" and "Cambria" of the UK, along with "Vanitie", "White Heather II" and "Resolute" (1920 Cup defender) of the United States.

External links

* [http://www.jclassyachts.com J Class Association]
* [http://www.sparkmanstephens.com/yachtdesign/sailyachts/jclass_designs.php Sparkman & Stephens - Naval Architects & Yacht Designers]
* [http://www.GDNP.nl Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects]
* [http://www.hoekdesign.com Hoek Design Naval Architects]

* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE6DB143EF932A15755C0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all 1989 article about the restoration of Elizabeth Meyer's Endeavour]