J-class yacht Totally Explained

Everything about J-class Yacht totally explained

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.

Specifications

Only 10 J Class yachts were ever built

Name	Year	LOA	LWL	Beam	Draft	Disp.	Designer	Builder
Enterprise	1930	120 ft 9 in	80 ft	23 ft	14 ft 6 in	128 tons	Starling Burgess	Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
Whirlwind	1930	139 ft	86 ft	21 ft 9 in	15 ft 6 in		Francis Herreshoff	Lawley and Son
Yankee	1930	126 ft	83 ft	22 ft 6 in	14 ft 6 in	148 tons	Frank Paine	Lawley and Son
Weetamoe	1930	125 ft 9 in	83 ft	20 ft	14 ft 6 in		Clinton Crane	Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
Shamrock V	1930	119 ft 1 in	81 ft 1 in	20 ft	14 ft 9 in	134 tons	Charles Nicholson	Camper and Nicholsons
Velsheda	1933	127 ft 6 in	83 ft	21 ft 6 in	15 ft		Charles Nicholson	Camper and Nicholsons
Endeavour	1934	129 ft 6 in	83 ft 6 in	22 ft	14 ft 9 in	143 tons	Charles Nicholson	Camper and Nicholsons
Rainbow	1934	127 ft 6 in	82 ft	21 ft	15 ft	141 tons	Starling Burgess	Herreshoff Manufacturing Company
Ranger	1937	135 ft	87 ft	21 ft	15 ft	166 tons	Starling Burgess & Olin Stephens	Bath Iron Works
Endeavour II	1937	135 ft 6 in	87 ft	21 ft 6 in	15 ft	162 tons	Charles Nicholson	Camper and Nicholsons

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.

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