Explosion of interest in J Class Yachts

Following the busy racing schedule of both Ranger and Velsheda during the last few seasons, there has been an explosion of interest in the J Class. With two new replicas under construction, the J Class Association (JCA) has issued a definitive list of J yachts from history which can be built as replica new builds under their rules. This provides a listing of interesting historical data and details of yachts currently sailing, under construction and reserved for build (see list below). 

New handicap system
The Class has also commissioned a new handicap system, developed by the Wolfson Unit at Southampton University. This new JCA system is based on VPP calculations and will be validated from towing tank results from the 1930s prepared initially in a report for Harold S Vanderbilt, who went on to commission the build of the 1937 Ranger. This comprehensive document has been made available by the Sparkman and Stephens USA office to the JCA.

Bruce Johnson, Chief Designer at the S&S office, stated, “We are pleased to be working with the J Class Association and Wolfson Unit for this research project and we are happy to share this report of tank test results, to further validate the rating process for the J Class.”

This information, from the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, has provided the vital cross check for the Wolfson Unit to complete the figures for accurate handicapping of the Js, in the interests of fair racing and good sportsmanship on the race course. It is intended that races will be won on the water with this new system, minimising discrepancies in handicap ratings.

John Robinson from the Wolfson Unit stated, “Development of this custom system based on historic design information, specific to the J Class and the results of tank testing from 1930s, gives us a fairer system than that based on the regression data from more modern hull forms already held within the VPP.”

New yachts under construction

Endeavour II was one of the largest J yacht hulls ever built and the replica is now well on its way towards completion at Royal Huisman Shipyard in Holland. The yacht is due to launch in late 2008. Gerard Dijkstra & Partners are design consultants for this project. It will feature a one-piece carbon mast, advanced deck layout and interior design by Pieter Beeldsnijder Design.

Lionheart is based on accurate lines plans from the Ranger 77F model which was never built. Andre Hoek is the design consultant for this project, based from their offices in Edam, Holland. Designed for cruising as well as racing, she is being built to MCA classification. Her deck layout shows two small deck houses with sleek and low profiles, as well as two small cockpit areas.

Lionheart is well ahead of schedule and her aluminium hull was turned just recently in preparation for the fitting out process. She is being built at Claasen Shipyard in Holland.

With these two new yachts likely to launch in the coming year, the JCA fleet is set to double in size. With the sheer size, sail area, crew, complexity, cost and commitment, this is certainly the most exciting class of thoroughbred yachts in the world. Further build projects are under discussion for design and build.

J Class Racing
Both Velsheda and Ranger will be competing in Antigua Classic Regatta, April 18th to 22nd 2008. They are closely matched in performance, both in speed and on handicap, so it is likely to provide exciting racing for both yachts and spectators. Nelson’s old lookout position at Shirley Heights, above the windward mark, will be the place to watch the yachts.

Both yachts are also expected to compete at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Porto Cervo, Sardinia, 1st to 6th September where the racing through the many islands will again prove a test of nerves for these yachts which draw 4.7 metres (16 feet).

J Class Association
Yacht	Sail Number	Country	Original Owner	Original Designer	Year	Replica	Status
Designed as J Class
Whirlwind	J3	USA	Syndicate	L. Francis Herreshof	1930
Yankee	J2	USA	Syndicate	Frank C. Paine	1930
Weetamoe	J4	USA	Syndicate	Clinton Crane	1930
Enterprise	J1	USA	Harold S. Vanderbilt	W. Starling Burgess	1930		JCA - Build Slot Reserved
Shamrock V	JK3	UK	Sir Thomas Lipton	Charles Nicholson	1930		Original - Sailing
Velsheda	JK7	UK	W. Stephenson	Charles Nicholson	1933		Original - Sailing
Endeavour	JK4	UK	T.O.M. Sopwith	Charles Nicholson	1934		Original - Sailing
Rainbow		USA	Harold S. Vanderbilt	W. Starling Burgess	1934
Endeavour II	JK6 Hanuman	UK	T.O.M. Sopwith	Charles Nicholson	1937	2008	Replica - Under Construction
Ranger 77C-20	J5	USA	Harold S. Vanderbilt	Burgess/Stephens	1937	2002	Replica - Sailing
Ranger 77C-E Model	Front of C-Aft of E		Not Built	Burgess/Stephens
Ranger 77A Model			Not Built	Burgess/Stephens
Ranger 77B Model			Not Built	Burgess/Stephens
Ranger 77D Model			Not Built	Burgess/Stephens
Ranger 77E Model			Not Built	Burgess/Stephens
Ranger 77F Model	(J-H1) Lionheart	H	Not Built	Burgess/Stephens		2008	Replica - Under Construction
Svea	S1	Sweden	Started - Not Finished	Tore Holm	1938
Frank C Paine A		USA	Not Built	Frank C Paine			JCA - Build Slot Reserved
Frank C Paine B		USA	Not Built	Frank C Paine
Yachts Converted to J Class
Britannia	K1	UK	King George V	George L. Watson	1893		Scuttled 1936
Resolute	H2	USA	Harold S. Vanderbilt	Nathanial G. Herreshof	1914
Katoura	J1	USA	Robert E Tod	W. Starling Burgess	1914
Cambria	K4	UK	Sir William Berry	William Fife	1928		Original - Sailing
Astra	K2	UK	Sir Mortimer Singer	Charles Nicholson	1928		Original - Sailing
Candida	K8	UK	Herman Andrea	Charles Nicholson	1932		Original - Sailing
Copyright J Class Association